Anybody been to Thailand?

[letele]

Phuket, specifically? I know this is not at all related to Tulum, but I'm planning my friends' honeymoon as my wedding gift to them, and I'm looking for a place that is like Tulum (just in Thailand.) :p

I found a board similar to this one for Phuket, but it is so centered around the sex trade...not what my friends are looking for! :eek:

I know we've got plenty of world travelers here...any advice?

[minniemex]

Does it have to be PhuketThailand?? Or are you just looking for a place like a Tulum beach?? Why not Tulum??

[beachreader]

No knowledge of Thailand, except that 25 years ago my friend was telling me it was the coolest place in the world. You stayed in a cabana on the most amazing beach for $5/night and they brought you huge amounts of fresh fruit and stuff for breakfast for like 25 cents.

Of course, that was 25 years ago...

[Maverick]

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/

[BP.]

you just looking for a place like a Tulum beach?? Why not Tulum??



Letele has a brilliant plan, which we can all try --- If you know someone who wants a Tulum style experience, just book them on a trip to Thailand!! Don't you love it?? ;):D

Seriously though, sweet gift, letele. Sorry, I have no insight on Thailand, but I visited SE Asia a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. Good luck with your planning, and let us know what you're putting together.

[letele]

Thanks, all...I would love to just send them to Tulum (would make my job a lot easier!) but they really want to go to Thailand! BR, something tells me the cabanas don't cost $5 anymore. :) I wish! It looks like there is still some pretty cheap stuff there, though, so I think we'll be okay.

Maverick - that's the forum I found earlier...I will be utilizing it, but it'd be nice if all the profile pics weren't 18 year old half-naked Thai girls! (I am at work, you know! ;))

[minniemex]

Letele ~ let us know what you find and plan for them!! I am curious in Phuket for a future trip.

[PhyllisB]

Have you checked to see if there's a Fodor's forum for it? I think I got most of my Costa Rica info from the Fodor's forums. Or maybe it was a different travel site (now I'm confusing myself!).

[manitou]

I'm planning my friends' honeymoon as my wedding gift to them, and I'm looking for a place that is like Tulum (just in Thailand.) :pWould you like another friend??? :wave:

[letele]

Phyllis, good idea! I will check into that. I will definitely let you guys know what I find...it looks really beautiful from what I've seen so far. This is my first time planning someone else's vacation - it's kind of weird, but also pretty cool because I have a $5k budget! :D

I've been toying with the idea of starting a travel research business...not a travel agent, but just someone who does all the legwork of planning a great independent vacation. I know a lot of people get overwhelmed by all the info available, and others just don't feel they have the time or know-how to plan their dream vacation. I, on the other hand, have lots of time, and I love to research and travel! So far, I've got two honeymoons (Phuket and New Zealand) and my roommate's sister wants me to plan her trip to Alaska. So Manitou, I'd be glad to help you out - if you're willing to take me with you on the awesome trip I plan! :p

[beachreader]

I would love to do that, Letele, exactly what I'd imagined would be a fantastic business, just couldn't figure out how to make people pay for the service!

At least you'll have fun, though, that's key.

[letele]

Yeah, making a little money would be nice, but I'd be willing to barter, too...I'm thinking masseuse, personal chef, etc! :p

I recently heard of a guy who was really good at getting awesome car rental rates, and he started a website where people pay him a fee, $30 or whatever, to find them a great rate. If THAT can work, I should totally be able to find some people to pony up for trip planning services!

[Maverick]

Sorry about that Letele. I only looked at the topics in the newbie and general forum. Both seemed pretty tame. Digging a bit deeper into the topics, I see what you mean. Hope you find what you're looking for.

[beachreader]

Yeah, making a little money would be nice, but I'd be willing to barter, too...I'm thinking masseuse, personal chef, etc! :p

I recently heard of a guy who was really good at getting awesome car rental rates, and he started a website where people pay him a fee, $30 or whatever, to find them a great rate. If THAT can work, I should totally be able to find some people to pony up for trip planning services!


Well, let me know what you find out, maybe we can start something together!

[BP.]

Well, let me know what you find out, maybe we can start something together!

And I can provide a testimonial! :p

[manitou]

I'm planning my friends' honeymoon as my wedding gift to them

OK, I'm a bozo. I took the quote above to mean your wedding gift was the honeymoon. So, when I said...


Would you like another friend??? :wave:I was kinda hoping you would be paying.

But obviously I see there is a fee involved.


So Manitou, I'd be glad to help you out - if you're willing to take me with you on the awesome trip I plan! :p

Thanks though, I don't need any help with the following:

Day 1
Stay at Hechizo de Luna
Get up watch the sunrise
Fall asleep on the beach
Wake up and walk the beach
Come back and drink beers, GCA, and/or Havana Club
Go to dinner
Go to bed

Days 2-6

Repeat above

[beachreader]

Perfect trip, Manitou! Just what I'd be planning for my future clients! :D

[Shebug]

Hi,

In my part of the world, Thailand is just about the most common holiday destination these days. And I must be just about the only person who hasn't been there. So for what it's worth and from what I hear... does it HAVE to be Phuket? It is supposed to be the most overrun destination in Thailand. Have they checked out something like Koh Samui? My parents and sister plus her family just spent 3 weeks there and loved it. Very beautiful, secluded, but with lots of options of activities and restaurants within a short distance. Just a thought...

Shebug

[letele]

Thanks for the input, Shebug! I will check it out and present it to my friends. They've never been to Asia at all, so we're all complete newbies on this one!

And Manitou, trust me, if I was paying for the honeymoon, I'd be including myself on it! Haha! Just planning it...I already have to pay to get myself out to Portland for the wedding, so that's financial contribution enough! ;)

[minniemex]

Ok, if there is a travel company out of this I want IN! I can be the social director. Or the tour guide........ Ok, I'll clean bathrooms.....:D

[dionski]

Letele, Shebug is right on when she says "does it have to be Phuket". I have not been to Thailand in almost 10 years but, Phuket was overdone then!. I first visited Phuket in 1983 and been back a bunch since. We were staying in little thatched roof bungaloos for 50 baht ($4 or $5) a night on Kata Karon beach. Shangrila was the name, long gone now. Returned a few years later and a 26 story hotel had found its way to one of the best beaches on Phuket. I'm sure it is full of them these days.

If you want a Yucatan comparison Phuket is like Cancun with Mega resorts and such. There is an airport on Phuket that can handle big jets (lots of people).

Phuket could be used as an arrival point but, I'd head to Crabi and the Phi Phi islands. (movie "The beach" shot here) More like the Thailand I enjoy. Scuba diving is good on this side of Thailand.

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tau are islands on the opposite side of Thai peninsula from Phuket in the Gulf of Siam. They are some of my favorite places I've visited in the world. Koh Samui was the first to grow mainly because it has an airport. (Small planes). Lamai and Chewang beach are the main tourist beaches.

I would compare these islands more to Tulum and the feel you get there.

How long do your friends have? If it is 2 wks or so fit in a couple of places.
Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, and Northern Thailand.

After you set up their trip your going to have to go!

d2:twocents:

[dionski]

Found this Photo of Shangrila bungalows, Kata Karon Beach, Phuket Thailand 1984. Yes I am feeling no pain!

d2

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3730153528_6167eb91db_o.jpg

[minniemex]

Looks like a lot of fun Dionski!! Great to hear from you again! Any trips planned?? (sorry for the hijack;))

[dionski]

Looks like a lot of fun Dionski!! Great to hear from you again! Any trips planned?? (sorry for the hijack)

Thanks Minnie, As a matter of fact we have been invited to Playa starting October 31st! No Airline Tickets yet but watching daily. We will definently head to Tulum for at least a night.

d2

[letele]

Thank you so much, Dionski! Great advice....this is why I love this board! I will do what I can to convince them away from Phuket...they generally like small, quiet places (like we all do!) so it sounds like Phuket is not for them. Love the picture, btw! :D

[BP.]

dionski, that is an adorable picture, and what a really informative post! Longing to get back to Cambodia, and wanted to add Thailand this time around. Will print your post for the big fat trip file. Thanks!