A (slightly belated) Thailand trip report (page 2 of 3)

Hi there,

I think Thailand is "contagious"😉! And I don’t know if there’s a cure for it, but if there is, I don’t wanna know!!! 😏 Fabienne

Thanks for sharing! I tried it just to please our host who offered it to us... On the other hand, we really liked the mangosteens and longans😛. Fabienne

Hi there,

Thanks for this amazing travel journal. It really makes me want to go back... For kindness and the smiles of the people, I’d recommend the Philippines for your next trip. 😎

Hi Stéphane, Thanks for your message! 😉

Thanks Fabienne for the beautiful photos :)

Were there any great snorkeling spots around the islands near Ko Phaluai and Ban Saphan Yai?

It looks amazing in any case,

Deborah (who’s leaving for Thailand in 2 days but heading to Ko Chang, Ko Wai...)

Hi, Head down to Koh Kood if you can. This island is gorgeous and very untouched by mass tourism. Best,

Thanks for the tip, I was hesitating about going!

Would you happen to have a place to recommend on Ko Kood?

We need a family room for 4, and if possible under 40/50 € per night, and a cheap little restaurant or better yet street food or a market nearby...

Deborah

Hi Deborah,

We didn’t go snorkeling, but I know there are some nice spots not far from Ban Saphan, around Koh Thalu (or Talu) island. Have a great trip! Fabienne

I know that not far from Ban Saphan, around the island of Koh Thalu (or Talu), there are some nice spots.

Hello, Fabienne, I hope you don’t mind me stepping into your space.

The ideal option is renting a fisherman’s boat (same as in the video) with 2 snorkeling points. In 2017, it cost around 1,500–2,000 baht for a boat for 2 to 4 people, including a light lunch and equipment. Between Bang Saphan Yaï and Bang Saphan Noï, the road makes a sharp right turn. Take the dirt road on the left, and after about 200 meters, you’ll reach a fisherman’s restaurant that handles this. There are also larger, cheaper boats, but they’re less charming. (Check with your accommodation or agency.) Also, the Coral Hotel offers classic boat trips (by reservation) with French-speaking guides (not tested). For inquiries, pronounce it to the Thais as "Koh Ta-loup." "Thalu" in Thai means "hole," so literally: the island with the pierced cave. Thanks to Phil for the underwater footage Point 1 youtu.be/9vFdFM5lMNY

Hi there, No worries! On the contrary! These details could be useful for future travelers. Have a great day! Fabienne

Hi Fabienne,

Thanks for your travel journal. Do you know if the night market in Prachuap only happens on weekends? I’m planning the few days of our trip between Amphawa and Chumphon and I’m debating whether to stay one night in Prachuap. Thanks for your feedback!

hi, We were there from Friday to Monday, and we went every evening, but I don’t think he’s there all week. Happy planning! 🙂 Fabienne

Yes, as far as I know, it only ever took place on the weekend.

Your info is a bit outdated too, I think. I passed through Prachuap less than two weeks ago. I arrived on a Sunday and wondered if the night market was on every night. The locals and the open-air masseuses confirmed: it was there every evening.

If you're talking about the town of Prachuap, south of Hua Hin, the weekend market only takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings. It’s nothing like the few stalls open on the other days. During the weekend market, the seaside street is closed to traffic for over 500 meters.

On my way back from Phuket, I always stop there for a seafood restaurant and to enjoy the market if the timing works out.

Are you all just really annoyed or just in a bad mood today? 😇 Talking about the night market? While it’s definitely busier on weekends and they pack up around 10:00 PM, on Sunday evening, the street from the pier was closed to traffic and the market was packed. I’m just confirming what Fabienne65 said. Every evening by the sea, you’ll find street vendors selling *pla muek yang* (grilled squid), *khao pad kai* (fried rice), *gai yang* (beef skewers), and *khao niaow ma muang* (sticky rice with mango) for less than 20 baht per piece or plate. And the little ladies—super chatty masseuses—are also there every night for a 45-minute foot massage for 100 baht.

Your photo confirms that the seaside is open to traffic—I can see parked cars.

On Friday evenings and Saturday evenings from 4 PM, there are easily over 100 (200?) stalls lining the road in three rows, with hundreds of people pouring in from the provinces and Bangkok.

No cars in the weekend market area, not even parked ones. And it’s packed—getting through the stalls is a real experience!

Hundreds of people eating by the seaside and on the pier.

You can’t even imagine what you missed! It’ll be a great chance to come back and hunt for good deals on clothes or grab some food.

On the other hand, you couldn’t have known—just passing through for one evening on the wrong day. Think of it as just getting a taste of the weekend market.

No worries—what you missed can be found in pretty much every city in the country.

It’ll be a chance to go back

Absolutely. It’s a great opportunity to revisit that area I don’t know well, and also to say hi to another prominent member who’s contributed a lot to this part of the Kingdom on VF.

On the other hand, you couldn’t have known—just one evening and the wrong day

Don’t worry about me...

Do you know if the night market in Prachuap only takes place on weekends?

Hi there, Personally, I’m more drawn to the Talât Nat than the night market when it comes to atmosphere—especially in this region. Ask your hotel about the scheduled days in the town you’re passing through. Talât (market) Nat (meet-up) = pop-up market. Check out my foodie video (here, in Bang Saphan Yaï): https://youtu.be/_xAdfToo8uU It’s the counterpart to our traveling market, setting up in villages on fixed days. It’s a real institution, frequented regularly by locals. It’s also a delight for travelers, who’ll discover a plethora of stalls—from cheap Made-in-China goods (guaranteed to last until you leave the stall) to local artisans showcasing their creativity with original and mouthwatering products. There’s even a "Kids’ Corner" so parents can relax in peace.

Love your trip report and the photos!

I’m especially interested since I’ll be there in 12 days!!!!!! 😛 This’ll be my 4th trip to Thailand (my second favorite country after Mexico).

Thanks for the gorgeous photos!