· Thai Islands - General InfoKo Phangan, Thailand · Added 22nd Nov 2007
Getting to the islands:
There's no need to book flights within Thailand ahead of time. Travel agencies litter the Bangkok backpacker enclave of Khao San Road and its parallel, Rambuttri, where you can pick up Bangkok Airways tickets--B.A. is cheaper and nicer than Thai Airways--to Samui ($90 one way) for the gulf islands or to Krabi or Phuket (each about $65 one way) for Railay, Phi Phi, and Lanta, on the Andaman Sea. Be ready to pay $2 to $10 in local currency for arrival and departure taxes at every airport. Buses and trains from Bangkok are cheaper but eat up at least 12 hours; plane trips are 90 minutes max.
Island-hopping:
Navigating between the islands is easy. Ferries ply the waters between popular isles several times daily for $5 to $10, and travel agents display routes and departure times. Short hauls that lack ferries are served by longtail boats--speedy, huge canoes with oversize motors roaring at the back--for $1 to $4. Flights between Samui and Krabi cost under $50. To get around the larger islands, songthaews (pickups and vans that act as public buses), tuk-tuks (three-wheel taxis), or scooter taxis cost a few bucks on any run. If you book a hotel in advance, they'll often pick you up at the airport or ferry dock.
Communicating:
English is widely spoken, though starting conversations with a greeting of sawat-dee and ending with a khowp khun (thank you) is always appreciated.
Lodging:
It may seem crowded--especially during high season, November through April--but don't panic. With rare exceptions, supply exceeds demand, and you can almost always find a room. Calling ahead ensures a better selection, however, so if your heart is set on that beachside bungalow, book a few days in advance. Air-conditioned rooms cost more than fan-cooled ones, but many people actually prefer fan rooms with mosquito netting on the beds. It's more relaxing when you can throw open the windows to tropical breezes and sounds of gentle surf rather than being in a sterile, musty room with A/C.
Url: http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content//article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301389_3.html
There's no need to book flights within Thailand ahead of time. Travel agencies litter the Bangkok backpacker enclave of Khao San Road and its parallel, Rambuttri, where you can pick up Bangkok Airways tickets--B.A. is cheaper and nicer than Thai Airways--to Samui ($90 one way) for the gulf islands or to Krabi or Phuket (each about $65 one way) for Railay, Phi Phi, and Lanta, on the Andaman Sea. Be ready to pay $2 to $10 in local currency for arrival and departure taxes at every airport. Buses and trains from Bangkok are cheaper but eat up at least 12 hours; plane trips are 90 minutes max.
Island-hopping:
Navigating between the islands is easy. Ferries ply the waters between popular isles several times daily for $5 to $10, and travel agents display routes and departure times. Short hauls that lack ferries are served by longtail boats--speedy, huge canoes with oversize motors roaring at the back--for $1 to $4. Flights between Samui and Krabi cost under $50. To get around the larger islands, songthaews (pickups and vans that act as public buses), tuk-tuks (three-wheel taxis), or scooter taxis cost a few bucks on any run. If you book a hotel in advance, they'll often pick you up at the airport or ferry dock.
Communicating:
English is widely spoken, though starting conversations with a greeting of sawat-dee and ending with a khowp khun (thank you) is always appreciated.
Lodging:
It may seem crowded--especially during high season, November through April--but don't panic. With rare exceptions, supply exceeds demand, and you can almost always find a room. Calling ahead ensures a better selection, however, so if your heart is set on that beachside bungalow, book a few days in advance. Air-conditioned rooms cost more than fan-cooled ones, but many people actually prefer fan rooms with mosquito netting on the beds. It's more relaxing when you can throw open the windows to tropical breezes and sounds of gentle surf rather than being in a sterile, musty room with A/C.
Url: http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content//article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301389_3.html
