This newsletter wants to supply you with a handful of updates at the start of the this coming season so you can hit the rocks faster when you get here. Most things are same, same but different, however, since it’s been a while, enjoy our updates!
The first post of our newletter from Tonsai detailed the best weather for a climbing trip to Thailand.
In brief it’s between December and April aka high season in Southern Thailand. If your main interest is to join a DWS trip, please consider these months as during other months waves and winds are much more unpredictable.
The second post was on how to join a DWS trip and the third on all about climbing, either coming to climb on your own, wanting guidance or learning new skills. Please check out previous posts for a ton of details.
This post is on accommodation in Tonsai. Just to remind you what is where here’s a detailed map and I will discuss each resort below.
First, the elephant in the room...many of you remember the amount of destruction including huge removal of trees to build the frigging wall along the mainstreet in Tonsai. There is actually a resort operating in that walled garden now. Since people will ask me about staying there, here’s a short anecdote of why I personally would not stay there: on January 20/2022 there was a handful of climbers staying in the dorms when one girl felt bad, did the right thing, tested herself and reported a positive test to the reception. Now this resort is part of an international hotel group and this is what corporatism comes up with as it has neither heart nor brain: they grabbed the belonings of the girl stuffed it in a huge plastic bag and delivered her to a quarantine hotel in Ao Nang. So far, so required. However, when the other climbers returned in the evening they found the dorms locked, all their stuff also packed up in plastic bags and were told to get out. So instead of returning to get a shower, they were all scrambling to find a place to stay. And if anyone had been infected, carrying the problem into other resorts as far as Railay. Very disturbing incidence to show the lack of conscience twowards their own guests. Of course, judge for yourself. BTW, the place is named Tini Dee which translates as Here Good, unintended sarcasm.
List of accommodations in Tonsai
I will update if needed, this is what is open atm:
Tonsai Bay Resort. Is open and your choice if you need air-con and hot showers. Three categories 3.250thb/3550thb/3.900thb includes breakfast. Email: Tonsaibay2003sales@gmail.com
Basecamp Tonsai: Right next door, we have traditional bamboo bungalows and two-storey doubledeckers with fresh air and cold showers. Contact info@tonsaibasecamp.com for availability. Prices in three categories 400thb/700thb/800thb with a 3 night minimum stay.
From the intersection at Basecamp going up is:
Countryside Resort: semi open with 5 to 6 bungalows, at the moment without electricity
Garden View: open with a dorm at 450th per person and rooms for around 1100thb. Check on booking. com or ask in person.
The Forest Resort: open with 5 nice cottages, book under info@tonsaibasecamp.com or come by to check at Basecamp upon arrival.
Tiew Khao: destroyed
Saithong: closed
From the intersection at Basecamp following the frigging wall is:
Dream Vally Resort: open. Starting at 2000thb on booking.com
Andaman Nature Resort: destroyed
Green Valley: open with 15 bungalows starting at 500thb
Chill Out /Banyan Tree: destroyed
Chill Out - now in what was Krabi Mountain View: open and possible to book online. Starting at 700thb.
Jungle Hut: closed
Pasook aka Logan’s Resort: few bungalows open for pervious long-termers
Wherever you end up staying, this view is still as beautiful as ever!
For your traveling plans remember that you can fly into Krabi or Phuket from Bangkok, Kuala Lumper or Singapore among other choices. From Phuket airport grabbing a mini van to Ao Nang is usually the easiest.
Coming over to Tonsai in the early morning has always been a challenge, so watch for an update on our morning boat transfer schedule, this will allow you to base yourself in Ao Nang and still access the Tonsai crags regularly. Will report once it’s scheduled.
The Tonsai boatgroup now requires only 6 people or 600thb for the Ao Nang transfer. Also there is a nice new airport bus doing its round. Takes a while but if you're only obe person cheaper than the taxi at around 750thb. Or try Grab.
Remember that catching a boat from Ao Nang to Tonsai tends to be easier from the channel Klong Jing Suea next to Wang Sei Seafood restaurant.
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