Hi,
me and Tania have been travelling since january 2009, and we've been there in Jun. Phuket is actually good for photography. Patong is wild, you just need to pay huge attention, however, 4 weeks in patong is pretty agressive, you will understand why.
I trully recomend Phi Phi Island, this is the biggest surprise about thailand you can imagine. From Phuket to Phi Phi you can take a 2h boat trip, it's overwhelming!!!
It might be the perfect place ever! (remember the leonardo di caprio the beach"? it's 6km away!) the phi phi lifestyle is as fun as smooth.

We plan to return to thailand again within 4 weeks, in the beginning of february2010.
we've catching international news about the Hmong, some riots, and problems with foreigners at the present time.
Can anyone feedback us about this?
We plan to go again to Phuket/Phi Phi and them move up to Suratani/bangkok, and maybe Chiang May/ vietnam/cambodja...

Is it safe to go there in the next 2 months?
do you have any knowledge about these present riots/problems with tourists/foreigns?
advanced thanks.

Glad to join the forum, Our best, Miguel & Tania

The Hmong have been deported, but riots and problems with foreigners? No idea what you are talking about.