Other Areas

Also, it seems like Koh Chang might be easier to get to, no need to fly to Phuket or Krabi, but are the beaches of Phi Phi not the best in Thailand?

I went there last year for two nights. Don't know which resort we were in, but we stayed opposite a new Irish Bar. We picked up a couple of cuties playing pool. The rest were pretty standard.

Rednose

If you go to Krabi area, or you are on the way to PhiPhi or Ko Lanta, the place you should stay is Ao Nang. The beaches are not the best, but you can go by longboat to Raileh West or other beaches within 10-20minutes.

There are (at least) 4 bar districts in Ao Nang. Easiest way to go there is to take a Mini-Tuk-Tuk (40THB), much smaller than the the Bangkok ones. The one, mentioned in some earlier reports opposite of McDonald’s complex is called ‘R. C. A. ’. There are about 10-12 bars and half of them are well populated. Further down, direction to Krabi (away from the beach), is a 4-bar strip directly at the road. You could tell the driver ‘JW Bar’, which is the one with some good looking girls.

At Ao Nang Beach, where most of the travellers stay, there is a bar complex at center point. You can’t see it from the main road (but you can hear it), so the best way to find it is to take the pathway next to Burger King, or the one next to Wanna’s Place. 10-12 bars, half of them are very well staffed.

The last (but not least) bar I visited is at the other beach which belongs to Ao Nang (Nofarat Beach). This is a one you shouldn’t miss. Tell the driver "Luna Bar" (even I haven’t seen a luna bar). Bar complex directly on the beach and you can go with your lady to a nippa hut or stay at the bar –whatever you like. Nice place, about 10 bars and some are really busy.

I must say, after I was quite disappointed from the bar scene in Chaweng and at Ko Chang, this was a real impressive bar hop. I have seen 7-8 ratings in many bars and it was really hard to decide which one to take. Had a bar fine every night and prices are 1500 for ST and 2000 for LT. Service was very well, all did DFK and BBBJ.

Thanks for the report Bamboo Pete.

Could you give me some idea of the prices for st/lt in Ao Nang and Krabi areas?

Any places you recommend staying in at Ao Nang?

Thanks

Can anyone reccomend a good Hotel in Hua Hin perhaps with a good beach Khao Takiab or Pranburi? I have never been to this part of Thailand and just looking for some peace and tranquility 4 or 5 star in mind.

Thanks

Timps,

As I said, I paid 1500 for ST and 2000 for LT. I'm sure you can bargain the price down with some girls, especially if it comes close to 2am when the bars close. I stayed in Ao Nang Sea Front, booked via internet for 2300THB. Strange, they put me in room A1, which is 300 meters away from the hotel, apartment style, and not connected anyhow to the hotel. Just perfect for monger. Can't recommend any other. There are some cheaper backpacker hotels which are for sure girl friendly.

Hey Bamboo thanks for the report.

How did you like the Ao Nang area overall? Did you dive or rock climb also? Did you go to Railey?

From what I have gathered, it seems like a pretty nice area with a good vibe.

Timps,

Rai Lay has three beaches, the beach near 'Princess Cave' is stunningly beautiful. The relative silence is repeatedly disturbed by rock climbers who've reached the summit.
If you're looking for some good old hippie:( vibes, come to Ao Nang.
I prefer to stay in Krabi and take a song thaew to Ao Nang. It's not that Krabi is free of hippies, but it's better than Ao Nang.
Whatever you do go on a three, four or five island tour! Don't forget to bring a hat and long sleeve shirt or risk being sun barbecued.

[QUOTE=Markz]Can anyone reccomend a good Hotel in Hua Hin perhaps with a good beach Khao Takiab or Pranburi? I have never been to this part of Thailand and just looking for some peace and tranquility 4 or 5 star in mind.

Thanks[/QUOTE]In my opinion:

Great Hotels: Putahracsa HuaHin, Hyatt.

Best Beach hotel: MArriott HuaHin no doubt has the best beach of them all.

I'm back in Ao Nang after a 3 days PhiPhi Island trip. My advise is : avoid PhiPhi! Ton Sai is an aweful backpacker area. No fun for mongers , I have not even seen any freelancer.

Ao Nang is not as bad as Freeler said. I like it and the bars are not backpacker style as on PhiPhi or Railey (with no girls) , and are not Thai style as in Krabi town, the are like in good old Pataya.

You can go from Ao Nang to all places you want , 5 island tour is great , 1 day trip to PhiPhi is much better than staying there , and Railey is just a 10 minute boat trip.
Another hotel tip: I stay my last 2 days in Phra Nang Inn , nice rooms with balcony or terrace and a big swimming pool. Strange policy: I asked at check in if I could have visitors and they said , there is a fee for over night , but short time 'ok'. Booked deluxe romm (2500THB) instead of standard room (2000THB) and funny , they said 'over night ok'.

I'm not looking for a hippie vibe...just people having a good time. I'm sure that is easy to find anywhere in Thailand though.

Which has the better beer bar and st possibilities. Ao Nang or Karbi?

From Krabi, how long is the song thaew ride to Ao Nang?

Timps,

Songthaew from Krabi to Ao Nang takes about half an hour. Krabi doesn't have many bars, more like a few. Ao Nang wins in that department. But I don't care about bars. As far as I'm concerned, the next gov closes them all down:D.

Markz,

Check on site [url]www.huahinafterdark.com[/url] and go to the forum there.

Plenty of info on hotels and guesthouses mentioned.

PP

[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]In my opinion:

Great Hotels: Putahracsa HuaHin, Hyatt.

Best Beach hotel: MArriott HuaHin no doubt has the best beach of them all.[/QUOTE]

If you want to be near the lady bars, none of those will do. Among the higher end hotels, only the Sofitel Central and the Hilton are located close to the nightlife. Personally, I like the Hilton. For a less expensive choice, try the Thipurai City hotel, it's a couple of blocks from the Hilton and Sofitel, and is guest friendly.

Can anyone (and by this I mean mainly Freeler) recommend a cheap hotel in Phitsanulok? Very near the train station and any streetwalkers of course. Air not necessary but hot water would be a plus.

Perhaps also any recommendations for cheap hotels or places to find hookers in Lamphang, Uttaradit, Nakon Sawan, if those places are worth stopping.

Opebo,

If you can stand it: Pan Som Bat at B150, but not even the women like it anymore...
Much better, but a whopping B200, Asia.
Asia: Head left at the traffic circle in front of the RWS, pass the market area and the bus stands, It's then on your left. There's another hortel on the opposite side of the road.
PSB: Same, but just before the bus stands turn right, pass a lunchroom and a small three table restaurant on your left. It's just passed the restaurant. A little further on is London hotel. It's ok for a coffee or tea, but avoid the women outside. They ask too much and give too little.
No hot shower in either hotel. Other hotels are located less conveniently.

The other towns you mention: I don't like them that much and I can't remember places to stay or places to pick up SWs - it's been too long ago.