Ko Chang

Ko Chang (เกาะช้าง) is an island in Trat Province, Eastern Thailand.

For other places with the same name, see Ko Chang (disambiguation).

Understand

White Sand Beach on Ko Chang

Ko Chang is Thailand's second largest island, and the biggest in eastern Thailand. With about 5,000 permanent residents the island is not heavily populated, but tourism (and development) has increased dramatically over the past few years.

Ko Chang is one of Thailand's most beautiful islands with long white sandy beaches, most half-deserted. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer, and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkelling, diving, and jungle hiking. The "discovery" of the island as a tourist destination since 2000 has brought on a large amount of rapid development, and while still far quieter than places like Phuket or Ko Samui, it's probably better to go now than later. Regarding services and activities specifically aimed at tourists prices have reached such a level that the islanders are pricing themselves out of the market when compared to the other islands.

History

Prior to World War II, Ko Chang was little known by anyone. During this period, the few families there made a living growing coconuts and fruit on the mainland. In January 1941, during the Japanese occupation, the Thai Navy fought the French in a battle in the waters to the southeast of Ko Chang.

Nothing else happened to Ko Chang until the first backpacker foreigners started arriving on the back of local fishing boats in the mid-1970s. In 1982, Ko Chang along with surrounding area became part of the protected Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park. Only very recently, in less than ten years, Ko Chang has turned itself into a major tourist destination, both for foreigners and local Thais.

This sudden tourism boom however, has been fraught with controversy concerning land encroachment. The government is trying to "develop" it from a backpackers' paradise to a top-level destination, and construction work is going on throughout the island, with basic huts torn down to make way for fancy resorts.

Geography

Ko Chang is the largest island in the Ko Chang Archipelago. The name means Elephant Island, named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island.

Ko Chang has an area of approximately 429 square kilometres. The topography contains high mountains and complex stone cliffs. The highest peak is Khao Salak Phet which is 744 m high, rich in fertile evergreen forest which is the main water source. There are many waterfalls, beaches and splendid reefs in the west of the island.

Most accommodation is on the west side of the island, where the sandy beaches are. On the east side there are no sandy beaches and it is far less touristy. There are some nice waterfalls though.

70% of the island is rain forest, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife, fine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. The island also has tall mountains and rock cliffs.

Climate

Ko Chang
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       39     31 20       43     32 22       99     33 24       112     35 25       365     33 25       418     32 24       439     32 24       490     32 24       502     31 24       274     30 24       54     30 22       2     30 25 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.5     88 68       1.7     90 72       3.9     91 75       4.4     95 77       14     91 77       16     90 75       17     90 75       19     90 75       20     88 75       11     86 75       2.1     86 72       0.1     86 77 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Ko Chang has the same seasons as Bangkok. The best season to go is the (comparatively) cool season between Nov-Feb. Mar-May are roasting hot and between Jun-Oct it rains, and a lot at that: 4,000 mm in an average year. Many guesthouses close during this season, so accommodation is limited. If you don't mind the rain, traveling during the rainy season can be enjoyable nevertheless, and prices for accommodation are low.

Get in

By plane

Bangkok Airways flies three times a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Trat. The flights depart at 08:30, 12:40 and 16:50, and takes 1 hour. Fares are between 1,800-3,300 baht.

Direct door-to-door minibus transfers from Trat airport to Ko Chang resorts cost 500 baht/person one way and 900 baht/person return including the ferry crossing.

From Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the free express shuttle bus from outside the arrivals concourse to the airport's own bus terminal, and from there the next available bus to either Trat or Chanthaburi, then proceed as described below.

By bus

From Bangkok the most economical way to get to Laem Ngop (where the Ko Chang ferry piers are) is to take a 1st class Bus 999 from the Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal direct to the Laem Ngop piers. The fare is 268 baht and takes just over 5 hr. Departures from Ekamai are at 07:45 & 09:45, and return at 14:00 and 16:00. Subject to seat availability, this bus can also be boarded at Chanthaburi and at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

There is a more comfortable way to travel from Bangkok Airport to Ko Chang: Bus 392 starts from the airport at 07:30 and returns from Ko Chang at 12:30. Tickets can be bought on-line at the Suvarnabhumi Burapha Bus Company. There are also express shared minibuses running from Suvarnabhumi airport non-stop to Lonely Beach on Ko Chang via the Lonely Beach Express. Tickets are 308 baht for the big bus and 600 baht (800 baht round trip) for the minibus which includes a ticket for the ferry.

Bookable from most travel agents near Khao San. Travelmart operates a large, nice air-con VIP Bus from Khao San area to Centrepoint ferry terminal 4-5 hours. 300 baht which includes the ferry crossing is among the cheapest and most convenient way to Koh Chang. Leaves at Khao San at 08:00, but times can vary. Return service is also available.

Alternatively, there are 1st class (approximately 5 hr, around 250 baht) and 2nd class services from both the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) direct to Trat, and frequent songthaew services from Trat to Laem Ngop (approximately 30 minutes, 50 baht/person). Departures from Ekamai are more frequent than from Mo Chit. If coming by bus from the south, the 511 air-con bus can be used to connect directly between Bangkok's Southern (Sai Tai Mai) and Eastern (Ekamai) bus terminals.

Connections in Trat can also be used if coming from Pattaya (2nd class bus, 4 hr, around 200 baht).

There are direct minibus services to Laem Ngop from Pattaya, Ban Phe (gateway to Ko Samet), and Bangkok's Khao San Road and Victory Monument (in front of Payathai Hospital). They, however, are less comfortable and spacious than public buses, and you may be charged significantly more by travel agencies selling tickets to these, as often with any tourist-oriented transportation in Thailand.

It may also be possible to proceed directly to Laem Ngop by minibus or songthaew from the Hat Lek/Ko Kong border crossing with southern Cambodia, depending on the time of year, time of day. Inquire locally. Price around 120 baht (one way) from the border to Trat bus station.

By boat

Harbour

Most ferries operate from Laem Ngop, which has three piers: the Laem Ngop (Tha Khrom Luang or Tha Laern Ngop) pier is approximately 700 m west of Laem Ngop; the Centrepoint (Tha Centre Point) pier is about 3.5 km northwest of Laem Ngop. These piers serve both vehicle and passenger ferries; the Ko Chang vehicle ferry pier is in Thammachat Bay (Ao Thammachat), around 15 km west of Laem Ngop.

All piers on Ko Chang are on the east side of the island. The major piers are the two Dan Kao piers, Tha Dan Kao and Tha Ferry Dan Kao, which handle most of the traffic.

To take a boat from Laem Ngop to the Dan Kao piers takes around 45 minutes. The car ferry from Laem Ngop takes around 1 hr and arrives at the Tha Ferry Dan Kao pier, 400 m southeast of the Tha Dan Kao pier. The car ferry from Thammachat Bay stops at the Ko Chang Ferry Pier (Tha Ferry Ko Chang) in Sapparot Bay (Ao Sapparot), 3 km northwest of the Dan Kao piers.

Light meals, fruit, fruits and beverages are available at all the piers and on the car ferries.

There are two operators who provide daily bus services from Ko Kood to Ko Chang. One is based in Ban Bao, the other on Kai Bae Beach. Rates are the same but departures times can vary, so make sure to book ahead.

• Ferry timetables - Up to date ferry timetables for boat services between the mainland and Koh Chang.

By taxi or limousine

From Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi international airport takes a total of about 5 - 5½ hours by taxi. Most taxis will decline the trip as the risk of empty return is too high for them. Most (airport) limousines and taxis can deliver you to the island, especially if they can make it back to the mainland before the last ferry sails.

• Koh Chang Minibus, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Oct 2016)

Get around

Country road in the southeast

In the daytime, you can catch a songthaew on its route around the main road for 50-100 baht/person, depending how far you go. The rates are generally much higher than in other places, but the vehicles are almost new and in excellent condition. Starting from 17:00, many of them start to ask "taxi" price, telling you that they operate as a public transport only until that time, and may quote prices as high as say 500 baht from Lonely Beach to the Dan Kao pier. However, if you have some time and patience, you still can try and have a "shared" ride with some drivers, maybe for a higher rate if they expect little or no other passengers.

These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier (50 baht/person to White Sand Beach, 100 baht to Lonely Beach). At the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier there may be no taxis available. If you arrive without a vehicle you may have to walk the 400 m to Dan Kao Pier.

Cars are also available for rent, most hotels can help with it. 4 x 4 recommended, since some roads might be in bad condition, especially near Lonely Beach.

If there are 2 or more people going with you, hiring a songthaew may cost the same price, or even be cheaper than paying per each person in a "shared" songthaew (there is no difference, an empty songthaew can easily be hired). Just do not forget to bargain if their price sounds quite silly when compared, say, to Bangkok taxi-meter (on Ko Chang it can be difficult if not impossible to get the same price, but at least it should not cost double or even more). Most folk however, just stay put on the beach of their choice and walk to wherever they want to go.

Hitching on Ko Chang is also an alternative if you choose not to pay the often exorbitant fees of the songthaew. Many islanders are more than willing to pick up a hitchhiker who happens to be going the same way they are. A Coke or cold bottle of green tea for the driver are always appreciated at the end of your journey.

Motorbike rental

Motorbikes are a fantastic way to explore the island. Small motorcycles can be hired for 150-250 baht per day. The main road is sealed and almost circles the island and there are plans to complete the circuit in the near future. The road leading to the War Memorial at the south end is worth a trip.

Riding a motorbike is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. Most visitors manage on level roads, during the daytime and during good weather conditions. Darkness and rain, together with poor skills, steep hills and questionable maintenance can be fatal. Think twice if you have to travel at night, and when it rains during the night, avoid the steep hills in the north and the southwest.

When renting a bike, check tires, brakes and light. Reputable shops will fix them while you wait, don't compromise on safety. Bring your own helmet if you have one.

See

• Mu Ko Chang National Park. National Marine Park including parts of Ko Chang and 46 other islands. 
• War Memorial Monument (In the very South of the island). A renovation is underway at the Memorial site, with a huge building being constructed (Jan 2018). (updated Jun 2018)

Beaches

• 🌍 Kai Bae Beach. 
• 🌍 Khlong Prao Beach (enter the Public Beach Access opposite Mother Earth Garden or next to Nong Bua Seafood, Chaichet). 
• 🌍 Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Nam, Ao Bai Lan). 
• 🌍 White Sand Beach. 

Waterfalls

• Khiri Petch (About 3 km from Salak Petch village). Medium sized waterfall. 
• 🌍 Klong Nonsi. Waterfall on the east side of the island. Reachable by foot from the Klong Plu waterfall, 6 km. 
• Klong Nueng. Said to be the most breathtaking waterfall. 
• 🌍 Klong Plu. The most popular waterfall, and the only one on the west side of the island. 
• Kongoi (Near Bang Bao). 5 waterfalls. 
• Thanmayom (Near Thanmayom Pier). 

Do

Kayaking in Ko Chang

Elephants in Ban Kwan

• Dive Adventure. Five star PADI IDC diving school offers scuba diving, PADI courses and snorkelling trips into Ko Chang National Marine Park. 
• Diving School Ko Chang (Bang Bao). Go diving or learn to dive in the beautiful waters of Ko Chang. 
• Eco-Divers Koh Chang (bookings at White Sand Beach (near Kacha Hotel), Kaibae (just in front Kaibae Resort, on the main street; main office is in front of the 7-Eleven at the entrance to Klong Prao), ☎ [phone]. 09:00-20:00. Snorkelling trips. 
• Tree Top Adventure Park, ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-17:00. Rope and harness tree climbing. Fun activities and amazing views from the top of the trees. Half-day program, 950 baht. 
• Hike with a park ranger from the Than Mayom Waterfall to the Klong Plu Waterfall. The cross island trek takes 8–10 hours and costs 500 baht per person.
• Trek in the jungle with Tan, [phone], [phone], who has been taking guided treks for over 10 years and speaks very good English.
• Learn Thai cooking in one of the three Thai cooking schools located around Klong Prao: Kati Culinary, Ko Chang Thai Cooking, Blue Lagoon.
• Guided sea kayaking trips. KayakChang.com is run by a qualified British guide. They use imported sea kayaks and equipment. They offer single day expeditions off the west coast and multi-day expeditions in the southern islands.
• Meet retired Ko Chang elephants at the north end of White Sand Beach.

Buy

• Books Thailand (Pearl Beach, next to the main post office), ☎ [phone]. Has a good selection of second-hand books in many languages. 
• Madoosika (Bang Bao Plaza). Latest fashions. Chic, BOHO, gypsy, hippie, maxi dress, party and sun dresses. 
• Scuba Zone (Scuba Koh Chang), 21/23 Moo 4 White Sand, ☎ [phone]. Extensive range of snorkelling and diving equipment focusing more on quality than price, but still cheaper than Western prices. 

Eat

Menus are similar to the rest of Thailand, but the high island prices are due not so much to higher transportation costs, but because of high demand. There are many restaurants on any given beach open both daytime and evening with a strong concentration of tourist venues on White Sand Beach.

The beaches of Ko Chang are all dotted with restaurants dishing up some delicious seafood as well as offering romantic evening views. Try Ko Chang's own wine which comes in a variety of fruity flavours including mangosteen and pineapple.

Sunsets can be watched in style from the terrace at the Top Resort on south White Sand Beach from the vantage of a cliff top. Bring an appetite and your camera, no reservations needed.

White sand beach

• Apple (แอปเปิ้ล บังกะโล), 7/4 Moo 4, ☎ [phone]. Su-F 08:00-24:00; Sa 08:00-01:00. Probably the cheapest restaurant/bar along White Sand Beach. It has a good location in the middle of the beach. Don't expect anything special, just the usual Thai and Italian dishes common at tourist spots. Upstairs there is a small hut where you can chill out with a beer on pillows. Closing times are early, but if you order before closing time you can keep sitting there as long as you want. They also have 21 small wooden bungalows available for 800-4,000 baht/night. 
• Nong Bua Seafood (White Sand Beach, opposite Ban Pu Resort), ☎ [phone]. 07:00-22:00. If you pass by, you might wonder why this place is busy every night. A family-owned restaurant open for more than 30 years. Thai, Chinese, Western food, and especially fresh seafood. 
• Rock Sand Restaurant (N White Sand Beach. Turn right on the beach by the 7-Eleven). 07:00-22:00. Thai and Western food. Speciality: Taste of Thailand and finger licking good. 

Bang Bao

• Ido Ido Restaurant and chill out bar ; Past bang bao on the way to klong koi beach home made Thai food - western food - breakfast

Drink

The drink you have to try is Chang beer, even if its only for the name. If you have a busy schedule ahead of you, better stick to Tiger beer as it doesn't give as much of a headache (yet it is slightly more expensive). Each village offers something different, but taken as a whole, Ko Chang's nightlife is fairly mellow compared to other islands. There are some quiet beach bars dotted around White Sand Beach with amazing sunset views.

• Jungle Queen Live Music Bar (Next to Alina Grande). The house band plays from around 20:00-24:00, and plays music from Rihanna to AC/DC. People come from all over the island for the live music hour, so be sure to stop by when they are on. They also have free pool, and the place doesn't close until 05:00, so it's a good place to take the party after the nightclub and the other bars start closing. Service is good, and the staff are friendly and efficient. 

Lonely Beach's nightlife and bar scene is gaining a reputation among the backpacker community. It is the place to be for "full moon" imitations, bucket parties, and dance till you pass out disco bars. The rubbish left over from the parties are barely cleaned up, so the next day you can see exactly where the party took place from the main road. The party location generally rotates among several different bars depending on the day of the week, and is usually heavily advertised which bar is "the spot" for each night.

• Cafe del Sunshine (Lonely Beach. Walk towards sunset, on your left), ☎ [phone]. 07:00-24:00. Thai food and a great selection of Western brunch and lunch dishes. Set in a nicely designed and relaxing building. 50-100 baht. 
• Rock Sand Resort (White Sand Beach). Right by the sea with a terrace over the sea to sit and watch the Ko Chang sunsets. Special: Taste of Thailand. Just above and behind the restaurant Rock Sand has rooms for backpackers and flashpackers. 
• Siam Hut. Hosts a large dance party every Friday night in their large outdoor deck on the beach. Happy hour specials on Friday until 23:00 

Sleep

Typical resort

Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)

Most hotels are on the west side of the island, with many resorts and guest houses all along the road that leads down the coast. Generally speaking, prices drop off the further away from the port you get. Supply far out-strips demand, so finding a place to stay should never be hard, though the best or cheapest places may fill up at weekends.

• Alina Grande Hotel & Resort (At the S end of White Sand Beach), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. In the heart of White Sand Beach, it is the perfect place to stay for families with children. 800-2,200 baht. 
• Chang Cliff Resort, 16/14 Moo 4. 1,600-9,000 baht. 
• KC Grande Resort. Bungalow village with restaurant. Five night stay minimum. 13,750-25,550 baht. 
• Koh Chang Kacha Resort & Spa (In the centre of the beach). Fantastic beach side swimming pool, beach-front bungalow-villas, pool-side deluxe villas, deluxe hotel rooms, and many rows of bungalow in tropical-style garden. The best place for families. Good value for money, friendly staff, delicious food. 4,000-5,600 baht. 
• Pattamas (At the S end of White Sand Beach), ☎ [phone]. Roomy upstairs apartment with balcony, large bedroom, lounge and bathroom. The rooms are a great value. Three cheaper rooms available at 400-800 baht. Pattamas Restaurant serves authentic Thai dishes, coffee, teas, beers and spirits. Staff are friendly and happy. 800-2,000 baht. 
• S.P. Place (On the N side of the beach, across from 15 Palms). Check-out: 12:00. It appears to be family-owned, but the family isn't very friendly although the cleaning staff are. Wi-Fi is not free. Rooms are clean, TV/balcony/air-con/private bath. 550 baht, though possible to negotiate down to 500 baht for an air-con room. There's also a 500 baht key deposit. 
• Top Resort (At the S end of White Sand Beach). Guests can head to their own beach if they get the expensive 4,000 baht rooms and villas. Flagship are the sea view villas. Friendly staff, German and Thai food (and beer). Reasonable for families and single travellers. 790-4,990 baht. 
• White Sand Beach Resort. 1,330-4,500 baht. 

Klong Son Bay

• 🌍 Siam Royal View (Chang Noi Beach). Villas & beach bungalows. 

Klong Prao Beach

• 🌍 Aana Resort and Spa (Near Klong Prao Beach), ☎ [phone]. Upscale retreat. Some rooms have outdoor plunge pools and amazing views. Two gorgeous swimming pools, restaurant, two bars and a lovely (yet pricey) spa. The resort is 100 m up the river that spills out into the bay and Klong Prao Beach. Free kayaks are available for use. Excellent service. 5,000-13,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Amari Emerald Cove Koh Chang, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A tropical getaway offering a dive centre, a 50 m lap pool and 5 restaurants. 3,000-5,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Barali Beach Resort, 77 Moo 4, e-mail: [e-mail]. Nice little resort on the beach. 3,000-8,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Big Elk Steak House, 38/5 Moo.4 Amphoe Koh Chang (300 m from Klong Prao Beach), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Bungalows and holiday houses in a nice garden with a clean swimming pool in the middle. Not getting too much noise from the road, but the nearby rooftop club can be heard quite often in the nights. The owner, Bank, is very nice and helpful, and takes good care of the place, everything is clean and neat. Wifi reaches probably all bungalows. Their steakhouse is closed as Bank is repairing the whole place. Cheapest huts for 300 baht (mattress only, shared bathroom), a bit nicer ones for 400 baht, aircon for 400-500 baht, bigger family ones (for four people) 1400 baht. Five to ten minutes walk to the beach through the Blue Lagun. 350-1,500 baht. (updated Dec 2016)
• 🌍 Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort, 26/3 Moo 4, ☎ [phone]. Large resort with 157 rooms in small cottages. Near the beach. Several pools, restaurants and bars. Free Wi-Fi in public areas. Kids Club, babysitting. Most rooms can accommodate 3-4 people. 5,000-10,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Mother Earth Garden, kitchen and homestay, 19/1 Moo 4, Baan Klong Prao, Amphoe, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Founded 1990 by the travelers and nature lovers Nujaree and Manni Frohloff. They intend it for nature lovers, writers, musicians, artist, peace lovers, gardeners as space for healing, yoga, detoxing, workshops, etc. It's placed uphill with marvelous sea view, between jungle and sea. The entrance is just opposite the public beach access. Reservations by email, or Skype mann.frohloff. The rooms for rent are the Upper Room in the Base House, Children House, Nujaree's Tower, Treehouse and Kent's House. 45 baht entry for geo catching, 660 baht room/ night, 10000 baht room/month, for volunteers special discount. (updated Feb 2017)

Kai Bae Beach

• 🌍 The Chill Resort and Spa, 19/21 Moo 4, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Beautiful, modern luxury resort with 38 rooms, including deluxe rooms, deluxe pool access rooms, Jacuzzi suites and pool villas. Breakfast served any time of the day. Free Wi-Fi and Internet stations. 6,250-15,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Gajapuri Resort and Spa. Bungalows on the beach. 4,000-13,000 baht. 
• Garden Resort. Quiet and charming resort with luxury bungalows, swimming pool, high speed Internet and just 150 m from the beach. 1,200-2,700 baht. 
• Koh Chang Cliff Beach Resort. 2,000 baht. 
• Sea View Resort & Spa. Over 100 rooms. 1,600-10,000 baht. 
• Siam Bay Resort Koh Chang, 100 Moo 4, ☎ [phone]. 60 luxury bungalows on the beach, large family bungalows on the hillside and new sea view and pool villas. 300-4,000 baht. 
• 🌍 The Stage, 19/19/1 Moo 4, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. New set of bungalows not far from the beach. Pool. 900-1,600 baht. 

Hat Tha Nam (Lonely Beach)

Following a great deal of development, the name "Lonely Beach" has become something of a misnomer. Lonely Beach is the party capital of the island and each guesthouse on Lonely Beach takes it in turns to hold "party night," during which the partying and attendant thumping music goes on until about 05:00 and all the revellers on the island come to your guesthouse. If you do not want to be kept awake then Lonely Beach is definitely not the place for you. Most guesthouses giving "Lonely Beach" as an address are not located along the actual beach, but about 500 m down the road. From the village access to the sea is not possible as the coast is rocky.

• Bhumiyama Beach Resort (ภูมิยามะ บีช รีสอร์ท), 99/1 Moo 1 (Next to Nature Resort), ☎ [phone]. Offers beautiful sea view bungalows and hotel rooms. 3,000 baht. 
• Ice Beach (Follow signs to Sun Flower, then Sea Flower). Wooden bungalows, cheapest on Lonely Beach at 200 baht for a shared bathroom & fan room, 5-10 min walk to Lonely Beach. From 200 baht. 
• Joy Cottage (On the main road by the bridge), ☎ [phone], [phone]. Great backpacker place. Listen to live music, enjoy great food and chill out. Nice little huts, that come with mosquito net, attached shower and toilet and free Wi-Fi, though signal is very weak in huts but works well in restaurant. 400 baht. 
• Kachapura, ☎ [phone]. Well-appointed concrete bungalows spread around a serene tropical garden layout in Hat Tha Nam's "town" strip. It's a trek through the garden to get to the beach, which is anyway rather rocky, so better to walk 5-10 min down the road to the beach and bar at Siam Huts. Some noise from nearby bars at night in the bungalows near the road. 500-700 baht. 
• Koh Chang Pool Villas, 100/1 Moo 4, ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Pool villas on the white sand of Lonely Beach. Part of the Siam Beach Resort, but in a class of its own. Most popular with romantic couples and young families, because these villa have only a single large bed/living room. 3,900-7,600 baht. 
• Little Eden, 4/47 Moo 1, ☎ [phone]. Small bungalow resort, up the hill away from the bustling village. Comfortable bungalows individually placed, 12 with fans 2 with air-con, 1 twin double room, hot showers, mosquito net, toiletries and free Wi-Fi. Restaurant has Thai and international (slow) food. Every bungalow has a hammock and a gallery in the bath. 
• Lonely Beach Resort. New concrete bungalows with fan, TV and Wi-Fi. Restaurant serves Thai and Western food. A 5-10 min walk to the sandy beach. From 500 baht. 
• 🌍 Oasis Koh Chang (Koh Chang Bungalows), Ko Chang (Lonely Beach Soi 3, opposite the pharmacy), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. On a hillside with sunset views from the restaurant deck, where you can enjoy home-style Thai dishes, sandwiches or Western favourites. The wooden huts come with fan and mosquito net, attached open-air bath with shower. Free Wi-Fi. 350 baht. 
• Paradise Cottages (At the end of Lonely Beach). Check-out: 12:00. Very nice, large and clean waterfront concrete cottages. There is a rocky waterfront, an amazing bar, and lounging areas with very friendly staff and outstanding food. Free Wi-Fi. 700 baht, 1,000 baht for waterfront. Off-season prices (as of 2014-06-23): 350 (wooden, smells stuffy, fan only, cold shower), 500 (fan only, warm shower) and 700 (waterfront, air conditioning). 
• Seaflower (Follow signs to Sun Flower). Great price range (between 500 baht for 1-2 person bungalow with fan and private bathroom, and 1,000 baht for sea front bungalow with air-con, cable TV, private bath. All bungalows are clean, new, and the grounds are very well taken care of on a daily basis by maintenance staff. Nice lounging area on a patch of lawn right next to the water, and only a 5-10 minute walk along the water's edge to Lonely Beach. Very quiet at night considering how incredibly close to all the action. Free Wi-Fi. 500 to 1,000 baht in high season. 
• Siam Beach Resort Koh Chang (On the beach), ☎ [phone]. Formerly a backpacker place, converted into a resort with large swimming pool. Sea view and deluxe pool view hotel rooms, all with a sea view, cable TV, refrigerator, hot water, comfortable beds and breakfast for two. 1,500 baht. 
• Siam Hut. On the beach, offering a quiet atmosphere (unless they are hosting a beach party, in which case don't expect to sleep before 02:00), friendly staff and delicious food. Options are cheaper spartan waterfront bungalows or slightly more expensive air conditioned bungalows. 400-680 baht. 
• Sun Flower (Follow the signs). Nice bungalows with well-priced Western and Thai restaurant with nightly movie screenings, free Wi-Fi and reclining cushions. 300-500 baht. 

Bailan Beach

Most of this beach is rocky, only the southern end—which is dominated by the resort, not really welcoming non-residents—is sandy.

• Ao Bai Lan Beach Resort (อ่าวใบลาน บีช รีสอร์ท) (Laem Bai Lan), ☎ [phone]. 150-200 baht. 
• Bai Lan Hut, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Each of the 22 bungalows has a computer, free Wi-Fi, hot shower, fan. Air-conditioned rooms available. The bungalows are right by the sea with sunset views. 500-1,500 baht. 
• Bai Lan Resort (ใบลาน รีสอร์ท), 6/1 Ko Chang Tai. Have six bungalows, pitching a private tent is 50 baht per person per night. 100 baht. 
• Elephant Bay Resort (formerly: Gu Bay), ☎ [phone]. Bungalows and swimming pool with view to the sea, just 5 m from the water. low season: 450-1000 baht, high season 650-1150 baht. 
• Koh Chang Bailan Bay Resort (first resort S of Lonely Beach, about halfway up a steep rise in the road), ☎ [phone]. Spacious, en suite bath, well-designed bungalows built into the hillside, going all the way down to the beach. Fan and air-conditioned rooms available. Friendly staff. Reception and restaurant are open from 08:00-22:00. 350-1,000 baht. 
• Whitehouse Bailan Resort (ไวท์เฮ้าส์ ใบลาน รีสอร์ท), ☎ [phone]. Cosy white cottages, swimming pool, air-con, hot showers, free Wi-Fi. They have 15 standard rooms and 18 cottages. 800-1,500 baht. 

Bang Bao Bay

Bang Bao

Bang Bao is on the south side of the island. It's little more than a long stretch of wooden deck that takes probably 5 minutes to walk from end to end, with dive shops, seafood restaurants, local houses and a few places that provide accommodation for visitors.

• Alysia Spring Resort Bang Bao. 27 rooms with air conditioning, hot water, fridge, cable TV, safe and balcony. Internet. 1 km to beach, free shuttle service. English and German-speaking staff. 800 baht. 
• 🌍 Asia Backpackers (from ferry, follow signs to Mercure Hideaway, 2 km past Mercure), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Ko Chang's largest backpacking resort on Ko Chang. Has private bungalows and female/mixed dorms, providing quality accommodation at a great price, Also on site is a bar/restaurant/communal area showing all sports and pool table, dart board. From 250 baht per night per person. 
• B. Phoem Phun Thap (บ. เพิ่มพูลทรัพย์), 24/1 Moo 1, ☎ [phone]. 2,000 baht. 
• 🌍 L'appartement, Bang Bao Village - TBR residence (200 m after Bang Bao Temple), e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 2-bedroom self catering sea view apartment, 120 sq m, 180° sea view, 30m swimming pool, kids' pool, 300m private pier. (updated Sep 2015)

Go next

• Ko Kut Thailand's 4th largest island
• Ko Mak island

Ko Chang