Was anyone else let down with Phuket?
 

I was very let down with Phuket. It was just not that nice.<BR><BR>Here were my complaints:<BR><BR>Airport was 1 hour from the resort areas. The trip from the airport was one run down tin roofed shantytown after another.<BR><BR>The loss of forests on the island. I was told that 20 years ago that most of the island was one large rain forest. Now most of the trees have been cut down and replaced with endless tin roofed buildings.<BR><BR>Most of the people visiting were blue collar Germans on cheap package holidays.<BR><BR>We were hassled on beach and the streets by beggers, touts and salesmen on a regular basis.<BR><BR>It is just two hot. 95 degrees in January, not the beautiful 80 degree temps found in Hawaii.<BR><BR>Lots of car fumes.<BR><BR>etc, etc.

I feel like you should've done your research - Phuket is known to be ultra-touristy, over-crowded, and dirty. I went to Railay Beach, near Krabi and was amazed - loved every minute. Next time look into something a little bit more off the beaten path. And yes it's hot, that's what the ocean is there for!

I agree, you should have done more research. It has been a development boom with little care. The islands was beautiful when I first visited 12 years back, but now....There are many marvelous islands and beaches all along the Thai coasts, but as agents seem to only push Phuket or Koh Samui it is no wonder they get crowded and attract the worst of the worst. Next time try somewhere a little off the beaten track, you will still find marvelous resort hotels, beaches, Palm trees along sandy coves, temples etc.

Ariela & Brenda, would you mind telling me which islands, in your estimation, are worth a visit? I do know to avoid Phuket & that Phi Phi is lovely but getting a little crowded ... but not much more than that & I'm going down there in June. I would HUGELY appreciate it.

I liked Railay beach, it's a short boat ride from Ao Nang. I heard Karon and Kata beaches are nice too. Phi Phi might be nice for a quick stopover, as I heard it is very pretty but also very touristy. Do some searches on this board for Thailand beaches - that's actually how I found info on Railay. Enjoy your trip!

Krabi and Phi Phi could be wet at that time, the rains stated just as we left about 10 days back. I'd go for Koh Samui, it will be much drier and is a nice place. You can actually take a fast Jet-Catermaran from Koh Samui to Koh Phanghan and Kao Tao and back to the mainland, it makes island hoping fun and fast.

Krabi and Phi Phi could be wet at that time, the rains stated just as we left about 10 days back. I'd go for Koh Samui, it will be much drier and is a nice place. You can actually take a fast Jet-Catermaran from Koh Samui to Koh Phanghan and Kao Tao and back to the mainland, it makes island hoping fun and fast. We hated Phuekt by the way, our fault I suppose, we stayed in Patong.