Travel Answers

I am allowing myself most of a week in the south of Thailand and want to do some snorkelling, relaxing and swimming on a nice beach. Khao lak seems nice (from Youtube videos) and as it is close to the Khao Sok National park it seems to tick the right boxes. however, from my ROUGH GUIDE it seems there isn't much cheap accommodation. I am basically back packing and have no need for a 5 star place, just a hot shower, good bed and a nice position and secure. Is there anything in the area for about £10 a night? Happily go upto £15 with a pool !!!

Hi, can anyone point me to any good sites about Koh Khao island which is just outside Khao Lak? I've seen a few nice resorts on here but wanted to know is there much in the way of beach bar / restaurants around them (like on other beach resorts such as Railay, Samet, Lanta, Phangan etc) or are you mainly restricted to the hotel restaurants? We dont like being restricted to just the hotel resort and enjoy having a wander and trying out different places each night. I've heard the only real alternatives are to eat around the pier area. Not much on the web to help though. Cheers.

Hi everyone! This is far in advance, but really, I'm just trying to get as much useful info as possible, so that when we do book, we make well-informed choices/aren't disappointed. As another pointed out in a separate forum, prices will most likely change, (Yes, I am aware that Sept. falls in the "rainy season." Doesn't bother me. I like rain, and it sure beats the snow we are having here in Iowa.) etc. Here it goes- Recommendations for a two or three night stay at a beautiful hotel (Doesn't HAVE to be a hotel per se) with romantic honeymoon packages, (Flowers on the bed/in the bath, etc.) spectacular views, maybe an outdoor shower, & a gorgeous bathroom… The kind of room you don't want to leave. *For the duration of the trip, (3-5 days) can anyone suggest clean, safe, inexpensive (U get the drift) places to stay? Where should we go to experience as much as possible of the local culture and natives to the islands? *What areas/packages/etc. are tourist traps, scams, or need to be avoided? *Does Thailand have a problem with child prostitution? IF so, and I come across it, I am not okay with pretending not to notice. Who do I report this to without getting myself or a child injured? Is there a volunteer help-line that we can call? *Where are the best places to go and things to see? We both want to take a junket sail at sunset. Other than that- What did those of you who live there or have visited get the most enjoyment from/bang for your buck? *Are spa services as good/less expensive outside of the hotels? If not the two hotels mentioned- Which luxury hotels will provide for us the most luxurious and relaxing stay? Which things should we skip in the hotel and find outside? *Any Sept events that are must attend? Anything in general that we should make time to see? All extra info is welcome as well. *Most importantly- What websites carry (Stylish, attractive, but modest and respectful to the native culture) Thai clothing for women in their late 20's? I want to fit in, not stand out, and I want to show that I am respectful to their culture without looking like a walking joke. Also- What cosmetics are acceptable to wear in public day and night? *How should my partner dress? *What are the big no's for women? *What are the big no's for men? *What kind of behavior is deemed to be polite towards the locals? *What inmate behavior is okay for honeymooners to display while in public? *What is not? Thanks for your answers!

Looking for nice place to eat? Best would be French-Thai based but all else welcome as well. Cheers,

Hi again..!!..Well I have booked our flight for Phuket in July...However,my girl,Anny asks,"Can anybody recommend a good dentist in Khao Lak..??"...She is having crown work done and the cost to do it here in Sydney is in the thousands...We have spoken to people who have had dental work done in Phuket and they seemed happy with the outcome...So any feedback for a Khao Lak dentist,good or bad would be most appreciated....Thankyou...!!

Hi..!!..For the last 5 years I have been travelling to Phuket.It's time for a welcome change and Khao Lak gets the nod. I was wondering if anybody knows a nice taxi man with reasonable prices for transport from Phuket airport to Laem Pakarang/Khao Lak and return to airport from hotel...??..I will be travelling with my girlfriend in July... If I could contact him via email would be good... And if you have an idea of a roundtrip price to and from Khao Lak -> Phuket airport..??...Thanks and looking forward to a much quieter holiday in Khao lak...

We're staying at La Flora in Khao Lak over Christmas and have been looking at a number of dive centres including Sea bees and Wicked. We want to spend about 5 days diving, including visiting Similan Islands and Khao Bon. Anyone got any advice or info to help us decide? Thanks!

Saw where others said Dragon Bar decimated by Tsunami, now family opened restaurant in Khao Lak town...is it considered Dragon Bar or does it have a different name? Might want to try and find in when I come over in Nov.

Hi are most restaurants shut in october?

hi I am thinking of booking a two week holiday to khao lak in october and am worried about the weather here at this time? can any advise me on this Thanks

Hi! I'm planning to visit Khao Lak next Feb. I've seen some nice pictures of some of the diving spots around Khao Lak. Too bad, I don't have any diving license. I'm just wondering would I be able to get a diving lesson on the spot. If yes, how much would it cost?

Can anyone tell me of any decent low cost accomodation in the area. I dont mean ridiculously cheap but under 15 GBP for a couple would be fine.

We are looking at renewing our wedding vows in a nice simple romantic fashion whilst staying at Similana Resort Feb 2007. I love the idea of a mixed thai and western style ceremony but would enjoy getting some ideas... Also it will more than likely be just myself and my husband, (no other family members or friends). Many thanks in advance!!!

Hi there! We, four adult, plan to travel to Khao-Lak mid of March. We have stayed in Kata-Beach (Phuket) in May of 2004 and saw the situation after the Tsunami. At all places there were constructions. And my question is now: How is the situation at the moment in Khao-Lak? Has anybody news about the MERLIN RESORT KHAO-LAK? How is it arount the hotel? Thanks in advance for Your kind reply. Best regards! Hajo

Has anyone been to Khao Lak in October / November 2005? We were planning to go there but have heard it was hit really hard by the Tsunami and the rebuilding hasn't really started.

I am going back to Khao Lak (was there in January as a relief worker after the tsunami) and need a place to rent for 90 days or more while I build playgrounds in the area. My organization is Operation Playground (www.operationplayground.org). If you can help in any way, plase do. I am looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom with air conditioning. Secure place a must. John Moretti Palo Alto, CA

My husband and I have stayed in Khaolak for the last three years. We know that the places we stayed in have been destroyed. We were due to come back again in May but were wondering if we should, we want to support the locals by spending our money, but don't want to get in the way if people are still grieving or if the locals have gone. We were thinking of staying at the Similana resort or the Baan Krating resort both of which are still operating. Any feedback would be appreciated. We are going to Patong as well, but were just not sure whether to come further North.

Ti (Ganampart Jailark) owns a bar north of Mai's quiet zone as well as one in Khao Lak called Red Hot Chilli Pepper bar. His baby boy, Annan, and his mom, Muay, lived at wunderbar on the beach there, I was just hoping some one knows if any of them are okay. Also Ti's Mother and Aunt owned restaurants on either side of wunder bar, basicly his whole family worked there on the beach and I really loved them and would appreciate if any one would e-mail me with any information. Thank you very much, my thoughts are with all of you there. anawillow@hotmail.com

Hello. does any one know how the staff of Sub-Aqua are. Had good friends working there that I haven't heard from.

Has anyone any information regarding how this place has fared in the tsunami aftermath? I would appreciate any information...I can find none and unfortunately don't remember the girls names who worked there. But, I befriended when I stayed there last Christmas and would like to know how this place is doing. Thanks.

Still we have no sign of our loved ones. We are looking for a family of nine. Anders Ostman, male 25 years old Anna Jamtlid, female 24 years old Tuva Ostman Jamtlid, girl 3 years old Love Ostman Jamtlid, boy 1 year old They lived in Baan Khao Lak Resort (from what we know). Accompanied by Annas family: Ante Jamtlid, father (around 45) Anki Jamtlid, mother (around 45) Annika Jamtlid, sister around 26 years old Ulf Allberg, sister's husband, around 27 years old Lovisa Jamtlid Allberg, their daughter 1½ years old If anyone knows ANYTHING we would be most grateful! Survivors from Baan Khao Lak resort? Still hoping! Annica annica.gardin@spray.se

Please, people, help us - the two of them are still missing! All information we had so far proved to be wrong - we have no trace of them whatsoever. Do you know any survivors from seaview resort in Khao lak? Has anybody seen them? Angela is 46 and 162 cm, slender (48 kg), h er son age 8 and approx. 130 cm. He is of chilenian descent. If anybody knows anything - please tell us, even if they're badly injured or even dead. Not knowing is the worst... Thanks to you all. Heidrun Sperling

Hello, is there anybody who knows what happened to the tourists staying at the Sea View Resort & Spa in Khao Lak? Any survivors? I am still looking for my sister Angela Sperling and her son Nicolas Sperling, age 8, both from Germany. According to unconfirmed information they were in the phang gna hospital, but they are not on the list there and I can`t trace them. I`m afraid the information was false - has anybody heard of her? Please help!

Does anybody have any information about the bungalowe Hotel called Cousin resort ore any of their employes? It is located 100 meters from Bang Niang beach

Any q's on Khao Lak can be asked on this forum. People in the area are hosting it. Good luck

Hello, is there anybody who has got any information on the whereabouts of my sister Angela Sperling, age 46, and/or her son Nicolas Sperling, age 9? They were staying in Khao Lak, Sea View Resort & Spa while the tsunami occured. Please contact me - we haven't heard anything about her for the last days... Or does anybody know about the range of destruction in that hotel? Are there many dead people? Which places were the victims taken to? Please help!

We're desperately searching for information on our relatives who stayed in Khao Lak. We have not heard anything from any of the nine missing. They are a family of four: Anders Östman, man aged 26 Anna Jämtlid, woman aged 26 Tuva, girl aged 3 Love, boy aged 1 From what we know they lived in two bungalows on the beach together with Annas parents (Ante & Anki), sister (Annika)+husband+kid If you have ANY information on these people, PLEASE let us know! Cousin Annica in Sweden

Can anyone give informations about khaolak / bang niang - nang thong beach? it is not possible to get any connection to this area thank you maplang

I am planning a company trip to Khao Lak in January 2005, anybody has any recommendation for a local land operator there , a reliable and good one ...

See my dilemna?? My partner and I want to visit June next year only fir a week prior to a cruise out of Singapore. Khao lak seems good - any suggestions on accomodation?? We have both been to Krabi.. What is Lanta like?? Look forward to hearing from anyone..