I live in Chiang Rai and I have 5 days off next week- just found out and I really want to laze by a beach- my criteria are:

1. Relatively easy (and cheap) to get to from Chiang Rai.

2. A beach that's not too touristy but chilled go stuff to do.

I really have no idea, I've been living in Chiang Rai for 4 months and have never been south....all suggestions grattefully received.

Thanks,

Hat Chianrai?

Songkran is going to start Friday of next week.

Do you want to fly, drive or take a bus???

Songkran is 13-17 April, Phuket usually has hotel space available but flight will be full. Nai Harn beach would fit your specs but not the big-name beaches: Patong, Kata, Karon, Surin. There are 35 named beaches in Phuket. Check this listing (http://is.gd/7XcD3p) for the "top 10" but note that half of them are just sections of the four already named.

Overnight-bus (NakornChaiAir) direct to Pattaya or Rayong, then Jomtien (quieter, slightly-cheaper guesthouse accomodation, fewer bars/restaurants) or Ban Chang or 20km to Ban-Phe & Koh Samet?

Or overnight-bus (Sombat Tour) from Chiang Mai to Cha-Am/Hua-Hin ?

Further-on from Hua-Hin to Ban Krut or Ban-Saphan ?

How far are you willing to travel ? How quiet is a quiet beach ?

TBH it's a bit of a short trip, to get to a beach, unless you fly. Personally I'd head up to Mae-Salong (especially one of the just-out-of-town resorts), from Chiang Rai, cheap & quiet once the sun goes down.