Why don't you try Phuket, have e few days in Patong (not my cup of tea but lively) then on to Kata or Cape Panwa then onto a few days in Phi Phi. This is what I am planning for April but missing out the Patong stay.

I wouldnt recommend Lamai unless you like girlie bars, there tends to be quite a lot of them. Why not try Ko Lanta, sounds as if you'd like that. Not too commercialsied and has some nightlife to speak of aswell

Krabi is also very nice! Whatever I think you will like Thailand, a lot cleaner than Candolim and a much better class of hotels.

I'll second Krabi, nice resort with a family feel to it, lively enough with ample bars and restaurants, and no sleaze to speak of.
You may like to consider that the beach is a working beach. Still very nice but quite a lot of longtails and speedboats used for island hopping and other close at hand beaches more suitable for sunbathing. Serious sunbathing is usually done on the nearby islands of Poda and Chicken Island, beautiful white sands and crystal waters, great for snorkeling.
Phi Phi can be really busy these days but still in a quaint sort of way.

My wife and I went to Thailand for the first time last December after going to Goa 6 times in the last 8 years.

Had 3 nights in Bangkok which we loved then 10 nights in Phuket at Karon Beach.

Karon Beach is not too busy and you always have Kata Beach next door which is even quieter. Although quieter than Patong there are still many bars and restaurants to enjoy at night and if you want a more lively nightlife Patong is only a 5 minute taxi ride away.

We found the standard of the accomodation and the food to be better than Goa and are already planning to be back this December.

We stayed here in Karon http://www.pacific-club-resort.com it's around a 10 min walk to the beach but I would highly recommend it and great value to.

Thanks very much for all your replies. You have certainly given me something to think about/look into. I'll let you know what I decide Tracy

Well I've finally decided. We are going to Koh Samui and then on to Ko Tao. Booked an internal flight with Bankok Airways £55 each (one way). Couldn't find cheaper than this. Haven't booked a return flight yet as we don't know where we will end up (could be Krabi). Going to book 2 nights only at the Grand Thai House Resort in Lamai. Like the sound of Lamai (except for all the girlie bars) which we will just avoid if poss. If we don't like the hotel or resort then we can move on. Will have a look at Bhoput when we get there and see what we think. Getting exited now as only 3 weeks to go. Thanks very much for your help guys! Tracy

Change of plan. We are not going to Lamai now booked 2 nights at the Tango beach resort (North Chaweng) instead which i'm told is the quieter end of chaweng and it's near Bophut. Saw some videos of Lamai on you tube and didn't like the look of it with all those roudy bars. I must be getting old. Told you I was fussy!!!!

I didn't want to comment on Lamai but its not somewhere I would pick either

We stayed in Lamai a few years ago on our first trip to Thailand, the girlie bars were prolific and impossible to miss. My husband and I stopped at a bar for a drink at one of them... the girls turned the music up so loud that the bar across the road came over and told them to turn it down Me thinks it was ploy to get rid of us... an old married couple... not good for business! they were only interested in the young guys.

We saw stuff that made our jaws drop and said we'd never go back. However, we got over it and have been been to Thailand heaps of times since ... even ventured to Pattaya one year

Cheers Geri

We went to Lamai a few year ago and didn't think it was too bad. The beach was great and the girlie bars are easily avoided. We the moved on to Maenam, which is yes quiet but beautiful. BoPhut was our favourite resort on Samui. It has just the right mix of nightlife and beach. We stayed at 'The Lodge' and can very highly recommend it.
If you do get a chance to nip over to Krabi you should. Samui is lovely, but parts of Krabi are truly stunning. Krabi is a province and covers a large area and many different resorts. Ao Nang is a popular base. It's fairly busy and has a nice, but not spectacular beach. But there are loads of idylic beaches within a short walk or longtail ride away. Only the other day I was only watching our home videos from our time there. One of our favourite beaches was Hat Noparrat Thara, which is just along the coast from Ao Nang. The best part is across the river and accessible only by boat. It's so peacefull and goes on forever.
Enjoy your holiday!

I had a phone call from Tracy (my sister) She has moved on to Bhoput after spending 4 nights in Chaweng and its lovely.

oh that's good. Do you know where she is staying in Bophut?

Yes, she said she is staying in a hotel called L'Hacienda, I'm sure she will do a report when she gets back , she rang me tonight, she said they had booked 2 nights but Bophut was so nice they have booked 2 more.

Hi Everyone. I'm still in Bophut. We decided we liked this resort the best after travelling around the island. Been snorkelling to Koh Toa for the day and it was great. It's really hot out here, much hotter than Goa. Well must go do some shopping before we come home. As my sister said I will do a report when I get back at the weekend. Tracy

I'm looking forward to it