The Koh Chang Experience

[Piece Corp]

Koh Chang (Elephant Island) is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, at 492 sq km, is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket. Koh Chang is about 70% undisturbed rainforest, the best preserved in Thailand, which provide the source of rivers and waterfalls. A mountain range with steep cliffs rising to 744 meters shield the island from prevailing winds.

 

Tourism is very seasonal with several months of rainfall during the year. Weather is cool and pleasant, with plenty of sunshine, during high season from November to April. Temperatures reach 34C during March and April, and the southwest monsoon from the Gulf brings an abundance of rainfall from June to October. The eastern side of the island is a sediment area brought from the Trat River, making it a fertile fishing area, while resorts and beaches populate the western side of the island facing the sea.

 

 

ACCOMODATIONS

 

Accomodations exist in all price ranges, from a small room with ceiling fan for 200-300 baht per night up to several thousand baht high-end resorts. Rates for the more expensive properties will vary dramatically between seasons. Many visitors prefer to stay at White Sand Beach, near the nightlife. Personally, I think this is the wrong approach. Anyone visiting Koh Chang for the nightlife is likely to be disappointed, the best reason to come to Koh Chang is to escape and relax.

 

Amari Emerald Cove

 

My favorite place to stay on Koh Chang, opened in 2004, and the only resort which I've stayed at multiple times. Grounds are beautifully landscaped, and I particularly enjoy the 50 meter lap pool. I'm not sure whether it's guest friendly since I booked-in my girl, but there's a service entrance on the north side of the parking lot that allows you to bypass the front desk.

 

The staff is outstanding. Once I mentioned at check-in that tomorrow was my birthday and I planned to enjoy a fine cigar on the beach. The following morning, after a swim, I returned to my room to discover a large piece of personalized birthday cake had been delivered, compliments of the resort.

 

There's one big negative about staying at the Amari, however. It's damn expensive!

 

 

 

Mercure Hideaway (formerly Dusit Princess)

 

For about the same price as a sea view room at the Amari, you can get a Pool Villa room at the Mercure Hideaway. Much further down the coast in the Lonely Beach area, the Pool Villa room features a courtyard with small private pool and jacuzzi. A ten foot wall surrounding the courtyard provides privacy and a convenient waist-high ledge allows you to perch your girl on while you're making some waves. An underwater floodlight exists for night swimming, but may be turned off based upon your preference.

 

 

 

Tropicana Resort

 

My third favorite place to stay on Koh Chang is the Tropicana Resort, with lagoon motif, in the Klong Prao Beach area, not far from the Amari.

 

 

 

Other places I've stayed include the Sea View Resort, Chon Buri Resort, Paddy's Palms Pub and hotel, Koh Chang Kacha Resort, Ban Pu Resort, Aana Resort, Ramayana Resort, and Nirvana Resort.

 

 

 

 

 

ROADS

 

 

Roads are treacherous with nasty S-turns up steep inclines on the north side of Koh Chang, and a dangerous hairpin turn near Lonely Beach on the southern end. If you rent a scooter, I strongly advise staying between White Sands Beach and Kai Bae Beach unless you're a very experienced rider, particularly at night. I was never injured riding my motorcycle, but had some very close calls, once nearly being forced off the road by an SUV barrelling around a corner at night.

 

 

 

 

WATERFALLS

 

 

Klong Plu waterfall is a large waterfall of three levels. The entrance is about 3 km from Ao Klong Plu with a 500 meter walk into the forest. The best spot is the third level where there is a large pool and swimming is possible. The entrance fee is 20 baht for Thais and 400 baht for foreigners without a work permit.

 

 

 

The entrance fee can be applied to other points of interest within the Koh Chang National Marine Park, since it occupies the interior of the entire island. I once visited Than Mayon Falls on the eastern side of the island, about a 45 minute walk from the parking lot. There are two stones bearing the initials of Rama IV and Rama VII.

 

 

 

 

Bang Bao Village

 

Bang Bao Village is a small fishing village in the southwest corner of the island built on wooden stilts in the sea. Buildings are connected by a bridge. Besides the usual stores selling crap souvenirs, there are some very good seafood restaurants, and the village serves as a place to rent boats and make arrangements for visiting other nearby islands.

 

 

 

 

MAANRAT SPECIAL massage

 

 

For about half the price of the Silvera Spa at the Amari (I felt rediculous having to wear a g-string), you can get a 90 minute Tantra Full Body massage at Maanrat Special massage in the Klong Prao area. Despite the name, there is no 'happy ending' here, just a great full body massage, including the most invigorating balls and penis massage I've had in Thailand. Run by a Dutch guy and his wife, who is very well trained and skilled in the art of massage, who trains the Issan girls. I always make this a 'must do' during every visit to Koh Chang. Grab a bar girl after this and you'll cum in quarts.

 

 

 

 

MONGERING

 

The main bar area is located near the Chon Buri Resort at White Sands Beach. A building behind the bars acts as a short time hotel. In addition, there are numerous other bars scattered along the west side of the island. Quality is hit-and-miss, so if you're particular you may wish to bring your own girl from Pattaya.

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Koh Chang is a great place to chill out and relax. The ferry pier is about 4 hours from Pattaya. Ferries run about every hour from dawn till dusk, the crossing takes 40 to 60 minutes and costs 120 baht each way. Check it out soon, before it becomes more like Phuket.

 

Cheers.

 

[poppyy11]

wow and wow i wanna go thank you for photos and info

[ozboy2011]

Thanks for the pic's, it's really nice. Is there any public tranport from pattaya to ferry pier (Koh Chang) or do you have to hire a car? Also, could you be able to provide prices for the hotel accommodations please as I'm thinking about going there for a few days in July. Cheers

[Piece Corp]

Thanks for the pic's, it's really nice. Is there any public tranport from pattaya to ferry pier (Koh Chang) or do you have to hire a car? Also, could you be able to provide prices for the hotel accommodations please as I'm thinking about going there for a few days in July. Cheers

 

I'm sure you can arrange a minibus in Pattaya from one of the many tour agencies. You could also take the public bus to Trat and go from there. Be aware however, that July is not the best month to visit Koh Chang. Room rates will be lowest because there will be lots of rain, but you'll just about have the island to yourself.

 

The prices I paid for accommodations ranged from 1200 at Paddy's Palms to over 7000 at the Amari (sea view) and Mercure (then Dusit) Pool Villa room, both during high season of course. Amari mountain-facing rooms go for about 5000 during high season. Other times, rooms are 3500-4600. There are plenty of accommodations, and rates in all price ranges, it all depends on how much you want to spend. My best value stay was 1800 for the Tropicana in May (normally about 5000 during high season). My stays at the Nirvana and Aana were also under 2000. I try to target my visits for the last week of October because rates rise on November 1st.

 

Short time room in the building behind the main bar area was 300.

[rkko]

i was there in 2006 and hard to find something no more than 1000 b to sleep ( in white sand beach ) . the boat trip day to islands is pleasant even is the boat is full

 

different of Phuket , quiet , i don't know know about nightlife ---

[rkko]

i don't know know about nightlife --- at this time

[Ohyesuare]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. That penis and balls massage sounds interesting, but how can there not be a happy ending? Very strange.

[Piece Corp]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. That penis and balls massage sounds interesting, but how can there not be a happy ending? Very strange.

 

Not so strange when you consider that Koh Chang is more a destination for couples than it is for single guys.

[hernandez88]

Wouah!

Next time I'm heading to LOS, I take a few days there.

 

Lucky you

[eksildanskeren]

Looks fucking amazing, will definately head there next time i am around... Thanks for sharing

[Taeng Mo]

Love Ko Chang, check out:

http://www.35grouppattaya.com/en/index.php

for cheap ride Patts to Ko Chang, Nutter drivers, just like the rest, but price is right.

 

Make sure you book accom for at least the first night as the island is short during high season. Try to get a hut near White Sands Beach to pull the Girls back to.

 

Go to the Beer Bars in White Sands Beach for Girls, village feel, all good.

Suss out local night club, Sabay Bar for local Girls who work in Hotels/ Resorts.

Bt1000 for all night. They don't really have s/t there, just go and pick up for the night.

Better talent during high season, until Songkran so better get a move on.

Majority of Girls head home for Songkran and won't be back until November. NOT Pattaya Girls, farm fresh who only work the high season.

[native]

going back there in May, got a room at paddys for 900 a night

[XOL123]

great report! thanks for sharing.

[sammee_uk]

great report thanks

[softlad]

would it be worth a trip in mid july or would the rain be to much. thanks in advance for any info

[Piece Corp]

Most rain in June, July, and August. Nearly every day.

 

http://iamkohchang.com/koh-chang-weather

[Thaihot]

Great pics of the hotels mate thanks for sharing.

 

Nice place & have been once some years back.

 

[softlad]

Most rain in June, July, and August. Nearly every day.

 

http://iamkohchang.c...h-chang-weather

 

thanks for the link piece corp much obliged

[Hermes]

Thank you!

Will have it in mind.

[Thaihot]

This report has set me of & later this year I am going to go back there & take one of my Giks for a lovely few days.

 

Dusit hotel now Mecure is big money.

 

[greenthumb420]

Great info!

I stayed there for just over a week with my tirak was really nice. Stayed white sand beach area buffalo bill guesthouse/restaurant 700-800 baht a night.

 

I almost died on that corner on the last picture of the roads. Let my girl drive up the hill but she didn't corner hard enough and we ended up in the ditch on the other side of the road! Luckly no one was coming the other way or we would be road kill.

 

I can recommend another island right below koh chang called koh mak. The water is the cleanest I have seen in thailand.

It is a great place to take a girl and relax. Can get there from the same piers as koh chang but take a speedboat for about 500 each. You can book a minibus from pattaya.

Bring cash though as there is no atm. but can use credit card to get cash at tourist center.

http://www.baan-koh-mak.com/test/en/main is where I stayed. And will stay there again I am sure.

Clean water..

Titties

Beach seafood BBQ every night!

If anyone has questions about koh mak send me a message. Also I will try to make a trip report soon.

Cheers

[oliver69]

I'm thinking of going here for a few nights in November. Will be in Pattaya first so thinking of hiring a car and driving there.

Any idea how long this would take ?

I presume there is a car ferry to the island ?

[jimbobh28]

Great post! brings back great memories. getting there takes time usually 4 hours on a mini (joiner) bus. Once there motor bike best form of transport.(Care taken on mountain roads though)

Edited April 29, 2012 by jimbobh28

[beejman4000]

Awesome report - thanks!

[rpmjon]

It's going to piss down soft lad and that's that!