Phuket and Phi Phi Island - What do I do now?
Jan 2, 2005 | 1:49 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
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Originally Posted by webcan
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.
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.
Jan 2, 2005 | 2:06 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Please Be Careful
Originally Posted by Sal Vasquez
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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
Jan 2, 2005 | 7:43 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: UK
Programs: reformed ex basic Member
Posts: 3,148
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.
Hua Hin resorts are pleasant, but the coastal area is nothing special, not as attractive as Krabi province.
Jan 2, 2005 | 12:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Delta Gold 1 MM
Posts: 2,711
The drive is more than 1 hour
"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.
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.
Jan 2, 2005 | 6:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: UK
Programs: reformed ex basic Member
Posts: 3,148
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.
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.
Last edited by GK; Jan 2, 2005 at 10:52 pm
Jan 13, 2005 | 8:10 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 8
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.
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.
Jan 21, 2005 | 6:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Detroit, MI
Programs: WorldPerks, AMEX, OnePass, MileagePlus
Posts: 14
Koh Samui Hotel Suggestion: Pavilion Samui
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!
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!
Jan 27, 2005 | 9:53 am
#23
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
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.
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.