Young Couple.. southern thailand trip plans.
 

Hi. Me and my girlfriend are in our early twenties and are planning a trip to southern thailand for most of the month of january. We are looking to spend some time on some beautifull beachs sippin drinks. I will probably go scuba diving and think any trips out to islands would be great. I want to make sure that we are in a good place to take some jungle hikes, ride elephants, go ocean or river kayaking...as wells as be close to some goodnight life. I don't want to be in the middle of any big cities. We are thinking about spending some time on phi phi island or phuket island. I am looking for any suggestions on what locations people think I would like and good places to stay. Thanks alot for help!!

Phi Phi would suit, you can easily visit Phuket, Phi Phi, go down to the small islands around Koh Lanta area such as Koh Ngai, Mook etc for quieter island.
On Phi Phi you can find bars etc, Puket has the most nightlife in Patong but is very busy, there are quieter beaches with some bars, restaurants etc, but 'nightlife' Patong is by far the busiest.
Ao Nang is busy but again you get stay quieter.
You have enough time to spend a few days in Khao ok National Park.
Getting around is easy and cheap by feryy/boats and bus etc.

Take a look at Khao Lak as well, an area north of phuket - take a look at a website that I think is called khaolaklovers.com - easy access to Khao Sok national park for trekking, kayaking and staying on lodges beside a beautiful lake. Scuba diving from there - you can go on a liveaboard or day trip to the Similan Islands - world class diving. It is quieter there so you might want to go to phi phi for your nightlife. Also, take a look at Krabi - in particular Railay beach. You might want to go sea kayaking with John Gray sea canoe and see the hongs in phang nga bay as well.

I would really recommend you spend some time in the north of Thailand as well. You can fly fairly cheaply to Chiang Mai but if you are on a budget, the 2nd class overnight sleeper trains are v good. From Chiang Mai, you could go to Mae Hong Son and Pai - Pai is meant to be a lovely - see filmwill's latest thread as he is there now. Very laid back place by the sounds of it to kick back for a few days. If you went to the north of Thailand as well, you can trek out of Chiang Mai and MHS.

As to elephant trekking - consider one of the more ethical camps - such as Elephant Conservation Center and there is another one too - they are both near Chiang Mai. Perhaps someone can tell you the name of the other one. At the Elephant Conservation Center, you can stay for three days and do the mahout training - you will get to ride and bathe the elephants and look after them. I think that is much better than a 30 minute ride in a camp where you don't know how well the ele is being treated!! KimJapan has done this in the past - you may be able to find the thread if you do a search for mahout.
BB

In January, you want to be on the Phuket side of Thailand, Phuket, PhiPhi, Krabi, KoLak etc.

Bella is right, if you are interested in elephants or jungle treks, you want to be in northern Thailand. Yes, you will find places near the southern beaches, but they are not really where you want to see or ride elephants. If you have most of a month, you have plenty of time to see other parts of Thailand, not just visit beaches.

thank you all for your very helpfull insights. So we r probably going to spend time on both phi and phuket islands. Does any one have any suggestion on where to stay on both islands. I don't really want to spend over $150.... unless the place is outragiously nice lol. Also how far away r the islands from each other; can we take a boat from one to the next. And lasty my girlfriend wants to hit up the fullmoon party in Koh phangan. Is it worth it to go to this and check out koh samui. thanks

Have you purchased a guidebook yet? I recommend you get one as soon as possible to give you more of an idea of where you are going.

PhiPhi is off the coast of Phuket. You have to take a boat or ferry from Phuket to PhiPhi.

The full moon party - well, either you think you can't miss it or you think you can't be far enough away from it. It is peopled by mostly young backpackers. The music is loud, the booze and drugs plentiful and the beach has tons of garbage when it's over.

Koh Samui is on the other side of the Thai peninsula. You can fly from Phuket or you can take all day via ground transport between the two.

For hotel ideas, take a look at one of the local booking sites. The one I use is www.sawadee.com FInd some places in your price range that appeal to you and then come back and ask for more info.

Have you checked out Lonely Planet's Thorntree forums?

I think you'll get a much better insight into what you're looking for there.

I don't think there's a lot of
full moon party goers in these here parts. :)

I'm not sure phuket is the kind of place you are looking for, it is quite built up - I think phi phi and railay will be better on that coast for you. Ko Lanta maybe as well - and lipe is lovely too.

I've been to the full moon party - if you go, my advice is to stay on Ko Pha Ngan but NOT in Haad Rin where the FMP is held. You might want to stay there when it isn't on - but not when it is. It is heaving and over priced. The nicest beach IMO on KPN is Thong Nai Pan Noi - check out Baan Panburi Resort - it's lovely, has cheap beach huts and the food is delicious. While you are over there, you could take a trip to Ko Tao to go diving.

Unless you want to book into a particular hotel/resort, there is no need to book in advance in my experience for places like phi phi. You get reps on the boats who will come and show you pictures of resorts and rooms and you can go with the one you like the look of - but check out www.sawadee.com if you do want to book your first few nights.
BB