Island recommendation

[ichigo]

Hi all,

I'm just having a think about my next Thailand holiday and would love spend some days having a relaxing time on an island resort. As Thailand's islands are plentiful, I'm hoping for some recommendations if you have any. Preferably easy to get to (like one flight from Bangkok, or one ferry ride), beach/ocean views (from the hotel), good food nearby etc. Not completely remote, but not too built up either. Not too worried about gay bars or massage parlours as I'm sure there will be options on Grindr. I've already been to Phuket and Koh Larn, so preferably somewhere I haven't been. Or even somewhere coastal, not necessarily an island. If you have any ideas, I would be thankful! 

Cheers!

[joshhb]

Koh Samed. 3 hours 2500B taxi.  Busy at weekends with Bangkok residents. Very local. No big resorts. Just rent a motorcycle.

 

Koh Lanta. Fly to Krabi and drive for 1 hr. Bigger island again few resorts. Best to have a car. Amazing sunsets 

[ichigo]

5 hours ago, joshhb said:

Koh Samed. 3 hours 2500B taxi.  Busy at weekends with Bangkok residents. Very local. No big resorts. Just rent a motorcycle.

 

Koh Lanta. Fly to Krabi and drive for 1 hr. Bigger island again few resorts. Best to have a car. Amazing sunsets 

Thank you! Will add these places on my list to research.

[Londoner]

Koh Lipe looks good, though reaching requires a boat journey after the plane.

We're off to Koh Samui in a couple of weeks....direct flights on Bangkok Air. I was there in 1998; I suspect it has seen major development since then.  A plus is that it's in a different climatic zone....it's dry when Phuket et al  are wet.

[ichigo]

1 hour ago, Londoner said:

Koh Lipe looks good, though reaching requires a boat journey after the plane.

We're off to Koh Samui in a couple of weeks....direct flights on Bangkok Air. I was there in 1998; I suspect it has seen major development since then.  A plus is that it's in a different climatic zone....it's dry when Phuket et al  are wet.

I've wanted to go to Koh Lipe for a while actually, but it isn't so easy to get there. I think you have to fly to Hat Yai, then take a mini bus or taxi to the pier which takes 1.5-2 hours, and then a speed boat which is another 1.5-2 hours. Not sure if there is any ferry service. Definitely is on the cards at some point!

Koh Samui is one of my options, but I'll keep doing some research as to the hotels, transport etc. At least there is an airport on the island which makes for easy travelling.

[Londoner]

I believe that the boat only operates in the high season and you're right; it's difficult. The photos are stunning though.

Koh Samui has some beautiful beaches and top-class hotels. Best to take a friend with you! 

[joshhb]

I think you need to state what type of island you want. If you want luxurious hotels and upscale restaurants, then Phuket and Samui are for you. If you want more local ones, then there is much more choice. Although Samui and Chang are easy to get to, the Samui and Trat airports are privately owned by Bangkok Airways, and therefore priced as a monopoly.

Driving outside of Bangkok is very straightforward. Just make sure you have an international driving license. On my next visit in May we are going to drive to Hua Hin for a few days, then up to some national parks near the Myanmar boarder. Last time we flew to Chiang Rai and did a great road trip of the NE - Highlights were the boarder roads above the Wild Boar Tham Luang caves. Having a car gives great freedom to roam near or far from the sea.            

[ichigo]

10 hours ago, joshhb said:

I think you need to state what type of island you want. If you want luxurious hotels and upscale restaurants, then Phuket and Samui are for you. If you want more local ones, then there is much more choice. Although Samui and Chang are easy to get to, the Samui and Trat airports are privately owned by Bangkok Airways, and therefore priced as a monopoly.

Driving outside of Bangkok is very straightforward. Just make sure you have an international driving license. On my next visit in May we are going to drive to Hua Hin for a few days, then up to some national parks near the Myanmar boarder. Last time we flew to Chiang Rai and did a great road trip of the NE - Highlights were the boarder roads above the Wild Boar Tham Luang caves. Having a car gives great freedom to roam near or far from the sea.            

I'm pretty easy - both luxurious and local are fine with me, as long as the hotel has a balcony with beach/ocean views, and some dining options within walking distance. Phuket I've been to twice already, and am leaning towards Samui but just checking the other options. 

Your May trip sounds amazing!

[vaughn]

I went to Koh Lipe recently and loved it, but you and @Londonerare right, it's a journey to get there. BKK > HatYai (1 hour flight), HatYai to Pak Bara Pier 1.5 hours (road), then Pak Bara pier to Pattaya Beach Pier (1.5 hours speedboat). Timing the flights was my biggest mistake, I almost missed check-in on the way back because I didn't consider needing to be there 45 mins before my flight departs. I bought a package for me and my travel companion that had pickup from HatYai in a minivan and included the speedboat ticket, that saved having to get a driver at the airport.

Beautiful island, lots of great food, inexpensive day trips to quiet(er) beaches and islands, amazing crystal clear water all the way from sunset beach to sunrise beach.

If I wanted a hassle free island resort I would probably go to Samui for luxury or Koh Lanta for a more relaxed location

[thaiophilus]

On 2/27/2023 at 10:53 AM, joshhb said:

Although Samui and Chang are easy to get to, the Samui and Trat airports are privately owned by Bangkok Airways, and therefore priced as a monopoly.

So are the Trat taxis ☹️

[AlexThompson]

Samui is my favorite place on earth. You can go super high-end or super budget. Amazing resorts and bars on the waterfront. Doesn't feel overdeveloped. Lamai Beach is my favorite place to stay.

 

[PeterRS]

Although not in Thailand, I thoroughly recommend the still relatively undeveloped Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. It's actually situated under Sihanoukville but is Vietnamese. It's like Phuket used to be and has some marvellous hotels depending on your budget. I used points to stay at the Marriott Resort which was magnificent. Pricey but there are cheaper hotels on different beaches. There is a daily Thai Vietjet flight from BKK. Bangkok Airways used to run a daily flight from BKK which may return to the schedule in the next few months.

On mainland Thailand I'd also recommend Khao Lak. This is located about 100 kms north of Phuket airport and is basically a series of hotels well set apart as to be all but invisible from each other. Fabulous sandy beaches and lots of local small eateries on the beach if you wish to avoid the hotel coffee shops/restaurants. There are several excursions including, if I recall correctly, one to one of the Andaman Islands (but that needs checking). Again the Marriott Resort is excellent but also pricey. The only time to avoid are European holidays like Easter and Christmas when it is packed mostly with German tourists. My photos were taken the week after Easter when the hotel was still 100% full. But you can see how empty the beach was.

[Milk78]

5 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Although not in Thailand, I thoroughly recommend the still relatively undeveloped Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc

What is the boy situation like - any bars? Good on the apps?  

[PeterRS]

2 hours ago, Milk78 said:

What is the boy situation like - any bars? Good on the apps?  

Frankly no idea - sorry. There were several gay guys working at my hotel and I guess there must be quite a few around the island. The OP said he was not so interested in sex and I was not there for sex.

[Travellerdave]

Over the years I’ve been visiting Pattaya I’ve visited Koh Samet quite a few times, mostly in company with another gay friend and our respective boyfriends. The easiest way of making the arrangements is to buy a package deal from a travel agent to include transportation, ferry, National park admission and bungalow accommodation. 
ive never stayed there more than five days but that’s enough to get away from the madness of Pattaya to enjoy clean air and sea.  It’s usually better to avoid the weekends which are busier with people from Bkk. 

[ichigo]

Thank you for all of the recommendations, very much appreciated. And beautiful photos @PeterRS! I will keep all of these ideas in mind whilst doing my research, this trip won't be until later in the year (if it goes ahead). I still have a trip report from January overdue!

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, ichigo said:

. I still have a trip report from January overdue!

you got that right !

[emiel1981]

On 3/2/2023 at 5:56 AM, PeterRS said:

On mainland Thailand I'd also recommend Khao Lak. This is located about 100 kms north of Phuket airport and is basically a series of hotels well set apart as to be all but invisible from each other. Fabulous sandy beaches and lots of local small eateries on the beach if you wish to avoid the hotel coffee shops/restaurants. There are several excursions including, if I recall correctly, one to one of the Andaman Islands (but that needs checking).

I lived and worked in Khao Lak a few years ago. I would definitely going there for a relaxing on the beach. Beautiful, not overcrowded and great hotels. I recommend staying in one of the resorts in Bang Niang town as you will have some restaurants and a nice night market there. Better than sitting in one of the many more remote resorts in my opinion. 

Before covid there was a fun ladyboy cabaret but I was told that place didn't survive the pandemic. Apparently there's a new gaybar in town. But for a remote town as Bang Niang I wouldn't expect too much of it. And you probabaly want to bring your favourite Bangkok or Phuket boy with you to Khao Lak to be sure to have some "fun". When I stayed in Khao Lak area there used to be almost none gays on grindr in the area. Thank god for my regular visits to Phuket and Bangkok during my working months in Khao Lak... Haha! 

Great excursions can be done from Khao Lak are. Khao Sok National Park, Similan Islands, Sunday Market in Takua Pa old town... 

 

On 3/3/2023 at 9:59 AM, ichigo said:

I still have a trip report from January overdue!

Always love reading everyone's trip reports... Can't wait for yours! 

[ichigo]

For those who are interested, I ended up booking a few days in Phu Quoc. I haven't been to Vietnam before so I thought I would try, and it looks really nice. Khao Lak was a close second though. I wasn't planning to go to Bangkok on this trip, but I ended up also booking a few days there because I cannot stay away lol.

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, ichigo said:

 I wasn't planning to go to Bangkok on this trip, but I ended up also booking a few days there because I cannot stay away lol.

this I can easily believe, who would miss visiting Bangkok being so close ?

[ichigo]

5 hours ago, vinapu said:

this I can easily believe, who would miss visiting Bangkok being so close ?

Exactly my thought process! And I had to even extend my BKK trip by 1 day as there were no flights on the day I wanted to travel from BKK to Phu Quoc. Oh well!