I have posted here before, and seems the majority of the posts have dissuaded me from Southern Thailand for my trip from Hong Kong on October 23rd, due to potentially horrible weather, although I hear that the Gulf Coast has a better chance of having good weather.

So I have four days and must be back in H.K. for my Oct. 28th morning flight.

Is the best idea to go to Bangkok for two nights and perhaps Hua Hin for two nights? Or is the best idea to stay in Bangkok for 4 nights and do day trips from Bangkok?

I'm a single 50 year old male, looking for a mix of tranquility, but also perhaps one night of wild and crazy, but I'm more the type to find a great idyllic beach, play tennis, water ski, good local food and drink, not into resort hotels..

Oh, I'm from New York City so no stranger to you know what, but I also love the ocean.

Not sure i'm helpful here, so any input is appreciated. There was someone from Hong Kong who was very helpful and suggested Hong Kong day trips and Macau and Bali, but Thailand beckons...

Oh, whether it's Koh Samuai or Bangkok, would like to spend like $50-$100 a night for a room TOPS, as it's just me.

thanks,

J

October is the most difficult month for beaches. The good news is that it's off season, so you'll find good hotel prices in Bangkok!

If it were me, I'd spend all 4 days in Bangkok. There is much to see and do in Bangkok - you don't even need to do a day trip outside the city.

You'll want to be close to the Skytrain for easy transport.

Browse the listings at www.sawadee.com for hotel ideas. Typically prices on this website include both tax and service and usually, breakfast.

kathie has given excellent advice....the weather can be just fine during october or not so great...

for this reason i would find a nice bkk hotel that has a nice pool to relax in....a beach substitute...

hotels will generally be more expensive at the beach also...

in your price range a good pool will be more difficult to find, so HH might be a very good alternative and its only 2-3 hours from bkk by bus/car/taxi, etc...

with such short time i would take the transportation savings and add it to my hotel room and stay in bkk...

hotel sites:

www.huahin.20m.com
www.asiarooms.com
www.agoda.com

I read good things about Pranburi too, instead of HH.

thanks,

J

pranburi is not as tourist oriented and is less visited...

There is every chance that the weather will not get in the way of you having a good time during October in Phuket so dont let anyone put you off. Bangkok is a fasinating city but I think it is one that grows on you and needs time and a couple of visits to truely appreciate. I love it now but I couldn't wait to get out and get to the beach on my first couple of visits. In your situation where you have just spent some time in Hong Kong and as you have a love of the ocean, I would definately go to Phuket. The Gulf coast has a similar chance of rain and the Gulf Islands tend to have more rain than Phuket in late October. Hua Hin is a nice coastal town but the beach is far from Idyllic and you would be hard pressed finding any "wild and crazy" in Pranburi.
Kata Beach on Phuket is my idea of an Idyllic beach and you will find plenty of nice little boutique hotels within your price range at that time of year. For a big night out,Karon and Patong beaches are a quick taxi rode away and offer plenty of wild and crazy options. Kata itself is nice and relaxed by day and has plenty of little bars and restaraunts. For what you want,bypass Bangkok,head to Kata and if you get some rain,go get a 2 hour massage for 400baht and by the time its over the sun will be shinning again.
That's just my two bob!

Pranburi has some nice resorts like Evason, Aleenta, Praseban but it is very ( very ) quiet. There are enough bars in central Hua Hin for late night drinks and music but that's about it, not boring but it won't be wild and crazy. You have Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, Sofitel, Dusit etc all absolute beachfront, rain in the area never ever comes close to anywhere down south as about the driest beach climate in the whole country, October should be the heaviest rainfall month but that is still about 30% less than down south.
With such a few days i would perhaps stick with Bangkok, if you are not on a tight budget places like the Hyatt have shuttle ( cheap ) between their BKK and Hua Hin resorts and take a few hours.

What about Pattaya / Jomtien, that is about 90 minutes by expressway so nearer than HH area by about 1 hour and you will certainly have the chance for lively nights ! Dusit, Royal Cliff, Marriott, Sheraton, Hard Rock etc all good places to stay. Ocean Marina Jomtien if you like boats / sailing etc. You can take a boat to Koh Larn for beach. It is very quick to get to/from the new BKK airport.

Ok 4 days- do 3 in Bangkok and one in Pattaya for your wild and crazy adventure needs!
Pattaya is only 2-3 hours drive from BKK.

If you havn't booked already have a look at some of the deals on latesays.com for late October. The one at the Sugar Palm at Kata beach is a real beauty. I guy I know on another forum is there with his family right now and loves it. 2 minute walk to one of the best beaches in Thailand.

The good news about going to a Thai beach at this typically rainy time of the year is that you can get excellent prices on some nice properties.

I feel like I am about to turn blue.

You will be very unlucky to get too much bad weather in late October.

Yes the prices are cheap in Phuket in October. It may have something to do with certain self proclaimed weather experts who have spent no time in the region in October telling people to avoid going at this time of year.

Also, take note of the price increases as of the 1st of November. They consider this as start of the "high" season.