I recommend steering clear of Phuket as well but there are some nice places down around that area. You can grab a ferry over to Ko Phi Phi for a day trip, there

I recommend steering clear of Phuket as well but there are some nice places down around that area. You can grab a ferry over to Ko Phi Phi for a day trip, there are a few nice islands around there. And if you want to stay somewhere nice and quiet grab a ferry across to Ko Lanta for a few days. Awesome wee island, nice and relaxed with bugger all to do, grab a scooter for a few days. You can do a lap in an hour or two.