UKC

I am heading out to Thailand in March and I was hoping to get some climbing in for at least a day or two. I will be ending my trip in Ko Samui but then have 9 free days to fill. My plan was at some point to go to Chang Mai to see the North of Thailand as well. 

Ideally, I want easy stuff 5/6's (probably more 5's) and I would need to rent a guide and gear as I won't have any with me

A quick google told me Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai Tower?) and Karabi are the places to go. However, a further google seemed to suggest climbing in is banned now in these places. Is this correct? Does any have any information about where climbing is banned and if it is possible to climb at all? 

If anyone has any links about where to climb, information about climbing in Thailand, or how to book guiding companies that would be great. I did have a search on the forum but my searching skills weren't very good so sorry if this has been covered already and I would appreciate any links to any forum topics on this! 

TIA James.

Just north of Koh Samui is Koh Tao. Lots of granite bouldering and sport routes (plus a little bit of trad) and there is an active group of climbers who meet regularly. They've just put up a new 6 pitch route that goes at about 6a I believe. Check out Goodtime Adventures for local guiding.

There's also an amazing location north of Bangkok called Lopburi, which has an extensive amount of single pitch limestone stuff, and another 6 pitch route at about 5c which is 200m+ long. Not many climbers around there so you'd need a partner, and do lots of research - but there was lots of free info/guides online when I went. Trickiest thing was the abseil back down. 

I only climbed briefly at Tonsai/Krabi and not at Phi Phi at all. Chang Mai is also amazing. 

Thanks very much! I have had a look at Goodtime adventures and they look great I will likely book something through them.

Do you have any more information about Chang Mai, I could probably squeeze in a day up there as well. 

Re: Chiang Mai

The main crag is Crazy Horse and it's closed and climbing (very sadly) is banned there. See below, I'll be in Chiang Mai myself early Feb, but will only be going to the climbing wall. 

https://www.facebook.com/thailandclimbing/photos/a.86819976637/101563254314...

Re: Chiang Mai, but not climbing - if you google "the good stuff chiang mai" the first result should be a Wordpress site with food and drink recommendations.  My other half and I visited a bunch of recommendations from that site back in 2019, and just climbed indoors in Chiang Mai since Crazy Horse Buttress was closed back then.

Thanks all for the information the on the climbing I am hoping to get something sorted out. 

It seems there is also a fair amount of other outdoorsy, hiking etc, things to be done, does anyone have any advice on that? 

thanks again for everyone's help

James 

Not hiking, but if you do get to Koh Tao, there's loads of diving there. Snorkelling, scuba and freediving. Granted its not as good as some other spots due to it being over-commercialised, but I saw turtles and sharks while I was there. The odd Whaleshark passes through from time to time. If you get a chance, sail rock is one of the best spots. 

There's quite a few good hiking trails on Koh Samui and Koh Phagnan from memory. But March is really hot out there in the Gulf of Thailand... so just be prepared for that.