Spring break in Asia? Consider Thailand's beaches

20 years too late for those islands. They are overdeveloped now. There are much better places to go these days. When they start building resorts, it is time to find somewhere less developed.

In contrast to what is said in the last paragraph, DJs and tranquility do not go together.

100% with you on that one gaijintraveller. First went to Ko Samui 20 years ago when it involved a long overnight train, a bus and then a dodgy ferry to get there. But it was magic then and worth the effort. Went again by plane in about 2004 and it was Bali Mark 2. Once you have designer shops in the street the romance and magic of a far flung island is gone.

"20 years too late for those islands"

I've recently rented a motorbike on Phuket and driven along the western coast. Discovered lots of empty or near-empty beaches and coves. Bang Tao stretches for about 6 km, and even in high season, Feb., there was hardly anyone on it. And Phuket is supposed to be the most developed place of all!

Rubbish Ko Samui is lots of fun and can still find isolated beaches....

SimonB, Koh Samui was great before the built the airport. I haven't been back since, and from what you say that was the right decision. The good places are not easy to get to. Once they become easy to get to, it is the beginning of the end. Are mushrooms illegal there now? I remember taking a photo of a warning about drugs and right next to it a sign for special mushroom omelette.

I went to Koh Tao about 9 years ago. Most of the food was rubbish, Thai food for foreigners. It was a real contrast to the excellent cheap food on the mainland at Chumporn and a beach I went to near there.

Before going to any of these places, check Lonely Planet. If it's recommended in Lonely Planet, you are probably too late. If there are jet skis, you are too late.

I first went to Samui and Ko Phan Gang in 1995, and subsequently in 2000. I felt that even by 2000 it was vastly different from 5 year prior, as it has experienced a 'Euro Boom' - had somehow got onto the Euro backpacker list of 'must do' places and was a completely different crowd and scene. Internet cafes and sports bars so people could watch football. It seemed to happen very quickly.

In '95 there were these older American guys, remnants of the old Hippy Trail that had come back to enjoy a place THEY had been in the mid 70's. They were lamenting the changes too at that time, but did so with a very healthy diet of Acid and Mushrooms, for old times sake! They cruised around all day in loincloths. Chilled, friendly. Good times.

Thailand is a great country.

Climate of perpetual summer. Exotic beaches. Delicious cuisine. Beautiful woman. etc

Japan has changed the investment to Thailand from Communist China.

Investment from Japan by Prime Minister Inrack's smile more than $ 16 billion.

People demonstration in Bangkok, Can you summon investment from Japan than Inrack prime minister?

People of demonstration in Bangkok, should accept the election peacefully.

Thailand would be great except for all the Thais. And most of the Westerners as well. If it's not one group out to screw you, it's the other.

"If it's not one group out to screw you, it's the other."

I've traveled in Thailand about 20 times. The only people who have screwed me are the taxi drivers, but we're talking amounts of a couple of dollars. Thai hotels have allowed me things like free late checkout, bars offered me "2 to 1" deals, and so on, and so on. I always score great bargains there, which is being "anti-screwed."

I've traveled in Thailand about 20 times. The only people who have screwed me are the taxi drivers, but we're talking amounts of a couple of dollars. Thai hotels have allowed me things like free late checkout, bars offered me "2 to 1" deals, and so on, and so on. I always score great bargains there, which is being "anti-screwed."

I've been there near that many times as well, I go for business regularly. The place is a cesspool. There are some great people as well, but unfortunately they are polluted by scammers, lazy staff, and crap customer service for the most part. And it seems the more prosperous they become, the worse the customer service becomes, because the staff know they can just go find another job.

I love Thailand. Everyone is very laid back and my pace. I also love all the young people. Since all I see is old farts where I live in inaka Japan.

@wipeout

"Yes, it must be confusing that the cost of living is higher in Japan that in Thailand."

Err, being forced to buy a bond in a greedy and badly run corporate monopoly -- which refuses to honor its basic obligations - has nothing to do with the "cost of living."

Sorry, I've been to Thailand many times and with each visit enjoy it less and less. Why? Those idyllic islands written about here are and have been exploited. The amount of plastic garbage in the sea is ridiculous! One beach I happened to walk on in Koh Samui was full of broken glass discarded by the Thais themselves. Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel and the chance of getting ripped off is high! Go to Phuket and pay higher prices for your food and hotel than you find in Japan Thailand suffers from China's pm 2.5 making the air quality very bad at times Lastly, watch how the Thais respect themselves-if you didn't notice there is a civil war going on right now!!!

Thailand-no thanks....

Place sounds like a tangled mess.

I forgot to mention that the roads are death traps and the police have been involved in stings to catch foreigners with small amounts of dope..... And if you ever want to be drugged in a bar or a coffee shop then Thailand can also make that dream come true!