Thailand Railay Tonsai climbing favorite walls?

Hey for those who have climbed in Thailand, I am wondering what your favorite walls were? Worth going out to Phi Phi, or plenty on Tonsai and Railay to keep you happy for a first time trip? We will be staying on Tonsai for about 8 days starting March 13th. We are interested in climbs from 5.9 - 5.12- and maybe some multi pitches. Recommendations appreciated!

I have a hard time on steep slippery limestone, so Southern Thailand for 8 days would involve multiple rest days even at my pathetic grades.

But one thing that I thought was really memorable and will share was a deep water soloing guided day.  The word "guided" here means "somebody who has a boat and some local knowledge".

Yeah, rest days will be a must. I've heard that DWS day trips are kind of shut down for the most part with maybe a company here or there doing some tours do the less iconic places that aren't illegal. Can I ask when you were there and which company you went through though?

freedom bar area in tonsai is super fun and concentrated. "humanality" is a sweet multi (5 pitches is memory serves correct)

madek wrote:

freedom bar area in tonsai is super fun and concentrated. "humanality" is a sweet multi (5 pitches is memory serves correct)

Thank you! Did you have to rap with two ropes?

Thank you everyone! Helps me narrow down on a few spots. Curious if anyone ventured out phi phi and thought it was worth making a day trip or not?

Todd Bushman wrote:

Thank you everyone! Helps me narrow down on a few spots. Curious if anyone ventured out phi phi and thought it was worth making a day trip or not?

We liked it, but you gotta get away from the 'downtown' quick.  The beach with the monkeys was cool, nice snorkeling too.  

Someone upthread said they shut down the commercial DWS trips?  But you can still rent a kayak and do the stuff close in?

JonasMR wrote:

We liked it, but you gotta get away from the 'downtown' quick.  The beach with the monkeys was cool, nice snorkeling too.  

Someone upthread said they shut down the commercial DWS trips?  But you can still rent a kayak and do the stuff close in?

Thanks Jonas. Did you just day trip out to phi phi from railay or spend a night on the island?

And yeah that is kind of the impression I have gotten about DWS, but I guess we'll find out more when we get there.

We went overnight, but wouldn't if we had it to do over.  I'd say, land, walk across the sand spit to rent a kayak and go to the monkey beach.  In the heat of the day, come back and snorkel with the sharks (can be done from the shore by the dive shops).  Then head home.

Bummer about the DWS.  Hopefully the DIY version with a rental kayak still works.  It was a highlight for us.  Either way, enjoy the trip!

The overhanging wall next to the Freedom Bar.  Short powerful routes, it has basically no approach, it stays dry in the rain, it gets morning shade, its next to a bar, it's got a bathroom close by, it's on the beach, and all the routes are good.

Hi all, I am in Aonang and would like to climb tomorrow or on Sunday and also do deep water solo. Todd, did you find out about this stuff in Railay? Kaia

Todd Bushman wrote:

Thank you! Did you have to rap with two ropes?

we rented a 70m rope for the day for like 5 USD. one 70m was plenty as the pitches are fairly short.

as far as DWS, the locals recommend not doing it in the country of thailand because it's illegal. in vietnam it is perfectly legal.

70m did work fine. Probably doable with a 60m to if you pay attention to anchors on the way up. there were lots of them.

While we were there, it seemed the only DWS option was with base camp tonsai (~$45/person for 3-4hrs of climbing and lunch and water at "The Beach"). It was worth it. 

Ban Chong Phliwall is good to go! 50 newer routes.