How would you spend your last few days in Thailand.
 

We are a couple travelling to Thailand at the end of Jan 2017 who would love some help.

We plan to fly into Bangkok from the UK, spend 2-3 nights there, then on to Khao Lak for 7 nights, my husband has set 2 of those days aside to go fishing. We would then like to travel somewhere with a contrast for the remaining 4-5 days. Where would those of you who know the area well choose?

Maybe we could do a little kayaking, see amazing Karsts, visit an island, stay near a good beach, anywhere as long as the scenery is great. Somewhere fairly quiet but with things do do other than sunbathe would be great. A choice of places to eat and good accommodation would be a bonus, our backpacking days are over. If possible we would like to avoid any seedy nightlife.

I have looked at Ko Yao Yai which looked amazing but could not work out an easy way of getting there from Khao Lak easily without going via Phuket. The Ao Phang Nga area looks beautiful in general.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

You will have to come back to Phuket anyway to catch flights out so tag either of the Koh Yao Islands on the end, boats leave from Yacht Haven or Ao Po so close to airport.

Have a look at...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm

Very easy to do, glorious scenery, and some very moving recent history thrown in. If you've got time you could carry on by public bus to Sangkhlaburi. Beautiful serene place with hardly a tourist in sight. At Three Pagoda Pass you can speak over a bamboo fence to Burmese children eager to practice their English.

Khao Lak is mostly about the beach ( with some decent eating options thrown in!) so going to an island would not really provide the contrast that you are looking for.

It is easy to combine karsts and kayaking by visiting Phang Nga bay as a day trip from Khao Lak- I wouldn't want to stay there for longer. John Grey Sea Canoe is the best operator and will collect you from Khao Lak. As well as daytime cruises they also do starlight cruises which are a fun alternative.

Khao Sok national park is not far inland from KL and worth a few days in a jungle lodge, a boat trip on the lakes etc. Wonderful scenery.

I also like the Three Pagoda pass suggested by LancasterLad but tha is a long way in th time you have available.

You don't have a great deal of time in Bangkok and I would consider adding some time there before flying back to the UK. Maybe add in some time in the north in Chiang Mai (terrific food and some really nice hotels) or Chiang Rai, the best Saturday walking market in Thailand and worth going just to take in the Black House and the White Temple.

I'd extend a day or two in Koh Lak to do the John Grey Sea Canoes, then finish up in Bangkok. I love Bangkok, and can never get enough of it.

Thank you all for your imput. Some great info about the kayaking from KL, I think we will do that as well as adding on more time in Bangkok. I have been looking at Khao Sok and see they do a 2 night package there, it looks just our king of thing.