What Island to live on?

[Klom332]

Hey,

So I'm currently living in Bangkok but I want to move to an island in about 1-2 months. Before I make the move I want to go see one or two locations however to find out whether I really want to live there, I'm wondering what the best options are for what I'm looking for:

- Budget of a small house/bungalow up to 20k baht, cheaper is always fine.
- Not too touristy, would like a more quiet area but still near the beach.
- Some surf options, I know Thailand doesn't have a great surfing scene but having somewhat of a surfing scene would be great.

- Language school for education visa within reach.
- Nice beaches

Was mainly considering Samui/Phuket, but not sure whether I'm overlooking something or which one of the two I should go for.

Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Hedghog]

Why an island.

What about Krabi, Ranong or Phang na?

[Klom332]

Would not necessarily have to be an island altho i do like that 'island feeling' & living on walking distance to the beach is my aim.

[guzzi850m2]

I love Koh Chang but I am not living there, only visiting now and again.

Maybe too quiet in the low season?

A place I intend to spent more time on when I retire but will likely never live there permanently, still likes the buzz in Pattaya.

[tifino]

don't overlook Koh Si Chang, off Si Racha. It is extremely less 'touristy' than is the relatively nearby Koh Chang

[White Christmas13]

AN IDYLLIC island that is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in Thailand is being shut down — because tourists have wrecked it. So don't try this one

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/why-you-cant-visit-thailands-most-beautiful-island-anymore/news-story/55f22abf8d7f33e1274e7358e836d974

[Klom332]

Koh chang looks really nice, too quiet isn't really a problem for me at the moment.

Is it kind of convenient however? As in convenience stores, markets, houses? Is there any waves?

Decided to book a little trip to Samui this weekend for a couple days, will see if it kind of fits what I had in mind, any suggestions on specific towns/areas? (was told to stay away from chaweng and check out lamai before)

edit: I couldn't find anything about a thai language school on Koh Chang, would it be impossible to stay there on an education visa?

Edited May 17, 2016 by Klom332

[squatncrunch]

Khao lak close enough to phuket and krabi and you can surf, nothing big but you can.

[anotheruser]

Samui or Phuket if you want a language school. Sadly there is really nothing left like you are looking for with all of the conveniences and somewhat pristine. You will not be able to stay on Koh Chang on an ED visa if there is no school, you actually have to attend. Needing the ED visa is really going to limit your options to a few places as far as islands go.

Your priority seems to be living on a beach rather than attending a language school. In this case find the best beach near a school not the best school far from the beach. Patong has a school that seems to do ED visas, live in Karoen (maybe Kamala but I don't know if it gets surf) and study in Patong. All of the images that come up when searching for surfing in Thailand seem to be from Karoen beach. Phuket seems your best chance of combining surfing with a suitable school available. I studied before at Patong Language school and they are good enough. They didn't do ED visas when I lived there but seem to now.

For anything decent you will probably want to spend at the top of your budget of 20K. Sure, you can do it on less but you can score a reasonable place with that money. If your house is enjoyable and saves you from going out for entertainment the difference in rent is recouped in just on evening avoiding going out on the island in the evening.

Edited May 17, 2016 by anotheruser

[anotheruser]

If you have the money getting a Thai elite visa might be a better alternative. Instead of paying 20,000 rent in Phuket pay 10,000 somewhere cheaper and get rid of the 30,000 school fees. If you have the money up front this is probably a better setup unless you actually want to learn Thai. You can live on a tiny island with no other foreigners this way if you so choose. Language schools need students and they can not exist in smaller places. Maybe somewhere like Koh Phayam has good surf? I am not sure but the rents will be almost nothing there compared to Phuket.

To live there you would probably have to trade convenience and wouldn't find housing similar to what is available in Phuket. There is also not full time electricity but this doesn't matter in the day time and most places have batteries or other measures to keep at least wifi on during the day.

Edited May 17, 2016 by anotheruser

[aber]

I wonder is someone will dare to reply Phuket :-)

[flyingdoc]

Koh Chang has everything you are looking for, but is rather like Samui was 20-30 years ago. I prefer Samui because of all the facilities, but would avoid Chaweng and Lamai. There are some lovely parts in the North between Maenam and Nathon, and again Southwards from Nathon, which are completely unspoilt yet near a beach, some with reasonable waves depending on the time of year and how far the sea goes out!

[KimSamui]

Koh Chang has everything you are looking for, but is rather like Samui was 20-30 years ago. I prefer Samui because of all the facilities, but would avoid Chaweng and Lamai. There are some lovely parts in the North between Maenam and Nathon, and again Southwards from Nathon, which are completely unspoilt yet near a beach, some with reasonable waves depending on the time of year and how far the sea goes out!

Maybe I am wrong but i have not seen anyone surfing in Samui before?

[stevenl]

Kata beach, Phuket.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Thailand?

Edited May 18, 2016 by SOUTHERNSTAR

[Coota]

As a former surfer of quality waves I can safely say you will not find any waves that you can surf anywhere in Thailand except at Phuket and these waves will only be generated by strong winds, no ground swell and would be considered "onshore slop" by all seasoned surfers. Also the waves are seasonal so you will only get this slop during the monsoon season.

[darhut]

AN IDYLLIC island that is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in Thailand is being shut down because tourists have wrecked it. So don't try this one

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/why-you-cant-visit-thailands-most-beautiful-island-anymore/news-story/55f22abf8d7f33e1274e7358e836d974

I wouldn't say tourists have wrecked it, it is more tourist management by national parks. Tourist numbers needed to be limited, but if you try to do that corruption creeps in.

It is still a very beautiful mostly untouched island but unfortunately would not stay that way with the volume of tourists national parks was allowing.

Was never what the op was looking for as it is/was only for day trip no over night allowed, and takes 1.5 hours by boat to get there.

[khunPer]

OP, Samui might be a good option – apart from surfing; if not kite-surfing, which is excellent here...

- Budget of a small house/bungalow up to 20k baht, cheaper is always fine.

No problem to find a good "beach-side" aircon bungalow for 20k/month, cheaper is possible. "Beach side" means, at the beach side of the Ring Road around the island, so you live within 100 to 200 meters from the beach without having to cross a busy road; beach-front you shall not expect for 20k/month, but you may be lucky at one of the non touristy beaches.

- Not too touristy, would like a more quiet area but still near the beach.

Samui (and Phuket) is touristy, but you can indeed find a number of very quiet, not touristy, beaches at Samui, and still be within 15 to 30 minutes drive from almost all activities.

You can also find not too touristy beaches, in otherwise touristy areas...
Take a look in local forum, Images os Samui... there are a number of hints for beautiful quiet, non touristy beaches.

- Some surf options, I know Thailand doesn't have a great surfing scene but having somewhat of a surfing scene would be great.

Surfing not really an option – however, it may occasionally be possible at Eastern coasts like Chaweng or Lamai – whilst kite-surfing is excellent, especially from Northen beaches.

- Language school for education visa within reach.

Yes, a number of possibilities, advertisig they offer education with Visa – however, present language Visa rules I'm not aware of, so something may have changed or be tightened up – if you wish to live by a non touristy beach, you shall calculate 15 to 45 minutes ride to a language school...

- Nice beaches

Repeat question, but there is also neighboring Koh Phangen to consider, if you are looking for excellent beaches; but I'm not aware of the language school situation over there...

My always best recommendation is, to come down for a week or two and look for yourself – try to stay at different potential areas – eventually combine with check of Phuket and other Southern islands.

Wish you good luck with you plans...

[1FinickyOne]

The ED visa will likely limit you greatly.... Phuket never feels like an island to me as it is connected via bridge and is so big - but sooo touristy at this point. I would approach it by finding out where you can get the ED visa and then choosing from those very limited choices.

[Briggsy]

Koh Rattanakosin.

[kannot]

AN IDYLLIC island that is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in Thailand is being shut down — because tourists have wrecked it. So don't try this one

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/why-you-cant-visit-thailands-most-beautiful-island-anymore/news-story/55f22abf8d7f33e1274e7358e836d974

Yes Im sure theThais didnt over exploit it and leave their rubbish plastic bags and general crap everywhere.

[losworld]

Koh Chang has everything you are looking for, but is rather like Samui was 20-30 years ago. I prefer Samui because of all the facilities, but would avoid Chaweng and Lamai. There are some lovely parts in the North between Maenam and Nathon, and again Southwards from Nathon, which are completely unspoilt yet near a beach, some with reasonable waves depending on the time of year and how far the sea goes out!

Koh Chang really isn't that much like Phuket 30 years ago. KC has a Markro, Big C, many eateries and infrastructure just now in the interior where the parks are now. Beaches still pretty good but heavy rainy season.

[Briggsy]

Koh Kred

[Fookhaht]

Koh chang looks really nice, too quiet isn't really a problem for me at the moment.

Is it kind of convenient however? As in convenience stores, markets, houses? Is there any waves?

Decided to book a little trip to Samui this weekend for a couple days, will see if it kind of fits what I had in mind, any suggestions on specific towns/areas? (was told to stay away from chaweng and check out lamai before)

edit: I couldn't find anything about a thai language school on Koh Chang, would it be impossible to stay there on an education visa?

I just came back from a short vacation in Koh Chang. Was deeply disappointed in the garbage dump that it has become. Garbage everywhere and locals burning their toxic wastes (plastics). Won't be returning. Caveat Emptor.

[Klom332]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses!

I realise that the ED visa is a big problem if I decide to stay on a non-touristy Island, since I'm currently still on a Tourist visa, I'll checkout the elite one.

Given all the responses and what I read online I should forget about surfing, probably better off just planning a surftrip to bali or so every once in a while. Will checkout Kite-surfing tho!

Right now Samui seems most attractive to me (the quieter places), will head there on saturday to check it out. Thinking of staying at Mae Nam, good idea?

Edited May 18, 2016 by Klom332

[Stevemercer]

Get into sail-boarding and then, maybe, kite-surfing, and you will have a ball even if you live on/near one of the Gulf of Thailand islands. It's always good to pick up a new hobby anyway. I still reckon the Andaman Sea coastline has by far the cleanest water, waves (albeit small) and marine variety.

[khunPer]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses!

I realise that the ED visa is a big problem if I decide to stay on a non-touristy Island, since I'm currently still on a Tourist visa, I'll checkout the elite one.

Given all the responses and what I read online I should forget about surfing, probably better off just planning a surftrip to bali or so every once in a while. Will checkout Kite-surfing tho!

Right now Samui seems most attractive to me (the quieter places), will head there on saturday to check it out. Thinking of staying at Mae Nam, good idea?

The pictures I posted are Maenam Beach – central and not too touristy, close to activities like dining and shopping; however the Ring Road can be busy; used to a be language school at the Bo Phut end – but do also check the Southern and Western beaches, there are some very quiet ones down there, and presumably more modest rent rates or better/larger bungalow/villa for same money. If you think of swimming from the beach, in general the Northern and Eastern beaches, are the best, whilst the Southern and Western often suffers of low tide.

[robertson468]

OP, Samui might be a good option – apart from surfing; if not kite-surfing, which is excellent here...

- Budget of a small house/bungalow up to 20k baht, cheaper is always fine.

No problem to find a good "beach-side" aircon bungalow for 20k/month, cheaper is possible. "Beach side" means, at the beach side of the Ring Road around the island, so you live within 100 to 200 meters from the beach without having to cross a busy road; beach-front you shall not expect for 20k/month, but you may be lucky at one of the non touristy beaches.

- Not too touristy, would like a more quiet area but still near the beach.

Samui (and Phuket) is touristy, but you can indeed find a number of very quiet, not touristy, beaches at Samui, and still be within 15 to 30 minutes drive from almost all activities.

You can also find not too touristy beaches, in otherwise touristy areas...

Take a look in local forum, Images os Samui... there are a number of hints for beautiful quiet, non touristy beaches.

1000w_DSC04762e2.jpg

- Some surf options, I know Thailand doesn't have a great surfing scene but having somewhat of a surfing scene would be great.

Surfing not really an option – however, it may occasionally be possible at Eastern coasts like Chaweng or Lamai – whilst kite-surfing is excellent, especially from Northen beaches.

- Language school for education visa within reach.

Yes, a number of possibilities, advertisig they offer education with Visa – however, present language Visa rules I'm not aware of, so something may have changed or be tightened up – if you wish to live by a non touristy beach, you shall calculate 15 to 45 minutes ride to a language school...

- Nice beaches

Repeat question, but there is also neighboring Koh Phangen to consider, if you are looking for excellent beaches; but I'm not aware of the language school situation over there...

My always best recommendation is, to come down for a week or two and look for yourself – try to stay at different potential areas – eventually combine with check of Phuket and other Southern islands.

Wish you good luck with you plans...

I have lived on Samui for 11 years now and love it to bits and have everything I want. Live in an area that is quiet, yet only 125 meters from the main road to go shopping or socialising, with a plethora of restaurants within a couple of ks. The beach is about 10 minutes walk from my house and if your rent a motor bike or car, the world is your oyster as far as beaches on the Island are concerned. Big C, Tesco Lotus and Central Shopping are all on the Island, not to mention the ubiquitous 7 Elevens and Family Marts (one of each within 200 meters of my house). Without doubt you could rent for less than 20K per month and if you wish to PM me, would be happy to help. However, would recommend that you spend at least six months where ever you choose, this will allow the novelty factor of a new place to wear off and for you to get a more realistic view before becoming a permanent resident. Good luck!

[Bender]

Penang or Boracay, far more safer!

[northernphil]

Isle-of-Wight, is that any help ?