Railay vs Koh Tao (Read 10295 times)

kingholmesy · February 19, 2012, 07:44:15 pm

There's a chance that I will have two weeks to kill in Thailand in March between work committments there, in which case my non-climbing Mrs is planning to fly out and join me. What I'm wondering in where we should go.

Top priority is nice beaches & good chilled out places to stay. However, I would also like to fit the odd half day's climbing in.

I've been to Koh Tao about 10 years and really liked it, but that was before I got into climbing so don't know what it's like. Granite bouldering and 30+ heat sounds like it might be a bit grim.

On the other hand the climbing at Railay looks great. However, is it sufficiently beautiful and tranquil to keep my other half happy?

Would be good to get any views from anyone who has been to either of these places, or even better both.

Ta. Luke.

dave · February 19, 2012, 08:40:10 pm

railay is only tranquil if you like the incessant sound of two-stroke engines.

kingholmesy · February 19, 2012, 09:09:14 pm

Hmm. Not what I was hoping to hear.

Ultimately though I'm only going to get any climbing done if Mrs H is happy lying on the beach/by the pool. Is Railay area maybe not a winner?

Plattsy · February 19, 2012, 09:17:04 pm

UKB wiki for Thailand. Only update is for Koh Tao including link to local shop and climbing guide to the island.
We stayed in Sairee and enjoyed it. Easy to escape/find the few busy bars. I did a bit of bouldering which was as you'd expect hot and humid or a feast for the mozzies.

Adam Lincoln · February 19, 2012, 09:26:46 pm

Quote from: dave on February 19, 2012, 08:40:10 pm

railay is only tranquil if you like the incessant sound of two-stroke engines.

That's strange, i don't remember seeing/hearing a scooter when i was there as the nearest road was miles away?

robertostallioni · February 19, 2012, 09:29:38 pm

Adam Lincoln · February 19, 2012, 09:30:58 pm

Quote from: robertostallioni on February 19, 2012, 09:29:38 pm

Ahhh. That kind of two stroke.

kingholmesy · February 19, 2012, 10:04:13 pm

That's a lot of longtails. Do they dominate the whole beach?

Essentially what I wanna know is if you didn't climb, would you go to Railay area for a beach holiday?

robertostallioni · February 19, 2012, 10:15:33 pm

kingholmesy · February 19, 2012, 10:26:48 pm

Shit. That looks horrible.

Maybe I should go for Ko Tao. With work and holiday I'm gonna be out there for a month though so need to get some climbing done, otherwise I'll start routes season even more weak and feeble than usual.

robertostallioni · February 19, 2012, 10:29:13 pm

I have no idea where that last photo is from.

just googled busy beach

I just, I just couldn't help myself.

kingholmesy · February 19, 2012, 10:59:18 pm

At least you 'fessed up!

On looking closer it looks like one or two of the beaches I've seen in India.

fried · February 20, 2012, 06:52:18 am

Railay's lovely or at least Hat ton sai is, or was lovely 15 years ago. Probably changed a bit I imagine. The photo is Goa.

Plattsy · February 20, 2012, 07:44:53 am

There is Koh Nang Yuan a short boat ride away from Koh Tao. Great little archipelago joined by beaches.

slackline · February 20, 2012, 07:52:57 am

Quote from: fried on February 20, 2012, 06:52:18 am

Railay's lovely or at least Hat ton sai is, or was lovely 15 years ago. Probably changed a bit I imagine. The photo is Goa.

James Pearsons recent blog on Ton Sai suggests its changed considerably in the last five years.

Was there in 2007 and it certainly wasn't as described.

lagerstarfish · February 20, 2012, 08:31:26 am

has the climbing on Phi Phi picked up again since the tsunami?

it was a lot quieter than Railay (in mid '90s) and a great place for beaching without too many party people

google says

http://www.railay.com/railay/climbing/climbing_phiphi_update.shtml

if Shamick is still around, I'm sure there must be a way of contacting him to find out more recent info...

google for pics of Phi Phi, it's a gorgeous place

slackline · February 20, 2012, 08:39:22 am

I remember seeing advertising for climbing on Phi Phi Don in 2007 but didn't investigate further.

dave · February 20, 2012, 10:06:09 am

Quote from: slack---line on February 20, 2012, 07:52:57 am

Quote from: fried on February 20, 2012, 06:52:18 am
Railay's lovely or at least Hat ton sai is, or was lovely 15 years ago. Probably changed a bit I imagine. The photo is Goa.

James Pearsons recent blog on Ton Sai suggests its changed considerably in the last five years.

Was there in 2007 and it certainly wasn't as described.

Hardly surprising though, we went in 2006 and you could see it was turning into a shithole/buildingsite even then, i hated it.

kingholmesy · February 20, 2012, 12:17:05 pm

I stayed on Long Beach on Phi Phi a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. I didn't do any climbing whilst there cos I was on honeymoon. However, I did see climbing and DWS advertised so might be worth a thought. The Mrs would certainly be happy going back there and I should be able to get away for some climbing this time round.

Anyone else been to Railay in the last couple of years like to share their views?

Ru · February 20, 2012, 02:49:30 pm

Went to Railay in Feb 2007. Would have been good for a beach holiday then. I didn't find the longtail engine noise bothersome. It's supposed to have become more crowded and dirty since then though. Not sure I'd go back after the recent reports.

fried · February 20, 2012, 04:51:34 pm

Looks like it's lucky I went when I did. Have you considered somewhere like Laos? Or is that all fucked up now, too?

kingholmesy · February 20, 2012, 05:24:20 pm

Quote from: fried on February 20, 2012, 04:51:34 pm

Have you considered somewhere like Laos?

I've got 2 weeks off been stints of work in Koh Samui. I reckon Laos would be a bit too far to travel to.

slackline · February 20, 2012, 05:29:45 pm

Check other blog posts from James Pearsons blog for some ideas (see link I posted above) sounds like he's had a good time out there in some less frequented places.