Reader question: Disabled and to Koh Phangan
Dear readers,
My plan is to travel from the cold in the Netherlands to sun and beach on Koh Phangan. I am disabled and have very little energy. And am looking for the most feasible enjoyable way to get there :).
I prefer not to go into Bangkok, so I booked a flight to Surat Thani. From there there seem to be buses to the pier and boats to the islands. Continuing one after the other is too exhausting, so I'm looking for a place in Surat Thani.
My question is therefore, who knows a nice (affordable) guesthouse to spend the night (a good mattress would be wonderful :)), in a practical location, so that I can also find markets, eateries and hopefully a nice massage place can encounter.
I was also helped with information about how to get to the pier the next day where the boats to Koh Phangan leave.
Who has experience with this and would like to provide (as extensive) information as possible?
This information might also be nice for others (who don't want to enter Bangkok, and travel on their own, with or without disabilities) to get from the Netherlands to the beach of Koh Tao or Koh Phangan in this way :).
I couldn't find the information anywhere that could help me further, and I hope for tips and facts.
Many thanks in advance.
Renée
From Suratthani Airport it is still a nice drive to the pier. I personally think it would be more pleasant to fly to Koh Samui first and then go to Koh Phangnan from there.
Or first an overnight stay a short distance from Don Muang Airport and then with Nok Air to Koh Phangnan. That is a flight combined with bus and boat and then you are in Koh Phangnan in about 5 hours.
Dear Renee,
The easiest and most direct way is not via Surat Thani, but directly from Bangkok to Koh Samui. But unfortunately this info is mustard for you after the meal, since you have already booked a ticket. Perhaps it is advisable to let your way back from Koh Samui to BKK and to literally ignore Surat Thani!
As far as your accommodation is concerned, I have no idea which guesthouse is equipped for the disabled. Try to find an accommodation via the internet, Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Transport to the pier from Surat is not a problem, there are plenty of buses and taxis.
Success with it.
Dear Renee,
In my eyes a flight to Ko Samui would have been more convenient. Are you immediately in the atmosphere you are looking for, and cross over by boat to Ko Pang Nga. The boat from Surat will (in all likelihood) also call at Samui first. I have never spent the night in Surat and therefore no advice about it.
A better option is to fly to Koh Samui, from Bangrak beach (about 5 minutes from the airport) boats depart from various piers all day long to Koh Panghang (various destinations).
The tapee hotel is close to where the bus stops and close to the night market and the pier where the night boat departs, where there is always a market in the evening. Hotel is old, most of the rooms have been renovated recently, but the rooms are spacious and clean.
In the hotel you can book the bus and boat to koh phangan.
I don't know how disabled you are but with a wheelchair I think it's quite difficult to board the car ferry (you have to climb a few stairs to get to the passenger area) and it might be better to take the lomprayah or seatran to go.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297917-d1229222-Reviews-Tapee_Hotel-Surat_Thani_Surat_Thani_Province.html
We have been in Surat Thani in September 2015 in hotel: My Place @ Surat Hotel.
http://www.agoda.com/nl-nl/my-place-surat-hotel/hotel/suratthani-th.html
In September we paid about 31 euros p/n.
Good hotel, centrally located.
Dear Renee,
Look at the site of Green Wood Travel.. is a Dutchman who has a travel agency.. can arrange everything for you; hotel in the right place, transfer from airport and to the pier… regarding the crossing ; there is a boat to the islands every hour. Look at Seatran or Lompraya….we will do it in a few weeks and I really found all the info myself… good luck and have fun of course…
Tickets with Nok Air are not that expensive. Considering the convenience, it may be attractive to forget the booked flight to Suratthani and book a new ticket from Nok Air.
I would book a combined flight (plane/bus/boat) from Nok Air to Koh Phangnan. That is all arranged by Nok Air. But these leave early in the morning. Therefore, in Bangkok, I would take a taxi to Don Muang Airport and spend the night at the Amari Don Muang Airport hotel.
This hotel is opposite the airport so you only have to cross the road the next morning to check in.