Hi,

I'm going to be in Thailand for about a week and want to spend some time by the ocean. I'd like a place with nice beaches that's relatively quiet, and I'd like to avoid the whole sex-trade scene as much as possible (just my personal preference -- no offense to anyone).

I've been considering Ko Chang, and also Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta. I don't need anything luxurious, but would like a place that's clean and well-maintained. I'm willing to spend around $100/night.

Can anyone comment on the advantages/disadvantages between Ko Chang and these other places? Is the bus from Bangkok to Ko Chang feasible or does it take too long (over six hours)? Also, some people have said that Ko Chang is malarial -- is this a concern? Any responses are greatly appreciated.

Ko Chang is a malarial risk area. The other places you list are not.

Really, the only really sleazy beach area I can think of is Pattaya. Even there, I've hearad people say you can avoid all of that. You would be fine at any of the places you list. If you choose Phuket, there are very busy areas and quiet areas, and you'd want a quieter area.

When someone says it's a malarial risk area, does that mean you have to take the medication (I can't remember the name), or do you just have to be careful about using bug spray? Are there mosquito nets in the rooms?

It means that there are enough mosquitos in the area that carry the malarial parasite to place one at risk for contracting malaria. Certainly one should use repellant and if you are not staying in an air-conditioned room, bed nets are necesssary. You should make the decision about whether to take an anti-malarial in consultation with a travel medicine or tropical medicine specialist.

There are several different anti-malarial medications (malarone and doxycycline are most frequently recommended for this area; there is larium-resistant malaria in SE Asia, so many travel med docs won't prescribe it at all for SE Asia, others will). Do read about malarial and anti-malarial medications at www.cdc.gov/travel

Thank you -- that's very helpful. I think I might just go to Phuket, Krabi or Koh Lanta instead. I'm not too excited about risking getting malaria.

Sorry for the excessive postings, but does anyone know if you can buy anti-malarial medication (atovaquone/ proguanil or doxycycline) in Bangkok without a prescription? I know that in other places I've traveled in Asia antibiotics are pretty easy to come by.

You can buy doxy in Thailand cheaply and easily at any pharmacy. Just make sure it has not expired - check the date before buying. Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) is NOT available in Thailand.

I suggest the Krabi area, there are several islands to choose from, many very nice beaches, the "sex-trade scene" is pretty well nonexistent, and if there is any it will be very easy to avoid.

what about hua hin or koh samui....both of those would fit your bill nicely...

I've been to koh samui. Granted, it was eight years ago, but I'd like to try someplace new.

Are the beaches at Hua Hin nice? Is it developed or still pretty rustic?

in HH itself it is very developed being the first real sea side resort in thailand....the king lives there most of the year by the way...

the beach is nice and gets nicer the further away you get from the center...by the time you reach the marriott going south it is wide and quite nice...and continues down to the area at the hyatt....

further south is becomes more rustic and open...

the beach is nice but i would not say fantastic, but then i have yet to see a thai beach that compares to new england beaches...