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We (2 adults, 3 children between 6 and 11) are close to finalizing our itinerary, so any advice would be appreciated!
1. Three nights BKK (Sheraton Sukhumvit). One or two days with Tong, to visit floating market, fishing village, elephants, wat pho, etc. And one or two days on our own to explore the city.
2. Night train to Surat Thani (or flight), and transfer to Khao Sok park for 1 or 2 nights, hiking, canoeing, etc.
3. Transfer to Khao Lak for 4 nights at La Flora on Bang Niang beach. Day trip to Simian islands for snorkeling.
4. Fly back to BKK, 1 more night at Sheraton, then fly home the following night (midnight flight).
Some questions:
If Tong herself isn't available for the days we are in BKK, should I request anyone specific of her other guides?
We havent decided whether to take the night train (1st class cabin, 7:30pm arriving 6:30am, $36) to Surat Thani or fly, has anyone done the train and what did you think?
Any recommended tour operators for Khao Sok? Is 1 night too little? Are 2 nights too much?
What do you think of La Flora in Khao Lak?
Any recommended snorkeling operators from Khao Lak to Similan? I think it would be better to go with a dedicated snorkeling company than going as a snorkeler (2nd class citizen) on a dive boat, right?
Our original plan was to go to Ko Lanta but are now thinking about Khao Lak since it is much closer Khao Sok. Khao Lak and Ko Lanta both have snorkeling nearby, is one significantly better than the other? Also, will we have the same "remote"feeling at Khao Lak as we would on Ko Lanta, given that it's on the mainland? How developed is the area?
Thailand itinerary advice
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I have taken the same train and cabin to Surat Thani. It is a good experienc and would be a bit of a novelty for the kids but don't expect great luxury. Either buy you own food before boarding or eat in the restaurant car, do not buy at seat dinner from teh attendants. A total rip off! the cabin are clean enough but little by way of sound proofing. We spent the whole night listening to a couple of badly behaved kids kicking off virtually all night!
Last Time we were in Khao Lak was just before the Tsunami so clearly a lot has changed since then and I can't really comment upon the town itself. The diving around the Similans and Surins is the best in Thailand and the reefs are shallow and are therfore good for snorkelling. You are also more likely to see big fish than around Koh Lanta.
Should you opt for a snorkel only trip? If you are the only snorkellers on the trip then you may feel a bit out of it but the advantage is that you can watch the divers whilst snorkelling (can be hilarious!). As for that "remote" feeling, I think that really depends upon the location of your hotel. We stayed at the Similana Resort in a treehouse on the beach and, being a couple miles outside of the town, it seemed very remote.
Choose your dive/snorkel operator carefully. Some are a lot less safety concious then they should be. We used Sea Dragon, a German owned organisation that were very good but I am not sure they offer snorkel only trips. Be aware that there is not much snorkelling around KL and it is quite a way to the Similans, although I beleive there are now a few fast boats operating in the area which will cut down on the travel time.
persoally i would not consider the train if for timing reasons only....fly... you need your sleep too...
consider the le meridien in KL... its really nice
I looked at Le Meridien and it seems great but it has a big-resort feel (rooms in a building) and we wanted a bungalow by the beach. la flora has a 2BR beach-side bungalow which allows us to all be together but in 2 BR and beach access.
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