discobay

Other than visiting Bangkok where else could I go for 2/3 days from Phuket? I thought Bangkok would be interesting as it's been a while (over 20 years) since I was last there but open to suggestions.

Quackers

Chang mai
Angeles (Flipoland)
Singapore

discobay

Chiang Mai looks interesting. Are prices likely to vary between now and July and do you think they would be different if I booked now or when in Phuket?

Quackers

The prices go up as the planes fill up so it's always best to book early

I think Air Asia & Bangkok air fly direct as well as Thai air

bakedbean

Koh Samui (direct flights I think, or drive)

Krabi (drive)

Penang (direct flights)

nonthaburi

Ranong , 300km North of Phuket.

Quackers

Nothing in Ranong except a ferry to Burma

wwinit

Ranong is a hidden, charming province, like Mae Hongsorn. It is quite near to Phuket. People are quite healthy, as everyone seems to enjoy doing sport after daily work, i.e. after 4-5 pm. You can see lots of people jogging, playing tennis, going to a gym, etc. Most importantly they really enjoy spas with high-quality mineral water from the surrounding mountains. Few tourist attractions are available, e.g. historical houses, etc. As Quackers mentioned, you might like to take a 15-min ferry from Ranong to Koh Song in Myanmar (Burma) to try some casinos. Enjoy...

nonthaburi

Disagree totally with that statement . Lived in Ranong for a couple of years . There are some great national parks not far away . Khao Sok to the South and another one to the North near Kraburi where the Kra of Isthmus is located .
There are also the two tourist islands of Koh Payam and Koh Chang . No roads on Koh Chang and it has a very laid back feel . Koh Payam is a bit more developed in that it has a road but still no cars on the island . Beaches aren't stunning but they are nice and very untouched by the hand of tourism . There are also dive operations running to the the newly opened Burma banks . You can also do a trip to Koh Surin from Ranong although it's not the best place to do it from .

The town itself is quite friendly and a good mix of Burmese , Thai-Chinese and Thai people . The hot springs are a nice place to spend the afternoon and there is also the canyon you can visit .

There is some nightlife in the form of bars and last time I was there, there were a couple of okay nightclubs . I suspect that from your comment above you only went there to do a visa run and didn't spend that much time there .

It is also the rainiest province in Thailand which if you're a whitey like me is quite a good thing .

Quackers

I went there to do a 'visa run' and couldn't find any bars so ending up driving to koh samui Guess I should of looked for a local 'tour guide'

nonthaburi

You should have done . If I was there at the time I would have gladly shown you around . There used to be a cocktail bar on the main road in the town run by a guy who previously worked at the Dusit Thani in Bangkok . I suppose it probably looks an unappealing place but once you get to know it there are some good places to go .
It's also got a big red light district down by the port if that is your thing . Sailors on leave and all that.....

discobay

Some interesting choices. I didn't get the email notifications hence my late reply but thanks anyway. I kinda like the idea of Ranong because I can pop over to Burma for the food.

nonthaburi

trust me , having been there many times . There is no food worth eating in that part of Burma . Victoria Point or Kawthaung , however you want to call it is famous for kickboxers though , so make sure you pay your bill .

there was a bar ( Mark's Bar ) with green Myanmar draught for 15/20 baht a glass that was always worth a look . right on the waterfront and a good place to watch the world go by .