The Koh Chang Experience

[Thomaz73]

Brilliant report, thanks! 

Sadly, I've only been there once. I was shocked to find one of the best pizzas I've had in Thailand. A young Italian guy cooking outside a beach resto. 

[stickyfingers]

Hopefully another quality trip report with great photos too from my fave Thai island Koh Chang. Although I’ve yet to explore the eastern side of the island.
Still got to visit nearby Koh Kood too, as apparently nicer with better beaches but lot quieter.

[Piece Corp]

On 24/11/2021 at 20:55, stickyfingers said:

Hopefully another quality trip report with great photos too from my fave Thai island Koh Chang. Although I’ve yet to explore the eastern side of the island.
Still got to visit nearby Koh Kood too, as apparently nicer with better beaches but lot quieter.

I can post some pictures but don't have anything new to report.  I think I've covered the entire island.  I spent a week at the Emerald Cove and a week at the Dewa, places I've stayed before, and visited the same places.  I didn't go to the east side because my rented motorbike had a problem with the brakes, more on that later.

 

 

There were more farangs on the island than I've seen in nearly two years.  The Emerald Cove must have had 20-25% occupancy on the weekends.

 

 

They brought back the 2-for-1 happy hour and I lounged around the pool drinking passion fruit mojitos, 220 baht for each pair, and they were delicious.

 

 

Another drink I liked was the mango cooler, made with tequila, and I'd escalate to long island iced teas when the happy hour was coming to a close.

 

 

I had my pipes cleared with a full body Trantra massage, 800 baht for 90 minutes.  I've been going to this place for many years, it's now called Sawadee Thai massage.

 

 

Jae Eaw Seafood for one kg of steamed blue crab, 700 baht

 

 

Visited the White Elephant at White Sands for some of their specials.  Pizza and a pint are just 199 baht on Wednesday, considering the Stowford Press Cider is normally 180, you're getting a pizza for 19 baht.  Unfortunately, the pizza wasn't very good.

 

 

They have a roast on weekends for 299, I choose beef and lamb.

 

 

Many restaurants were still closed

 

 

Unfortunately, El Barrio Mexican was only open one day because they were having road construction.  Here are the fish tacos, with some very tasty sauces, just 280 baht for four, with a passion fruit margarita.

 

 

Homemade seafood spaghetti at Mordi E Fuggi

 

 

Went over to Roxy bar at Lonely Beach.  These critters were all over the road.

 

 

I was the only customer but looked like an interesting place to go when things pick up.

 

 

I spent a week at the Dewa resort.

 

 

I arrived on a motorbike I had rented.  This wasn't it but really could have been, because I almost had a serious accident at the hairpin turn near Lonely Beach.

 

 

Holding the rear break for 4-5 seconds and it would quit.  Not something you would encounter on normal roads but it wasn't long before I was reaching speeds that made the bike difficult to control and I nearly went off the road (there was no shoulder).  I couldn't stop the bike and my adrenaline was really going.  My instinct was to press down on my right foot for the foot break on my motorcycle, but of course it wasn't there.  Fortunately, there were no other vehicles on the road to plow into.  I was finally able to slow the bike by pumping the brakes.  That's the last time I take a rental down those hills, it was a frightening experience.

This restricted my movements for the remainder of the trip so I didn't visit Bang Bao or the east side.  I hired a private taxi to load the motorbike onto his songthew going back to the ferry pier because I wasn't willing to risk my life down the three steep hills before the pier.

 

Edited December 5, 2021 by Piece Corp

[stickyfingers]

On 05/12/2021 at 11:09, Piece Corp said:

I can post some pictures but don't have anything new to report.  I think I've covered the entire island.  I spent a week at the Emerald Cove and a week at the Dewa, places I've stayed before, and visited the same places.  I didn't go to the east side because my rented motorbike had a problem with the brakes, more on that later.

 

 

There were more farangs on the island than I've seen in nearly two years.  The Emerald Cove must have had 20-25% occupancy on the weekends.

 

 

They brought back the 2-for-1 happy hour and I lounged around the pool drinking passion fruit mojitos, 220 baht for each pair, and they were delicious.

 

 

Another drink I liked was the mango cooler, made with tequila, and I'd escalate to long island iced teas when the happy hour was coming to a close.

 

 

I had my pipes cleared with a full body Trantra massage, 800 baht for 90 minutes.  I've been going to this place for many years, it's now called Sawadee Thai massage.

 

 

Jae Eaw Seafood for one kg of steamed blue crab, 700 baht

 

 

Visited the White Elephant at White Sands for some of their specials.  Pizza and a pint are just 199 baht on Wednesday, considering the Stowford Press Cider is normally 180, you're getting a pizza for 19 baht.  Unfortunately, the pizza wasn't very good.

 

 

They have a roast on weekends for 299, I choose beef and lamb.

 

 

Many restaurants were still closed

 

 

Unfortunately, El Barrio Mexican was only open one day because they were having road construction.  Here are the fish tacos, with some very tasty sauces, just 280 baht for four, with a passion fruit margarita.

 

 

Homemade seafood spaghetti at Mordi E Fuggi

 

 

Went over to Roxy bar at Lonely Beach.  These critters were all over the road.

 

 

I was the only customer but looked like an interesting place to go when things pick up.

 

 

I spent a week at the Dewa resort.

 

 

I arrived on a motorbike I had rented.  This wasn't it but really could have been, because I almost had a serious accident at the hairpin turn near Lonely Beach.

 

 

Holding the rear break for 4-5 seconds and it would quit.  Not something you would encounter on normal roads but it wasn't long before I was reaching speeds that made the bike difficult to control and I nearly went off the road (there was no shoulder).  I couldn't stop the bike and my adrenaline was really going.  My instinct was to press down on my right foot for the foot break on my motorcycle, but of course it wasn't there.  Fortunately, there were no other vehicles on the road to plow into.  I was finally able to slow the bike by pumping the brakes.  That's the last time I take a rental down those hills, it was a frightening experience.

This restricted my movements for the remainder of the trip so I didn't visit Bang Bao or the east side.  I hired a private taxi to load the motorbike onto his songthew going back to the ferry pier because I wasn't willing to risk my life down the three steep hills before the pier.

 

Great photos and food choices too as ever and glad it’s picked up a bit on KC, but guess you got most places and beaches to yourself…apart from long holiday weekends??

I usually stayed around Klong Phrao beach area.

You deffo got to have a decent newish bike when travelling around KC as lots of steep hills and bends there esp that infamous hairpin bend where so many fall off there when going towards bang bao beach area.

I rented a newish Honda Click near the hotel I stayed at and thankfully the brakes were ok.

[Piece Corp]

3 hours ago, stickyfingers said:

Great photos and food choices too as ever and glad it’s picked up a bit on KC, but guess you got most places and beaches to yourself…apart from long holiday weekends??

I usually stayed around Klong Phrao beach area.

You deffo got to have a decent newish bike when travelling around KC as lots of steep hills and bends there esp that infamous hairpin bend where so many fall off there when going towards bang bao beach area.

I rented a newish Honda Click near the hotel I stayed at and thankfully the brakes were ok.

I usually go during low season for the lowest rates and fewest tourists, but rates haven’t risen much yet and still not many tourists.  I called the second resort above the Dewa, it was actually the Awa (the sister property at Kai Bae), the Dewa and Emerald Cove are both at Khlong Prao, about a 30 minute walk.  I paid around 1700 for the accommodations, including breakfast, which are low season rates.  The weather was outstanding, except for one day,  I came back with a nice tan.  
 

I enjoy the Kai Bae area because there are several fine restaurants a short walk from the resort.

Edited December 6, 2021 by Piece Corp

[Konstantin334]

So, how are the girls there?
Those from the last page are not that hot, tbh.

[stickyfingers]

1 hour ago, Konstantin334 said:

So, how are the girls there?
Those from the last page are not that hot, tbh.

You don’t go to KC for hot girls….best to BYO or find an average style person there….the hot stunners will be in Bkk Phuket or Pattaya where the moneys at….or was….most will be home in the villages nowadays until bars n clubs re open next yr sometime??

Go to KC to chill n relax while it’s still quiet and clean.

[Piece Corp]

Stickyfingers is right, it's not a great mongering scene, best to bring your own if you're particular.  For example, I brought this girl from Walking Street for 3 days.  She was a real sweetheart and enjoyed getting out of the bar for a couple days.

 

 

This was the best I've found there, a 20 year old from Korat.  I spotted her and went back in the evening and bar fined.  It was 1000 ST and 300 baht to use the room.

 

 

I don't bring girls anymore because I spend 2-3 weeks at a time and don't want a companion that long, at least not the same one.

Edited December 7, 2021 by Piece Corp

[BlooBell]

Does anyone have any recent experience of the bar / girl scene on KC?

I've always taken an LLT but I'm spending my Sandbox week in Phuket with a girl and I vowed last time that I'd do KC on my own for the first time. 

I know this is probably the worst time to do this but if there's any sort of scene at the moment then I'll go for it. 

[rana392]

I was there last week.

1 - 2 bars open at Little Pattaya on White Sands beach.  Only about 3-4 girls there. Quality a bit rough.

My favorite ( Cheeky Bar ) was empty and closed. Shame as I have always had a great time there.

Drove up to Walking Street, lots of girls with around 5 - 6  bars open.

Various other bars open between White Sands and Walking st.  Not a great deal of girls though.

Seemed to be a lot of ladyboys partnered up in restaurants, hotels etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlooBell]

18 hours ago, rana392 said:

I was there last week.

1 - 2 bars open at Little Pattaya on White Sands beach.  Only about 3-4 girls there. Quality a bit rough.

My favorite ( Cheeky Bar ) was empty and closed. Shame as I have always had a great time there.

Drove up to Walking Street, lots of girls with around 5 - 6  bars open.

Various other bars open between White Sands and Walking st.  Not a great deal of girls though.

Seemed to be a lot of ladyboys partnered up in restaurants, hotels etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent. Thanks.

Can I just ask, Walking St, that's the area adjacent to Klong Prao beach?

[rana392]

Not sure, its off to the left about 5 - 8 k's past white sands.

 

 

 

[petehoax]

On 08/02/2022 at 01:13, BlooBell said:

Excellent. Thanks.

Can I just ask, Walking St, that's the area adjacent to Klong Prao beach?

8 hours ago, rana392 said:

Not sure, its off to the left about 5 - 8 k's past white sands.

it's after klong prao beach. 
just enter Walking Street koh chang into google maps... 
but it's opposite koh chang cliff resort:

[Derrick Longham]

What is the current vibe at Koh Chang?

Nighlife more pubs than bars than clubs? Are the bars around Ting Tong still open? 

Lonely Beach still getting the TGs at night, any foreign fluff to be had?

Thinking a possible destination but don't really want to be stuck to a lame game as the sun goes down.

[Suchasin]

On 23/08/2022 at 14:00, Derrick Longham said:

What is the current vibe at Koh Chang?

Nighlife more pubs than bars than clubs? Are the bars around Ting Tong still open? 

Lonely Beach still getting the TGs at night, any foreign fluff to be had?

Thinking a possible destination but don't really want to be stuck to a lame game as the sun goes down.

I was in Koh Chang only once, took a Thai lady with me but found the island boring as fuck. The fact that she annoyed me didnt help any but still....

[jaynewcastle]

3 hours ago, Suchasin said:

I was in Koh Chang only once, took a Thai lady with me but found the island boring as fuck. The fact that she annoyed me didnt help any but still....

Sounds like you did no research at all, if you found nothing on the island to interest you at all

Why did you go there ?, and what were you expecting to do & see that you didn't find ?

 

 

[Suchasin]

1 hour ago, jaynewcastle said:

Sounds like you did no research at all, if you found nothing on the island to interest you at all

Why did you go there ?, and what were you expecting to do & see that you didn't find ?

I went there with a thai girl and we stayed at White Sand Beach. What I found was waterfalls without water a view point littered with plastic bottles and other trash and a lot of construction sites all over the island.  Further research wouldnt have changed that.

1 hour ago, jaynewcastle said:

 

 

 

[jaynewcastle]

How did that make the island boring ?