Tracey would kill me if I missed BKK out on the ticket,she needs at least 4 days shopping in BKK or she wouldnt go! And she as already said that there is no way she is letting me go on my own

Den

managed to change the ticket today so getting off at Phuket and flying in to Samui a few hours later.

This as freed up a couple of days so can have a bit longer on Samui before heading to BKK for the big shop.

The flight on Bangkok airways from Phuket to Samui cost 2600 baht each but a small price to pay when I am on limited time (14 days)

So my plan is 3 nights Chewang 3 nights Phangang 3 nights elsewhere on Samui (havnt decided yet) Night train back to BKK,3 nights BKK,fly out 11pm.

Den

Seems like you've fine-tuned everything Den, should be a great hol, I suggest a look at Lamai for those 3 nights back on Samui. On the subject of night trains, I'm having a holiday next week, taking the overnight sleeper from BKK to Butterworth, will have 3 nights in Georgetown, then overnight sleeper back to Bangkok. So it'll be 5 nights away, 2 on the train and 3 in a hotel. I'm not doing a visa run or anything, just like trains and I enjoy going to Georgetown, get stuck into all that great Indian food.

A friend of mine as done that trip on a visa run and quite enjoyed it as opposed to some of the other visa runs he has done.

I would do the trip just for the indian food as well. Mind you we found a great Indian in BKK in the Pratunum area near the Biyoke sky a few years ago and have to eat there every time we are in BKK,it looks a bit seedy down a dark ally then up some stairs and could imagin a bit daunting for some visitors,but a great Indian!

Den.

what part of Lemai? north south or in the middle?

I am looking at Samui lagoona resort starting at 1650bath a night and think that is on the north end of the beach.

have been reading a few mixed reviews on some of the cheaper accomadation on Lemia but perhaps some of the bad reviews are from people who may have been expecting a true 3 star resort for the little money the paid?

With the limited time I like to book and pay for accomadation in advance through Sawadee but its always hard when going to a new place. much better the next time around after checking out all available in person.

Den.

Den. Are you really a Troll?
By the way, which part of Perth are you from?
I've always stayed around south Lamai. I don't care for the beach at north Lamai. I can't really recommend any resorts as I always lived in the little "hooky houses" - those rows of rooms that the bargals rent for 2,500-3000Bt a month. But what I like about south Lamai is the deep water at the beach, the way the bar area is more compacted than Chewang, therefore easier to get around, plus as Lamai is less upmarket than Chewang, it's also less expensive.

I am actually from London many moons ago but moved to Perth about 27 years ago and live in mt Lawley/Highgate just on the edge of the city.

I dont mind cheap but because its a holiday I also dont mind going middle of the road with accomadation,huts on or close to the beach with A/C is all we are after but not sure weather to book a few nights in Chewang and then go looking? Had some horror stories doing this on Chang and dont want the same experience given the short holiday and dont want to spoil it by keep changing accomadation,after all its cheap from Perth but not that cheap!

we could get a package holiday on Samui for a about the same price but preffer to go it alone and not be locked in one or two places.

Den

I know it well, we're neighbors in fact, my apartment is in Walcott St. I'm moving back to live there in September, gonna wait out the Aussie winter up here.
I suggest you scout around on a motorcycle for a few hours during that first stay on Samui and find somewhere you like and book it for the return stay after Koh Phangan. You asked about MaeNam before. One real nice resort I stayed at a couple of times is Paradise. They have a big pool so we weren't interested in the sub-standard beach. I think they charge around 2000Bt, very nice place.

I will buy you a beer at the Flying Scottsman when you get back

Den

I'll look forward to it. Takes me about 10 minutes to walk there.