Koh Samui, Thailand
 

Need help deciding on a beach location in Thailand. Going in early Nov. with my 22 year-old daughter to Singapore and want to spend a couple days relaxing at a nice resort on the beach in Thailand. She's been to Phuket already, so looking into Koh Samui, but my research tells me they get 23 inches of rain in Nov. I gather it's the rainy season there and not such a good choice? Any thoughts? Any suggestions for beach vacation with direct flight from Singapore? Thanks in advance to my fellow Fodorites.

Why not a beach in Malaysia - Langkawi, for instance? Or you could opt for Bali. While it is "rainy season" in Bali, the rains when I have been there have been brief but intense. Bali, of course, is notable for its unique and accessible culture, not just beaches. Of course, I wouldn't go to Bali for just a couple of days - spend a week - as there is so much to see and do.

If Thailand is what you want, choose a beach on the Andaman Sea side (same side as Phuket), such as Krabi or Koh Lak or Koh Lanta.

We only have 3 days, so we're looking for a direct flight, easy in & out of SIN. Does Krabi or the other Koh's fit the bill? Not heard of Langkawi. Is it touristy? Are there other things to do besides the beach in Langkawi? How far is it from SIN?

langkawi is a good choice--nw off the coast of malaysia.. not much to do there but relax..

look at bon ton resort or the out of town sheraton..

Direct in and out I would think would include Phuket. Mai Khao beach is only about 15 minutes from the Phuket airport. I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance. Great place to relax. The beach is nice. So is the pool, and plenty of open space (grassy areas too) for a beach chair and a good book. Not a whole lot going on right around that property, but you could probably grab a taxi or shuttle to places with restaurants and shopping. I'm sure they are not that far away! I seem to recall a free shuttle that went to a small strip shopping center where you leave the main road to go to the Marriott.

There are direct flights to Langkawi from Singapore. It is a resort island like Samui and Phuket. There are some very beautiful beaches, and a tour of the mangrove forest is a nice non-beachy thing to do if you like nature. There's also a cable car up Mt Cinang, batik factories and a few other distractions.

Another option for a short weekend would be to do what Singaporeans do - take a ferry to Bintan or Batam islands in Indonesia.

MichaelBKK - Tell me more about Bintan or Batam islands. how far is it from Singapore by ferry, approx. cost? suggestions for hotels, restaurant?
nice beach? other activities? we like to do outdoors/nature things. thanks!

Hi
West coast(Andaman)is probably good for November you can go to Krabi (Phi Phi,Ao Nang,Koh Lanta) ,PhangNga (Koh Surin,Similan,Koh PanYee)or Trang (Koh Ngai,Koh Kradan,Koh Mook).
I'm not sure about fly directly from Phuket or Krabi to Singapore
so please check on www.tigerairways.com
hope this could help.
(=

Thanks RiniRabbit - Great fares on Tiger. Might consider Krabi. Anyone have input on Krabi beaches?

Ao Nang is where I stayed, but the beach in that 'city area' is not all that great. Look at taking a boat from there to Railay. Or I believe there is a Marriott or Sheraton about 20 minutes drive north (?) of Ao Nang that has a nice beach.