jkelleyjk

I would like to stay at a beach area close to BKK. I was going to go to Pataya, but I have heard a lot of negatives on the place. So I am looking into Koh Samet or Koh Si Chang or Pataya. Looking for recommendations from people who have been to these areas.

JamesA

A lot depends on what you are looking for, some are looking for empty white beaches and nothing to do, others want restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Pattaya certainly gets a lot of bad press but still attracts millions of visitors, who actually are mainly from China, taiwan, Korea plus Malaysia, Singapore etc because they tend to want cheap shopping, lots of restaurants, markets, shows etc. It also attracts large numbers of Thai residents who look upton it as the weekend getaway beach place. It takes around 1 hr 30 from bangkok. Over the hill from pattaya is Jomtien, built up but lots of resorts plus activities shopping etc. Koh Samet is popular at weekends with a lot of students heading down from bangkok. Koh Chang is quite nice, relaxed, takes about 4-5 hours to get there. In the opposite coast heading south is Hua hin, takes about 2 hrs 30 minutes, quiet and relaxing but with some very nice small and large resorts and spas. Evenings are for dining at excellent restaurants or strolling around the streets down by the fishing piers.
If you were into quiet beaches and a few restaurants then Koh Chang might suit. But if you are into heavy shopping and want to see Thai classic dancing, take a dinner cruise, see Thai cultural dispalsys and things then Pattaya/Jomtien might suit. Remember places like Samui and Krabi are just about 1 hr flight away so they are worth thinking about too. Depends a lot on what you want to see and do.

JamesA

Sorry forgot to mention you can get to Koh Chang quicker by taking a 50 minute flight to Trat Airport, most if not all accommodations on Koh Chang will arrnage pick up from the airport for the short joutney to the pier and the boat across to Koh Chang. Your budget can also dictate where you choose as prices vary a great deal, so an idea on how you want to spend your time plus roughly what you want to spend can help with ideas.

harzer

The beaches around Pattaya are amongst the worst in Thailand, so if the beach experience is what you are after I think that you will be happier in Hua Hin or Koh Chang - but only Hua HIn meets your criterion of 'close to BKK'.

Harzer

rhkkmk

have you thought about hua hin??

jkelleyjk

Thanks for the replies.
I had not considered Hau Hin, because I did not know it was there. I am researching it some now.
Basicly I only have 3 to 4 days, and want to go somewhere with a beach, nightlife, relaxed atmosphere, maybe swim and fish, rent a motorbike and explore local areas.
Koh Chang is too far away.
I was considering Koh Si Chang, closer, or Koh Samet, instead of Pattaya.

Looking at the map, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon appear to be cities even closer, would either of these be good, or does Hua Hin still look better in comparision?

JamesA

Forget those 2 places you mentioned as there are 'no' beaches, they are semi industrial areas on the way towards Hua Hin. Although the beach within the 'city' of Pattaya is not good, after all it is the promenade beach of a 'city' and runs the whole length of the 'city' of Pattaya the beaches around Jomtien are, although not the white palm fringed sands variety, easily comparable with the beaches at Hua hin, there are offshorte islands from Pattaya such as Koh Larn and south from Jomtien are several places to snorkel. Hua hin beaches are very very wide when the tide is out but very narrow when the tide is in.
If you want nightlife, clubs, discos etc then the only one that can offer is Jomtien/Pattaya area, but if you want to ride a bike around, swim, relax, then Koh Chang or 'maybe' Koh Samet better. Hua Hin has 1 disco at City Beach Hotel and a pub with music at the Hilton but if you want nightlife then you would find it very quiet. On Koh Chang/Samet evenings would be restaurants with maybe some background music and the occassional restaurant/pub type place with some music and drinks, Samet has a few places libely at weekends.

rhkkmk

the marriott and hyatt hotels in hua hin are very nice...the best in our opinion...the hyatt is further out of town and a larger property...look at: www.huahin.20m.com for hotel suggestions at reasonable all inclusive prices..