Ko Tao - Travel, Accomodation, Internet

[NguuMuu]

Maybe it's just me, but I've tried searching the forum and the search engine just can't handle the words koh tao for some reason.

Anyway, I was thinking about checking out Koh Tao next week so here's my questions:

1) What's you're general opinion of Koh Tao? Is it worth the travel time for someone that doesn't care about diving and just wants to relax on the beach? How does it compare to other islands such as Koh Chang, Koh Samed, Koh Phi Phi, etc?

2) What is the best way of getting there from Bangkok. Based on my preliminary research it seems the lomprayah bus/boat combo ticket is the best value, but any advice would be appreciated.

3) How is the internet there. Do many hotels offer free wireless? What about internet through your mobile (dtac or one two call)?

4) Can anyone recommend a decent hotel? I'm looking for something decent near the main area and bars. Room should be in good shape and clean. Air conditioning and hot water are musts. Wireless internet would be a nice bonus. And the closer to the beach the better. Of course I am expecting all this for as cheap as possible.

Thanks in advance.

[Birdman]

Post your questions at the Samui forum. There are more Koh Tao folks.

[jackr]

Best off using the Google search (top left) when only a few letters - here

Be better off reading wikitravel though - Koh Tao

If you're not diving probably not worth the effort as it's loaded with a certain noisy element but perhaps that's your thing. The journey there from Samui can be hard going if you get seasick, so probably better off choosing a quieter Samui beach or perhaps Pha Ngan. There's only the one main beach and it's not much of one at that, especially when the tide comes in. You'd also probably need to spend upwards of a grand to get digs with aircon/hot water near the beach. Not great value there.

[JannikOJ]

I did that trip last year and I did not enjoy it. Ok, the weather was crap and im not into diving as well.

Its a young white crowd. Many backpackers are doing their PADI thing there. Im 39 and I was always the oldest guy around.

Its a pretty island but nowhere near as pretty as many other places in Thailand.

I took the night train to Chumporn/ferry and I took the ferry/bus back. If was ever going back there (im not) I would prefer the bus.

If you live in Bangkok I would take Samet or Koh Chang over Koh Tao any day.

OJ

[manuchaomk]

Best off using the Google search (top left) when only a few letters - here

Be better off reading wikitravel though - Koh Tao

If you're not diving probably not worth the effort as it's loaded with a certain noisy element but perhaps that's your thing. The journey there from Samui can be hard going if you get seasick, so probably better off choosing a quieter Samui beach or perhaps Pha Ngan. There's only the one main beach and it's not much of one at that, especially when the tide comes in. You'd also probably need to spend upwards of a grand to get digs with aircon/hot water near the beach. Not great value there.

:-) not everyone have installed the google bar...... the most clever boyzz don't use google as search engine...because of their famous "spy"....hehe....you have to update your links..mate

[jackr]

Whatever are you on about? I'm talking about G search within Thaivisa (below TV logo) which will bring up only TV-related searches. Suggest you update your knowledge of the net.

Edited July 26, 2009 by jackr