I'll be heading down to Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Phi Phi in early May...Anyone have any tips on where or where not to stay, must-see places, etc?

Thanks in advance.

- Will

Sounds like you are one of the few foreigners who haven't been to Thailand yet made it to Kunming first. Thailand has about 100+ times more foreigners in any given location than you'll find in Kunming or Yunnan in general. English is widely spoken and it's very easy to get around. Anyway, since you're asking, well you can start by staying in the Sukhumvit or Silom areas of Bangkok, or Khao San road for the cheapest backpacker style accommodation options. However, there are plenty of cheap beds to be had even in the former areas and there are equally cheap beds in other areas such as Ramkamhaeng road (though few first time travellers stay in these other areas as they are further away from the sights, English is less widely spoken and it's harder to get around, though with the extension of the skytrain this is beginning to change). It's quite easy to find hotels or guesthouses for around 400-600 Baht per night (around $13-20), however, cheaper places can still be found though prices have certainly increased over the years.

Try searching on www.agoda.com to see what you come up with. The same goes for Phuket and Koh Phi Phi.

If you are flexible, I'd recommend choosing any other beach destination other than Phuket. If you are stuck with Phuket, try to stay away from Patong...but then again, it depends what you are looking for in a beach resort. This is the most commercial, tasteless, corrupt, developed, etc resort places in Thailand or maybe SE Asia for that matter. The beach is big and beautiful but its crammed full of tourists, expensive and just so commercial and touristy. For me, its the opposite of what I like about going to a beach. The whole island seems to be fairly developed but Patong is by far the worst and seediest. If it were me, I would stay somewhere else on the island, and maybe just check out Patong if you wanna go party and see some action.

Also, ya, diving in Ko Tao sounds like a great idea. Small little island with a cool vibe. Not too built up aside from a few big diving resorts and not seedy at all. Ko Phangan is full of really private secluded gorgeous beaches if you don't stay on Haad Rin. If you stay in Samui at all (most developed of these 3 islands), then check out "New Hut" between the two main beaches. It offers cool simple little A-frame huts right on the beach and is one of the cheapest places you will find on the island. Not many places like this left on Samui.

As far as Bangkok, if you aren't staying around Khao San Rd, than you are likely to spend at least 1000b per night, easily more. So you can use that as a guideline if you are looking at prices online. Being near the skytrain or subway line is a huge convenience.

In Bangkok, avoid TukTuks altogether. Taxis are very cheap IF you use the meter. Don't allow them to bargain a price. Before sitting down, just make sure that they agree to use the meter and you'll have a shockingly cheap ride. Skytrain is even cheaper and way faster though but you need to be near a line of course.

I agree with Blade. Unless you want beach bars etc, avoid Phuket. There much nicer areas of Thailand to enjoy beaches and scenery. There is a lot of commercialism and crime in Phuket. I also found many areas of Phuket overdeveloped, and badly developed.

@Dazzer, agreed. Also, the same can be said about Pattaya on possibly an even larger scale (and reputation wise too). Stay away from jetski rentals too, lest you want to put up with their scams.