Thread: Your favourite beach in Thailand

Originally Posted by MongersSyndicate

Beaches are so lame and boring, with the notable exception of Pattaya Beach though.

I've never been to Pattaya beach and don't really care to.

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There are too many nice beaches in Thailand to pick just one. I enjoyed Sairee Beach on Koh Tao for the chillness factor. Railay beach was also very scenic and sheltered.

Bang Tao and Kata beach were lovely beaches for hanging out and walking along in Phuket. I recently went to Koh Chang and enjoyed White Sand beach for the sand and the clean water.

Yeah, I must admit it's not the best hangout place for "miss travellers"

Originally Posted by MongersSyndicate

Yeah, I must admit it's not the best hangout place for "miss travellers"

It sounds like you have all of us western women figured out according to your blog.

^That blog looks a good read. I will bookmark that for later

All in all I would say Kata, or Kata Noi Phuket. Waves are always fun, and the beach is well maintained. The view from above.

Kata Noi on the bottom, Kata in the middle, and the infamous Karon at the top.

The best beaches for me would be the Similan islands.

Only good for a day trip or camping though. No amenities as such.

I just took the wife and kids to ban krup very nice can get off the train and reasonably priced we stayed at bayview beach resort

Originally Posted by aging one

All in all I would say Kata, or Kata Noi Phuket. Waves are always fun, and the beach is well maintained. The view from above.

Kata Noi on the bottom, Kata in the middle, and the infamous Karon at the top.

Kata was where I decided that I could live in Thailand. I had a dirt bike on the beach in 1985 and would ride a little and then go jump into the warm water. It was paradise.

Why don't I live there now?

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I can see none of y'all have ever been to Costa Rica's west coast. Those are beaches. Plus the wild life still exists. It used to in Thailand until it all got eaten.

Why don't you tell us all about them on a "Best beach in Costa Rica" thread?

You've come on a "favourite beach in Thailand" thread to tell us where has better beaches than Thailand.

Originally Posted by MongersSyndicate

Maybe you're the exception, who knows... I have found that some of the long-term farang female travellers across Asia have a pretty similar mentality to mongers. I do respect female escapists, loners, independent thinkers and childfree women.

Maybe we should create some private meeting club so that female escapists in Asia also can get laid

Although I do fit into a few of those categories you mention, I certainly don't need your help in getting laid.

Originally Posted by aging one

All in all I would say Kata, or Kata Noi Phuket.

The thing I do like about Kata is that the sand is very broad so even at high tide there is 25m from the back of the beach to the waves which means the beachchair guys cannot block off the whole beach. I don't like beach chairs as you are stuck in one spot so when some fat German comes and starts smoking beside you you can't move.

But the new problem with Kata is the water park place that has opened up at the south end. It plays nightclub volume music all day so you are forced to walk almost halfway along the beach to get out of range and chill out to the sound of the waves lapping. Must drive the owners of the posh beach-front restaurant across the road nuts.

I still like Patong Beach. After the tsunami it improved greatly, there's a nice park and shade trees going nearly the whole 3.5 kms length of beach.
The water is quite clean now with a new sewage treatment system in place.
It's great place for a morning walk as the sun rises. The water is bathtub warm great for a morning swim.
Best of all it's only a 100 meter walk from my door.
Kamala is pretty nice too after that Nai harn is quite pleasant.

I haven't been yet but I'm told Koh Phayam is really nice. For those who want unspoilt beaches there are still a number of interesting islands along that coast between Kao Lak and Ranong; the Surin islands being some of them.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I still like Patong Beach. After the tsunami it improved greatly, there's a nice park and shade trees going nearly the whole 3.5 kms length of beach. The water is quite clean now with a new sewage treatment system in place. It's great place for a morning walk as the sun rises. The water is bathtub warm great for a morning swim. Best of all it's only a 100 meter walk from my door.

I'm not a big fan of Patong beach. Don't get me wrong..the beach itself is nice, but there are too many Thai people trying to sell you stuff every minute. Plus, the nightlife area is crazy loud. I was there one year for New Year's and it was an experience like no other, but I would't go back. I enjoyed Kata and Bang Tao much better.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Kata was where I decided that I could live in Thailand. I had a dirt bike on the beach in 1985 and would ride a little and then go jump into the warm water. It was paradise. Why don't I live there now?

Lovely pic, AO. I have one quite similar.
Why don't you live there now? Is that what you wanted me to ask?

Nai Yang is probably the nicest I've seen in Phuket.

A few Thai families doing family stuff, a few trolleys selling snacks and drinks but otherwise very quiet.

I'm not a beach person and it is a few years since I went there so it might have changed by now.

Originally Posted by MissTraveller

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I still like Patong Beach. After the tsunami it improved greatly, there's a nice park and shade trees going nearly the whole 3.5 kms length of beach. The water is quite clean now with a new sewage treatment system in place. It's great place for a morning walk as the sun rises. The water is bathtub warm great for a morning swim. Best of all it's only a 100 meter walk from my door.

I'm not a big fan of Patong beach. Don't get me wrong..the beach itself is nice, but there are too many Thai people trying to sell you stuff every minute. Plus, the nightlife area is crazy loud. I was there one year for New Year's and it was an experience like no other, but I would't go back. I enjoyed Kata and Bang Tao much better.

yea Patong is crazy crowded and noisy late afternoon and evenings, but a lot of people go for that.
Since I be more of a morning person not many people are out then, the place is ok. Being a resident and a tourist are two different things. Patong is good for business for shear numbers of visitors who come here, the main reason I stay. If it wasn't a source of income I'd probably live elsewhere, but still there's much to be said for the convenience and freedom of being able to get anything you want very easily. Patong you can do anything you want really.
For peace and quiet I go up to the village near Ranong and listen to the orchids grow.

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

Nai Yang is probably the nicest I've seen in Phuket.

If you go right to the southern end of Nai Yang you can park your car right next to th ebeach. Great for unloading your BBQ and picnic stuff. You can sit there all day and only have a few people walk past you, yet you've got shit loads of bars and restaurants just up the other end of the beach if you want them.

Originally Posted by crocman

However my favourite beach would have to be Yanui beach

It's a picture postcard beach Yanui, love it. Some decent snorkelling there as well.

Originally Posted by crocman

Will also be checking out Surin and Bangtao beaches this time as well as a quick trip up to Khao Lak.

Make sure you get to the northern end of the beach, past where all the Laguna hotels are, and then keep walking as far as you can go to the end of Layan beach. It's beautiful up that end.

The southern end is lovely as well though. To explore BT and Layan beach properly, you need to park in two different places, and hit it twice. Unless you have the whole day to walk from one end to the other and back!

Originally Posted by sunsetter

im going to try kai mook,

koh mook trumped them all so far, hard pushed to find a better one in thailand

Originally Posted by Aberlour

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

Nai Yang is probably the nicest I've seen in Phuket.

If you go right to the southern end of Nai Yang you can park your car right next to the beach. Great for unloading your BBQ and picnic stuff. You can sit there all day and only have a few people walk past you

Not great pics but they might add some value to the thread to somebody.

Picnic at the southern end of Nai Yang. Looking south. (Low tide)



Looking North.



Low tide, looking back. You can tell I don't like people that much.

Originally Posted by Aberlour

yet you've got shit loads of bars and restaurants just up the other end of the beach if you want them.

Five minute walk and you are back among the bars and restaurants. Yet still a quiet peaceful beach.

looking south.



Same spot, looking North.

Originally Posted by Aberlour

Originally Posted by crocman

Will also be checking out Surin and Bangtao beaches this time as well as a quick trip up to Khao Lak.

Make sure you get to the northern end of the beach, past where all the Laguna hotels are, and then keep walking as far as you can go to the end of Layan beach. It's beautiful up that end.

The southern end is lovely as well though. To explore BT and Layan beach properly, you need to park in two different places, and hit it twice. Unless you have the whole day to walk from one end to the other and back!

Very southern end of Bang Tao Beach. There is small Thai fishing village, and a few bars and restaurants, and one fairly swanky beach club.



Middle of Bang Tao looking north. The lovely Babylon Beach Club at the top of the picture.



Further North, opposite the Banyan Tree, my old local.

Pop in their crocman and tell them Aberlour said you can drink on his tab.

They will laugh at you of course, and ask you who the fuck Aberlour is, but it's the thought that counts.



The lovely Northern end of Bang Tao. (Layan Beach) best accessed via Layan soi2.

Very natural, nearly always empty except Sundays when the Thais come out and picnic in force. Great for young kids to explore, collect shells and driftwood etc. There is one small shop on site but no hot food, so bring your own. There is a shower and toilet block for when you're done.





Last one for those that for some strange reason prefer to be wedged in among random strangers, Surin Beach. Very northern end looking south.

quite a lot of stars go there, must get popular

I think at times we judge a beach by the goods and services. They all have a lot in common. Like sand, shoreline, trees. I don't drink much so whatever bar scene there be isn't a factor. Going for a day is of course a lot different than living there. I lived on Koh Samui for awhile. It was okay. I lived on Koh Lanta Yai for a year. I like the Muzzie areas better. Very few homeless dogs usually. Lose dogs don't do it for me. And the people are nicer. I judge a place by its people, especially the girls. Kahnom in NST was a good place for me .. close enough to Suratthani.

Pop in their crocman and tell them Aberlour said you can drink on his tab.

They will laugh at you of course, and ask you who the fuck Aberlour is, but it's the thought that counts. L

Have to give that a try,cheers.

Originally Posted by Aberlour

Last one for those that for some strange reason prefer to be wedged in among random strangers, Surin Beach. Very northern end looking south.

Never been to Surin beach, so thanks for the pics.