ko samui or ko pha ngan
 

My bottom part of my trip will be spent on an island. Here is my itenerary: 3 days bangkok, 3 days chiang mai, 3 days phuket and 4 days remaining undecided. My question is, I cannot decide between Ko samui and ko pha ngan. Everyone seems to suggest the latter due to isolation and rustic. But Ko samui seems seems too developed but more things to do. Im interested in diving, relaxation and eating some good food and maybe a little site seeing. I am from New York city and dont mind the isolation but like to have a variety of dining options. Please help

Phangan has a reputation as a party island, most famously for it's full moon parties. I wouldn't exactly call it undeveloped. Based on what you are interested in, you might think about Koh Tao, which is near Phangan and Samui.

However, getting to any of these from Phuket is a bit tricky. You might want to think about simply moving up the coast from Phuket. There are still many undeveloped areas in the Khao Lak area of Phang Nga.

One of the factors to consider is the time of year you are going. Often, when there is good weather on the Phuket side, the weather is bad on the Samui side. Would you be happy being in a beach location during the monsoons?

Koh Pha Ngan does have it's party reputation but if you are going at a time when there is not a full moon party about to happen then it really is a wonderful, beautiful, relaxing place to visit. Just check your timing.

We'll be leaving phuket on Jan. 25th. Ive decided to see that part of Thailand, just not sure between the too. Full moon parties are not really my thing since i live in a city where nightlife is famous for. I also read that the weather shoould be fine by Jan. and there is an airport at both phuket and ko samui so im not too worried about getting places. Or should i be?

Only one airline flies in and out of Koh Samui: Bangkok Air. So, of course it's rather expensive. And I believe you have to fly back yo Bangkok to get a flight to Samui (someone will correct me if this has changed).

Bangkok Air does fly between the two, but only three flights a day, so they can fill up quickly.

This is the main reason I cautioned about visiting both destinations. Actually, for a relaxing 'rustic' beach holiday in Thailand, I'd choose Songkhla.

koh samui is very touristy with many different beach towns....
koh phangan is a party island...lots of europeans, israeli and hippie types...

maybe you should consider koh tao...great diving with the laid back isolation of an island

if dining is a major factor...koh samui is really your only choice...the other islands have very limited choices and really nothing fancy at all but good simple eats