Hi all, I'm heading out to Thailand next month for 2-4 months and have never been before. I rememebr I spoke to a colleague a long time ago and he spoke about being able to rent a simple hut on a beach. I will probably be flying into Phuket and after getting my bearings there for a few days, is it possible to head along the coast staying in smaller towns for a good price? In the peak season a lot of the hotels I've seen prices for aren't cheap at all, all I want is a nice safe room with a private bathroom. I understand the price in larger resorts will be more but does it vary a lot once outside the big towns? I'd like to travel around quite a bit along the coastlines, are there places to stay in every town?

From my experiemce the whole island is a tourist spot and what you are seeking I doubt exists, there will be lower priced guest houses etc than the big resorts but a "hut on the beach" I doubt that exists(unless its offerred within a resort) and I also doubt it would be that secure either.

If you have never been to Thailand you need to do more research about where you are going before becoming a victim.

I know of A nice hut right on the beach at low to reasonable prices.It's not near phuket.It's near samui,koh phangan.

Phuket is expensive for sure. Some beaches more so than others (Bang Tao, for example). But, even on Bang Tao, there is a cheap option at the southern end of the beach. We found it by just driving around. Can't remember the prices, but they are mid-range priced and have bungalows right on the beach. With cheaper ones back 50 meters or so.

Also, you will be there during high season. Better start booking now...

You might also try lonelyplanet.com and their Thorn Tree forum for Thailand. As well as tripadvisor.com.

Many "huts-on-the-beach" in Koh Phangan, but they tend to be full during the high season (from December Full Moon/Christmas until the end of April)