Wow - I wish that all the dumps I had stayed at in the past were as wonderful as the Rayavadee. It's obviously that your 'entitlements' have meant that don't have a real concept of what a 'dump' is - especially in Thailand.

If it doesn't have bed bugs, rampant giant cockroaches and chicken wire for walls I don't consider it a dump

It was stuck in a rut until about 5 years ago (as one of Thailand's best / most expensive hotels until about 10 years ago) - eye was taken off the ball, but that's no longer the case. I think the hotel has taken massive strides forward. And yes the 'public' beach can get busy - but it's one of the most picturesque and beautiful in the world (imo) and it's on your doorstep.

Yeh - take me back tomorrow please!

Re: Phulay Bay I havn't stayed, but I strolled by when staying at the Tubkaak - does the beach next to it still have the link to the mine? Just remember thinking that it had chosen the wrong part of the beach to be located as really not pretty. Was a few years ago - so please update?