grumpyoldman

Thanks for the thoughts and advise. Due to time constraints, we canceled the Pi Pi hotel reservations. We will now look for something nearer to Phuket.

The sister is adventurous, wants to snorkel and kayak, and prefers a hotel resort near to a town/village so she can eat and experience local food and culture and not be restricted to a 'resort' type environment. Any suggestions?

Thanks....

"local food and culture" Phuket style I would say, as not really Thailand as much as farangland here in Phuket.

Lots of places to stay in the Kata-Karon area, can rent kayaks at both beaches, snorkeling the (north?) end of Kata Beach, the rightside end if looking at the water.

Also, Rawai has some inexpensive accommodation options, longtail boats for rent at Rawai beach they can take you out for some snorkeling Coral island etc..

Takes me typically two and half hours once off of Phuket.

From Phuket Airport to Saladan by car you'll never make in 2 1/2 hours

O.K. here is the official rundown which I did on Tuesday:

@Chalong Circle 9:55AM

Reached Sarasin Bridge 10:44

50.4 kms in 49 minutes

Made the right turn to Krabi in Phangnga at 11:10

40.2kms in 25 minutes

Reached Krabi Airport at 12:13

108.3kms in 63 minutes

Reached the first ferry booth at 12:57

41.1kms in 44 minutes

Reached Saladan town 1:36

Summary:

Chalong Circle to the first ferry booth to Lanta 240kms 3hrs 2 minutes

Thems the facts, for the answer to your question of how late you can get from Krabi Airport to Lanta, I'm pretty sure the ferry stops at 10pm so i would think you could catch transportation no later than 8:30.

Takes me typically two and half hours once off of Phuket.

From Phuket Airport to Saladan by car you'll never make in 2 1/2 hours

maybe you didn't read the post correctly, I said once off of Phuket to the pier.

Sure to saladan, you can possibly get hung up for hours in the ferry line.....

I do the trip once a month so am pretty clear on what I am talking about.

The best is from Krabi. There are bus services from Krabi Airport for about 600 Baht. From Phuket it takes you about 4 hours by car or 2 hours by boat (pier to pier).

You must have bought your car from Fred Flintstone as it does not take four hours to get to the pier from Phuket. Takes me typically two and half hours once off of Phuket.

Spot on advice though for the bus from Krabi Airport.

South Africa Super Sport 2.

we have it on now, channel 64 UBC Platinum package

11:30AM national anthems being sung

South Africa Super Sport 2.

we have it on now, channel 64 UBC Platinum package

Look at the Green Man as a case in point place should be rammed night after night but it is just lacking 'something'.

yeah, edible food

metered taxi gets me to Rawai in one hour for under 500thb.

I have to think kata is about the same

saw 30thb drafts at a new spot on Sai Yuan down a little from Don's

Hi

Yes its the one called Kings, never ever a person in there, dont think he will be open for long,,,, but 30 is cheap but i would be happy to pay full price if i have something to "look" at

agree, place looks completely boring

what stars?

I see little boxes under "nervous member" or "bent member", "limp member" will you, whatever "member" but stars? Don't see em

saw 30thb drafts at a new spot on Sai Yuan down a little from Don's

I don't understand who is responsible for the water management on Koh Phi Phi, but now the "lake" that supplies the island is terribly low (going into high season?) and since there is no water running the sewers and vents are creating tremendous smelly fumes all over.

I wonder if this was the case when those tourists died last year? Noxious fumes?

It is simple common sense to understand that in a serious situation, whether it be an angry soi dog or an angry local, the same procedure applies.... a big smile, NO eye contact and walk away slowly..you are in a no win situation,..you may well beat up one or two, but come tomorrow you are in BIG <deleted>! undebateable fact.

this is such nonsense it's unbelievable. "Undebateable fact", huh?

If you choose to lower your eyes and get alpha dog rolled, that's up to you. I will choose to look bullies in the eyes and let them know I am not scared. Why empower them by putting your tail between your legs?

Every year in the US there is a water park where people get sick from the kiddies dropping doogies in the water.................can't imagine the amounts of chemicals this place will need to dump into that water.

I have a water park for you, it's called The Andaman Sea.

Ah now, the Andaman Sea has plenty of dropping and plenty of chemicals.

Luckily it is a large body of water that has currents to move and dilute.

For the poster who commented on market research, why should they care, they'll just pull up the tour buses and call it good.

What about white box? It's definetely my favorite. I love their foie gras.

What about the White Box? Bunch of poseurs.........

Every year in the US there is a water park where people get sick from the kiddies dropping doogies in the water.................can't imagine the amounts of chemicals this place will need to dump into that water.

I have a water park for you, it's called The Andaman Sea.

Hi Please could anybody recommend an excellent seafood restaurant in phuket. We are staying in Karon but are ok to venture out if need be.

I've looked on the sticky section but can't find many talking about seafood restaurants.

Thanks for all your help.

Tons of places on Rawai Beach. Good setting too. Pick the one where you have the mats on the sand.

Hello,

We are going to be in Krabi at Christmas and would like to stay on the beach for Christmas day.

Does anyone know of a beach hut/bungalow type place at Koh Lanta or if not there somewhere else nearby?

The cheaper the better.

Also, can someone recommend a good website for looking for such accommodation?

Thanks.

Check with Relax Bay Resort and Kantiang Bay Resort

This last low season left a lot of businesses hurting in the area of cash flow. This includes wholesale customers of Don's, (i.e.The Evason, The Hilton) who if they would step up and pay Don, he might have some liquidity to stock the stores. Bit of a vicious circle really.

I think most of Patong is fairly safe at night.

Patong is safe and Rawai is the dangerous place? Did you mention that to the guy that got stabbed by the iguana handlers? Bar brawls, soi katoey etc. I'm going to politely disagree with this assessment.

Anyone else have any similar experiences and any ideas how to sort this cheaply from Phuket?

yes, received two pairs of Levi's from the states a couple years back, cost me 800thb to get them from the shipping co.

have to go to bed quick, or the wife will be mad..its almost 10 pm in Vancouver..but I will add that I have nothing but respect for the Mods that have been in touch with me the few times..

thought this subject was taboo??

I purchased a return longtail ticket to Railay from Aonang. When I wanted to take the boat back only one boat would take the ticket and he was way down the beach. When I got there he said we needed 8 people (although if I paid the extra he would take me right away!!) I found a group of 5 with backpacks and convinced them to take my boat. The boat driver told them that he would only take people with a return ticket and they could not buy a ticket from Railay. I waited for over an hr and it became obvious that there were no others with return tickets so I was screwed. Funny though you can not get to Railay without a ticket.

You can always get to Railey without a ticket you just have to pay an exorbitant amount for a private longtail.

Yes, the scam there is also to make you wait past 6:00 and then they make you pay the exorbitant fare to get back (600).

It's too bad as the local bars would make a lot in sunset drinks were you not forced to return at 4:45.

Have an MRI done (not a CAT) by a qualified MD (preferably a neurosurgeon) to determine from the gitgo exactly what the problem is so you don't up being "permanently" medicated and never resolve the underlying problem. I've been thru this, including the surgery that was necessary and I'm just glad it's over and I'm back to near 100% with NO need for any followup meds.

The MRI machine is a godsend in these instances...

Do both Phuket International and Bangkok Phuket have MRI?

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post but that is not helpful. I now realise there is very likely going to be alot of criticism on the opening post.

par for the course of the people that inhabit this forum