RNA

Frozen Waterfall on Kotchasarn Road, Soi 1, near Tha Pae Gate is most excellent. We ate there twice this week. Wonderful European food. The ambiance is quiet and subtle.

They make these Gorgonzola pockets that are phyllo dough filled with gorgonzola, then topped with an onion marmalade, which are to die for. Their steak is tasty too. Their stuffed red pepper with saffron rice and mild indian curry is very tasty. Nice all around. Dinner for 2 with appetizers and a drink was around 1,000 Baht. The owner is the cook, and she lived and cooked in San Francisco for 3 years in some fancy restaurant. Good stuff.

I would recommend this restaurant to everyone.

Tell them "HI" for Hilary and Don.

Thanks a mil Tornado. Am on my way today.

OK, so I have been in Samui since wednesday, and the weather forcasts are for thunderstorms here every day, but we have only had one so far...

The forcasts for Phuket are the same as here, but I am unsure, since it is "supposed" to be monsoon season there, if the forcasts for Phuket are more accurate (I would like to go, but not if it is raining nonstop).

Anyone in Phuket right now care to comment? What's it been like over there recently?

(pls don't post a link to a weather site, because I have checked them all)

Any help is appreciated!!!

--Don

^^^^

Cool, will check in to those. This will be a honeymoon, so we were intending on spending some time in upmarket places, and some time in mid-market places. We are going to save the super down-market bungalows for our return trip.

I am finding that everyone has different views of "pricey". We are looking to stay in the $30-$70USD/night range, and would like some basic amenities for that (hot water, indoor toilet (either western or thai style), A/C, clean, etc..

I note that Samui has a lot in that range that seem to be somewhat less than "nice", however on the other islands, you seem to get more bang for your buck.

As in the earlier post, I just want to get the best beach value for my buck - white sand, clear water. I am coming from Oregon - USA, so I am used to cold, rainy coast with large surf and cold water. Need white sand and turquoise waters to soothe the soul!!

Thanks for the info!!!

OK,

So I have been researching my trip all year. Landing in the Kingdom on the 7th of July, and leaving on the 23rd. Which beaches are best this time of year. Looking for good sand, clear warm water, swimmable (no dangerous rip currents), good weather. I will be on honeymoon, and am down for either secluded or active beach - does not matter.

I am looking at Samui for the moment, as everything I have read about Phuket side in July says the beaches are unswimmable due to riptide. Probably spend a few days secluded up on Phangan. Want to go to Phi-phi, but do not want to just sit in my bungalow for days in the rain, and take chances of getting stuck on the island due to high seas.

Amazingly I can find tons of info for every month except July with regards to beaches.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the response!!

July/Aug is not low season? All of the hotel rates I have been seeing in the south are giving low season rates from July 1 - August 31. Hmmm... maybe I should book hotels in advance? I am still kinda hoping that the "threat" of violence in the south and the resulting loss in tourism will cause hotel rates to drop. Maybe that is wishful thinking.

The office I called was in LA. Unfortunately I am in Oregon. I hesitate to send any non-revokable form of cash when I have not received the goods yet. Especially to LA.

You answered my question though, having to pay full price at the airport. It's not like the full price ticket is expensive by any means, it's just way more than the $50USD for the airpass.

I appreciate the info. Will check more.

Searched forums and was unable to locate a specific thread on this. Please re-direct if there is a thread on this that my lame @ss did not locate:

Was thinking of purchasing those "Discovery Airpass" fares from BKKAir wherein you get 3 tixx for $50 each, and all you have to do is schedule the departing flight. Upon further investigation, it turns out that they do not take credit cards for this, and so need me to send a money order via mail to them and then they will send me the tix.

I am not a complete moron, so I do not pay until I see the goods. Therefore I am now wondering:

Does it get more expensive the closer to flight time for BKKAir flights? I will be in country from July to August, which I know is a lower traffic season, so I am not as worried about no being able to get on flights, I just need to know whether or not the price goes up for farang last minute. If we show up at the airport to get on a flight, will it be even cheaper?

I am willing to spend a bit extra to not have to go through the hassle of getting these airpass deals, I just don't want to get stuck in Krabi the day before my outbound from Don Muang goes, and not be able to get on a flight.

Anyone out there have any experience with this ??