Hey All,
Siddharth,
Samui/Phangan are very nice, but they are basically the same as Phuket, nice beach, nice water for swimming. If you have read my profile, you will know I have spent 10 winters in Pattaya. Big surprise, I am going to vote that you spend your remaining few days in Pattaya. I recommend that you fly back to BKK, spend your 2-3 days there, then take a bus/taxi down to Pattaya. You will have more fun there than any other city in Thailand. There is more nightlife available in a small area than any other city you will visit. Great restaurants, live entertainment, bars, go go girls/boys, discos, shopping malls, plus many attractions, all at a seaside resort. Both Pattaya beach & Jomtien beach are mediocre at best. But, You can have a great beach day by taking the ferry over to Koh Larn. When you have to catch your flight home, you can take a bus or taxi directly to Suvarnabhumi.
I have heaps of Pattaya photos in my gallery plus a blog entry on Koh Larn. Send me a PM if you have specific questions on Pattaya.
I found Samui to be similar to Phuket, but Phagnan is nothing like Phuket. Hat Rinn, the one main developed beach is indeed no different than Phuket other than the distinctly younger population. But outside Hat Rinn you'll find mostly quiet nice beaches in Phagnan something hard to find in Phuket. I can't personally vouch for Pattaya as I've never had any intentions of going there, but I've yet to meet a person under the age of 40 who likes it there and the fast majority of friends who have been there would never step foot in he place again. But I guess it depends on what you want - few things on the list of Pattaya attractions that vegasmike gave appeal to me in the least bit. I prefer my Thai beach to be beautiful and swimmable with few people, with some cheap and basic accomodation, and just enough restaurants (3 or 4 will do) to have a bit of choice. You can find this on Phagnan, Tao, and Lanta. If you want something between this and Pattaya, I would recommend Phi Phi or Krabi.
Dave,
I can certainly respect that you want peace & quiet, a relaxing beach experience. But, I am guessing that Siddharth may want to cut loose a bit since India is certainly not as wideopen as Thailand. Pattaya can be a bit much for many, but if he wants some wine, women & song, Pattaya is the place to be. Both Pattaya and Las Vegas are similar is one respect. Nothing subtle about either city. Our citys motto: "If it is worth doing, it is worth overdoing!" Same with
Pattaya. It is an in your face kind of place.
Personally I loved Koh Phan Ngan - I wanted to do the whole Full Moon Experience on Haad Rin but then I also wanted to find beaches that were quiet and more of that "paradise" feel about them.
Once we did the Full Moon we headed to the north-west of the island towards Haad Yao & Haad Salad, both had stunning beaches and beach huts right on the waterfront..only about 20 other people there when we arrived so had a section of the beach to ourselves..was perfect just sittin on a hammock reading a book and away from the madness that normally is Thailand.
Sadly most of the Thai islands are now just another "beach holiday resort" for westerners but if you make the effort and get away from the main resorts then u can still find a piece of paradise
Hey!
Mike...Dave & Declan......Thx alot for your responses ... gonna take these into account while planning... will keep you posted on any developments.... and may seek some more advice....
Cheers!
Hi!
A friend and I are going to Thailand-Indonesian between the 27th of december and the 4th of february...Seems to be the best time to go to Thailand but we are not pretty sure about Indonesian...we are intending to go this way in Indonesian: Jakarta-Bali-Lombok (this just to set the basics) ... this might be the last 3 weeks of january...would you recommend this specifically area on this time on the year??
thx!
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