Guide to Koh Chang

GETTING THERE

Koh Chang is by far my favourite of the Thai islands situated near the Cambodian border some
5 hours by minivan from Bangkok ( don't take the bus more like 7 hours ) it comprises of 3 or 4
towns which to stay - White Sands, Kai Bae , Lonely Beach and Klong Prao.

Getting there is easy, you can fly from Bangkok to Trat with Bangkok airways for roughly 5000 baht return and then minibus to the ferry and on to your hotel for around 600 baht roughly.
Minibuses run from Bangkok any travel agent will do this, I haven't travelled this way, I did the bus way from Ekamai bus station ( cheap at 120 baht but a lot longer and regretted it half way through!)
It was worth paying the extra for the minivan for a little bit of comfort and piece of mind in my experience, Perhaps break up the journey and travel from Pattaya only 4 hours and leaves around 7.30am. There are plenty of travel agents in Pattaya second and third road which will help.

GETTING AROUND

The first thing you notice once on the island is how steep the roads are these are great for negotiating on a hired motorbike once you are settled in, these can be found along the main White Sands road and in Kai Bae as well for upwards of 200 baht a day.
Don't forget to take along your passport for security as your deposit as they wont let you hire a bike without it.
Petrol or gas (if your American ) can be found in bottles sold along the roadside for 40 baht a bottle, if you cant spot any ask a local the Thai`s are very friendly and helpful.

WHERE TO STAY

Koh Chang is a little more expensive to stay than Pattaya but a lot nicer obviously depending on your budget off course. White sands is touristy so a good idea to book a couple of nights here as a base then explore the island for nicer beaches and bungalows or hotels.
Kai Bae is nice if your a solo traveller and families too, the bungalow resorts KB, and Kai Bae beach resorts are right on the beach and beats the hustle bustle of White sands and can range anything from 1000 baht a night fan only to 2500 baht a/c room.
A little further afield is Lonely beach about 10-15 mins drive up the hills, its a great way to see the island with amazing views and scary roads with drop down hair pin bends!
Lonely beach is a backpacker haven and the cheapest part of the island you can drive through it in two mins not much there apart from loads of cheap hostels/bungalows and hippy bars.
Five mins past Lonely beach is Bang Bao a fishing village it is easy to miss on the right hand side turning, but worth a visit just to see the harbour and excursions list and enjoy a beer and crab fried rice overlooking the harbour,where you will see some beautiful bungalows on stilts in which to stay.

WHAT TO DO

If chilling on a beach all day isn't your thing then head to Bang Bao for a Boat trip around the five islands cost around a 1000 baht each person and leaves early in morning and includes a light lunch of normally fresh pineapple and egg fried rice.
Trip normally includes snorkeling, swimming, seeing Deer island and monkey island.
Another thing I loved doing was the Elephant trekking, takes around hour half cost 1500 baht and included swimming with the elephant which is great fun.
You can find this in Kai Bae and on the road to white sands the elephant sanctuary's are clearly signposted.
Hiring a motorbike and riding around the outside of the island you can find some beautiful beaches some virtually uninhabited, one thing you must do while your there is go to the cooking school, you can find this one school (cant remember the name sorry) that is in the same road as the elephant sanctuary about 200 yards further past it.
Cost was around 1000 baht each they pick you up at 8.30 i advise not to have any breakfast (for obvious reasons) and school lasts up to midday. You learn about Thai spices and prepping, cooking and best of all you get to eat what you make and by midday I was as the Thai`s say a bit Pompooey!  :)

NIGHTLIFE AND FOOD

I cant let this blog go without mentioning the bar scene or nightlife it all depends what floats yer boat as they say!
For couples I cant comment as I am frequently a solo traveller but the usual touristy Thai fare inhabits the island its not my thang I prefer to eat from the freshly made street food vendors.
Half a spit roast chicken and rice with sweet chili sauce is my thing around 150 baht normally does the trick.
Huay Kwang chicken fron the little café at 50 baht is great value it can be found down the same road as the Kai Bae hut resort.

Girly bars if your on your own can be found and the top end of White sands beach a little cluster of mini Pattaya before the Paddy Palms hotel.
There are also a few along the road to Kai Bae mainly in Chai Chet and Klong Prao and in Kai Bae just before the bridge and on the left side Julee`s bar which is my favourite. Girls are friendly and the bar fine is not a rip off at 300 baht.