Asia - Phuket and Phi Phi Island - What do I do now?

I had already made some arrangements to visit Phi Phi Island and Phuket for about 2 weeks in the second part of February, much before this horrible disaster struck Asia.

It's actually a part of a surprise Asia trip I'm taking my parents on, so I would like to make the most of it.

I've booked the Holiday Inn on Phi Phi Island, which claims that everything is "back to normal", although there may be limited touring to neighbouring islands - something I wanted to do.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/PHUPB

I have also found this web site which lists the status of many hotels in the area:

http://www.sawadee.com/tsunami/hotels.htm

Does anyone else have any plans to visit the area in the near future? Any thoughts as to how long it might take to stabilize things?

Any suggestions? Should I go elsewhere? I really wanted to take them somewhere beautiful, like Phi Phi. Although at this point, I could go almost anywhere out of BKK.

Thank you in advance,
Peter.

Maybe go to some of the islands/resorts on the Gulf of Thailand side of the penninsula? I've been to Koh Samui and though that it was lovely. Closer to Bangkok is Hua Hin, which I thought was very nice. The Hilton in Hua Hin is absolutely perfect. I imagine these areas will be overflowing but maybe not as people may choose to cancel their trips entirely?

If I were in your shoes, honestly, I would still go - I'll tell you my thoughts. First of all, the people of Phuket will most definately treat you like gold since they need your business - apart from being one of the most gracious people I've ever come across.

I went to Bali right after the bombings, and of course, this wasn't a tsunami, but many people had cancelled their reservations/holiday, leaving Bali almost empty. Those, like myself, who went anyway, received excellent service and gracious attention. This is what I think you'll get in Phuket.

I am also certain that by the time you leave in February a lot should have been cleaned up. The majority of the beauty of Phuket is the natural landscape - to feel a little better, I would get a written confirmation from the hotel stating that everything is up to par with pre-tsunami standards.

Good luck!

I believe that Holiday Inn is on the east side of the island, which means it would have been the opposite side of where the tsunami struck. Right?

I have heard first-hand reports that most structures on the developed areas of Phi Phi (Ton Sai and Lo Dalum bays) were almost completely washed away, like nothing was ever built there. Presuming Holiday Inn (and presumably PP Island Village) on the east side are all that's left, there's not going to be anything on the rest of the island for you.

On another site (www.travelforum.org/thailand) I have read that Ao Nang/Krabi weren't hit as hard. Might be an alternative for you. I've read mixed information about Ko Lanta. You might try the Gulf side of Thailand, depending on the timing of you trip and the Gulf's monsoon season.

I've also scheduled 2 days in Phuket in the end of Jan...

anyone know how far krabi is from HKT? or should I just change flights to go directly to krabi?

another alternative that I'm thinking about is samui...

Thanks for the responses.

Yeah, I would hate to go there and not be able to go to any of the neighbouring islands, and have to sit in one place (mind you, that's not the worst fate, but this is quite an expensive trip, so I'd rather make the most of it).

As for other Thai islands - can anyone suggest really beautiful locations? Somewhere hopefully not too overdeveloped, with beautiful scenery.

I found this page from the Phi Phi Island Village resort which has absolutely stunning pictures of Koh Phi Phi. This is exactly the kind of destination I am looking for:

http://www.ppisland.com/tours.htm

I'm going to review the posts at travelforum.org that you suggested, dcadude, thanks. Do you (or anyone) know of a site to see photos of other Thai islands that might be candidates for a visit?

Btw, this web site has some tsunami aftermath photos, from Phuket and a few from Phi Phi, in two albums:

http://www.soieasy.com/modules.php?name=Pictures

Thank you!
Peter.

Koh Chang (largest island of Thailand) near the Cambodian border should be very nice too, but a bit hard to reach from Bangkok (via car/bus/taxi and then ship), east of Pattaya.

Good suggestion Chris, thanks. Maybe a good idea to rent a car in BKK to drive to Koh Chang and the area.

Have you been? Are the islands comparable to Phi Phi's beautiful beaches and lagoons?

Thanks,
Peter.

We were scheduled to fly out to Phuket on 11th January. We've now changed our reservations over to Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Take a look at http://www.samui.org/ for some details. I'm back in the UK on 22nd January so I'll let you know how we get on.

No never been there, sorry, but have heared that it must be very
nice and not yet crowded. Not sure if you can take your car to
the island with a ferry, but maybe.

Good suggestion Chris, thanks. Maybe a good idea to rent a car in BKK to drive to Koh Chang and the area.

Have you been? Are the islands comparable to Phi Phi's beautiful beaches and lagoons?

Thanks,
Peter.

Thank you for all your help.

I am not sure to what extent the monsoon season affects Koh Samui.

Most resorts on the islands off the east coast of Malaysia are normally closed during the monsoon season (Nov-Feb), and Koh Samui is only slightly north.

May be worthwhile to checkout the weather on the island during this season before committing yourself.

Maybe go to some of the islands/resorts on the Gulf of Thailand side of the penninsula? I've been to Koh Samui and though that it was lovely. Closer to Bangkok is Hua Hin, which I thought was very nice. The Hilton in Hua Hin is absolutely perfect. I imagine these areas will be overflowing but maybe not as people may choose to cancel their trips entirely?

I will be in Hua Hin at the Hyatt this Thursday through Sunday....what did you think of the area and i will be with my 19 year oold son..any suggestions
Thanks

I think February is way too early to go to Phi Phi., it will not be fun,
if you read some of the first hand experiances you will see its much worse than you think,

change and go to the gulf of thailand side

IMO you should not plan to go to Phi Phi islands so soon after this tragedy. The island is tiny and the devastation is horrific as far as I can tell from the news photos. the small population of Thais as well as the non-Thai business owners have lost shops and homes. The central part of town seems to be destroyed- even if your hotel were technically up and running, I cant imagine that you could relax there amid all the loss. Not to mention that the water quality may not be as pristine as it once was. I enjoyed the time I spent on the Phi Phi Islands, but would recommend that you vacation someplace else at this tiem. Viet Nam has beautiful beaches and was not hit by the tsunami.

undefinedI had already made some arrangements to visit Phi Phi Island and Phuket for about 2 weeks in the second part of February, much before this horrible disaster struck Asia.

It's actually a part of a surprise Asia trip I'm taking my parents on, so I would like to make the most of it.

I've booked the Holiday Inn on Phi Phi Island, which claims that everything is "back to normal", although there may be limited touring to neighbouring islands - something I wanted to do.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/PHUPB

I have also found this web site which lists the status of many hotels in the area:

http://www.sawadee.com/tsunami/hotels.htm

Does anyone else have any plans to visit the area in the near future? Any thoughts as to how long it might take to stabilize things?

Any suggestions? Should I go elsewhere? I really wanted to take them somewhere beautiful, like Phi Phi. Although at this point, I could go almost anywhere out of BKK.

Thank you in advance,
Peter.

undefined

I visited the Phi Phi Islands in Aug 04. I would be careful in going there right now. I live in Calif, and my wife is Thai. I would give you a point of contact in Bangkok to affirm information but I would have to get their permission first. As, a backup plan on your vacation I would consider visiting Changmi, the weather is not as hot as in the south but I think for the time being it is much safer. One of my nieces works and goes to school there. The rest of the family lives in Bkk and and in south Thailand inland. They were not hurt, thank God.
I hope this infomation helps. Write and let me know if there is anything else I can help with. Take Care.

V/r
Sal
Salinas, Calif

Siem Reap / Angkor in Cambodia is another option, not far to fly from BKK airport either.

The drive from HKT to Krabi is about an hour, depending which hotel you are heading to.

Hua Hin resorts are pleasant, but the coastal area is nothing special, not as attractive as Krabi province.

"The drive from HKT to Krabi is about an hour, depending which hotel you are heading to"

The drive from HKT (Phuket International) to Krabi (or hotels near it) is at least 2 hours in the best of conditions and driving at Thai pickup truck speeds. I suspect that the poster confused HKT with Krabi Airport which is closer.

If it were me, I would want information from someone who has done the drive in the last 4-5 days. I'm not sure that the Krabi area will be a good vacation at present because it was also hit by the tsunami.

Hua Hin does not have as nice a coast. Islands to the East toward Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand might be a good alternative.

One hour ? Two hours ? Something in between then. Nice countryside to see, just make sure you get someone else to drive.

Anyhow, best to contact hotel in krabi as see if they are prepared to come and collect you, if that is where you decide to go. Also would be good to check if boat tours are operating to Hong Island etc, as that was the highlight of our last trip there in Nov.

Thank you for all of your info!!

I've decided to book a hotel in Koh Samui for the longest part of the "beach" portion of this vacation, and then go to Phuket for about 2-3 days towards the end. The tourism authority in the area sent me some photos today illustrating the largely cleaned up beaches, but I'm sure it's not as nice as they make it out to be.

Hopefully we will be able to book a boat tour to some of the neighbouring islands from Phuket, and see Phi Phi that way.

Does anyone have any suggestions or contacts in Phuket for a private, day boat-rental?

Peter.

If any of you are considersing Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and looking for a place to stay, check out the Pavilion Samui. It's a boutique hotel on Lamai Beach (2nd biggest beach, a bit quieter than Chaweng Beach)

http://www.pavilionsamui.com/

My fiance and I stayed there last May and had an awesome experience. Greeted in open-air lobby with OJ and cold towel, extremely courteous staff. We stayed in a large garden bungalow.. Open air restaurant bar steps from the beach... It was awesome... We also booked the hotel via Asia Travel: http://www.asiatravel.com.. Legit, efficient, and an incredible deal...

I heard great things about Phuket and Phi Phi (pre-tsunami), but if you're apprehensive about going there, Koh Samui is worth a look..

Have a great trip!

I just returned from 5 days at Patong, Phuket. Everything is operating normally except the shops and hotels withing 50M of the beach. But who need a MacDonalds and Starbucks anyway. These photo are an accuare represtation of the state of things. http://www.phuket-photos.com/

The second wave of probles is economic. 90% of the people depend on tourism for income and tourism is down 90%.

Go to Phuket, spend you money. That is direct aid.