Hi,

This is my first post, so I hope it arrives in one piece! I'll be arriving in Bangkok the day before my 36th bday, travelling solo long-term in Asia for the first time. What suggestions do you have for spending my bday? There are so many possibilities that it's hard to decide.

Atm I'm seriously leaning toward a nice, relaxed island experience for at least a few days (to help with jet lag as well, coming from the US), but have no clue which might be good. I'd love to just chill out on the beach, meet a few people, hopefully a good mix of Thai and other travellers, but I'm not into the drug/drunk scene, been there, done that! A few drinks and good conversation would be perfect. Nothing too isolated or too touristy/"Western", maybe with scuba certification possibilities? Seems like I'm asking for too much, but from what I've heard, Thailand has it all!

Thanks for any suggestions!

m

Hi,

Ko Pagn Nagn is a nice place to relax, yes it has a reputation for throwing wild full moon parties but thats just a small part of the island (Had Rin). I have spent many a relaxing day / night there and met some really nice people. Long Beach in Had Yao is a very nice place, good beach and not too many people there to give it that touristy feel. Ton Nai Pan is another great place to chill.

Hope you have a good one.

I would probably say Ko Tao or Ko Phan Ngan. No problems obtaining the dive certs, Ko Tao is the cheapest around.... there are some great beaches and snorkelling spots and a relaxed night time atmosphere can be found on both islands.... (as well a the drug/drunk scene if you feel like it..... )

send an email to this guy...he may be what you are looking for www.pjscuba.com

Koh Tao is pretty much strictly diving, alot of places won't take you if you don't dive with them. Also, only a few of the beaches there are any good, many are quite rocky.

Koh Phangan also has diving but isn't so "dive oriented" as koh tao. Avoid Had Rin Beach on Koh Phangan, alot of people stay in Ban Kai or Ban Tai when they want easy access to the nightlife in Had Rin but don't want the craziness of Had Rin. Had Yao has some nightlife as does Thong Nai Pan. Thong Nai Pan is the better beach but is far more isolated, the road in and out is quite rough and once there most people don't leave until they are ready to move on. Also, the road is quite rough so unless you are an accomplished motorbike driver (near motocross conditions) I wouldn't recommend driving it yourself. Had Yao is a nice beach but it is quite busy now and the beach is solid bungalows from one end of the bay to the other.

Had Salad is another popular beach but it is also a bit difficult to reach. Mae Haad is nice, with a small island off the coast of Koh Phangan that can be walked to along a sand bar at low tide. Good snorkelling of that little island too.

PM me if you need any further info but I think that about covers it.

Groovy, thanks for the info--I'll check into all your suggestions. Feel free to add more if you think of any.

Ta, m

I have been to quite a few Island in Thailand, but for total relaxation (no scuba cert and hardly any westerners), you couldnt go past Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai - breathtaking scenery and a perfect place to relax on a beach without many tourists - ther are some "cheapish" bungalows, such as Sabaii corner on Noi and a couple of 4to 5 stars as well - they are located between Phuket and Krabi - about 1 hour by boat from Phuket and Krabi.