Yet Another "first time to Thailand" thread

**boatboy** · 03-09-2008, 03:01 PM

Hi all, first post here so be gentle.

I am coming up in May June 09 with the missus for a couple of weeks as part of a 6 week stint checking out all the yachtie friendly spots between Phuket and Kota Kinabalu as I eventually plan on coming up that part of the world in a couple of years for a very extended stay.

I have been to Malaysia (KL, Penang and Langkawi) and loved it, and Air Asia had cheap flights so threw 2 weeks in Phuket (spur of the moment) in with the mix this time as well as some of my yachtie mates up in Asia recon plenty go there in favour of Langkawi.

Question now of course is where?

What I dont like

I dont get off at all on in my face touts.

Ladyboys, pros and sexshows are not my thing, but I wont be offended if they are about, just leave me out of it.

I dont like crowds and touristy stuff.

Taxi Mafia

What I do like

From a cruising background so cold beer, cheap fresh seafood, palmtrees and clearwater.

Hawkers (cheap food) markets like in Malaysia where one can eat, not get sick and not get harassed to buy buy buy.

A bit of beach where we can sit down, read a book and have a few cold beers and a feed

Had a flick around here and it looks like Patong is not me but Karon Beach may be and suggestions have been made for Krabi on here as well, but what about down the bottom end around Rawai Beach and Chalong Bay as that seems to be where the yachtie types hang out.

We will probably want to stay in 3 different areas for 4-5 days each.

I'll also be wanting to rent a cheap car, like a Perodua or Suzuki something for a bit, I have always done this in Malaysia and have just rented from a mate of a cabdriver or hotel worker or similar, but is that OK to do in Thailand and can I drive with an Oz license

Any recomendations and comments gratefully recieved

Thanks

BB

**good2bhappy** · 03-09-2008, 03:03 PM

stay out to sea and you should be ok!

**Jesus Jones** · 03-09-2008, 03:08 PM

Some places in and around Koh Chang are nice. It's starting to go down the pan so enjoy it while you can. There are 50 or so surrounding smaller islands that are worth visiting.

Koh Chang (Trat) btw as i believe there is 2.

**Norton** · 03-09-2008, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by boatboy

Question now of course is where?

Sounds like you might fancy Khaolak about an hour north of Phuket.

Khaolak.com.....Khaolak in Phang Nga, South Thailand.

**Nawty** · 03-09-2008, 05:18 PM

I would stick with Malaysia myself

**Norton** · 03-09-2008, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Nawty

I would stick with Malaysia myself

He's been to Penang and Langkawi. Maybe something on the East Coast of Malaysia for something different. Terengganu is beautiful.

**boatboy** · 03-09-2008, 06:00 PM

Is Thailand really that bad?

If so why are you on here?

Bit of a bummer if it is as I have already paid for the plane tickets.

After my 2 weeks in Phuket I will be going back to Malaysia for 4 weeks, but, still have to do Phuket.

BB

**Nawty** · 03-09-2008, 06:11 PM

IMHO phuket is a shit hole...undeserved of all the 'international' destination claims of excellence etc.

**Norton** · 03-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by boatboy

still have to do Phuket.

If you must stay in Phuket, Chalong and Rawai are nice but the west side has the best beaches and seaside. Surin and Kamala are also quite nice.

I still highly recommend Khaolak. Fly to Phuket and a short trip to Khaolak. Check the link I gave above.

**TizMe** · 03-09-2008, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Nawty

What I dont like I dont get off at all on in my face touts. Ladyboys, pros and sexshows are not my thing, but I wont be offended if they are about, just leave me out of it. I dont like crowds and touristy stuff. Taxi Mafia

Originally Posted by boatboy

Is Thailand really that bad? If so why are you on here?

Because we love in our face touts, Ladyboys, pros and sexshows.

**Loy Toy** · 03-09-2008, 06:31 PM

Pattaya for sure.

None of those nasties down this neck of the wood mate.

No seriously Malaysia seems to be your best bet mate as this place is full of shit (or not in line with your worded preferences).

No clear water here either, not even in the hotel bathtubs

Anyway welcome to Teak Door and hope you find what you are looking for!

**peterpan** · 03-09-2008, 06:44 PM

Your from QLD I see, Home of the best sailing waters in the world, well apart from NZ that is. But your more into power cruisers I guess, so the Andaman would have some good spots, but Phuket not really.

**boatboy** · 03-09-2008, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by boatboy

still have to do Phuket.

If you must stay in Phuket, Chalong and Rawai are nice but the west side has the best beaches and seaside. Surin and Kamala are also quite nice.

I still highly recommend Khaolak. Fly to Phuket and a short trip to Khaolak. Check the link I gave above.

Checking them out,

Khaolak looks great thanks, still want to check out down that south end as well, so a week in each by the sounds of it

BB

**boatboy** · 03-09-2008, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by peterpan

Your from QLD I see, Home of the best sailing waters in the world, well apart from NZ that is. But your more into power cruisers I guess, so the Andaman would have some good spots, but Phuket not really.

They are great sailing waters in QLD, but after a change after 25 years of sailing it

Asia sounds like me, plenty of good motoring up their, nice people so far and affordable diesel and living as well.(compared to Oz)

This one I am building is 50ft, but light and low powered with 65hp/side and will cruise at 12 knots so pretty fuel efficient for a boat the size of a house.

Even so, definatly more affordable to fly up off season and check it out than to burn a heap of diesel to find out I dont like it.

Peninsular Malaysia I am 100% certain on, time for Thailand and Sabah now.

BB

**kingwilly** · 03-09-2008, 07:42 PM

Krabi and Phiphi are quite nice, particularly from the ocean side.

**Norton** · 03-09-2008, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by boatboy

Even so, definatly more affordable to fly up off season and check it out than to burn a heap of diesel to find out I dont like it.

While your here check out some of the guys who live aboard in Thailand. I'm not a yachtsman but have friends who are and there are many issues involving Thai registration etc.

**Chili Pepper** · 03-09-2008, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by boatboy

I still highly recommend Khaolak. Fly to Phuket and a short trip to Khaolak. Check the link I gave above.

Khao Lak is indeed a nice place and a great get away to the Similan and Surin Islands, which are fantastic for diving and snorkeling.

Around April/May also heralds the "plantonic boom" and a chance of seeing whale sharks and manta rays.

You should be ok with the dates, once the monsoon hits you can't get out there. Also if you like nature may be make a stop half way up from Phuket in Khao Sok national park. Stay in a tree houses ;-)

**Chili Pepper** · 03-09-2008, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by boatboy

I have been to Malaysia (KL, Penang and Langkawi) and loved it

BB

The Moo Ko Similan and the Moo Ko Surin National marine parks are like to Langkawi in a way. Only without development and are completely unspoilt (Surin has a few bungalows and camp grounds) The last time I went to Similan you could not stay on any of the (9) islands. The King has a residence there.

I prefer to camp in my tent on the beach in Surin, but you may prefer doing 1-2 hours speed boat day trips from Khao Lak.

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