Diamont Beach
Koh Samed or Ko Samet is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand which belongs to the Rayong province in central Thailand. Ko Samed is just 2.5 to 6 km big but the beaches especially on the east coast are awaresome. Because of the closeness to Bangkok come many tourists to fade their holidays. On weekend and thai holidays many locals come from the capital to Koh Samet to escape from the city. The main attraction of Koh Samed are the beaches. The main beach is Hat Sai Keaw or Diamont Beach which is dirct next to Samed village with good Seafood restaurants, cosy bars, hotels in all categories, massage shops and souvenir shops. Direct on the beach are various restaurants where you get seafood, Thai dishes and western food besides you can enjoy the small nightlife area in the village of Samed. Thereare some bars like the Old Amsterdamm. On the other beaches like Ao Cho, Ao Wongduan, Ao Wai and Ao Phai it is a bit quieter. Coconut palms and the white sands makes it to a paradise destination with tropical weather.
Buddha on Koh Samed
On the tranquil west cost of Koh Samed are as well some great beaches with accommodation where you can enjoy the Robbinson feeling. Leam Phra, Ao Kham and Ao Phrao are the greatest places on this side. On Hat Sai Khao you will reconize a statue which is dedicated to Sunthorn Phu, a Thai poet who makes Ko Samet to the location for the famous Phra Apaimani saga. There are many things to do on Samet island, scuba diving, jet ski, banana boat, excursions or jusl relax on the beach, this island in Thailand offers for all the right thing. Ko Samet offers as well great snorkeling sides, it belongs to the Khao Leam Ya Mu Koh Samed marine national park so enjoy the great underwater world around the paradise island. Play Scuba Diving offers diving couses, day trips an discover diving on the island. If you looking for a good hotel, resort or guesthouse on Samt look here and get the best accommodation deals for Thailand.
Paradise Island with breath taking beaches in the Gulf
Main Road on Koh Kood Island
Kho Kut is an island in the Gulf of Thailand which belongs to Thailand’s Trad province. The exotic beaches and the untouched nature are unique on the Koh Chang archipelago. Koh Kod is a popular holiday destination for honeymoon and luxury vacations. The Peter Pan Resort Ko Kood and Soneva Kiri Hotel are luxury accommodations for lightly hearted beach holidays on Koh Kood Island. The main activities on Koh Kut are scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking or just read a book on the beach of Koh Kood Thailand. One of Koh Kood’s main attractions is the Nam Tok Khlong Chao Waterfall and the Ao Salad Fisherman’s village in the north. The best way to come around is by motorbike. There is no real city on Koh Kood, just some small mini markets and restaurants invite for go out of your Koh Kood Hotel. Ko Kut is one of the last quiet paradise islands in Thailand and very popular for couples and honeymooner. But as well for family tourism has Ko Kood many things to do and corners to explore. For hotel, resort and accommodation bookings and reservations on Koh Kood Thailand follow this link.
Mairood Pier
In March 2009 Moun, some friends and I traveled to Mairood Fisherman’s Village in Thailand‘s Trat Province. After a Visarun to the Asia Had Lek boarder between Thailand and Cambodia we visit some friends who work here in this traditional Thai village. The sleepy village is direct over a River who runs into the Gulf of Thailand. Nearly everybody lives here in Mairoot from the fishing. A good Choice for Tourists and Backpacker is the Mairood Resort which is direct in the center of the piervillage next to Klong Yai Town. Here are not that much possibilities to stay (Guest Houses, Hotels…) because the tourism is really low here in Mairoot. We traveled by Minibus from Had Lek to the small fisherman village and our friend picked us up to his traditional Thai house where he lives with his Mother and his Girlfriend.
Thai Kitchen
We bring our bags to the cosy home and walked to a small Thai Restaurant and eat traditional Thai Noodle Soup with Chicken. After we visit Nop’s sister and eat some sun dried and fried squit on a terrace over the river. After we go back to Nop’s and Jing’s home. We bought some Chang & Leo Beers in a small supermarket on the pier and cooked a very delicious Sea Food BBQ with shrimp’s, fish, shells and crab’s.
Sun dried Squit
On the next morning we woke up early because the Fisher boats drove next to our room. A nice feeling to wake up over a river in a House over the water. We walked at long the big pier to a taxi which brought us back to Trat the State Capital of Thailand’s Province in the south east. In Trad Town which is about sixty kilometers from Mairoot we had Breakfast at the day Central Market. Than we took a Mini Van to the pier where the Ferry to Koh Chang leaves. At 9 o’clock we arrived at Big Elk Bungalows on the Klong Prao Beach. We took a shower and changed clothes before we went to the Kheeri Phet Waterfall on Ko Chang in Thailand.
A House in Mangroves
It was a realy nice Travel Trip to Mairood in Thailand. The local Thai people are really friendly and helpful. The tourism is nearly zero, just some Backpackers and Tourists who like quiet holiday getting lost here on vacations at the Mairood Resort. It’s nice to see the all day life of the Thai Fisherman’s here in this cosy village in South East Asia. I can recommend Mairood as a Travel Destination for Backpackers who like to see a traditional village in Thailand direct on the Beach. For Accomendation, Informations and Maps of Mairood look in your Travel guide or contact a TAT office in Trat.
Katueng Beach
Koh Mak is a small tropical Island of the Koh Chang Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. Maak Island is 16 square kilometer in sice and have about 500 habitats. The locals living from Rubber / Coconut Plantation, Fishing and more and more from the Tourism on this cosy Island in Southeast Asia. Compared to other Islands in Asia and Thailand is Ko Mak really quiet. The less developed streets are widespread, it’s beautiful to drive threw tight Coconut and Rubber trees. I was here in the beginning of March 09. We stayed at the Ao Katueng Beach in the north-west of Koh Maak. Moun and I rent a Motorbike at the Monkey Island Resort to explore “the pearl of Thailand”.
South Koh Mak
First we went to Ao Tokai in the north of Koh Maak. On the way we visit the ruins of the “Love Temple”, the “local Handycraft sculpture” and Ao Suanyai Beach. Near the Pier at Suanyai Bay we drank a fresh Banana Shake at Coffee shop “Orchid” next to Koh Maak Resort. Than we drive to the Northeast and rest on the Lonely Ao Talong Beach. From there we go over Ao Taan to the East end and drank a cold Water at the “Little Moon Resort”. We drove thrue tight Rubber Plantages to the Temple of Koh Mak near Ao Nid Pier. Here we stopped to pray and enjoy the nice view over the warm water of the Gulf of Thailand. Direct on the pier you can visit the Ko Mak History Museum. Our next destination was the “Smile Cooking School” to visit a friend who live before at Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang Island. On the way we saw a nice white Paragon direct on the sea. Here are the graves of the five brothers who owned before the hole Island.
Buddha at the Temple
We Travel atlong the Laem Chan Beach to “Cafe del Mak” for some refreshments. On this evening we eat some yummies Thai Food at Baan Sabaay Restaurant close to our Resort at Katueng Beach. We enjoyed Koh Mak, it’s a quiet Paradise Island with many flair. The Beaches are lonely and long. The Coconut Palms stop nearly where the warm water start, like in Paradiese! The Pearl of the Gulf of Thailand offer a great location for all who like to chill and relax at holidays. There are some options to go out in the evening, some bars on the beach have Life Music, fire shows or a nice view for the colorful Sunset behind the hills of Koh Mak Island in Thailand.
Sunset at Ko Mak
If you want to go diving there are three Scuba Schools on the tropical Island. Ploy Scuba, Koh Maak Divers and Paradise Divers offer Padi Courses and Fun Dive Day Trips around Ko Maak at the Mu Koh Chang National Park. This protected area are famous for many kind of colorful Marine Life and huge Fish Schools. Paradise Divers offer as well CMAS courses in the warm water of the Gulf.
Picture of Koh Tao
In 2006 Marius and I was during our south Thailand travel tour on Koh Tao. We come by ferry from Koh Samui to this Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Tao is one of the most popular diving destinations in southeast Asia. Our first station was at the north of this tropical island. On the Leam Nam Tok you don’t have any street and no electric. We choose the CFT Here and Now guest house. This hostel is direct in the tight jungle. When we arrived it was about 4 pm. We bring our back bags in our bungalow and go back to the restaurant of this small possibility to stay. From the balcony of these simple huts we had a really nice view to the small island Ko Nang Yuan. For swimming it’s not the best place, the way to the water is difficult to walk. You have to climb over big squeeze rocks.
Cancers at north Koh Tao
After two nights we traveled to the south of Koh Tao. Here are many tourists and it’s croudy. Many scuba diving schools are located here on the Ao Chalok Ban Kao. On this beautiful but busy beach we were staying in the “Sunset” Guesthouse. We paid here 500 Thai Baht for two people in a good wooden bungalow with fan and sea view. On our balcony we had a hang mate where I was sleeping once under a mosquito net. Here it was windy because it was close to the sea.
The Sunset Restaurant
I did here my first two fun dives ever. I choose the Scuba Shack dive school. The service was ok and the divemaster was friendly. The dive sites where I have bin was Ao Leuk and Rocky Bay. First we decide to go to the shark point dive site, but the current was to strong and the Gulf of Thailand was too wavy. Our visibility was around 10 – 12 meters of this day. On the way back to the “Sunset” Guesthouse we enjoyed the nice view over the sea from a view point close to the Ao Chalok Ban Kao. In the evening we had dinner at our hostel, the restaurant offered Thai and Farang Food for a good price and in a nice atmosphere. The balcony of the Sunset Restaurant is direct on the sea and you can listen to the ocean sound.
View Point Koh Tao
After some days we traveled back to the mainland by a night boat. The ferry brings us direct to the pier from Surat Thani. From here we took a public bus to a small village in Thailand. The name of this small southeast Asian city is Sichon.
Travel from Surat Thani to Samui
The island Koh Samui belongs to the Kingdom of Thailand in southeast Asia. Many tourists, backpacker and travelers come here every year for holiday. I was here with a friend from Germany on our Thailand travel tour in 2006. We was staying at the “New Hut” guest house on Hat Lamai Beach in the south of the island. The hostel is direct on the beach with view over the Gulf of Thailand. The main Beach on Ko Samui is the Hat Chaweng Beach in the north east. Here are many guesthouses, hotels and resorts. The island is busy compared to other islands like Koh Chang. But still many people enjoy here the tropical Asian sun. Hat Chaweng have many possibilities to go out, eat or relax on a hotel pool.
New Hut Guest house
At New Hut we meet some travelers from Australia and Europe. One evening we took a taxi to a Reggae Pub in the north at the main beach. It was nice but we was happy that we don’t stay at the Chaweng holiday village with many Bars, Restaurants and Souvenir shops. We took a ferry from Surat Thani to the Na Thon Pier. There waiting many taxis who bring you to every place on the island, like everywhere in Thailand is is easy here to find transport. Once we was visiting the Nam Tok Na Muang Waterfall. This Waterfall is easy to reach by taxi. The taxi driver took you out about 500 meter away from the fall.
Na Muang Waterfall
From here it’s a pleasant walk threw the jungle of Koh Samui. The water falls down from about 80 meter in a natural Pool where you can swimming. If you want you can climb up next to the fall to see nice jungle pools with many crabs and fishes on top from the Na Muang. Many butterfly’s let you feel like in paradise. Many people decide to make a Padi diving course. The most scuba schools here in the gulf of Thailand go to dive sites around Koh Tao and in the Ang Thong Marine National Park. In 2006 a Padi Open Water Diver Course cost about 10000 Thai Baht. For fun diving with a boat it was 3000 Baht per day (two dives). The diving in the Koh Samui area is famous for black tip reef sharks and whale sharks in the season. The prices are mostly including pick up from your hotel or guest house and full scuba dive equipment.
Buffalo on Ko Samui
We was leaving from Samui from the pier on the big Buddha beach to Koh Tao. We enjoyed Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s busy but still here are some nice areas to relax. Our highlight was for sure the huge Waterfall in the heart of the beautiful island under the sun of Siam.
Koh Samui Hotels and Accommodation
Bang Bao was a small Fisherman village in the south of Koh Chang. In the last years it changed to a “walking street” for tourists with souvenir shops, restaurants, accommodations and guesthouses. But still Bang Bao have flair. The Pier is around 1.5meter wide and 500 meter long. In the end of the pier there is a lighthouse from where you have a nice view over Bang Bao Bay. Bang Bao Sea Hut is the last bungalows on the right side of the longest pier on Koh Chang. The Bungalows are direct over the gulf of Thailand. In nighttime you hear the sea under your bed. Moun and me check in here sometimes when we have a day off. The nice eight corner bungalows have a balcony and a huge glass door where you can watch the beautiful sunset at Bang Bao Bay. For dinner we go mostly to the Sea Bird Restaurant Koh Chang. At Bang Bao Sea huts on Ko Chang they serve the American Breakfast to your balcony over the gulf of Thailand or inside your accommodation on the water by wide open door.
Breakfast
It´s beautiful because of the snorkeling, scuba diving and fisher boats. Many tour bocking offices offer day trips and boat tours in the Mu Ko Chang National Park. For this beautiful Bungalow I paid 1900 Baht in Oktober 2008. This price was for the room with minibar, kingsice bad, satelit TV, air-condition and hot shower with a nice stoh roof. The American Breakfast witch you get served on your balcony is aswell inclusive. I like Bang Bao Sea Huts because of the nice atmosphere and the beautiful view to the sea. For more information about Bang Bao on Ko Chang look inside your Thailand Lonely Planet travel book.
In memories of the paradiese on earth!
- Sunset at Thale Bungalows
My first time on Koh Chang in Thailand was in August 2006. Marius and I found “KP Huts” in the Lonely Planet Thailand and decide to stay here. When we arrived Ko Chang the taxi driver took us out at the north end of Klong Prao Beach. We walked down south to come to KP huts. Than the Klong Plu river barricade our way to the guesthouse. No bridge to find and back to the road was a long way with our heavy backpacks. After we took a break on the Klong plu of around five minutes, a Thai man comes with a kayak and asked us if he can help us. We was eased that we don´t have to walk back and sayed yes. His name is mum and he bring us over the river, first our back bags than us one by one because his dog was always with on the boat. When we arrived the other side we saw what we are looked for, easy beach huts on the beautiful tropical beach Klong Prao on Ko Chang. We not delayed to check in at Thale Bungalow. Actually our plan was to go up to north Thailand after some days on Chang Island. But here we found the paradise: good friends, good food, good music, good price and a fantastic atmosphere was the reasons that we not left till the end of our holiday in Thailand.
- Thale Restaurant
Before we traveled south Thailand with the Lonely Planet travel book but we found no place that was like here. To the next street it was around a half hour by walk, we hang all day around the beach and chilled in the hammock in front of our palm and bamboo bungalow. A half year later i comes back for one month on vacation with my father. After this holiday was clear for me: the life in Europe is not what i want! I don´t need status symbols or manipulation from everywhere, here at Thalé I can be who i am. One month I needed to quit everything in germany: car, apartment, university… Than i flow back to Thailand on Koh Chang. After one year the owner of Thale offer me to build my own Bungalow direct on the Gulf of Thailand.
- My first own Bungalow on Koh Chang
Thale Bungalow was between Barracuda Restaurant and Klong Prao Resort on the other side of Klong Plu River. This beach huts in Thailand stand in no travel guide, because of this fact I was sometimes the onliest “customer” at this beautiful spot in southeast Asia. Many times we had good live music on the beach. Thale was famous for good Blues, Reggae and rock n´roll. The food at Thale Restaurant was delicious and really cheap. A standard Thai dish was about 1 USD. But this was not the main reason for emigrate to Thailand. I felt at home here more than in Germany. My neighbors are most traverlers and they come and go. I stayed till the end of the contract. The highlight on this part of the west coast of Koh Chang was the beautiful sunset which I follow always from my hammock on the beach. It was direct on a headland between a lagoon of the river and the warm sea. Here I started my new life as a scuba dive professional as a Padi Divemaster.
- View of a Sunset from Klong Prao Beach
In the middle of 2008 the contract for the rented land end. Siri goes up to north Thailand and start new at Pai with the Stone Free Bungalows. Mum, his brother, have now a bungalow park named Big Elk at Klong Prao on the jungle side where I´m living right now. Big Elk Bungalows are as well really nice with a unique warm atmosphere like Thale.
- The sun goes down in Thailand
Rest In Peace Thalé Bungalow´s, you will be ever in my mind! The people, the atmosphere and the perfect place between Sea and River!
Site Navigation:
Koh Chang – White Sands – Chai Chet – Klong Phrao – Kai Bae – Lonely Beach – Bang Bao – East Coast – Links, Reviews & Hotels
Koh Chang belongs to the Trad province and has about 5000 habitats. I´m one of tease lucky ones, since four years i living here on the island in the northern Gulf of Thailand. It´s the fastest growing tourist and backpacker area in Thailand. Every year from October to February the tourists and traveler come from all around the world here to our island. The most are Europeans like Swedish, dutch, France and Germans but the Russians coming more and more like everywhere in world. My First time on Ko Chang was in 2006 and it was love on the first view! I enjoy here the easy island life and while high season i work as a Divemaster. The area around Koh Chang belongs to the “Mu Koh Chang National park” and is perfect for scuba diving. That means the reefs and the jungle should be protected by law, should be… But still we have here one of the most intact jungle in southeast Asia. And compared to other regions the underwater world and the reefs are in a acceptable situation. Another nice destination is the Wat Klong Prao Temple on the west coast of Chan Island in Thailand.
Jungle "Pool" on Tham Mayom Waterfall
The options what to do on Koh Chang (elephant island) are nearly endless. I can give you just a cut of the attraction’s what we have here. The main attractions on Koh Chang are: scuba diving, round flights, tree top adventure (challenges in the jungle), jungle trekking, snorkeling and of course elephant riding. I recommend the “Ban Kwan Chang” elephant camp because the owner give the money to projects in north Thailand where they bring elephants back in the wild jungle.
Elefant at Ban Kwan Chang
Jet ski and stuff like this they don´t have and they don´t want to have! Here you can still relax on the beach. For the girls: nobody want to see you in a string or without a bikini top!!! It´s too bad that i have to write but allot people don´t respect that part of Thai culture. If you want to lie half nude on the sands, go to Pattaya or to Phuket and not to Ko Chang!! As swell we have some waterfalls but actually in high season they don´t have that much water, it´s better to visit them during the rain time from April to September. The most travelers going to the “Nam tok Klong Plu” or to the “Nam tok than mayom” witch is my favorite. If you go there don´t forget swimsuit if you want to swim in a natural pool in front of the waterfalls.
Every time when i come with the taxi from the ferry the half of the people even don´t know witch beach on Koh Chang they want to stay, so i hope i can give some options where to stay.
Fishermans house at Klong Son
Where to stay on Koh Chang is a difficult question, anytime people ask me this question. My answer is always: what do you accept from your holidays? The possibilities reach from 100 baht for a windy beach hut with atmosphere to 20000 Thai baht per night for a first class luxury apartment.
Chinese style temple at Klong Son
If you come from the ferry and catch a taxi the first village is Klong Son, here are some hotels, resorts and restaurants but Klong Son haven´t that much tourists than other beaches. The follow list shows just the most visited beaches of Koh Chang, for more information visit this homepage.
White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao)
White Sand Beach is the most popular beach on the Island. The beach is nearly white and you can relax on the sands or cool down in the warm Gulf of Thailand. Here You can find everything what you need during your holidays. On the main road there are many luxury hotels, boutique resorts, restaurants, tour booking offices, bars and souvenir shops. The most hotels here at white sands are family resorts with air condition and swimming pool. My recommendations are KC Grande, Alina Resort and Tantawan Bungalows witch is direct on the beach next to Tapas Bar with a good atmosphere. The restaurants serve farang and Thai food, in the evening there is sometimes live music.
White Sand Beach
The best location for live music is Oodies place in the north of the beach near cookies resort. Another option is Sabay Bar Disco witch open at 9pm till late in the night. Here you can dancing, make party or meet people. You can sit on the beach and smoke a Indian shisha with fruit tobacco. In south of Had sai kao there is a bar complex with many “girlie bars”. The people from Chang island call it “little Pattaya”. You can flirt with Bar girls, play free pool or just drink some Chang beers. Couples are welcome. White sand beach is the right choice for young people who will go out in the evening. Many families prefer had sai khao because of the good offer on high class hotels and restaurants from all around the world. Here on white sands you can find the biggest steak of Koh Chang, with one point two kilos “buffalo bill steak house” offer the biggest meat loaf here on the island. If you eat everything you get a free t-shirt from the Swedish owned steak house. Many Scandinavian people go here to buy Swedish salted candies. The most travelers on white sands come from Scandinavian and west Europe. This is the busiest beach on the elephant island, but some people like to have entertainment at holidays, for this traveler is Had Sai Kao the right option.
Chai Chet
Chai Chet is between white sands beach and Klong Prao. Here you find some hotels on a quiet beach and fire shows at the beach bars and restaurants in the evening. The small center have everything what you need, a good choice of Thai and international restaurants, Thai massage shops, Internet Cafes, supermarket and some cocktail bars at the Koh Chang Plaza. The beach look with the many coconut palms like what you expect from a tropical beach in Thailand. From Chai Chet cape you have a nice place to watch the colorful sunset on the horizon of the Gulf of Siam at the Cape. Chai Chet is a good option for people who like it quiet but don´t want to miss the luxury and food from home. Here are many families, couples and honeymoon tourists.
Klong Prao Beach
Here i´m living, for me the beautifulest village on Koh Chang because of the quiet tropical beach with coconut trees and the good choice of bungalows and hotels. On Klong Prao Beach you can find from windy beach huts till 5star resorts everything what you like. The only think is that there is not a real center but with a scooter witch you can rent nearly everywhere or with a taxi its 5 minutes to Kai Bae or 10 minutes to Chai Chet. Here i was living 1.5 years direct on the beach at Thale Bungalows.
Party at Thale Bungalow
This was really the paradise on earth. The small Beach Huts was handmade from bamboo and a good choice for backpackers and people who like adventure. At Thale Restaurant they served good Thai food for a good price. At least two time per week here you found live music on a perfect beach. The question where to stay on Koh Chang don´t was any question for me when i saw Thalé Bungalows! But now the contract of the rented land is expired and Siri the owner have now new bungalows named Stone Free Bungalows at Pai in north Thailand. But still you can find some nice and easy bungalows on the beach, Tiger Hut is one of these. My restaurant recommendation’s are Yummy Hut, Nids kitchen on the main road and Baracuda Restaurant direct on the beach with a good view for the sunset.
Sunset from Klong Prao Beach
Both serve Sea- and Thai food, the prices are cheap for that what you get and the Thai owners are friendly and will invite you with a smile. Big Elk steak house on the road offer a good mix of Thai and Farang food and nice cheap wood bungalows with a swimming pool for a fair price. Here you can come in the evening for good food, good friends and good atmosphere. Every 1st and 15st here at big elk you have the “Chang Spirit Party”, enjoy by a Chang beer the rhythms of reggae, blues and rock n roll. The Chang Spirit Foundation helps to protect the nature on Koh Chang and bring Thai locals and foreigners closer together. Join this party and support this foundation to keep the nature on Ko Chang. Klong Prao Beach is for everybody who like it quiet and relax in holidays. Here you can lie on the beach or inside a hang mock to read a book or watch the beautiful sunset of Thailand‘s third biggest island!
Colorful sunset at Klong Prao
Kai Bae Beach
The village Kai Bae is a good option for couples, families and people who stay longtime over winter. Scuba diving schools, Internet Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and souvenir shops are just some of the bright offer that Kai Bae have. Don´t miss a Thai massage at north Kai Bae near the KB Clinic at “Smai Burapa Beauty and Massage”. The possibilities to stay are endless, It starts with small beach huts like “Siam Cottage” go over the Sea Breeze rooms with comfort and style and ends with first class hotels like “The Chill”. In a suit with sea view at The Chill you can spent comfortable Thailand honeymoons or deluxe beach holidays. Hotels and Resorts are widespread on this honeymoon and vacation village. There are some bungalows who offer special prices for long stay tourists like the “Kai Bae Beach Resort” direct on white sand for around 5000 Baht per month. Many good Restaurants like “Sawadee Seafood” offer Thai food. There are as well allot of international restaurants like “O2″, “Jungle View” or “Oodies brothers” witch offer meals in European and western style. Oodies is famous for live music, every evening you can listen to Rock, Blues and Love Songs. The street invite for walking or shopping in the evening. Kai Bae Beach is much more quiet than White Sands but here are nearly the same kind of shops instead of the discos and the Nightlife on Koh Chang in Thailand. “Kai Bae Hut Speedboats” bring tourists for small money to a lonely island named “Koh Yuak” for snorkeling and relaxing. Direct after the 7eleven at the south end you can walk up a way to the jungle and a small but nice waterfall. Drink the best fresh coffee on Koh Chang at “Mochacchino” with a crispy salami baguette from “Papa” bakery and see how easy the life can be in this sleepy and familiar tourist village.
Lonely Beach (Had Tha Nam)
This beach is´t lonely anymore but still it´s number one of many backpackers. Nearly all travelers come to Lonely Beach because of the cheap huts and the bucked party’s at “Treehouse“, Joy Cottage, Stone Free Bar or Ting Tong Bar. In the center are many options to go out and rest. To meet people from all over the world is easy. Compared to other villages the resorts are rare, there are some but the backpacker huts, bungalows and guest houses dominate the city. The atmosphere of this village remember a bit of the 60s.
Lonely Beach near Nature Beach Resort
The most visited Bars at nighttime are “Treehouse” and “Nature Beach Resort”. At Treehouse you can sit direct over the water and drink some beers, meet open minted people or just read a book in your hang mock. At Ting Tong Bar (crazy bar) playing some solo artists live music till late in night. But my absolute favorite for live music and go in the evening to meet open minded people is the Stone Free Bar. Here at lonely beach you will forget the time! Feel a touch of the late 60´s at the Woodstock of Koh Chang.
Bang Bao Fisherman village
Pier at Bang Bao
Bang Bao is a small fisherman village build on a pier over the Gulf of Thailand. From while to while we go here to relax and to run away from the all day turn. If we have a day off we stay many times over night at the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” Hotel which is in the end of the pier. The Nirvana Resort is another top accommodation in Bang Bao on Kochang. The pier at Bang Bao is the biggest on Koh Chang. Many tour operators like snorkeling boats, scuba diving schools and of course fisher boats go out every morning from here to the sea.
Fisherboats at Bang Bao harbor
Many locals earn they money with fishing but like everywhere here the tourist boom come more and more. There are many Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants and Souvenir Shops on the walking pier witch invite for a day trip to Bang Bao for shopping and sightseeing. I recommend the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” hotel witch is direct on the pier. They serve the breakfast direct on the balkony with view of the harbor. In the evening You have a nice view of the sunset between two hills, beautiful. The Sea Hut charge at this moment about 1500 Thai Baht for a bungalow with TV, hot shower, fridge and air condition direct on the sea. For budget travelers i can recommended the “Cliff cottage” huts because of the nice view and the warm atmosphere. This small bamboo huts are build on a hill with view over Bang Bao village. They have a sunset terass on the water where you can relax and drink some Chang Beers in the evening.
Sunset from Bang Bao pier
The beach of Bang Bao is one of the nicest of Koh Chang. After 5m walk in the warm Gulf its already deep enough for swimming. The beach is still quiet and you get that what you expect from a tropical beach: white sand, blue water, coconut palms and beverage like cocktails or fresh fruit shakes are served from the cosy The End Beach Restaurant.
We always enjoy to go to Bang Bao because the pier is always busy, but still you have options to relax in the resorts and hotels or take a brake in one of the widespread seafood restaurants on the pier. In the morning you can watch the wife’s of the fisherman’s how they clean and sell fish and all kind of fresh seafood from the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Chang east coast
The east coast is quiet and possibilities to stay are rare. The most popular beach on this part of the Island is Long Beach, this beach isn´t actually long but very beautiful. Here located is the “Treehouse Longbeach” witch offer easy beach huts for backpackers and a small restaurant for day visitors. Everyday there is a taxi from “Treehouse Lonely Beach” to this beautiful spot and accommodation on Kao Chang.
Long Beach Koh Chang
The coast is better to explore with a scooter because public taxis are really rare and you must be lucky to catch one. If you do a day trip don´t miss the “nam tok than mayom” waterfall in the middle of Koh Chan Island. Near the center point ferry pier there is “Funky Hut” hotel witch is my favorite on the east side. The view over the sea to the mainland is fantastic, a perfect destination for honeymoon because of the distance to the civilization. At Funky Hut Restaurant they serve all kind of food and fresh fruit shakes.
Fell like in paradise and visit Koh Chang for a vacation you will never forget!
New posts of Travel Reports and Pictures.
Koh Chang Hotels Booking & Reviews:
Hotel Bookings and Reservations
Koh Chang Hotels – Koh Kood Hotels – Koh Mak Hotels
Trat province Destinations
Koh Kood – Koh Mak – Mairood – Trad
Koh Chang Topics
Nightlife – Scuba Diving
Koh Chang Accommodation and Hotel Reviews
Aana Resort- Amari Resort – Banpu Hotel – Big Elk – Blue Lagoon – Chai Chet Resort – Chang Buri Resort – Chang Park – Chok Dee Resort – Cliff Beach Resort – Coconut Beach Resort – Cookies Hotel – Coral Resort – Dusit Princess Resort – GajaPuri Resort – Garden Resort – Grand Cabana Resort – Grand Lagoona Resort – Grand View Resort – Joy Cottage – Kacha Resort – KB Resort – KC Grande Resort – Keeree Ele Hotel – Klong Prao Resort – Koh Chang Resort – Koh Chang Sea Hut – KP Huts – Lagoon Resort – Mac Resort – Magic Resort – Mai Pen Rai Guesthouse – New Treehouse – Nirvana Resort – Nisa Cabana Resort – Orchid Resort – Panviman Resort – Paradise Resort – Plaloma Cliff Resort – Remark Cottage – Sang Arun Bungalow – Sanook Sanang Resort – Sea Breeze Bungalows – Sea View Resort – Siam Cottage – Sofia Garden Resort – Tantawan Resort – Thale Bungalows – The Chill Resort – The Dewa Hotel – Tiger Hut – VJ Hotel
Attractions, Activities and Sights
Ban Kwan Chang – BB Divers – Chai Chet Cape – Keeri Phet Waterfall – Klong Plu Waterfall – Koh Yuak – Nang Yom Waterfall – Scenic Area Kai Bae – Smai Burapa Massage – Than Mayom Waterfall – Tree Top Adventure – Klong Prao Temple
Clubs, Bars and Restaurants
Bar del Mar – Buffalo Bill – Cafe de Koh Chang – Mochaccino – Nids Kitchen – Oodies Brothers – Oodies Place – Paddys Palms – Papa Bakery – Sabay Bar – Stone Free – Tapas Bar – The End Beach – Ting Tong Bar – Treehouse – Yes Bar – Yummy Hut
