Should I visit first Phuket or Hat Yai? My travel options and connections are these two at the moment. Never been in both cities. Are they similar or not about shopping, nightlife, places to see, prices ...

Thanks in advance for helpful advice. I want to spend < 180 days a year in Phuket and I’m looking for recommendations on interesting places to spend time outside Thailand that will not break the bank for the other 180 + days.

What specific places/locations would you personally recommend that I may not know or have thought about? So far I’ve focussed on Saigon and Philippines (Cebu, Palawan).

Any bargain places with good food, beaches, nature & bars that are reasonably priced, easily accessible? And yes I have googled and thought about this a lot and am now calling on our collective wisdom.

Thanks! KO

By the way the pic is Moalboal, Cebu Island, Philippines. Nice spot, a bit long to get there…..