Hi All-

Our trip this summer has changed and changed. We're now taking our 3 kids (teens). So, flying from Bangkok to Ko Samui appears to be expensive $300+ each ticket on Bangkok Airways. That's too much. Instead, I'm reading about a beach two hours away from the capitol, Hua Hin. We are just looking for 1) clean beach 2) beautiful, torqouise blue water 3) relaxing but something to do like boat rides or scuba diving.

Is Hua Hin a good alternative to Ko Samui? Is there another option? I should mention we are traveling in early August.

Thanks!

Hua Hin is a reasonable option. It's not as scenic as Koh Samui or the Phuket area, but the Phuket area will likely be very rainy in August. The Hyatt there is lovely.

To add to Kathie's comment on Hua Hin - it does not have turquoise blue water and there are no sucba diving there as the water is not clear but the beach is nice and relaxing with fine white sands. It is also very conveniently close to Bangkok and will only require around 3 hours to drive to.

There is another alternative and that is Koh Tao and the nearby Koh Nang Yuan which I like very much. Both will require a 5 hours drive plus a ferry ride but the weather for August should be better there.

http://www.nangyuan.com/

we love khao lak, 1 hours ride N of Phuket airport... le meridian or jw Marriott are our favs.

Koh Samet is a current favorite of a family member of mine, about 2.5 hours south and east of Bangkok. No flight required, just a boat ride out to the island. Hoping to visit Koh Samet in the next two weeks as I leave for Bangkok this coming Thursday. Beach time is on the agenda on this trip.

Also have a look at Ao Maneo Beach. It's situated in a beautiful bay in the Wing 5 Thai Royal Air Force base just outside the provinical town of Prachuap Khiri Khan (PKK.

PKK is a really laid back place and has some reasonable and inexpensive accommodation, and is easy to reach by train from Bangkok in about 4 hours.

Ao Maneo Beach is in a unique position being right inside a Thai RAF Base. There's food courts right across from the beach, and if you are there Monday to Thursday it'll be pretty much deserted. At weekend it's busy with Thai visitors escaping Bangkok for the weekend.

Koh samet sounds lovely. Tell me more please and where is the best place for a family to stay?

Been to Koh Samet last September, quite a serene place. Quiet and nice beach. Stayed in the Vongdeuan Resort, its fully air-conditioned. You can dine facing the beach, rent equipment for snorkeling. A mixture of thai tourists and international tourists often visit there.

Some detailed info on Koh Samet here:
http://www.travelfish.org/location/t...ayong/ko_samet