road trip from chiang mai to phuket

[femi fan]

Greetings thai travellers!

We're going to drive down to Phuket from CM about the middle of June. We have a least a week to get there and probably a week to get back.

I"m just touting for posters' recommendations south of Bangkok to stop at and spend some time, based on their own travel - could be for places to stay, beaches in general, beaches off the beaten track, beach towns (eg Kao Lak I've never been to, will plan to visit there), national parks, special places, whatever. We can go down the eastern side or western side of the isthmus, depending on exciting places to discover. I'm keen also on visiting prachuab kiri khan, so any accommodation places there that don't break the bank would be good to hear about.

Probably won't go any further south than Phuket, even though i love Krabi town and other places in that province.

I'll be with my thai wife and daughter, so we're not really looking for overtouristed places, and i won't be lacking in the lingo!

Beaches do tend to be quite important since we have none in Chiang Mai! We could take a side trip to an island, but not with the car. Forget Samui Phangan and Tao, love the places, been there heaps of times, we want new places on this trip.

Looking forward to some tips, any tips will be welcome!

[daveAustin]

Cha Am, Hua Hin (Vana Nava water Park), Prachuap (Ao Manao bay), defo cut across through Khao Sok NP, then perhaps Phang Nga Bay before Phuket (Kata Noi Beach a must). Been up and down over the years, highway 4 is a bit of a bore. You could always do Phang Nga Bay on the way back, doing a loop along the 44. Quieter drive along there through all the palm plantations. Be sure to cut through Chainat and Suphanburi to avoid Bkk -- highway 1 spur and 340 etc.

[craigt3365]

Khao Lak is great. The main area as well as north and south. As is the national park not too far away. Can stay on a floating hotel. Pretty neat. But not cheap.

[samuijimmy]

Khao Sok is also a beautiful area, but I am not sure if the west coast rainy season is happening in June....(?)

Several places to stay in different price ranges... in the main "village" of KS

[femi fan]

Cha Am, Hua Hin (Vana Nava water Park), Prachuap (Ao Manao bay), defo cut across through Khao Sok NP, then perhaps Phang Nga Bay before Phuket (Kata Noi Beach a must). Been up and down over the years, highway 4 is a bit of a bore. You could always do Phang Nga Bay on the way back, doing a loop along the 44. Quieter drive along there through all the palm plantations. Be sure to cut through Chainat and Suphanburi to avoid Bkk -- highway 1 spur and 340 etc.

Well, i'd never heard of the Khao Sok NP, so that's a good call, i've just been reading a bit on it. I saw quite a long list of guest houses, are they outside the park? It looks like we can't actually drive much in there, so have you got any recommendations on how to see it? Walking, cycling, get a tour guide?

We will be staying in Kata Noi beach for two weeks as it happens! I think i've been there before, about ten years ago, and I enjoyed the town area. We were there shortly after the tsunami.

If highway 4 is a bore, would you suggest we keep going on down after Chumphon on the 41, and then turning right onto the 401 which would take us to Khao Sok NP? That would mean we'd miss Ranong. Maybe Ranong hasn't much to recommend it? or we could go this way on the way down and back home along the 4 bore!

Your quieter road sounds good, but do you mean the 44 for the palm plantations?

Yes, we will avoid Bkk! We've driven down to HH before, but no further.

What's Ao Manao Bay like? What format is the accommodation?

Many thanks for your ideas Dave, some good ones to get me started on our plans!

[femi fan]

Khao Lak is great. The main area as well as north and south. As is the national park not too far away. Can stay on a floating hotel. Pretty neat. But not cheap.

North and south of Khao Lak have accommodation? What is good about them? Do you mean really close to KL?

[femi fan]

Khao Sok is also a beautiful area, but I am not sure if the west coast rainy season is happening in June....(?)

Several places to stay in different price ranges... in the main "village" of KS

Hi mate!! How's samui? We've been stuck on 40 degree days since the start of April, and no let up in sight! The joke's wearing a bit thin by now!

Thanks for the input, it looks like KS will definitely be on our list. I don't care about the rain, we've had an hour or so of it in six months, i'll be very happy when the rainy season starts!

[Bredbury Blue]

Googlemaps has that down between the two airports as 1500km/19hrs each way. We often do 2000km/10 day trips upcountry...occasional 2 nights in a place but usually lots of being on the move and driving. Personally I'd cut the distance to say Hua hin or Prachuap or maxm to Chumpon.

[aussiebrian]

Cha Am, Hua Hin (Vana Nava water Park), Prachuap (Ao Manao bay), defo cut across through Khao Sok NP, then perhaps Phang Nga Bay before Phuket (Kata Noi Beach a must). Been up and down over the years, highway 4 is a bit of a bore. You could always do Phang Nga Bay on the way back, doing a loop along the 44. Quieter drive along there through all the palm plantations. Be sure to cut through Chainat and Suphanburi to avoid Bkk -- highway 1 spur and 340 etc.

Well, i'd never heard of the Khao Sok NP, so that's a good call, i've just been reading a bit on it. I saw quite a long list of guest houses, are they outside the park? It looks like we can't actually drive much in there, so have you got any recommendations on how to see it? Walking, cycling, get a tour guide?

We will be staying in Kata Noi beach for two weeks as it happens! I think i've been there before, about ten years ago, and I enjoyed the town area. We were there shortly after the tsunami.

If highway 4 is a bore, would you suggest we keep going on down after Chumphon on the 41, and then turning right onto the 401 which would take us to Khao Sok NP? That would mean we'd miss Ranong. Maybe Ranong hasn't much to recommend it? or we could go this way on the way down and back home along the 4 bore!

Your quieter road sounds good, but do you mean the 44 for the palm plantations?

Yes, we will avoid Bkk! We've driven down to HH before, but no further.

What's Ao Manao Bay like? What format is the accommodation?

Many thanks for your ideas Dave, some good ones to get me started on our plans!

I have stayed in Khao Sok many times. Can recommend Arts Riverview Jungle Lodge.The tree houses are nice.

If your budget will allow, a day at Koh Sok at Rajjaprabha Dam on the floating raft houses. The biggest expense is the longtail to get there, Don't miss Ranong. You can get a room at Tinidee Inn for only 570 Baht including the use of the hot springs, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool or 550 baht if you book online.

Ranong is very nice, hot springs, mountains, waterfalls, Ranong Canyon. Plus the highlight of your trip will be get the ferry and go to Koh Phayam and/or Koh Chang. (Not Trat,) Ranong. Koh Phayam is a little more civilized with electricity and you can rent a bike to get around. It also has nicer beaches than Koh Chang, has solar power, but if you want to just chill out on a beach with very few tourists, Koh Chang is the spot.

[craigt3365]

Khao Sok is also a beautiful area, but I am not sure if the west coast rainy season is happening in June....(?)

Several places to stay in different price ranges... in the main "village" of KS

With respect, we stayed at the place right on the river with direct access to the park HQ and paths, via the parking lot. Not wanting to be a cheap charlie, we walked over to the main booth and paid our fees. Massively disappointed is an understatement. Railings were broken and missing, steps were missing, bridges were washed out (luckily, the river was dry), signs pointing to attractions were on the ground. And the walk towards the waterfalls was busy with scooters going back and forth, using holes in the fence to cut in and out. I could have been walking near my house and had a better experience. Absolutely nothing to see but a few interesting mushrooms.

We spent an hour walking up and back to a "viewpoint", missing railings, steps, bridge and all...only to find out they hadn't cleared out the surrounding trees....so no view. We tried to find the water falls, but the paths were in terrible shape and signs were broken and on the ground. Impossible to find your way around.

Horrible experience. Though spending a night in a floating room on the Ratchaprapha dam, with included tour of the reservoir, was fantastic!!!!!!! Not cheap, not easy to setup with all the touts trying to get your money, but great fun.

[craigt3365]

Cha Am, Hua Hin (Vana Nava water Park), Prachuap (Ao Manao bay), defo cut across through Khao Sok NP, then perhaps Phang Nga Bay before Phuket (Kata Noi Beach a must). Been up and down over the years, highway 4 is a bit of a bore. You could always do Phang Nga Bay on the way back, doing a loop along the 44. Quieter drive along there through all the palm plantations. Be sure to cut through Chainat and Suphanburi to avoid Bkk -- highway 1 spur and 340 etc.

Well, i'd never heard of the Khao Sok NP, so that's a good call, i've just been reading a bit on it. I saw quite a long list of guest houses, are they outside the park? It looks like we can't actually drive much in there, so have you got any recommendations on how to see it? Walking, cycling, get a tour guide?

We will be staying in Kata Noi beach for two weeks as it happens! I think i've been there before, about ten years ago, and I enjoyed the town area. We were there shortly after the tsunami.

If highway 4 is a bore, would you suggest we keep going on down after Chumphon on the 41, and then turning right onto the 401 which would take us to Khao Sok NP? That would mean we'd miss Ranong. Maybe Ranong hasn't much to recommend it? or we could go this way on the way down and back home along the 4 bore!

Your quieter road sounds good, but do you mean the 44 for the palm plantations?

Yes, we will avoid Bkk! We've driven down to HH before, but no further.

What's Ao Manao Bay like? What format is the accommodation?

Many thanks for your ideas Dave, some good ones to get me started on our plans!

We did 401 on the way to Khao Lak and 4006 on the way back. Parts of both roads are a bit dull, but the part through the mountains is stunning.

If you do visit Khao Sok, do one of the tours where they take you out on the lake and then to a cave. You'll get muddy, but it's better than trying the walks near the park HQ, as I mentioned above.

Not sure missing Ranong is a bad thing! Just a big Thai border town. Now the islands off shore are another thing altogether. Beautiful, and very quiet.

Ao Manao Bay is really beautiful. There's a military hotel you can stay at right on the bay. Expensive, but the only option right on the water.

Another option would be just south of Hua Hin. I stayed at Beauty Beach Resort and loved it. Just north of this national park:

https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/Thaao+Ko+Sa+Forest+Park/@12.3372894,99.9954869,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0000000000000000:0xbaedbbb91a353a34!8m2!3d12.3393075!4d99.9985108

Room right on the beach for 2k Baht or so. The park has some really neat walks. Not long, but fun. Khao Sam Roi Yot is just south. Probably worth a visit if you have the time.

Another spot is Ban Kruit (Krut). Beautiful beach. Try some of the resorts a bit south of the main area as they can get loud with large parties having events. We've stayed here many times and love it.

http://www.rachavadee.com/

Some options down the road a bit are Thung Wua Laen and Khanom. Both very nice. If you can, drive off the main highway. Slower, but at times, you'll have stunning views of the sea.

[1FinickyOne]

The beaches are very nice on the Gulf side, south of Hua Hin - Pranburi, Prachuap, down to Baan Sapaan and Chumphorn - many little coves and each seems to have at least one small resort these days... nice seafood - enjoy.

[williet98248]

A day or overnight trip to Ko Yao Noi is well worth it. Lovely island and quite laid back. Catch the ferry from near Ao Por. Make sure you get the public ferry and not the private boats at the marina. Go east from the Heroine's monument for about 8kms. The turn off to the public ferry is at the mosque on the main road. Turn right for about a km. to the ferry dock. All resorts will pick you up at the ferry landing on Ko Yao Noi.. East side of the island is where all the resorts and the good beaches (Pasai Beach) are located. Bicycle and MC rentals everywhere. For a day trip you can rent a MC just 500 meters from the ferry landing and they will pick you up as well. Ms Opal, [email protected] I have done six bicycle tours of the island. Great place! Even more remote and laid back is Ko Yao Yai.

[TEFLKrabi]

Avoid the main highways where you can and do lots of research before you leave. There's enough for a one month trip along that route!

[femi fan]

Hey, many thanks for all the input!! Please bear with me, i'd like to reply to most if not all of your ideas with some questions. I've wanted to do a road trip for a long time. Yes, i could easily spend a month doing this, probably a year!! In reality we have the two weeks fixed in phuket, and can probably manage two weeks of actual travelling time.

Although my daughter is likely to have google maps on her smartphone, i prefer proper maps still! I have a couple already, but if people have a specific publication to recommend me i'll look into buying that. I prefer the book style maps because opening up these huge affairs takes up the driver's seat, the passenger seat, the windscreen...!

[phuketrichard]

u will love it,

i do a road trip every year in July FROM phuket to the north. love north of Chiang Rai

Prachup khiri khan is a great stop point, good hotels with sea view rooms an great seafood on the street

on ur way down stop at Ayutthaya for a half day

Ranong is ok for a small trip up to the hot spring and the Tinidee Hotel ( across from the Tinidee resort where u can use their pool) is a great value for the $$ (only thai tv) good Japanese food next door

from there its only 4 hours to the Phuket Airport

Take side trips out of Phuket over to Krabi with a stop at the monkey cave outside Phang Nga, the shell cemetery on Krabi and to the temple south of town,( wat Tam Suea) great views if u make the climb up the steps)

[femi fan]

I have stayed in Khao Sok many times. Can recommend Arts Riverview Jungle Lodge.The tree houses are nice.

If your budget will allow, a day at Koh Sok at Rajjaprabha Dam on the floating raft houses. The biggest expense is the longtail to get there, Don't miss Ranong. You can get a room at Tinidee Inn for only 570 Baht including the use of the hot springs, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool or 550 baht if you book online.

Ranong is very nice, hot springs, mountains, waterfalls, Ranong Canyon. Plus the highlight of your trip will be get the ferry and go to Koh Phayam and/or Koh Chang. (Not Trat,) Ranong. Koh Phayam is a little more civilized with electricity and you can rent a bike to get around. It also has nicer beaches than Koh Chang, has solar power, but if you want to just chill out on a beach with very few tourists, Koh Chang is the spot.

Thanks for the tips mate. The Arts lodge place, doesn't seem to have a website and my first effort at seeing its prices suggested it might be booked up, which seems doubtful in June. Just wondering what sort of prices the bungalows are, and why you recommend it. In looking for it i found Our Jungle House which seemed to have some link to Art himself.

Now, i'm very much an island person, but after a couple of nightmare boat trips back in the 90s i've been sort of ruined fovever! I like the sound of both Phayam and Chang, but June is the start of the rainy season so fears already invade my mind! How long is the journey to each island?

Ranong sounds good, is it a big town, or quite easy to get about and find places? Does it have any mainland beaches nearby which are nice alternatives to the two islands? After all, if i can enjoy mainland beaches i don't need to step onto a boat and mess with my mind!

I'm very excited by the prospects of staying in Khao Sok. It seems to offer what i thought i'd need to go to Borneo to find!

[femi fan]

We did 401 on the way to Khao Lak and 4006 on the way back. Parts of both roads are a bit dull, but the part through the mountains is stunning.

Ao Manao Bay is really beautiful. There's a military hotel you can stay at right on the bay. Expensive, but the only option right on the water.

Another option would be just south of Hua Hin. I stayed at Beauty Beach Resort and loved it. Just north of this national park:

Some options down the road a bit are Thung Wua Laen and Khanom. Both very nice. If you can, drive off the main highway. Slower, but at times, you'll have stunning views of the sea.

Craig, which road has the stunning bit through the mountains, the 401 or the 4006?

Ao Manao sounds good to me, thought about it before. What kind of town is it? I assume there are other places to stay, if not on the water. Any more info on this place?!

Which section of the drive are you suggesting to get off the main highway? I would like to do that, but not all the way, so choosing a stretch which i know will have great views will be grand to do! Did you mean all the way from HH to Chumpon, or a smaller section of it?

Thanks for all the tips mate.

[femi fan]

The beaches are very nice on the Gulf side, south of Hua Hin - Pranburi, Prachuap, down to Baan Sapaan and Chumphorn - many little coves and each seems to have at least one small resort these days... nice seafood - enjoy.

This is more persuasion for me to get off the main highway! Are there a lot of seaviews? What's the drive like between the nice coves?

[craigt3365]

Both the 401 and the 4006 are great. As for Borneo, yes, it's a bit like that. Though Borneo is amazing. Can't really compare the two.

Ao Manao is inside an air force base. No big deal, but facilities are limited. To the north is Prachuap Khiri Khan. An OK town with a fair bay and OK hotels, but the beach leaves a bit to be desired.

I'll try to figure out where we were that had the stunning views of the sea. I've driven pretty much the entire coastal route from Nakhon all the way to the border with Cambodia. Sometimes, on small dirt roads! Beautiful scenery, but at times, not much to see at all.

It's kinda fun to drive from Ban Kruit, hug the sea, go to the part that juts out. Some restaurants there and an interesting bay. Then continue on to Bang Saphan. You get glimpses of the sea for a bit in that stretch. Quite a bit as you are going into BS. Fair as it's a bay and the water is a bit cloudy.

I've not done the entire stretch north of Khao Lak. But around KL, it's fantastic. Both north and south.

[femi fan]

A day or overnight trip to Ko Yao Noi is well worth it. Lovely island and quite laid back. Catch the ferry from near Ao Por. Make sure you get the public ferry and not the private boats at the marina. Go east from the Heroine's monument for about 8kms. The turn off to the public ferry is at the mosque on the main road. Turn right for about a km. to the ferry dock. All resorts will pick you up at the ferry landing on Ko Yao Noi.. East side of the island is where all the resorts and the good beaches (Pasai Beach) are located. Bicycle and MC rentals everywhere. For a day trip you can rent a MC just 500 meters from the ferry landing and they will pick you up as well. Ms Opal, [email protected] I have done six bicycle tours of the island. Great place! Even more remote and laid back is Ko Yao Yai.

I can't locate Ao Por on my map - is that on the mainland east of the island or on Phuket? How long will the boat journey take? I assume boats must go from Phuket to both Yao islands?

[femi fan]

Can we drive to the lake in Khao Sok NP, or do we have to take a tour?

[craigt3365]

You can get to the dam. We stayed at a place on the river that comes out of the day. Quite nice. There are some government type hotels near the dam, and they seemed OK, but were booked out when we got there. None compare to the trip to your room ON the water, the return trip, the tour, etc. Fantastic.

[zaZa9]

I have stayed in Khao Sok many times. Can recommend Arts Riverview Jungle Lodge.The tree houses are nice.

If your budget will allow, a day at Koh Sok at Rajjaprabha Dam on the floating raft houses. The biggest expense is the longtail to get there, Don't miss Ranong. You can get a room at Tinidee Inn for only 570 Baht including the use of the hot springs, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool or 550 baht if you book online.

Ranong is very nice, hot springs, mountains, waterfalls, Ranong Canyon. Plus the highlight of your trip will be get the ferry and go to Koh Phayam and/or Koh Chang. (Not Trat,) Ranong. Koh Phayam is a little more civilized with electricity and you can rent a bike to get around. It also has nicer beaches than Koh Chang, has solar power, but if you want to just chill out on a beach with very few tourists, Koh Chang is the spot.

Thanks for the tips mate. The Arts lodge place, doesn't seem to have a website and my first effort at seeing its prices suggested it might be booked up, which seems doubtful in June. Just wondering what sort of prices the bungalows are, and why you recommend it. In looking for it i found Our Jungle House which seemed to have some link to Art himself.

Now, i'm very much an island person, but after a couple of nightmare boat trips back in the 90s i've been sort of ruined fovever! I like the sound of both Phayam and Chang, but June is the start of the rainy season so fears already invade my mind! How long is the journey to each island?

Ranong sounds good, is it a big town, or quite easy to get about and find places? Does it have any mainland beaches nearby which are nice alternatives to the two islands? After all, if i can enjoy mainland beaches i don't need to step onto a boat and mess with my mind!

I'm very excited by the prospects of staying in Khao Sok. It seems to offer what i thought i'd need to go to Borneo to find!

The ferry ride to Koh Phayam is between the mainland and the islands that arent far out and therefore protected from big swells.

Having said that I wouldnt go there in the middle of the Wet Season when the island is almost empty.

If you read a bit about it , you will see that the Ranong area is one of the wettest places in all Thailand and thats the main reason its so quiet in low season The town itself is somewhat drab and smells of fish , but the boat building area is interesting , and the harbour is spectacular and has a couple of small beaches if you go to where the ferry runs to the casino on the Burmese side.

With regard to rain , the same goes for Kao Sok I think - I have been going to go there with a friend who lived there 5 years , but both times he cancelled saying it was no fun there in the rain , so I take it the rains can be as torrential and prolonged as Ranongs.

Less so in Phuket.

You will generally find the rain in July occuring like clockwork , for 2 to 3 hours every day.

You are going to be staying at one of the finest beaches on an island of fine beaches ... those around HH , Prechuap and Chumpon will pale into insignificance once you get to Kata or Kata Noi.

But be careful , KN can have rips and be quite dangerous when a swell is running and it may be prudent some days to go and swim in the flagged area at Kata Beach.

[zaZa9]

A day or overnight trip to Ko Yao Noi is well worth it. Lovely island and quite laid back. Catch the ferry from near Ao Por. Make sure you get the public ferry and not the private boats at the marina. Go east from the Heroine's monument for about 8kms. The turn off to the public ferry is at the mosque on the main road. Turn right for about a km. to the ferry dock. All resorts will pick you up at the ferry landing on Ko Yao Noi.. East side of the island is where all the resorts and the good beaches (Pasai Beach) are located. Bicycle and MC rentals everywhere. For a day trip you can rent a MC just 500 meters from the ferry landing and they will pick you up as well. Ms Opal, [email protected] I have done six bicycle tours of the island. Great place! Even more remote and laid back is Ko Yao Yai.

Can you leave a car or scooter at Ao Por pier , and what is the cost per day ?

[laolover88]

So much depends on what you are interested in! If coming from CM why not try Huai Kha Khaend off the 3438/328n from Uthai Thani?

For other similar places try some research at

wildlifethaiand.com.

I spent a while in the forests outside of Ranong; beautiful, but not the sea!

The coast from Ranong to Phuket is without much merit including Kao Lak and as for Phuket itself including Kata Noi the less said the better. Cannot see why you would go all that way without doing the extra mile to Ko Lanta and the Southern Islands which are still pretty unperturbed by Russians and Chinese!! And Fun!!

I

Edited May 12, 2016 by laolover88

[femi fan]

u will love it,

i do a road trip every year in July FROM phuket to the north. love north of Chiang Rai

Prachup khiri khan is a great stop point, good hotels with sea view rooms an great seafood on the street

on ur way down stop at Ayutthaya for a half day

Ranong is ok for a small trip up to the hot spring and the Tinidee Hotel ( across from the Tinidee resort where u can use their pool) is a great value for the $$ (only thai tv) good Japanese food next door

from there its only 4 hours to the Phuket Airport

Take side trips out of Phuket over to Krabi with a stop at the monkey cave outside Phang Nga, the shell cemetery on Krabi and to the temple south of town,( wat Tam Suea) great views if u make the climb up the steps)

Missed your post first time round! Thanks for the input. I do definitely plan on stopping overnight at PKK. Is it fair to assume these good hotels with sea view rooms can simply be found once i get there? I don't really want to book much up at all, just travel like i used to in the older days, pitching up. I know June is low season, in fact i think June is our best month all in all! Are the rooms sort of in the town? A little pointer to where they are will help me in advance. Cheers mate.

We'll give Krabi a miss, been there a few times, can easily get there direct from CM these days on Air Asia. But if you've got any tips for Pang Nga province, fire away!

[femi fan]

Both the 401 and the 4006 are great. As for Borneo, yes, it's a bit like that. Though Borneo is amazing. Can't really compare the two.

Ao Manao is inside an air force base. No big deal, but facilities are limited. To the north is Prachuap Khiri Khan. An OK town with a fair bay and OK hotels, but the beach leaves a bit to be desired.

I'll try to figure out where we were that had the stunning views of the sea. I've driven pretty much the entire coastal route from Nakhon all the way to the border with Cambodia. Sometimes, on small dirt roads! Beautiful scenery, but at times, not much to see at all.

It's kinda fun to drive from Ban Kruit, hug the sea, go to the part that juts out. Some restaurants there and an interesting bay. Then continue on to Bang Saphan. You get glimpses of the sea for a bit in that stretch. Quite a bit as you are going into BS. Fair as it's a bay and the water is a bit cloudy.

I've not done the entire stretch north of Khao Lak. But around KL, it's fantastic. Both north and south.

Yes, my map shows Ban Krut and down as having some coast roads so we'll do that i think.

In fact, i could drive along the coastal road from Ban Krut all the way down to Chumphon. Do you think it would take that much longer than simply going by the main route 4? Just trying to get a feel for time here.

I"m only in my saloon car, so can't get off the beaten track really!

[femi fan]

You can get to the dam. We stayed at a place on the river that comes out of the day. Quite nice. There are some government type hotels near the dam, and they seemed OK, but were booked out when we got there. None compare to the trip to your room ON the water, the return trip, the tour, etc. Fantastic.

Not certain what you mean here mate. What trip do you mean? Getting there by long-tail boat? What tour? I have seen that we can get two day one night tours from Khao Sok town to the dam/lake, is that the tour and return trip you mean? If so i won't drive there, i want the nature man, i want the jungle!!

[femi fan]

The ferry ride to Koh Phayam is between the mainland and the islands that arent far out and therefore protected from big swells.

Having said that I wouldnt go there in the middle of the Wet Season when the island is almost empty.

If you read a bit about it , you will see that the Ranong area is one of the wettest places in all Thailand and thats the main reason its so quiet in low season The town itself is somewhat drab and smells of fish , but the boat building area is interesting , and the harbour is spectacular and has a couple of small beaches if you go to where the ferry runs to the casino on the Burmese side.

With regard to rain , the same goes for Kao Sok I think - I have been going to go there with a friend who lived there 5 years , but both times he cancelled saying it was no fun there in the rain , so I take it the rains can be as torrential and prolonged as Ranongs.

Less so in Phuket.

You will generally find the rain in July occuring like clockwork , for 2 to 3 hours every day.

You are going to be staying at one of the finest beaches on an island of fine beaches ... those around HH , Prechuap and Chumpon will pale into insignificance once you get to Kata or Kata Noi.

But be careful , KN can have rips and be quite dangerous when a swell is running and it may be prudent some days to go and swim in the flagged area at Kata Beach.

Does mid-June count as rainy season, or is it just getting itself into gear? I mean in Ranong and Khao Sok, being very rainy places. I did read that they are both very rainy.

Almost any provincial town in Thailand gets me excited at least for the first time i see it! Mind you i had an exception the other day, going to Surat Thani town for the first time ever despite going to samui and phangan dozens of times. It had nothing going for it!

I did get to Kata Noi and Kata beaches a few months after the tsunmai, and i recall the kata noi town area being full of interesting restaurants and cafes and so on. I don't swim much in the sea, but thanks for the reminder, i'll have to tell my family and friends who are all jetting in for the two week phuket holiday, hence our road trip down there.