Chichos

I will be traveling to Bangkok and phuket starting June 1st and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on places to stay and things to do. (I hear that scuba diving becomes more difficult in June because the seas become rougher)
I have traveled overseas before to europe, India, Nepal, and Tibet; but this will be my first southeast asia trip. If you have any tips for me to make my travels their easier, please don't hesitate to mention them.

Gpanda

I suggest that you look at a different beach, e.g. Ko samui, Hua Hin. The weather will be much better.

Kathie

Gpanda is so right. Unless you prefer to get the good off-season prices and rainy and rough waters of the off season, choose a beach on the Gulf of Thailand side.

Chichos

hmm, I want to dive, but i also want to have some nightlife and other activities at the same time. Will ko samui or hua hin have a similar young crowd?

Kathie

Chico, I just responded to your question about Koh Samui. Yes, Koh Samui is what you are looking for. Hua Hin is not the same.

simpsonc510

Samui will definitely be busy! Lots of night life and young people. You can be as active or as lazy as you want to be. You have lots of choices for beaches. Chaweng is the liveliest one. Hotels/resorts come in all price ranges here. Nightlife is right outside the door.
Carol

JamesA

Weather shoulkd be a lot better on Koh Samui, Chweng you will find plenty of bars and clubs and it should be quite busy.
In Phuket, Patong Beach will still no doubt be busy, places like Rock City and Club Lime not doubt will be busy and lively. Rates on Phuket, in particular in Patong, will be very cheap(!).
Samui will be quite busy, we don't know your budget but there is plenty of choice from simple and budget to top luxury, plenty of boutique places, spa resorts. Other thing with Samui is you can get 'beachfront' resorts/hotels quite easily, even without spneing a lot. In Patong except for a very (very few ) right on the beach you have a beach road along the main beach.

JamesA

You won't get any 'young party scene ' in Hua Hin at all, I think Samui would be the best choice.

JamesA

Sorry I did not notice the 'dive' aspect, for that too Samui would be best, though best is on nearby Koh Tao, if you have enough time a few days on Koh Tao for diving, dive resorts and laid back evenings, some drinks and mucis, Samui much livelier for 'nightlife', so if you have enough time Samui plus a couple of night sor serious diving on Koh Tao. Just a ferry boat ride between the 2.

Chichos

Thanks for all the quick responses. I am beginning to think Samui might be the better place for me. I am looking to spend roughly 75 US dollars a night(cheaper is not a problem) for my hotel.

Would flying to Samui be an issue? I will be flying the red eye and arriving in Bangkok around 6 am. Are there direct flights to Samui? My original plan for phuket was to get into BKK and then book a flight on a local carrier.

Thanks again for all the responses. I am working overseas and have very little free time to devote to planning.

Is there anything in Samui that I just have to do?

simpsonc510

If you like driving go-karts, you really should head to the track. It's in the northeast corner of the island. They rent three different speeds of go-karts. DS loves to drive the fastest ones. Looks dangerous to me... haha! Lots of fun, in any case.