Thailand honeymoon advice?

[overer]

My fiance and I are planning on going to Thailand for our honeymoon in early September. We are thinking southern Thailand, possibly Phuket. We will buy a Lonely Planet travel book and look stuff up there but I just wanted to hear what real people had to say about the experience and culture. Does anyone have any advice about traveling there or recommendations on what to do and/or what to avoid? Is September a good time to go? Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mia1181]

I don''t really have any tips since I''ve never been, but I want to go so badly! I suppose there''s a chance I could be going for my honeymoon since it will be a surprise, but I think my fiancee may have ruled it out because of travel time.

I know I read a thread a while back of few people who had been or were going to Thailand. Maybe you can find it if you do a search.

 

[CDNinNYC]

Hi overer,

I don't know if you've seen Scarlet16's thread on her planned honeymoon to Thailand, but you might wanna have a look. Here's the link. There might be some useful info in there for you, especially as you're going around the same time!

BTW, haven't been to Phuket, but went to Koh Samui and had an awesome time!

 

[overer]

Thanks CDNinNYC, I''ll check out that link!

 

[Vote4PedroToo]

I traveled through Thailand for 4 months about 10 years ago. I backpacked, mind you. But I really liked the eastern side of southern Thailand. Ko Samui, Ko Tao & Ko Phangan. "Ko" means island, by the way. When I was there, it was a lot less touristy. Also there is a lot of the sex trade going on on the other side because it is busier. I''m not talking kids or anything, but there is still alot of other stuff in the streets. For a Honeymoon, I would want to go to a less traveled island there. It has been a long time, though so I''m sure a lot has changed. I know that the Tsunami didn''t touch that side. I''m not sure about the resorts there as I was on a stricter budget back then.

 

[oliveg]

Hi

If you want to get the best prices in the world for many colores stones, go to Chanthaburi market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Info to get there can be found on page:

http://www.gemsbrokers.org/gemstone/buy_gemstones/thailand_travel.htm

Enjoy

Peter

 

[princesss]

Now, the only thing I would mention in terms of Phuket in September is it''s going to be rainy. While it generally doesn''t rain all day, you are going to be facing sudden heavy rainfall every day. But it''s usually only 15-30 minutes, so I''m sure you can find something to do inside during the rain.

Phuket has managed to clean up a lot after the tsunami, but there will still be areas that aren''t fixed up yet.

It''s beautiful, though. And so worth going. Koh Samui is supposed to be beautiful, and I know my parents loved it when they went on a trip one year.

 

[Independent Gal]

Personally, I wouldn't want to go to Phuket on a honeymoon. I find it pretty sleazy and touristy there. Why not go somewhere more romantic and isolated and less like a huge beach party? YUCK!

I liked Thailand, but not nearly as much as I liked other SEAsian countries I've visited. It's just too touristy in a lot of areas.

Have you thought about Malaysia? Indonesia? Both have some great beach resorts, if you choose carefully, and if that's what you're looking for, with less of the whiff of sometimes sleazy tourism that Phuket can have. It certainly is NOT the place to go if you want to experience local culture, etc.

Lonely Planet guides are most useful if you plan to actually travel around, rather than stay in a resort area like Phuket.

Are you experienced travelers? Have you been to the developing world before?

If not, make sure you visit a travel doctor well in advance to start getting your shots. You will need different ones depending on where exactly you'll be going, and you'll probably also need malarone. It's important to see a SPECIALIST in travel medicine who is up to date on localized conditions.

 

[Independent Gal]

Check out www.amanresorts.com These places are AMAZING, somewhat affordable for a honeymoon (well, some of them) and it will also give you some ideas of place to go. We were thinking of the one in Morocco for our honeymoon.


And wherever you decide to stay, make sure you check on tripadvisor.com so you don't get any nasty surprises.

 

[Independent Gal]

One more thing. I wouldn't worry too much about the monsoon. As Princesss pointed out, it's really only 30 miuntes a day and can actually be quite beautiful. I've traveled in Cambodia and Malaysia during monsoon months and it really didn't affect my enjoyment at all.

 

[overer]

Thanks so much for all your advice! I thought this thread got lost long ago.... We are considering going to the south eastern coast of Thailand, and Ko Samui is something we are considering. We definitely want to stay away from the really touristy and busy parts of the country but I don''t want to be so far removed that we get stranded somewhere. I''ll definitely check out those websites you all posted, especially the one for gemstones!