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Phuket is the largest and most well known of Thailand’s islands, but on the other side of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand lies the second largest and less well known island of Koh Chang.
Koh Chang lies just off Trat in eastern Thailand and close to the Cambodian border. It is part of a range of 52 islands that are off the coast of Trat, like a string of sparkling jewels. The island is 30km long and 14km wide, but most of the resorts are along the west side of the island and getting around is quite simple. Koh Chang has a much more intimate feel than Phuket in my opinion.
Reaching Koh Chang is quite easy from Bangkok. I would recommend taking the bus, it is comfortable and cheap and doesn’t take too long at all. You can get the bus almost every hour from 6:00am until midnight at the Ekamai Bus Terminal which is located at the Ekamai section of Sukhumvit Road which is easily accessible by the BTS Skytrain.
Round trip tickets cost 456 baht (US $13) and one way tickets are 241 baht (US $7) on first class air conditioned busses. The trip takes about 5 hours and the busses are definitely comfortable enough to sleep on.
Once you arrive at Trat you’ll have to take a shared taxi from the bus station because it is located about 1km outside town. The cost is just 40 baht to the pier. Please note that after 5:00pm you may need to rent a private taxi which will cost you 300 baht so it is in your interests to arrive early.
Ferries depart from the pier about every hour during the high season (Nov – Apr) from 6:00am until 7:00pm. The ferry costs just 50 baht per person and takes around 30 minutes. Once you land on Koh Chang you will be able to get a songthaew to anywhere on the island. Please note that when returning from Koh Chang there are no Songthaew available to Trat after 6:00pm and you could get stranded at the pier. Make your plans accordingly.
You can find very detailed information at Koh-Chang.com
The atmosphere on Koh Chang is very relaxed and laid back and both Golf and I like it a lot. I’ll be posting photos from our last trip there later as well as more detailed information about places we’ve stayed, eaten and partied.
Is there anyone else out there that has been to Koh Chang and has something to share with us? I would love to hear your stories.
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Been to Koh Chang couple of years ago, a weekend sneakaway while on business in Bangkok.
Took a mini van from Sukhumvit and I swear, I was promised by the tour operators it will take 4 hours. I forgotten how long but I am pretty sure my butt was numb by the time I got there (hehe). Those vans do pickups along the way.
My arrival and first night was in popular white sand beach, was quite dissapointed as there was lots of dogs and faeces all over the beach. Next day I decided to leave but hopped over to the other beach (can’t remember the name). Well it was beautiful. Ended up staying additional 3 days. Not bad.
My favourite is still Koh Samui for its size/varieties and Koh Lanta for a quiet time out. Koh Samet is not bad too, much closer to bangkok.
Boy, I wish my thai beaches and the singha beers. Sigh…
Yeah, other than partying at night I try to stay away from Had Sai Kao (White Sand Beach) because of the crowds, dogs, dirty. We usually head south to Klong Prao beach which is much cleaner and most times hardly anyone there. Very peaceful and serene.
I would agree with you on Koh Samui for things to do, but I’ve not been to Koh Lanta yet…hmmmm maybe in November. Koh Maak is also nice if you want a quiet time, but not much to do there other than relax.
i like koh chang so nice
Returned From KoChang in Feb of 2010. I found this island very clean,presently they must have cleaned up the dog problem. Not one!!. We found this island very peaceful, romantic and laid back. Very pictuesque. This is where lush jungle mountians explode meeting the sea. The white sand beaches where very clean.The majority of the tourists,this time of year, where from germany sweeden or norway, which made this parinoid American very comfortable.No pushy caribbean vendors if you know what i mean.The food was off the hook( excellent) and fresh. At night time for dinner the local resturants welcome you on the beach with fresh barbeque seafood,cook as you wish. Please Dont expect a crazy night life here but if you look hard enough you might find it,but i recomend you start you own at one or 2 of the modern clubs.On this friendly Island you are sure to meet a few energenic party seekers willing to dance the night away. Including his Thai woman,What else can a single man ask for? So i Give Ko Chang a big thumbs up if you looking for that get away Island laid back feeling. For my fellow Americans this island is part Maui and part Kauai of Hawaii.