Thailand is famous for its myriad islands, each with its own distinctive character and unique features. This article focuses on Koh Chang, which is gradually turning into a chic resort destination. But let’s go step by step…
General Information
Koh Chang (not to be confused with Chang Island Pattaya) is part of the Trat province. It became popular among European tourists only relatively recently. The large-scale arrival of vacationers here began after 2010, whereas from 1970 to 2010 only wealthy Thais and well-informed foreigners (those eager to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle and explore every corner on their own) vacationed on the island.
The distance from Bangkok to Koh Chang is about 320 kilometers, and from Pattaya to Koh Chang is around 220 kilometers. Koh Chang is located practically on the border with Cambodia in open sea.
In 1982, local authorities decided to include Koh Chang in an environmental protection program, making it part of a national marine reserve with all the attendant consequences. All active water sports are prohibited on the island, including:
- Jet skiing.
- Water skiing.
So, if you want your beach holiday to be peaceful, this is the place. An ecologically clean resort island is exactly what nature lovers need.
The name “Chang” translates from Thai as “elephant,” and this becomes evident as soon as you set foot on the island. You’ll find numerous figurines of these giant, big-eared creatures in various spots, and of course, there are real elephants too, which you can photograph, film, or even ride (if you dare).
Climate Conditions
The weather on Koh Chang is quite pleasant and, in some ways, even more comfortable than on other islands (such as Koh Samui or Phuket). This is primarily noticeable during the low season, when Thailand enters its rainy period (May, June, July, August) and tourism slows down.
On Koh Chang during this time, it’s not so bad. Yes, it rains and sometimes heavily, but unlike the southern regions of the country, here the rains often start closer to evening. It can even happen that throughout the entire rainy season, not a single daytime monsoon occurs.
On the other hand, it might also rain in October and November in the evenings, which doesn’t interfere with daytime relaxation at all. Judge for yourself: during the high season it’s hot, and after rain it cools down a bit. However, there are exceptions to every rule — sometimes the wind picks up, and then swimming definitely won’t be an option.
The air temperature here is roughly the same as on Koh Samet.
Beaches
Koh Chang has several beaches, among which the following are the most popular:
- White Sand Beach.
- Chai Chet.
- Klong Prao.
- Kai Bae.
- Lonely Beach.
The island’s western coast is considered the most “beachy” because this is where the most famous coastal spots are located.
White Sand Beach
Beach information
Length (m): 1500 
Cover Type: White sand 
Water Temp (°C): 28 
Cleanliness (1-10): 7 
Crowdedness (1-10): 6 
Infrastructure: Good restaurants, shops 
Best Season: Nov–Apr 
Waves Level: Moderate 
Lifeguards Available? yes 
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
White Sand Beach on Koh Chang is viewed as the most popular among the others, for a few reasons (nightlife on the beach and a few bars that stay open late).
The beach is quite long and can be visually divided into three parts (center, north, and south). You can swim only in the north and center; the southern part is more of a technical beach where several foul-smelling streams flow into the sea.
In the central part, there are the most people (though if you’ve been to Patong, you’ll be quite surprised by what we mean by “many”), and few venture to the northern section, as it’s slightly hidden from view. On the way, you’ll notice a small house for those who crave “thrills,” offering rooms for the night.
In the central section, the water doesn’t become deep right away, so you can swim with children. In the north, it gets deep after about three meters.
Low tide here is not very pronounced and usually starts after lunch, and in winter, towards the evening.
Nightlife is lively because, when dusk falls, tables start appearing on the beach so you can sit and admire the night sea.
If you’re comparing Pattaya and Koh Chang, you might be disappointed — the nightlife here isn’t as developed, but you can’t say it’s totally absent. In some bars, you might even meet Thai girls who will keep a lonely traveler company (you get the idea).
Chai Chet
Beach information
Length (m): 800
Cover Type: Sand/pebbles
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 7
Crowdedness (1-10): 5
Infrastructure: Basic amenities
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Low
Lifeguards Available? no
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Chai Chet Beach is one of those places where hotels are located directly on the seafront, with no roads separating them from the beach. A row of hotels lines the coast, each with its own sandy area where they set up lounge chairs. Since hotel boundaries are rather vague, there are warning signs everywhere prohibiting non-guests from using the beach equipment.
A little life hack: you can place an order at the local restaurant, and they’ll allow you to use a lounge chair — maybe even the swimming pool. However, be sure to confirm with the staff before you head to the eatery.
The sand on the beach is slightly grayish but clean because hotel staff keep it tidy (after all, room rates here aren’t cheap).
The water is clear and calm, with no waves in the high season, so you can simply float and enjoy the tranquility.
Klong Prao
Beach information
Length (m): 2000
Cover Type: White sand
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 8
Crowdedness (1-10): 5
Infrastructure: Good amenities
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Low
Lifeguards Available? yes
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang is essentially an extension of Chai Chet, as there’s no obvious boundary between them. Many tourists confuse these two stretches of sand, but it doesn’t really matter what the beach is called — what’s important is the level of service you can get there.
The service on Klong Prao is exactly the same as on the previous beach, except there’s a wild, undeveloped area with no hotels or bungalows and thus not entirely clean.
A small river flows through the center of the beach. We can’t say anything particularly good or bad about its cleanliness — just sharing the info.
Kai Bae
Beach information
Length (m): 1000
Cover Type: White sand
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 8
Crowdedness (1-10): 5
Infrastructure: Moderate amenities
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Low
Lifeguards Available? yes
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
If you travel further along Koh Chang’s coastline, behind a rocky outcrop you’ll find Kai Bae Beach (sometimes spelled “Kai Bae”). Compared to the previous beaches, Kai Bae is less crowded, and the shoreline here is quite narrow. In the high tourist season, there may be very little space, and the water can come right up to the grass in some spots.
There are fewer hotels here (though they do exist), but the downside is that in some places, the islanders don’t clean up the trash very well, giving certain areas a slightly cluttered feel.
The main highlight of Kai Bae is the elephants you’ll often see strolling along the shore. For 500 baht, you can take a photo with them. You can have your companion take the picture or even the elephant’s owner.
If you get tired of island life, you can mix it up with an even more “island-style” activity: kayaking to the uninhabited islets clearly visible from Kai Bae. The cost of renting a kayak is:
- Per hour — 150 baht
- Half-day — 300 baht
- Full day — 500 baht
Lonely Beach
Beach information
Length (m): 600
Cover Type: Sand
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 7
Crowdedness (1-10): 6
Infrastructure: Basic amenities
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Low
Lifeguards Available? no
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Many online reviews praise the beach itself and its infrastructure but criticize the local hotels.
How much time do you need to decide if you like a beach or not? We think a few minutes is enough. In our opinion, Lonely Beach is a perfectly good choice compared to the other beaches on Koh Chang. There’s enough space to settle on the sand, there are places to grab a bite, and plenty of shade. Travelers choose Lonely Beach more often than the previous three beaches, but it’s still not crowded. On the outskirts of Lonely Beach, they organize evening parties, attracting a younger crowd.
The sand is clean, and the water entry is gently sloping and level, making it comfortable for children.
Also, there are no lounge chairs here. Nevertheless, it firmly holds first place in many ratings.
Important observation: Koh Chang’s beaches have a phenomenon known as sand fleas. If you decide to sit your bare skin on the sand, you may end up itching for a couple of days. Their bite isn’t dangerous but is unpleasant, so we advise getting some coconut oil, which helps relieve bites, and also a repellent to ward them off.
Transportation
On the island, there are two ways to get around (aside from walking):
- Rent a means of transportation.
- Use public transport.
If you plan to rent a motorbike cheaply, you may be disappointed — prices aren’t as low here as in Pattaya. The daily cost of renting a motorbike ranges between 250–350 baht.
On the other hand, you won’t be tied to public transportation and can easily travel from one part of the island to another.
Moreover, Koh Chang is ideal for practicing your motorbike-riding skills because there are several deserted stretches, including:
- The stretch of road from White Sand Beach to Kai Bae Beach;
- The section from Lonely Beach to Lagoon Resort;
- The eastern side of Koh Chang.
Gasoline is sold in bottles here for 35–40 baht (0.7 liter).
If a motorbike isn’t your thing, you can take a songthaew, which will take you anywhere on Koh Chang for 50 baht.
Another option is to take a taxi, but local islanders don’t usually do taxi runs; it’s mainly shrewd operators from Bangkok. Cars have meters.
Hotels
Most of the accommodations on Koh Chang are in the premium class because local self-governance decided to transform the island into a luxury resort. Below is a selection of hotels worth your attention.
Island rules prohibit constructing buildings taller than the palm trees, as it would spoil Koh Chang’s appearance and reduce its appeal. This is probably justified, but it also affects accommodation prices.
If you want to stay on Koh Chang in a rented apartment or condominium, it’s not that simple. Locals are reluctant to rent out property because they fear it will turn Koh Chang into another Koh Samui, attracting an influx of long-stayers and freelancers who spend far less money than typical package tourists.
It’s best not to postpone booking your hotel, especially if your trip falls on a weekend. Thais have a tradition of taking island breaks to get away from the hustle and bustle, and Koh Chang is one of their choices.
Infrastructure
The island has fairly developed infrastructure, with almost everything you need available in nearly every area. You can find large stores like Tesco Market, smaller ones such as 7-Eleven, and even tiny stands occupying just one or two stalls.
Product prices are comparable to those in Pattaya, though naturally there’s a slight island mark-up of about 6–8 baht.
You’ll find plenty of fruit stalls, but there’s no large central market. Pharmacies and ATMs are available. Souvenir stands can also be found, but let’s be clear — if your goal is shopping, head to Bangkok.
Regarding dining establishments, apart from the restaurants attached to upscale hotels, the island also has plenty of other, more budget-friendly options, ranging from roadside eateries to street-food stalls (ma kaash nid) that begin operating in the late afternoon.
There is something for everyone.
Entertainment
Koh Chang, like its neighbor Koh Samet, doesn’t boast a vast array of entertainment or attractions, and what it does have may seem a bit overblown. Still, we have to mention them. So, available activities on Koh Chang include:
- Excursions to waterfalls (there are seven waterfalls, very small compared to those in northern Thailand);
- Tours of Buddhist temples (there are a few small temples, though this tour appeals only to certain travelers);
- Scenic viewpoints (there are several, with the main one located at Kai Bae);
- A ropes course (a standard adventure park, where you can have fun);
- Trips to Cambodia (a truly worthwhile excursion, highly recommended regardless of which month you visit).
We already mentioned traveling to distant islands, but besides kayaking, you can take a boat trip. The main nearby islands are Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Wai. Prices range from 500 to 1,000 baht, depending on the duration of the tour. Naturally, if you go as a group, the cost will be lower.
And for another activity, you can visit the fishing village of Bang Bao. The journey isn’t far, and there you can catch a glimpse of authentic Thai life.
How to Get There
Getting to Koh Chang will require transfers because there are no direct flights to Koh Chang. Moreover, there isn’t even an airport on the island, so planes land on the mainland in Trat.
Possible options are:
- Plane + ferry
- Bus + ferry
- Train + ferry
- Car + ferry
You can find more detailed information on travel options in our article here.
So, Koh Chang is a kind of hidden gem among Thailand’s vast array of resorts. If you truly value your vacation, give this gem a taste…
Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments — they’re helpful for those who haven’t yet decided where to spend their holiday.
