The Beach may have become a backpacker cliche for many by 2008; however, it continued to be a big motivator for me to explore Thailand.
My first few nights in Phuket were at the On On Hotel, which was featured in the movie's opening scenes when Richard was portrayed as staying in a cheap Bangkok hotel.
The broken window in my room reassured me that indeed, the hotel hadn't changed much since the movie!
Ready to book your ferry or flight to Phuket? Search online at Bookaway.
Then, I took the short ride to Patong, Phuket, for a few nights. I shot my first handgun, enjoyed good sushi, and explored the sex tourism capital of the world.
Seriously, every night like clockwork, a legion of prostitutes would arrive on Bangla Road and get to work.
The scene of tourists – men, women, couples, and even some children, walking down the street taking it all in was very reminiscent of Amsterdam's red-light district.
I was only supposed to stay two nights, but I got sick with some form of infection which left me so exhausted, for so long, I contemplated a return to the USA for the first time in my nine months of travel.
- Phayam to Phuket
- On On Hotel – early Bangkok hotel scenes from The Beach were shot here.
- Shopping for Camera #3
- Banana's Tacos, Sushi, and a 9mm – firing my first gun.
- Falling Ill on Phuket
- Adventures in Thai Medical Care
- A Second Opinion
- James Bond by Speed Boat – visiting the island used in the filming of The Man with the Golden Gun.
Next in the series, I reach the long-awaited Maya Bay and explore the beautiful Koh Phi Phi islands.
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- World Nomads for travel insurance.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
- Rail Europe for train passes.
pinoyboy
Friday 15th of January 2010
hey man,, didn't go to phuket, instead i opted for krabi around tonsai and railay, not much people so i was able to rest well in the palms of the sands.. and the three islands koh pha ngan will be going back to koh samui and koh tao. i really don't like when so many people are around, i just want a chill, relaxed atmosphere thailand is always a star!
pinoyboy
Friday 15th of January 2010
hey man,, didn't go to phuket, instead i opted for krabi around tonsai and railay, not much people so i was able to rest well in the palms of the sands.. and the three islands koh pha ngan will be going back to koh samui and koh tao. i really don't like when so many people are around, i just want a chill, relaxed atmosphere thailand is always a star
Vi @ Travel Tips
Monday 11th of January 2010
You got good tip as it changes so much comparing early morning and what happens after ferries from Phuket town arrives.
Dave
Sunday 10th of January 2010
Not if you go in the morning. Me and my friends were tipped off about hiring a longboat from Koh Phi Phi Don and heading over to Maya Bay around 8am to beat all the motorboats that go there later in the morning and afternoon. It worked. Only us, one or two other longboats, and a few people that had camped overnight.
But still, there isn't much to do there, so we only stayed 15-20 minutes, after taking a bunch of photos.
Vi @ Travel Tips
Sunday 10th of January 2010
I spent probably only 10 minutes in Maya Bay, it is so busy there..