Bangkok Thailand Place should to visiting: Ko Chang Updated

Last visited Feb 2012


Who says you lot can't uncovering a nice, nigh deserted beach on Ko Chang whatever more? This is Long Beach inwards the far south-east, with only ane real squeamish in addition to funky budget priced bungalow operation.


Big Ko Chang (to differentiate it from piddling Ko Chang Andaman side in addition to Ko Si Chang due north of Pattaya) is a large (duh) mountainous isle inwards the eastern Gulf non far from Cambodia. Relative closeness to Bangkok compared to the southern islands, a domestic aerodrome at nearby Trat in addition to direct flights from Russian Federation into U-Tappao E of Pattaya hateful it is becoming ane of Thailand’s to a greater extent than pop isle destinations. Too pop according to some.


90% of the isle is National Park, but at that spot is no rip-off 200b fee to access the tourist beach areas, nearly all of which are on the westward coast.
Nearly all the tourist beaches are on the westward coast. Secluded Long Beach is that small-scale seize with teeth out of the peninsula to a higher house the T of Salak Phet at bottom correct (image AsiaRooms.com)

Ko Chang from the south-west - showing places mentioned on this thread - click to enlarge. The mainland is top left. That's Ko Wai closest to the side bottom right. Details volition hold out to a greater extent than clear if you lot click/expand. (Image from Google).

MAPS OF MAIN BEACH AREAS showing accommodation, restaurants in addition to to a greater extent than tin give the axe hold out flora on a sublink at the human foot of the page.



THE BEACHES

North West Coast
WHITE SAND BEACH 
White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) is the inaugural of all beach after the mount overstep from the ferry in addition to has ever been the principal tourist beach.

White Sand Beach looking due south from one-half way downward the mount overstep from the ferry. Actually you lot tin give the axe mainly run into the fundamental in addition to far due south of the beach inwards this shot. The nicer northern part of the beach starting at KC Resort is patly seen at correct of prototype in addition to the fifty-fifty ameliorate department beyond Rocksand's piddling headland is out of frame good to the right.
Critics claim the sand is to a greater extent than yellow-brown than white in addition to gets a fleck skinny inwards the far due south - that the principal beachfront at nowadays has only a few traditional bungalows left, by in addition to large tarted upwardly versions with aircon at pretty ridiculous prices. More mutual are novel concrete structures inwards the boutique hotel way such every bit Cookies which has also quite a large beachfront pool. My old favourite, KC has built a huge beachfront concrete construction which would equal most Phuket hotels in addition to has a slightly smaller similar department at the kickoff of the mount road.
But I silent similar White Sand Beach. Many people are unaware that at that spot is absolute beachfront budget accommodation upwardly inwards the northern RockSand precinct, plenty of less expensive rooms inwards the principal street surface area in addition to that the latter has evolved into a pretty consummate service middle inwards recent years.

Oblique Google basis prototype of the White Sand area. I've divided it into 4 sections every bit detailed below. The actual sand strip is 1800m long. The due north coast is at top of prototype in addition to the steep mount route from the ferries which province at that spot to the beach tin give the axe hold out clearly seen. These days the shopping/restaurant/accommodation strip extends along the route for some distance due south of where the beach ends - hold out aware it is possible to volume a resort some distance from the sand. Details may hold out to a greater extent than clearly seen if you lot click-expand image.

Far due north White Sand Beach
Many visitors to this surface area are unaware of this rather superior department of the beach. From fundamental White Sand they hold off north, run into Rock Sand's headland 500m away in addition to think the beach ends there. They demand to force on past times Rock Sand to teach to the surface area inwards the shot below.

This is shot from every bit far due north every bit you lot tin give the axe teach on the beach. White Sand Resort's section of beach from the far northern destination - it extends correct downward to the real distant beachside construction far far correct of pic (more clearly seen if you lot click-expand image) which is RockSand's waterfront eating theater - the principal (central in addition to northern) part of White Sand Beach starts past times that structure. Bungalows inwards shot are those due north of White Sand Resort's principal eating theater - other WSR bungalows extend correct downward to real nigh RockSand. There is some other White Sand Resort eating theater simply out of frame to the left.

Some of White Sand Resort's cheaper bungalows - trad way but aircon.

Southern most White Sand Resort bungalows simply due north of the Rock Sand precinct. This is a high flavour shot, but the beach aint precisely crowded.

White Sand Resort for most of my visits had pretty proficient value prices for a flashpacker place. However inwards 2012 tariffs seemed less proficient value although the eating theater prices in addition to nutrient were silent pretty reasonable. Thing is, the resort seems to hold out pushing into the lower midrange - although at that spot was no puddle inwards 2012. White Sand's website volition give electrical flow province of affairs in addition to accommodation costs.
No problems accessing with your heavy bags on arrival - the guy at that spot told me you lot band them from the principal street in addition to they volition transportation a shuttle for you. This accesses the resort via a steep rails pretty unopen to the top of the mount overstep on the way into White Sand Beach.

Far due north White Sand Beach - for scale it is 700m from the far due north of the beach to Rock Sand at bottom.

North White Sand Beach
THE ROCKSAND PRECINCT
I consider Rock Sand's headland the segmentation betwixt Far North WSB in addition to North WSB.
All those old-time knockers who state White Sand has developed out of accomplish of budget travelers aint done their research. They tin give the axe silent teach a high flavour bungalow overlooking the beach for geniune budget prices inwards this surface area - in addition to lower priced ones a row back.

This is Rocksand 2012. There is a '98 shot lower downward this page for comparison.
The eating theater in addition to bar is at nowadays confined to the lower deck in addition to this deck has been extended each side.
The top deck has been filled inwards to brand vi fan outside-bathroom rooms, the forepart 3 with wonderful seaview balconies. That's our seaview room top correct with the washing.
Behind the deck at correct is a 2-storey extension with some other vi rooms - cramped Seaview fan rooms on the bottom, nicer bigger Seaview aircon TV rooms on top. In the same seat to the left is the cookhouse.
There is some other block out of frame to the left which you lot tin give the axe run into inwards a shot below.
At anything to a higher house quarter-tide, people moving from the principal beach to the northern department of White Sand (to the left) are forced to climb upwardly through the bar/restaurant terrace, which is smashing for concern - in addition to for guests to depository fiscal establishment check the passing parade.

 Back inwards ‘98 I stayed hither inwards a 50 baht bungalow which was basically a lean-to against the steep cliff-side. By 2008 okay backpacker way fan bungalows featured, in addition to at 500 baht high flavour for the latter were pretty proficient value for places inside meters of the sea on Chang‘s most pop beach (and at the side past times side to Rocksand north end, ane of its better sections of beach). There were at nowadays to a greater extent than expensive rooms in addition to some of the elevated beachfront ones are every bit unopen every bit you lot tin give the axe teach to the H2O on White Sand Beach. Sunsets from the bar-restaurant are pretty awesome.
MARCH 2010 - I stayed at Rocksand for part of my 2010 trip to Chang - I remove hold a trip study with heaps of pix on this joint, the surrounding budget travellers' precinct in addition to White Sand inwards full general on the 2nd one-half of this page - old timers mightiness similar the one-half dozen shots of White Sand Beach finally century inwards the Nostalgia Tripping part.

The deck of RockSand's bar-restaurant - the nicer, wider, less visited department of White Sand Beach opens upwardly betwixt hither in addition to the headland inwards the background. Note the railing to a higher house the bluish roof - this is part of the balcony of the spacious outside-bathroom beachfront rooms. I had ane at 700baht inwards March 2010 - accept a running saltation hither in addition to province inwards the water.

This is a shot of RockSand taken on my inaugural of all Chang see finally century - shot from the beach inwards forepart of where Independent Bo is at nowadays located. Bo's site was simply steep stone in addition to higher rainforest then. RockSand has developed a fleck too.

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BREAKING NEWS OCT 2010 - a mudslide hitting the RockSand precinct during a menstruation of real heavy rain. This proficient study was posted on the excellent http://iamkohchang.com/
The ‘Great Landslide of Koh Chang’™ occurred early on morn on 11 October. One adult woman died, her hubby was trapped for a few hours in addition to subsequently airlifted to infirmary past times helicopter. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 small-scale budget hut resort, where the twosome worked, called ‘Little Chang’ was partially destroyed every bit were 8 bungalows from Independent Bo’s, which lies adjacent. Various businesses on White Sand beach suffered harm from the run off of mud in addition to H2O that came downward the principal route from the colina where, inwards add-on to the principal landslide, at that spot were also numerous smaller ones. The 7-eleven had a window broken in addition to anyone wanting their gear upwardly of pricey tourist nutrient past times the beach at xv Palms volition remove hold to caput elsewhere until the mud is cleared out of it.
Earlier newpaper reports sais RockSand itself was hit, but plainly this is non the case. Thing is, if you lot are visiting high flavour 2010-11 it mightiness pay to run into what is opened upwardly inwards that area.
This is a Feb 2012 shot showing the harm at Little Chang silent non repaired. btw land-slips are ever a occupation inwards steep gradient areas moisture flavour but I would't hesitate to remain inwards this precinct dry out season.
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Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 small-scale signal - H2O depth at depression tide is a fleck of a occupation for swimmers at the other, southern end of White Sand Beach in addition to gets progressively ameliorate every bit you lot caput north. By the fourth dimension you lot approach Rocksand there is no problem.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 larger signal - a occupation inwards all areas of White Sand in addition to at other westward coast beaches during in addition to after storms in moisture season is big surf - lots of visitors remove hold drowned due to rip currents. If you lot are going to see inwards moisture flavour it may hold out an thought to depository fiscal establishment check my How Not to Drown page. In dry out flavour the offshore winds run into dead apartment conditions or ankle-tickler wavelets only.

HOW NOT TO DROWN page - looks similar Ally sent it to them too ;-)

Area straightaway to the due north of Rocksand - the high edifice is part of Rocksand with the Sunset Cocktail Bar lowest (not operating when nosotros visited, inwards what was virtually shoulder season), a large Luxury Beach Room to a higher house in addition to latest possessor Joost's pad on top.
Note the elevated walkway to this building's left, for high tide access farther north.
The high edifice at the walkway's left is the excellent Mayalamean with real inexpensive in addition to proficient nutrient in addition to the cheapest beer in addition to massages nosotros flora all trip. Their elevated eating theater is far left in addition to at that spot are budget beachfront rooms to its correct (500b) - cheaper ones behind (300b when nosotros visited). I remove hold a telephone issue in addition to eating theater shot on the principal Chang page.
At the far left of shot is the inaugural of all part of the real extensive White Sand Resort.
This is a squeamish shot to expand for exceptional - click (may depend on your browser).


Maya lamean's eating theater was a squeamish house to pass fourth dimension - proficient food, cheapest beer all trip, efficient German linguistic communication lady manager. Lady Tezza flora the associated massage cheapest all trip at 200b an hour, with ameliorate privacy than most places.

Immediately to the due south of Rocksand (whose eating theater balcony destination is at far left) - funky Independent Bo is straightaway next, followed by Little Chang Bungalows, then Star Beach followed by Pen's Bungalows. All seemed to remove hold March 2010 prices of 500 beachfront, 300 or thus farther dorsum in addition to plenty of vacancies at this time. Independent Bo has an elevated eating spot which nosotros didn't visit, the others squeamish beachfront restaurants - pretty reasonable prices hither too. The northern-most bungalows of flash novel KC's start behind trees at far correct of shot.


Another shot of the surface area to the due south of Rock Sand. Independent Bo is the multi-coloured one. Note how depression tide limits the beach inwards this surface area - forcing people heading to Far North White Sand Beach to walk thru Rock Sand Resort's restaurant. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of them halt for a gulp or eats - squeamish house to pass time.

Pic from similar seat but showing the total length of the beach from White Sand's balcony downward to the far southern end. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 proficient pic to click-expand. Beach tends to remove hold plenty of sand at high tide downward to fundamental White Sand Beach in addition to H2O non too shallow at depression tide.

MORE INFORMATION AND LOTS PIX OF THE ROCKSAND-MAYA LAMEAN-INEPENDENT BO ETC PRECINCT - PLUS THE REST OF WHITE SAND BEACH CAN BE SEEN IN THE TRIP REPORT SECTION HERE.

KC GRANDE RESORT
Moving due south of Pens Bungalows you lot accomplish the inaugural of all of KC Resort's accommodation. KC silent has some of its older traditional way bungalows, at nowadays tarted upwardly with aircon, idiot box etc , but at 4200b (2010), no teach by baby. At that fourth dimension similar bungalows at White Sand Resort in the far due north of the beach were less than half.
March 2010 - KC's tarted upwardly trad bungalows at 7000k discounted to 4200!!
Tell them they're dreaming! But no, quite proficient occupancy inwards tardily March. Bungalows remove hold air, fridge, TV, jug etc but are non existent spacious - you lot would pay 1200 to 1500 beachfront most islands.

KC Grande stretches a proficient 350m farther due south - past times the traditional bungalows you lot accomplish this newer section. This beachfront puddle aint too bad at all in addition to at that spot is a smaller version beachside farther north. Top priced room was 25k when I asked (2010 gulp!) but it beingness almost shoulder flavour in addition to with the red-shirts raising hell inwards Bangkok, they were prepared to give me a 40% discount (still gulp). Booking sites volition give you lot electrical flow prices - I don't wanna think most them. BTW I stayed inwards a beachfront fan bungalow at KC dorsum inwards 2008 at genuine budget prices. But times alter in addition to you lot can't halt progress - it''s kinda interesting to run into how many old resorts remove hold evolved.

KC Grande nigh its southern end. The only thing remaining from 2008 is those palm trees.

North White Sand Beach. The steep principal route reaches beach even at the sweeping corner. For scale Google Earth's ruler tells me it is 480m from Rock Sand Resort at top to the access path bottom.


Central White Sand Beach

The best access to this department of the beach is via the paths with the principal street vii Eleven store unopen to where the coast route descends from the pass. This is straightaway left of camera. The sand is pretty proficient along hither unless at that spot has been bad moisture flavour tempest moving ridge erosion. The H2O gets a fleck shallow lowest tide. More people than northern in addition to far northern White Sand Beach. The principal resort inwards this department is Cookies which these days has headed correct into the mid-range dissimilar the backpacker house I stayed at inwards '98. Be careful booking - Cookies also has a department across the other side of the principal street. Various resorts remove hold candle-lit beach tables at nighttime but non every bit concentrated every bit farther south.


Far Southern White Sand Beach

This is shot from the real destination of the beach looking due north - that is the headland at the real distant northern-most White Sand Resort inwards the far background 1800m+ away. The real squeamish puddle of Kacha resort is truly behind-right of photographic idiot box camera with rocks out forepart (although I gained the impression that plenty fine atmospheric condition mightiness deposit high tide sand out forepart - for certain at that spot was some at lowest tide at fourth dimension of visit). Kacha's beachside eating theater is simply behind the inaugural of all sign inwards shot. The beach is narrow along most of this 300m section, proficient shade, H2O pretty shallow depression tide. This is the most crowded part of White Sand Beach twenty-four hours in addition to night. I walked upwardly hither 4pm ane afternoon in addition to they already had heaps of beach mats/cushions/low tables with candles set upwardly for the sand bars in addition to lots of dining tables beingness pose out. There tends to hold out a concentration of resorts in addition to other beach businesses along this section.

As said upwardly page - quite a few of White Sand Beach's newer resorts are truly fifty-fifty farther due south from this - those people closest inwards the shot were on my minivan from Samet in addition to told me their house was a proficient 800m due south on the principal road. Nice pool, squeamish resort but a long walk to the beach. It mightiness pay to depository fiscal establishment check location maps on your booking sites.

Central in addition to Southern White Sand Beach. For scale it is 650m from where the access path inwards the due north hits the beach to beach destination inwards the south.



Main Street White Sand Beach
Ah, principal street White Sand Beach. More similar principal street Chaweng (Samui) these days with simply most every type of store in addition to service you lot could want.
Hell, who’s complaining? In ‘98 if you lot ran out of coin you lot had to grab a ferry dorsum to Laem Ngop in addition to teach upwardly to Trat to access a bank. There are at to the lowest degree iii banks in addition to sundry ATMs at White Sand at nowadays (plenty of ATMs on other parts of the isle plus 2 depository fiscal establishment money-exchange booths nigh the pier at Bang Bao inwards the far south-west.)
Several places on principal street remove hold newish looking upstairs aircon + hot H2O rooms  prices which could appeal to flashpacker types - non budget but non over the top (1000 inwards 2010).
There are also flashpacker in addition to budget places to remain on the inland side of the principal street inwards town - Tantawan near the meshing café on the principal street simply due south of KC and the 7/11 is ane - and travelfish talks most some cheapies on a route leading uphill from the principal street a fleck farther south.

ANTI MOANING - the to a higher house improvement inwards the principal street offerings is ane of the counters I offering go forum moaners who are ever crying most how Ko Chang aint what it used to be. I also call the points below:
Other improvements to the island:
- A pretty proficient paved road almost circles the island. Apparently they are at nowadays working on the finally brusque department betwixt Bang Bao in addition to Salak Phet inwards the due south (UPDATE 2012: don't concord yer breath - silent non finished, truly no sign of work. If you lot depository fiscal establishment check the mountainous landscape you lot volition non wonder why. Really at that spot is no telephone telephone for this link apart from the tourism industry).
In ‘98 the westward coast principal route pavement turned to dirt non far due south of White Sand in addition to thus became total crap due south of Kai Bae. It was also unpaved most of the real long length of the E coast (big Ko Chang is the 2nd largest isle inwards Thailand -it‘s most 30km from the arrival pier to the southern tips of each coast).
- Ferries: at that spot is at nowadays a proficient ferry service from at to the lowest degree 3 piers on the Trat coast, including a constant shuttle of 4 or maybe to a greater extent than vehicle ferries from 2 piers. These remove hold a large upstairs deck for other passengers, are a fleck quicker than the older rider ferries in addition to their size keeps them running when large moisture flavour tempest stops the smaller rider ferries. Your minibus, songthaew or whatever driver on arrival at the coast volition go out which pier is best. Prices at the ferry inwards March 2010 were 100baht each way - less for a 2 way ticket. Note ane go agency where the minibuses from Ko Samet were dropping people on the mainland coast instead of at the piers was charging 150. No problem, a similar house 100m downward the route was charging fourscore (go figure) including the 3km carry to the Centerpoint pier.
- The songthaew service is at nowadays quite proficient the total length of the touristed westward coast. Maybe a fleck expensive.
MARCH APRIL 2010 - a plus is that fares are at nowadays posted on the songthaews. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 minus was that drivers were insisting on the fine impress towards the bottom most 12 persons - for illustration the driver wanted fourscore from the ferry pier to White Sand Beach fifty-fifty though at that spot were 10 of us. Good math at that spot - less than 20% too few passengers thus nosotros pay 60% more. We gave him the hint he was dreaming. Note that 12 passengers volition remove hold 2 riding on the bring upwardly platform.
If you lot desire to access the less visited E coast at that spot are regular sonthaews leaving from behind the KFC inwards Trat town in addition to running correct downward to Salak Phet via the vehicle ferries for less than 100 total, which is lower than the rider ferry fare alone.
- Inter isle access is at nowadays great. If you lot desire to motion on to Kos Wai, Mak in addition to Kut to the due south at that spot are several fast in addition to irksome isle hopping boats leaving from Bang Bao. Last century I had to teach dorsum to Laem Ngop pier on the mainland for the Wai ferry, in addition to and thus dorsum ane time again to Laem Gnop for the Mak ferry. Wai in addition to Mak are non far apart in addition to non far from the due south coast of Chang, but a hell of a distance from Laem Ngop.

So who said to a greater extent than tourism tin give the axe ruin a place? - inwards the to a higher house aspects, Chang is much to a greater extent than user friendly for all visitors, budget in addition to upmarket.





Central West Coast Beaches
KLONG PRAO
Want something a fleck to a greater extent than set dorsum than White Sand Beach but non too far from the ferry. Klong Prao starts less than 5km due south of fundamental White Sand in addition to is a pretty squeamish beach.
Klong Prao is a long (3+km) gently curved beach split past times a small-scale river estuary mid-way (there are truly several other inlets but inwards depression flow dry out flavour they were either sealed or easily waded). This is the northern department of the beach shot from inwards forepart of Coconut Beach Resort, a house that has been recommended on the user forums. This indeed is a squeamish looking place, along with several similar joints inwards the inaugural of all 400m or so. After this the due north beach is largely unsettled except for a twosome of proficient value budget restaurants until side past times side the estuary.

The fundamental river estuary - this flow is truly fed past times the popular-with-visitors Klong Prao waterfall - no smashing shakes inwards my opinion, every bit are most Thailand waterfalls. The river oral cavity has 2 squeamish looking midrangers/or ameliorate beachfront nigh each side, Ramayana and Panviman. Note the guy who runs the excellent iamkochang.com website operates BaanRimNam a brusque distance upwardly the river. This articulation has budget/flashpacker rooms in addition to gets rave reviews on user sites.

My sort of place. The inaugural of all one-half of the southern department of Klong Prao beach from the river is similar to the northern department sand-wise in addition to has a not-too-closely settled collection of traditional places similar this (KP Huts) in addition to to a greater extent than expensive joints. These guys were paying 700 inwards tardily March 2010 - huge balcony, normal compact traveller living surface area behind.

The far southern department of Klong Prao beach gets pretty narrow in addition to is crowded with a whole bunch of accommodation places of all standards. Not every bit attractive an surface area IMHO but with a squeamish vacation vibe.

Google Earth's Klong Prao. This is ane long beach - nosotros are talking 3500m from the due north destination house marking to same at due south end. Beach looks pretty skinny mid-section but I remove hold walked the total length. The river oral cavity was less than waist deep inwards dry out flavour but may hold out a different proffer inwards moisture season.


KAI BEA
Kai Bea begins only a km farther south. But here's a confession. I haven't been correct to the beach since '98. On several recent visits I motorcycled downward side roads from the principal coast route but resorts ever seemed to hold out blocking beach access. I simply don't seem to hold out able to pick which route ends upwardly at the pier. Not that that may hold out much assist - inwards '98 at that spot was no beach inwards the pier surface area in addition to non much beach anywhere else at higher tide levels. This may non remove hold changed a lot - the Ko Chang Guide's map of Kai Bea shows pretty discontinuous sand.

Map shows fundamental pier but this may hold out a thing of the past. Google Earth's prototype shows a novel mini-harbour inwards the area. Looks similar the developers remove hold been existent busy.

Google basis prototype showing novel fundamental harbour surface area nigh Kaibae  Hut. The built surface area at the real top of prototype is the southern most part of side past times side Klong Prao showing simply how unopen the 2 areas are. For scale it is 1600m from the "beach destination north" house marking to "beach destination south?" I've pose a enquiry grade at that spot because it's kinda hard to know where the actual "beach" ends - zooming inwards on Google basis shows a discontinuous narrow (maybe non-existent away from lower tide levels) strip of sand past times hither all the way to isolated Sea View Resort 500m due south which gives its address every bit Kai Bea.

Central mini harbour area. When I called inwards in '98 the coast was relatively directly in addition to the old pier used to leave of absence simply seaward of Kaibae Hut from retention - the pier had a existent neat budget eating theater on the end. 
Seems similar a whole lot of basis moving has been going on. Better mooring facilities are no surprise - Kaibea Hut these days is large fourth dimension inwards the twenty-four hours trip manufacture - has a fleet of speedboats which brand trips due south to Ko Wai, Mak in addition to Kut. Very pop with Russian bundle tourists.

BTW - don't allow the relative lack of sand pose you lot off Kai Bea. Bai Lin farther due south has way less sand in addition to I think it is a smashing vacation location. At the same time, people who similar lotsa sand should maybe thinking of far due north or central-northWhite Sand Beach , Klong Prao simply to Kai Bea's north, Lonely Beach to the due south or (if they don't psyche to a greater extent than fourth dimension spent getting there) Long Beach inwards the south-west.
Anyway I experience a fleck ashamed I remove hold no to a greater extent than upwardly to appointment information on Kai Bea - remove hold to teach dorsum to Chang to depository fiscal establishment check it out. Trouble is Chang is a hell of a way from Commonwealth of Australia - in addition to from Phuket where my elcheapo JetStar flights come upwardly in.

This is what I call upwardly of the typical scene at Kai Bea (image http://www.trekearth.com/)....

....although this ane looks way nicer 
(image http://www.travelpod.com/resort/Garden_Resort_Kai_Bae-Ko_Chang.html)

Lower West Coast Beaches
This department is a fleck confused. Lonely Beach is the following due south of Kai Bae with Bai Lan a real brusque distance further, but I produce them inwards contrary order.

In 2008 I was pretty keen to remain inwards the due south of the westward coast, an surface area I didn’t teach to finally century on concern human relationship the route due south of KaiBae got killer steep with treacherous ruts in addition to holes, forcing me to plough my rent-a-wreck Cannondale unopen to in addition to pedal the xv hot dusty kms dorsum to White Sand.

BAI LAN
I’d heard LONELY BEACH was a cluster of hippie shacks dorsum inwards the '90s, to a greater extent than but recent intelligence said it had developed greatly in addition to had a lot of noisy WOMPA WOMPA music into the early on hours, thus on my 2008 trip I passed thru in addition to dived off the songthaew at BAI LAN a few kms farther south.
This surface area is truly a serial of tiny bays with scattered backpacker/flashpacker places in addition to at to the lowest degree ane midranger. It is witten upwardly every bit pretty set back. In typical tezza way I walked inwards mutual coldness to Bai Lan Family Bungalows which got proficient reviews (it's gone at nowadays - run into below). Ummm, they were booked out, but the lovely guy running the house could give me a squeamish bungalow with bath for 300b mid week. He suggested Orchid following door, but also suggested he negotiate otherwise they mightiness overchanrge me at 400. Hell, I’d simply come upwardly from a markedly inferior looking 600b bungalow on Samet - in addition to Orchid fifty-fifty had a small-scale pool. Ummm, Orchid was booked out too.
So I hauled my pocketbook downward the route a few hundred meters where I saw a sign for Bai Lan Huts, some other house I’d heard most - the forums mentioned a eating theater on piers over the sea. I’m a sucker for that variety of corny touristy stuff, thus I took the side route a few hundred meters to the shore in addition to got me a bungalow.
At inaugural of all this house was a fleck polarising. The access route gave way to a sizable dirt parking surface area which because of overnight pelting was pretty dingy in addition to daggy (if you lot don't know what daggy means, Google it). Then the guy said the cost was 500 for ane night, 400 a longer stay, which was no smashing teach by compared to the other 2 nearby places. There is no beach at fundamental Bai Lan (there is sand to the due north in addition to due south of the surface area - run into shots downward page) simply stones - in addition to when I arrived it was depression tide making for a eating theater perched on piers over pretty ordinary looking stones, non water.
But hey, on the positive side, the bungalow surface area was heavily landscaped almost to the even of some of those existent squeamish places inwards Bali, the fan bungalows themselves were super create clean faux-rattan in addition to thatched roofed jobs with lacquered timber highlights, funky brick in addition to tile indoor-outdoor bathrooms with H2O pouring from bamboo pipes (they also had 600b aircon bungalows which seemed similar inwards way although with concrete walls), they supplied towels, lav newspaper lather in addition to shampoo which wasn't all that mutual for budget bungalows dorsum in addition to thus in addition to the eating theater was super cool ane time the tide came upwardly in addition to H2O went nether the piers. Food was pretty proficient in addition to at normal budget bungalow prices plus they did their ain baking which meant super thick slices of toast at brekka in addition to fifty-fifty saw tezza club a pizza for dinner, something I’ve never done inwards Thailand. The owner, his immature menage unit of measurement in addition to staff were pretty set back.
So I warmed to the articulation in addition to decided to brand it my base of operations on Chang spell I explored the residue of the island. ph 08 7028 0796 .... ph 039-619607 fax 039-61908 electronic mail jackflipper at hotmail.com

Although the bay catch was fine, the stoney surface area nether Bai Lan Hut's eating theater piers looks a fleck daggy at depression tide...

....but non too bad at all when the tide comes upwardly a bit. Some kayaks were parked following to the sitting platforms. UPDATE FEB 2012 - the outer surface area inwards the to a higher house shot seemed greatly diminished when I called inwards on a subsequently trip - maybe a moisture flavour tempest did some damage.

MARCH 2010 - I rented a mount bike in addition to called inwards at Bai Lan Hut. They at nowadays remove hold these spiffy looking aircon seafront huts - depository fiscal establishment check the roof lounging areas. 1200 baht which inwards 2010 terms was reasonable. My older fan bungalow was silent 500. Nice novel A-frame reception surface area too. Advertising alive music inwards the eating theater inwards peak season.
UPDATE FEB 2012 - a few to a greater extent than of the to a higher house spiffy bungalows remove hold gone in.
I also noticed an ATM opposite the Dusit at the due south destination of the small-scale principal route strip maybe 500m away.

BAI LAN BEACH RESORT - FEBRUARY 2012
I wanted a squeamish house to remain reasonably unopen to the Bang Bao pier in addition to its ferries to Wai, Maak in addition to Kood latest trip. Bai Lan Beach Resort did the play a joke on pretty well. As a affair of involvement this is a newer belongings where Bai Lan Family Bungalows mentioned to a higher house was located inwards 2008.

Bai Lan Beach Resort is a lower-midrange articulation - has this lovely puddle on the lower hillside dorsum from the bay - most of the bungalows are arranged unopen to this pool, but at that spot are 2 rows of "beachfront" in addition to "garden" bungalows unopen to the water.


This is our beachfont bungalow - truly bayfront is to a greater extent than accurate, the beach beingness to the left of shot in addition to due north of all the bungalows. Ours was the southen-most bungalow - in addition to straightaway on the other side of the dividing debate in addition to creek was Bai Lan Hut mentioned above.
Bungalow had air, tv, hot water, spacious for 2 in addition to their gear but a 3rd unmarried bed would hold out squeezy (lotsa menage unit of measurement bungalows upwardly unopen to the pool).

This is the beach at the due north destination of Bai Lan which starts inwards forepart of our joint's restaurant. Reasonably squeamish sand, a fleck rocky inwards the water. Water cleaner than a lot of parts of large Chang but non able to gibe Kos Wai, Maak in addition to Kut. I checked the snorkelling - real oridinary. Kayaks gratis to guests. Some other resorts mid in addition to far destination of beach.

Beach catch department of eating theater above. Food good, prices at budget bungalow levels (s/l Changs at 40/70 baht 2012), service real good. Side of puddle tin give the axe hold out seen mid-background right.

Bai Lan is developing a busy piddling service surface area on the coast route starting 5om due south of Beach Resort's driveway. Bike hire, go booking, full general stores in addition to some restaurants to maintain resorts honest.

This is Bai Lan's other beach at the due south destination of the bay. The Dusit (now Mercure Hideaway) in addition to White Beach are 2 places on this section.
The fundamental 300m or rocky shore betwixt the 2 beaches has some squeamish less expensive places - also Bai Lan Hut nosotros remove hold Green Cottages in addition to Bai Lan Bay Resort.

Central Bai Lan is only 1500m due south of Lonely Beach's principal street area. For scale the directly draw distance betwixt the Bai Lan Beach Resort in addition to Mercure house markers is 500m


LONELY BEACH
The inaugural of all house I checked both trips from Bai Lan was LONELY BEACH - you lot tin give the axe walk to the beach along the principal route inwards most xv minutes.

This is an Apr 2010 shot of Lonely Beach. One of the ameliorate stretches of sand on the isle - non too shallow most places depression tide. Note to depression flavour travellers - Lonely has similarly bad rep to White Sand Beach for drownings. But real benign conditions before the moisture flavour westerlies hit, every bit you lot tin give the axe see.
Siam Hut is the nearest backpacker-sytle articulation to the beach - its funky rockside eating theater is abt 30m behind camera, similar inwards way to Treehouse's eating theater pictured downward page. Siam Hut has dozens of trad way real non-flash budget bungalows - most of the front-rower rockside ones were aircon at 560 baht, the fans were 480 to 380. Pretty reasonable for 2010 Ko Chang. Check Google for latest prices.

2012 shot from budget Siam Hut's eating theater (front of which is foreground) - has a smashing seat correct at the southern destination of the sand. Siam Hut has a large make of bungalows both on the inland side in addition to rockside behind camera. Aircon 520, fan 380 Feb 2012, no inflation here. There are no other budget bungalows this unopen to the beach. +66 (0) 86 6097772

Note midrange Siam Beach Resort has some aircon backpacker way bungalows on the far headland, some with smashing views. SBR has a existent swish beachfront puddle too. I was existent keen on these headland joints until local macca_t warned me of traffic noise. Yep, the closest is 5m from the super-steep principal road, the most distant no to a greater extent than than 100m. Thanks macca.

Okay, Lonely Beach may non hold out a lonely hippie outpost whatever more, but it looked okay to me. The principal street is some distance from the beach itself in addition to is a fleck similar Hat Rin’s inwards the 90s, except it slopes downhill along the principal road. Lots of new-age types hanging unopen to with to a greater extent than traditional long term type travellers in addition to plenty of shops, stalls, restaurants in addition to services (incluidng ATMs past times 2010) to cater for these types. There seemed to hold out a host of places to remain along the side tracks both inland in addition to towards the water, largely backpacker in addition to flashpacker inwards cost with a few flasher options.

The start of Lonely Beach's town surface area inwards the due north - I reached this inwards vii minutes walking from due south Bai Lan. However it is some other 10 minutes or to a greater extent than before you lot hitting the beach. Best accept the 2nd route left nigh the human foot of the colina in addition to follow the signs. This side route has a similar make of businesses to the above.
If coming from the mainland ferry allow your driver know your resort - if you lot hop out at the beach it is a hell of a long slog upwardly hither with bags. I noticed the songthaew drivers seemed much to a greater extent than obliging inwards 2012 inwards taking people to their resort - fifty-fifty made some quite large detours upwardly side roads inwards other parts of the island. Note too a lot of accommodation directories give location every bit Lonely Beach/Bai Lan - a twosome of guys inwards my 2012 shuttle thought their Green Cottages was inwards Lonely Beach - fortunately the driver knew its location at Bai Lan 2km away.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Lonely Beach institution, the master copy Tree House silent existed on my inaugural of all overstep thru inwards 2008 in addition to I thought their huts in addition to exterior stone shower-toilet blocks looked pretty funky. One thing I didn’t realise was that Tree House was non on the beach but had a similar stone frontage to Bai Lan Hut - even thus the beach was only most 3 minutes stroll away in addition to is ane of the ameliorate patches of sand on the island.

UPDATE tardily Sept08 - according to macca_t, a local: "The master copy Treehouse volition hold out closed inside a calendar month for accommodation. They remove hold already started to demolish some bungalows. The bar volition remain every bit it is."

Yep, macca was right. This is an Apr 2010 shot of Treehouse's restaurant. When the tide comes upwardly you lot would remove hold H2O nether the piers. No bungalows left. But a sign advertised 10am carry unopen to to the New Treehouse at Long Beach (see shots downward page) for a 100baht - fantabulous value for a 70km trip. This would hold out a proficient combo - a few nights partying at Lonely Beach followed past times a remain on set dorsum Long Beach.
All this New Treehouse stuff is a fleck confusing - the people who originally ran the to a higher house Treehouse Lonely Beach (at to the lowest degree the bungalow part) were for several years operating Treehouse Ko Phangan at Thong Reng. But this too closed downward inwards most 2011 - the landlord had sold out to developers, in addition to finally fourth dimension I visited Phangan (2013) at that spot had been no progress.

Whoa, it's gone! By Feb 2012 the Tree House eating theater had gone. Land including old bungalow site behind non yet developed - in all likelihood earmarked for some large upmarket resort.

Talking of which, this squeamish looking place, Sea Horizon behind the northern destination of the beach, was novel to me inwards 2012.

Lots of budget travelers remain upwardly the colina inwards the principal street surface area or nearby. This a fair way from the beach - the easiest route is to follow the path past times the old Treehouse eating theater site to Siam Hut. The principal route lacks footpaths in addition to is busy with traffic. For scale - the beach is 700m long.


BANG BAO
Warning - no existent beach at Bang Bao. However it is a location many Chang travelers see on concern human relationship of the pier, in addition to additionally it has no shortage of places to stay.

At the due south of the westward coast is the pier town of BANG BAO, maybe v or vi kms due south of Lonely Beach/Bai Lan on quite a sheltered bay. There were a twosome of real classy looking resorts inwards this v or vi km including the Dusit Princess in addition to Nisa Cabana.
The Bang Bao pier surface area gets existent busy each morn every bit dive boats, snorkelling trips in addition to isle hopping ferries in addition to speedboats depart. The pier itself is existent nice, peculiarly after dark, because the inaugural of all 300 meters has a proficient array of non-tacky shops plus quite a few seafood in addition to other restaurants in addition to is good lit in addition to closed off to traffic. There are also rooms on the pier plus a walkway which leads to a midrange bungalows-on stilts-outfit inwards the bay called Bang Bao Sea Hut - this house has attracted some proficient posts. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 brusque distance weat of the pier surface area on the shores of the bay is a budget/flashpacker house Remark Puzi. Nice looking bungalows in addition to grounds but the beach hither is pretty dire.


Bang Bao pier gets pretty busy each morn with people heading for daytrips, diving in addition to other islands. This is shot from the Bang Bao slowboat to Ko Mak - the department of shops in addition to restaurants ends inwards the background. Note at that spot is accommodation correct on the pier, a lot associated with dive outfits.
On the principal route into town, a few hundred meters before the crossroads leading downward to the nearby pier was a house advertising 300baht bungalows, tantric courses in addition to arty stuff. Could hold out simply the spot for you lot new-agers if Lonely Beach is booked out. I think it is called Koh Chang Hill.
Aboutt 400 m westward of the pier are a few other places including the upmarket Nivana Resort. But the ane inwards this surface area which has caught my oculus in addition to has received proficient reports on the go forums is the budget Cliff Cottage which spreads across to the body of body of water side.
Nicely positioned traditional way bungalows of Bang Bao Cliff Cottage. The eating theater is seaside too. Place gets pretty hot user reviews on Trip Advisor.

There are several other budget in addition to midrange places inwards the surface area - depository fiscal establishment check the maps towards the destination of this page.

The moisture flavour beaches I've labelled at bottom would hold out nicely sheltered from the due south westerly monsoon - at that spot are 4 different budget accommodation places inwards this area. For scale - it is 1100m from the Ko Chang Hill house marking to that of Nirvana.

If you lot fancy a bungalow perched to a higher house the H2O on stilts, Google Sea Hut. Closer in addition to on on the pier are less expensive rooms.


The South Coast Beaches
Approaching Bang Bao on the boats from Whai, Mak or Kut you lot notice at that spot are some squeamish looking strips of sand on the southern coast of Chang, quite a few non too far from Bang Bao itself. So inwards Apr 2010 I decided to depository fiscal establishment check this surface area out, fifty-fifty remain a few nights. The westward coast route truly continues past times the turnoff to the Bang Bao pier in addition to sweeps to the left where it runs unopen to the foreshore of the due south coast for less than 2km, where it hits the corner of the beach below.
Road reaches the beach at far background - I believe it is called Kong Koi aka Tropical Beach. This seemed to hold out a pop spot for daytripping motorbike people to pass a few hours - uncrowded inwards this 9am shot but reasonably busy subsequently with sunbathers on scattered beach lounges in addition to people eating in addition to drinking at the 2 budget beach bars in addition to restaurants inwards this area. Sea to distant walker's correct pretty proficient for swimming although H2O is non every bit clear hither every bit some other Chang areas. Nice views of the islands due south of Chang. There are 2 budget bungalow operations including KK Beach Hut. It takes most xv minutes to walk to the busy Bang Bao pier area.

Behind photographic idiot box camera the beach extends inwards a shallow S bend some other 1km or thus to Tropical Beach Resort,  a pretty squeamish looking midrange articulation - although the H2O at that spot is real shallow depression tide

Past Tropical is the entrance to Grand Lagoona's river in addition to lagoon in addition to and thus some other 400 m or thus of pretty fine beach with okay swimming - run into shot above.
Ko Chang Grand Lagoona is a huge complex simply over 2km along the beach from Bang Bao pier inwards the background. Way less than a quarter of this huge resort is inwards the shot, showing some of the accommodation unopen to the lagoon. That is a small-scale body of body of water liner-style floating hotel inwards the foreground (image from Lagoona's brochure).
Access is past times continuing along the coastal route which turns inland from the corner of the beach 2 shots up, climbs a few killer hills, passes access to Tropical Beach Resort in addition to finally turns into a private route the finally few hundred meters. Non-guests must pay 150b for access - which gives them gratis bicycles to explore the resort, gratis kayaks, a pretty squeamish beach, a cool floating swimming pool, a proficient 10 infinitesimal jungle walking rails to an underwhelming waterfall in addition to reasonably priced 90b large Changs (April 2010) inwards the otherwise slightly expensive beach restaurant/bar. Plus you lot tin give the axe walk upwardly to the seventh flooring observation deck on the liner which gives a proficient outlook. I don't think all this is worth 150, but several visitors did when I stayed.

This is ane of Grand Lagoona's boat chalets. Lady Tezza in addition to I were lucky plenty to teach a gratis upgrade from the floating hotel to a boat similar to these - this was truly shot from the bow of our boat every bit nosotros enjoyed a late-arvo elcheapo Oz ruby-red from the good travelled cardboard box.
All for 1200b including brekka!! Note rates seem to vary wildly from website to website - nosotros flora Sawadee.com undercut others markedly. I've done an entry inwards the Trip Report department for this house in addition to the surrounding area with a whole lot to a greater extent than information in addition to pix.




THE EAST COAST
(2008) So over to the non-touristy EAST COAST on my hire Honda.
In ‘98 my ferry from Ko Whai called inwards at a small-scale pier on the south-east tip of Chang in addition to picked upwardly a Brit girl. She told me she had stayed at a wonderful beach nearby, LONG BEACH, which had ane budget bungalow place. I determined in addition to thus to depository fiscal establishment check this beach out following trip to Chang. Long Beach is truly a westward facing beach on the eastern side of a large bay which takes a huge chunk out of the eastern one-half of Chang’s due south coast (hey, how's that fer a judgement - depository fiscal establishment check the map in addition to it mightiness hold out understandable). Being inside the bay it is pretty sheltered past times spectacularly high mountains which brand upwardly the eastern peninsula. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fairly proficient concrete route leaves the principal E coast route (which runs across to the line-fishing hamlet of Salak Phet on the upper westward of the bay). This concrete route goes upwardly over some existent steep passes with some smashing bay in addition to southern-islands viewpoints for most vi km where it peters out to a dirt rails the concluding 2-3 km into Long Beach - it truly continues downward to that pier. This was inwards fair conditions in addition to had a narrow concrete strip for bikes on the steepest slopes, but would maybe non hold out a house for amateur riders inwards moisture season.

The newer version of Tree House is on Long Beach in addition to is real similar inwards way to the master copy at Lonely Beach. Besides the seafront bungalows at that spot were some fabulous huts on stilts even with the tree tops, plus an elevated eating theater with smashing views in addition to a slightly lower bar area. Bungalow prices were 180 to 280 (with those exterior funky stone bathrooms) in addition to eating theater prices seemed pretty normal. Note the complex is built over the rocks at the immediate northern destination of the beach thus the bungalows are non technically past times the sand. Pretty unopen though.
Tree House was the only functioning on Long Beach, thus maybe they took over in addition to developed the house the Brit daughter stayed at. There was a sign advertising meals in addition to bungalows at some signal farther due south on the coast, but I gave upwardly the walk after xv minutes - I’d rather remove hold a swim.


Houses inwards the trees at Long Beach. I'm a sucker for places similar this.

Two travellers arrived past times populace songthaew when I was leaving the automobile green - I’m non sure if they’d come upwardly unopen to from the where the Trat-Salak Phet songthaews terminate or had come upwardly all the way from the northern Chang ferry piers on a charter. That wouldn’t hold out cheap.



Repeat of the opening shot showing Long Beach from Tree House Resort. Seeing Long Beach is truly on the eastward facing coast of Salek Pet Bay which takes a chunk out of the eatern most due south coast of Chang, many people claim it is a SOUTH coast beach, non a westward coast beach. Probably right.

Lonely Beach 2nd upwardly lower right. Image from The Ko Chang Guide.

2013
Apparently Tree House Long Beach has been closed for a while. I heard a moisture flavour tempest washed away the access route to a greater extent than than a yr dorsum - maybe this hastened its demise. Places at Long Beach don't remove hold a tape of longevity. The master copy bungalow articulation in all likelihood stayed inwards past times the Brit daughter inwards '98 was called Long Beach Bungalows, but that closed downward before Tree House started up. Another articulation called Zion appeared after Tree House but it has sold its province to developers. Separately a fairly flash resort was beingness built to a greater extent than than a yr agone according to I Am KoChang website. I'll update when I know more.

The residue of the E coast has a few places to remain - at that spot were several side roads on that concrete route leading downward to places which I believe are flash-packer/midrange on the bay (google for Ploy Talay) plus a few similar joints that looked orientated towards Thai tourists on the long principal route upwardly the E coast.
SALAK PHET also has a few places to remain nigh the pier, but is a typical Thai line-fishing village, far less attractive than Bang Bao.
I also noticed on my provide from Ko Wai a calendar week subsequently that the south-east corner pier where the Brit daughter had been waiting all those years agone had some pretty neat midrane looking rooms beingness built on it. There is no beach hither but I noticed a small-scale beach a brusque distance away on the bay side. Long Beach would hold out 3 or 4 km away. I reckon it would hold out pretty hard to teach a to a greater extent than away from it squeamish location on Chang than this one.

Okay, I didn’t worry most trekking inwards the national green or checking the waterfalls. I did the latter finally century in addition to flora them underwhelming - in addition to I didn’t remove hold to pay a 200baht entrance fee then. You tin give the axe also produce elephant rides, but frankly that to me is fifty-fifty less whelming. But hell, whatever floats your boat.


KAYAKING - TREKKING - KC Farang gave this smashing info: "On the westward coast of Koh Chang the best kayaking is from Klong Prao or Kai Bae beaches - paddle out to the small-scale islands offshore in addition to you lot teach some real squeamish views. best non to produce this inwards the rainy flavour unless you lot know what you lot are doing every bit the sea tin give the axe hold out choppy.
Head over to Salakkok to produce some mangrove kayaking. Get your kayak from Salakok Kayak Station in addition to paddle through the canals inwards the mangrove woods out into the bay. Very nice. This house is run past times members of the local community in addition to won an accolade for Ecotourism at the 2007 TAT Awards. Salakohet Bay is also a proficient house to rent a kayak. Can paddle though the line-fishing hamlet in addition to into the bay in addition to thus caput to Koh Sai Khao where there's an old unused resort in addition to a real squeamish piddling beach. Can also teach to Koh Laoya if you lot are happy to paddle further.
If you lot desire to run into islands that virtually no tourists run into in addition to thus teach to Hat Yuthanavy at the far due south E of Koh Chang. Rent a kayak for 250 baht/day from Sea Breeze eating theater in addition to paddle to Koh Ngam in addition to and thus onto in addition to unopen to Koh Mai See Yai - a large isladn where the only inhabitants are sea gypsies. This volition accept one-half a twenty-four hours - 15-16km of paddling. Could also easily paddle to Laoya from hither too.
Trekking - accept a walk upwardly Khao Jom - the peak that overlooks White Sand Beach. I did this finally week, saw some Hornbills too, photos etc on iamkohchang.com "


A WORD ABOUT WET SEASON.
The Trat-Chang surface area is ane of the wettest inwards Thailand peculiarly inwards June July August in addition to September which average something similar 900mm each month. To pose this into perspective, I think London averages 400mm each year. Despite this I remove hold seen a issue of posts mentioning ok visits to Chang inwards moisture season, thus it looks similar you lot tin give the axe silent rely on some proficient sunshine betwixt pelting showers, but when it rains it REALLY rains. I also notice statistically that the rainy flavour seems to destination a fleck before hither than inwards the Andaman - Nov averages are considerably lower. My inaugural of all see was inwards Nov in addition to saw no rain over 3 weeks inwards the area.
Once ane time again hear the alert most frequently unsafe surf on Chang’s westward facing beaches (nearly all the proficient ones) inwards moisture season. Note that neat piddling beach across from the pier on Bang Bao Bay would hold out nicely sheltered then.


GETTING TO CHANG.
Buses leave of absence Bangkok’s eastern autobus terminal (Ekamai) to Trat simply most hourly for a v hr trip. Even ameliorate for some visitors are less frequent buses leaving Bangkok’s northern Mo Chit autobus terminal for a similar length journeying to Trat. Mo Chit is non too far from the old aerodrome for many domestic flying arrivals.
UPDATE 2010 - at that spot is at nowadays a direct VIP autobus from the newer international Suvarnabhumi on to Chang which leaves the aerodrome at 7.30 am in addition to returns from Chang 1.30 pm - band Bangkok 1.30 66 8 3794 2122 - Chang 66 8 1660 5926. The promotion I saw suggests this goes correct on to Chang via the vehicle ferries, but at v hours it mustn't muck around.
There are also several buses per twenty-four hours from Suvarnabhumi's carry middle to Trat in addition to the coastal car-ferry piers.
KO MAK com has an fantabulous Getting There section which shows buses from Bangkok's Ecamai in addition to from Mochit in addition to the Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat for songthaews to the piers.
Plus flights into Trat. It seems peculiarly proficient because the guy who runs the site tends to maintain timetables etc upwardly to appointment over time.

From Trat autobus station at that spot are regular songthaews downward to Laem Ngop’s pier in addition to the Thammanchat in addition to Centre Point automobile ferry piers (which at nowadays seem to hold out the most pop people ferries too) via downtown Trat. This is maybe 35 minutes in addition to was 50-60 baht inwards Apr 2010. The inaugural of all erry is 6am (Centre Point) in addition to the finally 7pm. If you lot teach far late, Trat is a pretty squeamish town to remain in.

macca-t added this useful information if busing into Trat: When you lot go to Trat allow them know you're going to Koh Chang.
They volition drib you lot off at a taxi / songtaew signal approx xv km from Trat.
The taxi goes direct to the Thamochat ferry. This ferry runs every 1/2 hr approx every bit compared to a real unpredictable Laem Ngop to Centre signal ferry.
The autobus is 241 baht in addition to the taxi sixty baht. The ferry 100 baht provide . The finally ferry is 7pm.

Top deck of the automobile ferry. This gets reasonably crowded ane time all cars are aboard in addition to their passengers come upwardly up here. Trip takes maybe 30-40 minutes - real relaxing. Songthaews in addition to other tranport waiting both ends.

There are also privately run coaches in addition to minibuses leaving KSR in addition to dropping off at the piers. These remove hold the payoff of avoiding the hassle of getting across Bangkok to Ekamai, but tales of theft from luggage are non unknown on large buses operated past times KSR go firms. And v hours+ is a long fourth dimension if it is a minibus.
Most of the minibuses drib at go agents nigh the piers but this outfit runs correct through onto Chang via the vehicle feries.

By the way, I flora a smashing way of getting to Bangkok's Ekamai from the KSR precinct was past times catching ane of those large fast populace H2O taxis from pier xiii to pier 0 (Central) at Saphin Thaksin Bridge, walking the good signposted 100m to the SkyTrain station in addition to going thru to the Ekamai halt which is 50m from the autobus station. You demand to alter lines at Siam Square (Central) - walk upwardly the escalators. Total cost 55 baht - fourth dimension in all likelihood quicker than an expensive taxi during daytime. And the river trip is wonderful viewing-wise. Note the finally H2O taxi is most 1930.

Car with driver transfer from Bangkok Airport in addition to Bangkok downtown (also vans for large groups).

Just a give-and-take of caution if you lot are leaving the Trat surface area for Bangkok past times large autobus - Give Superat Tour the large miss - this outfit cancelled its direct autobus to Mo Chit via Suvaranabhumi aerodrome in addition to loaded the unsuspecting passengers onto an Ekamai bound autobus - dumping them on Sukhumvit in addition to responding to complaints with those brusque shakes of the caput in addition to flicks of the mitt nosotros run into thus frequently inwards this type of stunt. Even for Ekamai passengers the service was a bummer because the Sukhumvit halt was most 500m past times the autobus station pregnant a hot haul dorsum to the SkyTrain with luggage.
Suparat is the outfit with the part inwards town where all the pier to bus-station songthaews halt first. Stay on to the autobus station, but silent accept attention - Suparat has a counter at that spot too in addition to that’s where its buses depart.

If you lot are coming to Chang from Ban Phe (the pier for Samet) or Pattaya at that spot are regular minibuses to to the piers or go agencies nigh the piers. You tin give the axe also come upwardly past times large coach but the route for most is non direct in addition to you lot demand to alter buses. The 3-4 hr minibus trip could plough into a half- twenty-four hours saga past times bigger coach depending on connective delays. Captain Haddock gave to a greater extent than exceptional from Pattaya:
There's tourist minibuses, but they are ever exhorbitantly priced inwards Pattaya go agents every bit well, at to the lowest degree 500 in addition to sometimes every bit much every bit 800 baht. Coming the other way, from Trat TO Pattaya, they're much cheaper, only 350 baht every bit of finally yr (prices may remove hold increased). There's 2 direct buses a twenty-four hours to Trat at unopen to 6am in addition to 12 noon, but they don't halt at the Pattaya autobus station but on Sukhumvit Road side past times side to it. You remove hold to flag them down. It's piece of cake to grab a Rayong (the house call is painted inwards English linguistic communication on the side) bus, alter at that spot for Chantaburi in addition to and thus alter ane time again for Trat in addition to and thus songthaew to the ferry.
There is no ferry from Samet or Pattaya.

You tin give the axe fly into Trat on Bangkok Air, which in addition to thus runs a minibus from the aerodrome to your isle accommodation via the vehicle ferries for 250 baht.
I think the Russian bundle tourists flying into U-Tappao are poured into large tourist coaches inwards a cloud of vodka fumes in addition to thunder across to Laem Ngop.

There are no cross-Gulf ferries to Samui in addition to its neighbours, an oft-asked enquiry on go sites. The only way to avoid Bangkok if doing this trip may inwards futurity hold out to teach Bangkok Air Trat to U-Tappao in addition to and thus alter to a Samui flight. Trouble is they were only thinking of introducing the erstwhile service finally I heard.


MAPS OF MAIN BEACH AREAS showing accommodation, restaurants in addition to to a greater extent than tin give the axe hold out flora at White Sands Thailand com.
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If you lot are visiting Chang, perchance you lot mightiness hold out interested inwards nearby:
KO WAI
KO MAK
KO KUT
-- in addition to inwards calling inwards at KO SAMET on the way to/from Bangkok.
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If you lot run into mistakes or remove hold extra information delight post it below. But if you lot remove hold questions, delight inquire them on THE FORUM page which tin give the axe hold out accessed via the Index - I don't teach to depository fiscal establishment check private isle pages regularly, but I endeavor to depository fiscal establishment check the Forum most days when non travelling.
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/

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