invisible999

nice write up invisible, got some pics to share along with it?

Took some with my phone - stopped using SLR cameras for number of years already. Once I will go thru them, will post links here

What was the point of that post?

We went to Krabi to have a little stroll on Ao Nang Beach?

"My wife and I don't like surprises". You got a surprise at BKK bank, though.

When you come back my wife and I will, for a very small charge, arrange for you both to be spectacularly surprised. But without you apparently having a pulse we will certainly fail. Miaow.

In terms of surprises, I am well aware that all banks charge hefty fees for when using foreign cards. That's the reason I travel with the card which returns fees imposed by the other bank.

I would be happy to know what you could offer. Our interests are in nature, places known by locals and not overrun by tourists, food, culture/historical places.

Thanks again.

Good job. I ask because I wrote most of the WV content and never get any feedback as to whether people find it worthwhile.

Dude, thank you. Have not VW as a site,I and bunch of other people would spend way more time on research - VW and TA are #1 place I start my research with.

I do appreciate people like you - who are helping others don't expecting anything in return.

OP: I am shocked that you distinguish between Bang La On, Bang Niang, and Khuk Khak when discussing Khao Lak. All correctly by the way. May I ask how you came to be so conversant with the area?

in the preceding month before the travel I spent no less 40 hours reading (as a primary source of information) - Wikivoyage, WikiTravel (BTW, they do have different contents), TripAdvisor, FlyerTalk and local HardwareZone forums. Then, travel guides - Lonely Planet and South-East Asia On Budget.

In general - I (and my wife even more) do not like unpleasant surprises, so I try to gather reliable information about the area I am going to visit first time. Yes, it requires good amount of time, but eventually pays off. Thanks to Google, in 2016 getting information is way easier, than for example in 1990...

While Krabi Town itself deserves couple of days stay, I'd suggest rent a car and drive around the region. If you are nature lover, Khao Sok is must but you can't do it in a day trip. I suggest to arrive at afternoon in the area, stay one night, explore the park for 1-2 days and go back or at Khao Lak for similar exploration.

I would personally avoid Phuket.

Hello folks,

I wrote up my impressions after visiting Phuket in the thread here. Shortly after visiting Phuket, we came back to Krabi. I wrote impressions in the same thread but was asked to post it here as well, which I am doing.

So it happens that within a month I and my wife travelled to Thailand twice. First, a month ago it was Phuket - we spent four days there next to Surin beach. On one of those days we did travel up to Khao Lak for a day trip and we decided to on next upcoming arrival to stay there. For sure, we won't be going back in Phuket due to the number of reasons which were outlined in the above mentioned thread.

We arrived at Krabi, got our rental car at Thai Rent a car (with additional insurance - US $84 for 4 days) and head on towards Khao Lak where we had booked Gerd and Noi hotel. Word of advice - google maps took us thru roads 4090/4020 which go thru bunch of hills with curvy roads. I was thinking that Highway 4 all the way would take the same time but without hills, but people familiar with the matter told me that it actually will be longer, especially due to the ongoing construction which we encountered on our way back. 4090/4020 roads are going thru hills and at one segment there are a lot of curves and turns. I'd say, I liked nature, but these curves might cause dizziness if you have passengers (especially small children) on back seat. I'd recommend to use straight Highway 4 instead.

Gerd and Noi's accommodation at Bang Niang was what we expected based on reviews - simple, quiet, provides most of the stuff you need for comfortable stay (yet, I'd be glad if they had a small kettle inside units for those who prefer to make their own tea/coffee) and affordable. As with most budget/mid range accommodation, you would be better if you book and pay with OTA (Agoda/expedia/etc) than at their website or on spot. In our case one night thru Agoda was $49, all taxes/fees included, but it did not include breakfast (see below). The property is right next to the beach, it is 1 min walking away.

Bang Niang's area was surprisingly good for food options and nightlife, we twice had excellent meal at Na Suang and dinner at Siam Restaurant. For breakfast I would not recommend to eat at hotel because there are better options available - Bistro Bang Niang has really good baguette sandwiches, for example. We had excellent massage at Parsap Massage which is close to the entrance of the street, across the market. I would definitely recommend them, despite the fact that they charge slightly above average prices.

For activities - hike at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (which is right next to Bang Niang, entrance is on top of the hill) following with relaxing and swimming at sandy beach is must, however make sure that you have at least minimum level of fitness.

Other nature places/waterfalls/beaches within 30-45 min drive from Bang Niang are plenty, but we get early one day and left for Khao Sok NP. It was highlight of our trip - hiking thru bamboo grass rainforest, swimming at river with curious fish which were not shy at all. Please note - on park's map furthest point of interest/waterfall is marked at 7km distance from the entrance and there are number others at distances of 3/4/5/6km. You might think it is not too far away. Not so - the trail is wide only first 3km but with lots of ups and downs. It ends at the ranger station/drinks stall and after that it is single person trailhead in the middle of jungle. If you plan walk all the way to the end, make sure that you arrive at the park before 10AM, have walking stick and at least 1L of water with you per person - round trip will take 8-9 hours.

On our last day went back to Khao Sok, but this time travelled further to Ratchaprabha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake. While the dam and facilities around left quite a good impression, not the same can be said about boat transportation options at the lake. We originally planned to get half day boat ride/tour, but after looking at prices, we decided against it. I was looking for a shorter/day trip option and could not find one. On the whiteboard are are listed destinations from the pier and minimum price I saw was 2100THB for a return trip. If you want to stay overnight and come back, prices are 1.5x/2x of that. Please add to that you need to pay 300THB per person per day for park visit (even if you stay inside the park), plus accommodation cost and it becomes quite expensive (to me) very quickly.

One word of advice: if you stay in Khao Lak/Bang Niang, credit cards there are accepted only at high end places, so you need to have adequate amount of cash. And if you plan to exchange to THB, don't do it there (Bang Niang) because there are four exchange booth but all of them have exactly the same (they even use the same printed sheet for rates) very bad exchange rates - 1USD for example with $10/$20 notes was 32.30THB, while market rate was 35.30. So make sure that you exchange your money somewhere else. In terms of credit card acceptance, I had no problem using my VISA at Esso and Shell gas stations, despite been told that they do not accept credit cards. They do. So it worth always to ask.

Money matters - Bangkok Bank charges whopping 200THB fee for ATM withdrawals. I had to take money because we run out of cash, fortunately for me, my bank returns ATM fees even without asking proof/slip (if you are interested, it is US Capital One Bank). Another note, when withdrawing money Bangkok Bank (and other banks as well) offer you to post withdrawal in your home currency. Don't do that.​ It will cause DCC (dynamic currency conversion) and you will pay 5-10% more. Always post withdrawals and credit card transactions in the original currency.

We arrived at Krabi Town (where we stayed just for one night before the return flight) earlier than we planned but it ended up that it was totally worth the effort. We stayed at Hop Inn, which is absolutely no frills place, but brand new and has everything one could want for $23/night accommodation. Just make sure that you ask a room on higher floor facing parking lot to avoid street noise - on the day we arrived someone was fixing motorcycle engine next door and and even with all doors/windows closed and ear plugs - we could hear it. Fortunately it stopped after 8PM so we could have undisrupted sleep, but if you plan to have a quiet time in your room during the day - probably you need to stay somewhere else.

We had nice stroll at Ao Nang beach followed with excelled dinner nearby. Krabi Town does deserve second look and it worth to spend couple of nights there. Prices are 1/3 of what you will get at Phuket - like Thai massage is 200-250THB vs 350-400 in Phuket. Holiday Inn had promo of 2h Thai massage for 800THB - I am quite sure that in Patong/Kata for the same type of resort at the same location you would be charged for at least 2000THB.

Food is priced accordingly - cheaper and tasty. My recommendation is to have seafood at potjawan seafood and for your breakfast go to Relax Coffee at waterfront.

Have not checked prices for transportation via taxi/boats, but expect taxi mafia manifesting itself at Krabi as well, but a little bit less exuberant prices.

So, at the summary - I might go back to Thailand, but this time I do know what to do and what not to:

- I will avoid to go in any island where you essentially are trapped and have nothing to do
- Car rental is essential. Thai Rent a Car so far was above expectations (which were at zero)
- Krabi is surprisingly not that bad and can (and should) be used as a home base for exploring that region
- If you want to see real Thailand, avoid places where tourists go
- Thailand has number of National Parks which are really good to visit, if you are nature lover
- Absolute minimum Thai language is required - to order food, tell them not to put extra chili, order full tank of gas, say 'thank you', 'sorry', 'hello/goodbye' and couple dozen of other useful phrases.
- If you have local connection it will greatly simplify your travel and make it cheaper as well.

Sure. Let me do it.

Good to know. My experience with prices is based on quick check around Surin/Kamala/Patong and you are correct, as mentioned, it was 300-400 around beach places. Have not checked at a little bit remote places, but we went at a place in Kamala, called Home Massage which had high reviews. At the end, it was 750THB for 2h Thai massage there, was quite good.

The 200THB massage I've mentioned at Krabi was directly on the beach road at Ao Nang and. Holiday Inn resort, located at the same road right on beach had promotion running 2h Thai massage for 800THB. For the same type of property/location one should expect pay 2000THB and more in Patong/Kata, right?

Again, not disputing your words, but I think we can agree that Krabi is cheaper than Phuket.

If we decide to go to Khao Lak next time, I will definitely fly to Krabi instead of Phuket even it is 1.5h more travel time. Everything is cheaper in Krabi - flights, rental cars (we paid 1/3 less comparing to the same company/type card rental in Phuket), food/services. If you have time, Krabi I think is a good jumpstart place to explore that part of Thailand.

Thanks for kind words. One month after Phuket we came back and this time went to Krabi/Khao Lak/Khao Sok. Here is the write up:

We arrived at Krabi, got our rental car at Thai Rent a car (with additional insurance - US $84 for 4 days) and head on towards Khao Lak where we had booked Gerd and Noi hotel. Word of advice - google maps took us thru roads 4090/4020 which go thru bunch of hills with curvy roads. I have a feeling that taking Highway 4 all the way would take the same time but without hills.

Gerd and Noi's accommodation was what we expected based on reviews - simple, quiet, provides most of the stuff you need for comfortable stay (yet, I'd be glad if they had a small kettle inside units for those who prefer to make their own tea/coffee) and affordable. As with most budget/mid range accommodation, you would be better if you book and pay with OTA (Agoda/expedia/etc) than at their website or on spot. In our case one night thru Agoda was $49, all taxes/fees included, but it did not include breakfast (see below). The property is right next to the beach, it is 1 min walking away.

Bang Niang's area was surprisingly good for food options and nightlife, we twice had excellent meal at Na Suang and dinner at Siam Restaurant. For breakfast I would not recommend to eat at hotel because there are better options available - Bistro Bang Niang has really good baguette sandwiches, for example. We had excellent massage at Parsap Massage which is close to the entrance of the street, across the market. I would definitely recommend them, despite the fact that they charge slightly above average prices.

For activities - hike at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (which is right next to Bang Niang, entrance is on top of the hill) following with relaxing and swimming at sandy beach is must, however make sure that you have at least minimum level of fitness.

Other nature places/waterfalls/beaches within 30-45 min drive from Bang Niang are plenty, but we get early one day and left for Khao Sok NP. It was highlight of our trip - hiking thru bamboo grass rainforest, swimming at river with curious fish which were not shy at all. Please note - on park's map furthest point of interest/waterfall is marked at 7km distance from the entrance and there are number others at distances of 3/4/5/6km. You might think it is not too far away. Not so - the trail is wide only first 3km but with lots of ups and downs. It ends at the ranger station/drinks stall and after that it is single person trailhead in the middle of jungle. If you plan walk all the way to the end, make sure that you arrive at the park before 10AM, have walking stick and at least 1L of water with you per person - round trip will take 8-9 hours.

On our last day went back to Khao Sok, but this time travelled further to Ratchaprabha Dam and Cheow Lan Lake. While the dam and facilities around left quite a good impression, not the same can be said about boat transportation options at the lake. We originally planned to get half day boat ride/tour, but after looking at prices, we decided against it. I was looking for a shorter/day trip option and could not find one. On the whiteboard are are listed destinations from the pier and minimum price I saw was 2100THB for a return trip. If you want to stay overnight and come back, prices are 1.5x/2x of that. Please add to that you need to pay 300THB per person per day for park visit (even if you stay inside the park), plus accommodation cost and it becomes quite expensive (to me) very quickly.

We arrived at Krabi Town (where we stayed just for one night before the return flight) earlier than we planned but it ended up that it was totally worth the effort. We stayed at Hop Inn, which is ablolutely no frills place, but brand new and has everything one could want for $23/night accomodation. Just make sure that you ask a room on higher floor facing parking lot to avoid street noise.

We had nice stroll at Ao Nang beach followed with excelled dinner nearby. Krabi Town does deserve second look and it worth to spend couple of nights there. Prices are 1/3 of what you will get at Phuket - like Thai massage is 200-250THB vs 350-400 in Phuket. Food is priced accordingly. Have not checked prices for transportation via taxi/boats.

One word of advice: in Khao Lak credit cards are accepted only at high end places, so you need to have adequate amount of cash. And if you plan to exchange to THB, don't do it there (Khao Lak) because there are four exchange booth but all of them have exactly the same (they even use the same printed sheet for rates) very bad exchange rates - 1USD for example with $10/$20 notes was 32.30THB, while market rate was 35.30. So make sure that you exchange your money somewhere else.

We are really seeing the independent tourist vote with their baht now and going elsewhere.

I think more people use rentals, better it would be for competition. The problem as I see is that Phuket already has a reputation where one should not drive, but I'd rather drive in Phuket with rental car than in Vietnam.

Secondly - I know that this might sound evil, but I prefer that certain category of people from West (and Australia) continue going to Phuket and Pattaya and not pollute with their presence other places. Unfortunately they are already in large numbers at Siem Reap and Kuta. Avoid.

Hey, OP. Could you imagine doing your trip WITHOUT a hire car????

It is possible, but I'd say expenses would be higher, let me list all the trips I've had with the car with potential expenses:

Day 1 (arrival):

- Arrival from the airport to the hotel - 750B

- round trip to Kamala to get the street food - 600B

Day 2:

- go to 7-11 at surin, round trip - 500B

- go to Kamala to check massage places - 600B

Day 3:

- day trip around the island, took about 10 hours, probably 2000B with a driver

- round trip to Surin to get the street food - 500B

Day 4:

- Day trip to Khao Lak - it was 250km, visiting waterfalls, beaches and just driving around. Took more than 10h. No idea how much it would cost but my estimation is about 5000B

- round trip to Surin to get the street food - 500B

So a receptionist tells you you should pay for something broken

she has no official hotel price list

they do not have your credit card info

What's holding you? Say f off and leave.

You basically fell for something even more common than a Nigerian King. Nothing to do with the hotel, just with a couple staff that have not been reported

Look. I am not a confrontational person and really do not want to make a scene and fit into description of 'ugly westerner' by making scenes at foreign countries.

As I said - if I had time, I either would request to speak to the manager or find some other way. But see - we have a flight coming, my wife is already on edge with this, her voice already changed, I know that situation goes from bad to worse and I need quick resolution of this matter. What would you do?

If they asked the ridiculous amount like 1200B for a beach towel mentioned above, I'd tell my wife to go and sit in the car and tell receptionist that I will bring money and would just simply drive car off.

P.S. More reviews are coming at TA and seems accusing departing guests with missing/breaking something is well established business. And that's in a brand new hotel claiming to be 4-start and charging $125/night:

"The final twist was that Upon checkout we were accused of being one teaspoon short!! No, not joking"

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ShowUserReviews-g1224250-d9776398-r349362582-Surin_Beach_Resort-Choeng_Thale_Thalang_District_Phuket.html

The review states that they let him go. So they simply asked you nicely to pay and you forked over?

It's not like they are holding you hostage.. worse case they charge your CC and you get it removed.

Look, here was the situation - we have a flight coming in 2.5 hours, we've been at checkout already for 15 min, they can't decide how much the napkin holder costs and and telling us that we have to wait. Only when I said what we are leaving and started moving towards the car than they are telling it is 500B and we have to pay.

And no, I did not have my credit card left at check-in. Plus, even if I had and they charged something there, considering that it is Singapore credit card where consumer protection is close to non-existent - good luck trying to get charges removed. Here recently was the story when guy lost card, someone run it buying $15000 of TV and photo equipment and bank told the guy that he has to pay because he did not immediately notice the bank.

That hotel still has a sky high rating.

But some guy did get scammed for a "missing" beach towel. He still have a 6.7 rating though.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/surin-beach-resort-surin-beach.en-gb.html

"At checkout they wanted me to pay 1200 bat for 'lost' beach towel which was not there at all. I have refused and they have let me go."

Aha, so my case was not unique and they wanted $40 for a towel.

One word - AVOID!

And the website says "Snacks". Where did the "6 course meal" come from?

Well, in the name it is 'sunset dinner cruise', so it is implies that it will be dinner provided right?

We actually got lunch snacks right after arrival even before we got on the boat (fried chicken wings with vegetables) and dinner menu was following:

chicken soup with mushrooms (I think it is tom yam)

chicken curry (great, not Thai spicy)

steamed vegetables

steamed shrimp

crabs (one per person)

fruits - pineapples and watermelon

Plus there were non-alcoholic drinks and beer but we don't drink alcohol.

I'm sure the dinner can be customized.

Great followup invisible999 thanks for that.

Am with you on Khao Lak over Phuket. I think if I ever reinvent myself here I will go that route. Next time you are there spend a couple days at Golden Buddha Resort off of Takuapa. Also, some really neat places are the national parks up in the Kanchanaburi area. Rent your car in Bangkok and go explore those parks up there,take a floating houseboat as accommodation, cheap as chips. If doing the Erawan Falls hit the trail by 8:00AM get to the to before the tourist masses arrive, enjoy serenity for a couple hours, start down when the bus groups start showing up.Glad you had a good time. Cheers, GOM

1 Take memories sign at the start of the trail.jpg

Thank you for all those advices - they will wait its time to be implemented.

Our next trip coming in just one month. We are arriving in Krabi, will get car and head north towards Khao Lak. For Golden Buddha - seems they are fully booked for our dates, but I will keep in mind.

As for floating houseboats - I've heard that at Khao Sok it is an option as well, but prices are quite biting (like 7000THB per night).

The broken napkin holder sounds like a front desk/maid service scam, 250 each, I'd write directly to the GM and ask if he/she is aware that this is going on.

Sir, you are one wise man as I see - second post and both times right on spot with sound advice.

You know - I will do exactly as you suggested and I will send a paper letter addressed to their office (seems they have three properties around). Because these details eventually will seriously damage local tourist industry - people from middle and high income levels will stop coming (they in general do not like to be treated that way) and locals will be left with the busloads from inner China/Russia and westerners who are coming to go to the Bangla Rd. Good luck with that type of public - reputation is very hard to earn and very easy to lose.

Great trip report. We spent 3-4 days in Khao Lak last year. Loved it. Hotels are a bit pricey, as are the more popular restaurants. But the beach is fantastic. Next time, we're going to explore the areas north and south of there.

Thanks for your post!

I am planning to. Chang Mai, Chang Rai and Hua Hin are in plans for next year, after I done exploring Vietnam (where I've been twice and still want to go) Laos and Burma (not been there yet). Hua Hin is in plans because of possible retirement\stay option (not I am planning to do next 15 years, but still).

What I figured out from this trip that I am firmly not a beach person. Never went to water in any of these beaches we visited. But my wife loves water and waves (she grew up on an island in Washington State) so I do not mind to stay next to water but there should be other options to explore. Khao Lak and Khao Sok should offer such option.

Thanks for sharing your experience - great post!

You mentioned that the cost of the sunset tour was 4,600 for two people. Their website quotes the price as 3,900 per person. How did you make your booking and get such a discount? Based on your post, I'm very interested in taking this or another one of their tours.

Sorry, typo - 6600 for two, not 4600 (on the website it is 3300 per person). No discounts are given but hell, whole boat for just two of us for 6 hours? Can I buy season pass with that price?

Also, I did pay via paypal 6000THB in advance using my credit card. Considering that 3% fee is payed by the receiver, I have no problem with that. I did not need to carry cash around and only paid 600 balance at the arrival.

personally never had a hotel problem such as you had in decades of traveling here - sounds a bit beyond outrageous...

If you had so much fun in Phuket, I am sure you will really enjoy some of the less touristed places in Thailand...

Thanks, looking forward. I am one of those who goes to a new place resetting expectations to zero. In this case, anything comes only with plus sign.

Sorry Mods - Off topic - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808321-aussie-expat-mark-pendelbury-granted-bail-in-phuket-murder-case/

Wow, just wow. Thanks for sharing. No discussion about this here but it adds to picture.

Surprised he is still about given last years events with Phuket's rough justice.

Anything we should know/read?

Yes, smart move to rent a car - told you that.

As for the 'damaged' napkin holder - we have stayed at quite a number of hotels in Thailand every year for many years and we have never experienced damage charges. Also we never use the minibar beverages (bring my own), often I request the beverages been removed, but mostly I don't both asking, and we have never had any 'mistaken' beverage charges.

I've been over 100 different hotels in last 12 years all around the world and never remember being asked to pay for 'broken' stuff.

Great post invisible999!

It pretty much confirms everything that most expats living around here know:

- there are a couple of nice places if you know them

- Patong is a ... hole

- Phuket in general is overdeveloped and overcommercialized and going full steam ahead for more

- out north of Phuket you can find some really nice areas without travelling too much

- scams are everywhere. Even if something is not a scam, the staff usually don't know what customer satisfaction means (really, a new hotel presses 500THB charge on one of the first guests for something not their fault? plain stupid even if you had broken it)

- car/motorbike rental is a must

So yea, not surprising that someone who obviously spent time to do research in order to make his vacation as enjoyable as possible and indeed had not too bad of a time in the end decides that he wont come back.

Well, let me clarify - I am not going to go back to Phuket, but for sure I am going to see Khao Lak and the rest of Thailand.

As for dealing with customers - the place is quite popular with Russian tourists, but these are mostly families (contrary to Patong). There were number of Chinese as well.

Probably this type of guests motivates hotels do some accounting. Another thing to add to my due diligence list for future...

Thanks for the phuket sail tour recommendation, saved them up.

But i cant find what you described on their website

says 20 000b for up to 6

I was talking about this http://www.phuketsailtours.com/tour_sunset.html

I meant - which brand?

Writing this message from Sabai Corner, overlooking the view, after enjoying spring rolls, fried squid and steamed vegetables. It was great, thank you very much for suggestions. It is great, when there are people helping you and giving sound advice.

So far the only problem I've encountered is that this morning I've discovered that one hubcap on rear wheel is missing. Don't know how much rental company would want for that but I did buy additional insurance for 800THB with zero liability. We'll see.

One last question - want to go in a local supermarket and buy Thai coffee and tea which are sold in sachets. Would you recommend which one are the best?

Yes,thats it ! Cheers, GOM

People are saying that view is great but staff does speak a word in English and bills come in Thai so you do not know what is in there.

What would you suggest to order for a small snack and/or non-alcoholic drink and how much one should expect to pay for it?