In This Issue.... Hello and a warm welcome to the latest Articles & Information issue of our Koh Chang Guide. The Koh Transport...... 8 Chang group of islands are a fantastic Useful Information...... 16 place to visit and explore and we make The Songkran Festival...... 21 this guide to help show you what to see, Useful Numbers...... 22 answer your questions and help you to get Activities: Contacts...... 23 the best from your visit. We hope that you Activities...... 24 enjoy your stay on the beautiful islands of Buying Property in Thailand...... 36 the Koh Chang archipelago! The Koh Chang Property Market...... 37 Property/Business/Land For Sales...... 38 Koh Chang's Two Wreck Dives...... 40 Koh Chang Beach Guide...... 42 "Selfie" Sticks...... 51 Thai Language...... 65 The East Coast...... 68 Sunsets...... 70
C o n t e s Trat & the Mainland...... 72 Koh Mak, Koh Kood & the other islands...... 74 Accommodation...... 77 Bangkok Restaurants & Bars...... 82
Maps Region...... 8 Koh Chang Koh Chang ...... 52 White Sand Beach North...... 54 White Sand Beach South/Pearl Beach...... 56 Klong Prao/Chai Chet...... 58 Kai Bae...... 60 Lonely Beach...... 62 Bailan Beach...... 64 Bang Bao...... 66 The Koh Chang Guide magazine is Salak Phet...... 68 published quarterly by White Sand Trat Town...... 72 Publications Company Limited, Trat Province...... 73 222/12 Moo 4, White Sand Beach, Koh Koh Mak...... 74 Chang, Trat 23170. All content copyright Koh Kood...... 76 2001-15. All rights reserved. Printed By: The Post Publishing Co. Ltd. We welcome your recommendations, comments and suggestions. Tel:- 089 936 5621 - Thai Tel:- 081 919 8219 - English E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/KohChangGuide
6 www.koh-chang-guide.com 7 Transport Reaching the Region By Air Trat Airport, owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, is located on the mainland 17 kilometres from the Koh Chang ferry. Bangkok Airways Flight Schedule
Bangkok - Trat Trat - Bangkok PG301 PG302 Dep. - 08:45 Dep. - 10:15 Arrive. - 09:45 Arrive - 11:15 PG305 PG306 Dep. - 11:45 Dep. - 13:15 Arrive. - 12:45 Arrive - 14:15 PG307 PG308 Dep. - 17:10 Dep. - 18:40 Arrive - 18:10 Arrive - 19:40
Flights operate from and to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Bangkok Airways also offer a minibus service to U-Tapao airport and then an onward flight to Samui or Phuket. Schedule changes are not uncommon so you T r a n s p o t might want to check www.bangkokair.com or call 1771 for the latest flight times. The Koh Chang office of Bangkok Airways in White
Sand Beach can be reached on 039-551-654/5 and the airport contact is 039-525-767/8. If you take the later flight and it is delayed in any way then don't worry - they hold the last ferry to Koh Chang to meet minibuses from the airport so you won't get stranded.
Buses from Bangkok Probably the best way to get down to Koh Chang is by bus from either Ekamai - Bangkok's eastern bus terminal, or Morchit - the northern terminal. The frequent departures from both are detailed in the table provided. 8
Transport Buses take from four to six hours to get down Buses: To/From Bangkok to Trat or to the Koh Chang ferries. Most 99 Express (089-752-5732, 090-356-1092) convenient are the buses run by Tanakawee or 99 Express that go directly to the ferry stops Ekamai Bus Station to Ferries - 07.45 am, 09.45 am Ferries to Ekamai Bus Station- 02.00 pm at Centrepoint and Ao Thammachat. Expect (service also stops at Suvarnabhumi Airport) to pay around 275-300 Baht for your journey. If you get a bus to Trat, the nearest town Cherdchai Tour Tanakawee (02-391-2237) (02-391-2331) to Koh Chang, you will arrive at Trat's bus station, about 1km out of town (See the Trat Ekamai Trat to Ekamai to Ferry (Ao Map). Taxis will be waiting to take you the 20 to Trat Ekamai Ferry (Ao Tammachat) 06.00 am 07.00 am Tammachat) to Khao San kilometres to the Koh Chang ferry for about 07.00 am 08.00 am 08.30 am Rd. 300 Baht. You can reduce this to 50 Baht if you 09.30 am 09.00 am 11.30 am are prepared to wait and take a shared taxi. 11.00 am 09.30.am Ekamai Trat to There are also minibuses that pick up to Trat Ekamai 12.30 am 10.00 am from guesthouses around Khao San Road 01.15 pm 11.00 am 10.30 am 10.00 am 02.00 pm 12.00 pm 12.00 pm 10.30 am in Bangkok and travel directly to the ferry 03.30 pm 01.00 pm 04.40 pm 12.00 pm departure point at Laem Ngop. Bookings 05.30 pm 02.00 pm 06.30 pm 02.00 pm can be made from any of the scores of travel 08.00 pm 07.30 pm 04.00 pm 10.30 pm agents in this area. The buses typically leave 08.30 pm 06.00 pm at 7-8am and take 5 or 6 hours. The trip 10.00 pm 09.30 pm Morchit Trat to 11.00 pm 11.00 pm to Trat Morchit costs around 300B including ferry crossing. 11.30 pm 11.30 pm (via Airport) (via Airport) Minibuses return to Bangkok at 11am every 06.00 am 07.30 am T r a n s p o t Morchit Trat to day from Laem Ngop. to Trat Morchit 09.30 am 09.30 am There is also a minibus that leaves from the 12.30 pm (via Airport) (via Airport) 12.30 pm Ao Thammachat ferry arrival point for Victory 03.30 pm 04.00pm 8.30am 8.30am Monument in Bangkok every hour. It costs 300 5.30pm 2.30pm 11.00 pm
10 Transport 11 t o r sp a n Tr If you're driving from Pattaya take Highway outside Trat. signposted Laem Ngop road about 20km Ngop road about 20km signposted Laem departure points turn right onto the well- To avoid Trat and go directly to the ferry can continue to Trat as detailed above. onwards and meets highway 344 where you Rama IX, Srinikarin road. This road goes Rama IX, Srinikarin road. This road goes the Motorway that is a continuation of the Alternatively you can leave Bangkok on Alternatively you can leave Bangkok continue on towards Trat. Crossroads turn and Crossroads back onto Highway 3 Ban Bung and when you reach the Klaeng when you reach Bung and Ban onto Highway 344. Follow this road past this road onto Highway 344. Follow until the Chonburi Bypass and here turn off until the Chonburi Bypass tollway running above Highway 3. Continue tollway running above Highway 3. Continue Bangna - Trat road. There is a quicker elevated The first route is to take Highway 3, the The first route is Bangkok, both around 310km long. There are two main driving routes from There are two main driving routes from operate to Koh Chang. reached by road and two regular car ferries Eastern Thailand and its islands can be easily By Car minibus option is more comfortable. and 15.00 daily. It's a long hot journey and the and 15.00 daily. It's a long hot journey and from Trat's bus station at 05.00, 09.30, 12.00 from Trat's bus station at 05.00, 09.30, 12.00 at 1pm daily. Public buses leave for Pattaya leave for daily. Public buses at 1pm at 11am. A return service leaves Laem Ngop at 11am. A return service leaves Laem Ngop leave Pattaya at 8am and pick up in Ban Pae pick up in Ban and Pattaya at 8am leave Going to Laem Ngop the services typically Going to Laem Ngop the services use better minibuses - ask. respectively. More expensive services often services expensive respectively. More Ban Pae and the journey takes 4 or 2.5 hours Ban Pae and the journey is around 500B from Pattaya or 400B from is around 500B from ferry Laem Ngop. departure point at The cost via Ban Pae (ferry port for Koh Samet) to the via Ban Pae (ferry port Daily minibus services operate from Pattaya from operate services minibus Daily Buses from Pattaya/Koh Samet Buses from Pattaya/Koh the timetable. minutes to the Bangkok departure times in departure times to the Bangkok minutes stop here. For departure times add twenty add times stop here. For departure bus. The 99 Express buses from Ekamai also buses from 99 Express bus. The linked to the airport by a free white shuttle by a linked to the airport Suvarnabhumi airport's bus station. This is This airport's bus station. Suvarnabhumi bus terminal stop to pick up passengers at stop to pick up bus terminal All the that bus services Morchit leave from Buses from SuvarnabhumiBuses from Airport get a taxi. nearby nearby part can you from where of Bangkok but on request they off in a drop you will Baht. Note that it doesn't stop at the airport stop at the it doesn't Note that Baht. 12
Transport Transpot (Hat SaiKhao)is50B, Klong Praois 60B, Kai to thevariousbeaches. White Sands Beach Onarrivalsharetaxiswaittotakepassengers prices areasperthetable. km upthecoast from Laem Ngop. Times and named Cenferry,goesfromCentrepoint,3 17km fromTratAirport.Asecond ferry,now Ao Thammachat is 9kmfrom Laem Ngopand the mainlandtoAoSapparotonKohChang. on fromAoThammachat operates Acarferry Koh Chang Boats totheIslands passport photoforyourCambodianvisa. take youdoortodoor.Don'tforgetcashanda Thesetripsinvolveafullday'stravelbutthey can bookthetripforyou. to Cambodia).Localtravelagents travelling also the otherwayroundfrom Koh Chang you directlyallthewaytoKohChang(and both Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville taking to KohChangviadailyminibusservicesfrom Cambodia thenitismostconvenienttotravel Ifyou'recomingtoKohChangfrom Travel toandfromCambodia Trat shortlyafterRayong. 36 whichjoins Highway 3headingtowards round. Koh Koodfromthemainlandthatoperateyear AndthereareferryservicestoKohMakand travel agencies. islands. Theycanallbebookedthroughlocal offer adailyservicefromKohChangtothese Bang BaoBoatandKaiBaeSpeedboatboth from KohChangtotheotherlocalislands. October toMay) to getboatsand speedboats It isnow easy (at leastin the highseason from Koh Mak,Koh Kham,Koh Kood &Koh Wai arguing -payorwait. there isnopoint even more.Itisunfairbut unless youhirethewholetaxifor500bahtor taxis willoftennotleaveuntiltheyarefull Bao is 120B. NB - In the quieterseason these Bae is80B,LonelyBeachcosts100BandBang Car: 120BPerson: 80B Prices (OneWay only) 45minutes Every 06.30 am-19.00pm Ao Thammachat (039-555-188) Koh Chang Ferry Timetable Koh ChangFerry Car: 180BPerson: 160B Prices (Return) 1hour Every 06.00 am-19.00pm (039-538-196) Cenferry Transport
Koh Mak/Kood Ferry Timetable
Bang Bao Boat - Out Bang Bao Boat - Back Koh Chang 9am, Koh Kood 9am, Koh Wai 10:00am, Koh Rayang 12.40pm, Koh Kham 10:40am, Koh Mak 1.00pm, Koh Mak 10:50am, Koh Kham 1.20pm, Koh Rayang 10.20am, Koh Wai 1.30pm, Koh Kood 12.00pm Koh Chang 2pm
Bang Bao Speedboat - From Koh Chang (2 times daily) Koh Chang - 9:30, 12:00 Koh Wai - 9:50, 12:20 Koh Kham - 10:10, 12:40 Koh Mak - 10:20, 12:50 Koh Rayang - 10:40, 13:10 Koh Kood - 11:20, 13:50 Tel: 039-558-046, 087-054-4300 T r a n s p o t Bang Bao Speedboat - From Koh Kood (2 Times daily) Koh Kood - 9:00, 12:00 Koh Rayang - 9:30, 12:30 Koh Mak - 10:00, 13:00 Koh Wai - 10:30, 13:30 Koh Chang - 11:00, 13:50 Tel: 039-558-046, 087-054-4300
Nor Nou Kai Bae Nor Nou Kai Bae Speedboat - Out Speedboat - Back Koh Chang 09:00 Koh Kood 11:00 Koh Wai 09:30 Koh Mak 12:00 Koh Mak 10:00 Koh Wai 12:30 Koh Kood 11:00 Koh Chang 13:00 Tel: 081-982-29870 Tel: 081-817-6832
Koh Mak/Kood From Mainland
Trat ( Laem Sork)- Koh Koh Kood/Mak - Mak - Koh Kood Trat (Laem Sork) Boonsiri High Speed Koh Kood 09:00, 12:00 Catamaran Koh Mak 12:40 10:45, 14:00 Tel: 086-333-8560 A bus service connects to Bangkok and Pattaya www.boonsiriferry.com From Laem Ngop From Koh Mak Leelawadee Speedboat Costs 450B (50 mins) 10:30, 14:00, 15:00 08:00, 10:30, 12:00 Panan Speed Boat Costs 450B (50 mins) 12:30, 16:00 09:00, 13:30 Wooden Ferry Costs 300B 11:00 (Tue/Sat only) 08:00 (Mon/Fri only) From Laem Sok From Koh Mak Catamaran 350B Price Includes taxi to Trat 14:30 (Fri/Sat only) 12:00 (Fri/Sat only) Mainland - Koh Kood Koh Kood Express: 12:30 daily - 350 Baht Koh Kood Princess: 12:30 daily - 350 Baht Koh Kood Fantasea: 13:30 daily - 600 Baht 13 14
Transport Transpot reliable Travelagency. InLonelyBeach JungleFreshTravelisa reputation isIslandNet(Tel:039-551-215). agent withTAT accreditation andagood Sand Beachtravel Awell-establishedWhite contact theT.A.T. and intheeventofanydifficulties youcan are licensed they Then youcanbesurethat ask your travel agentfor their T.A.T. number. T.A.T. issuesthemwithalicensenumber.So a depositandpassingreviewthe paying Tourist Authority ofThailand (T.A.T.). After can applyforofficialrecognitionthroughthe there isoneway.TravelagenciesinThailand know whichonesarereliable?Don'tworry, travel agents.Buthowcanyou scores oflittle book transportand island activities at anyof OnKohChangyouwillfindthatcan Travel Agencies 086-563-8889. to theairport.Bookthison039-516-005or can bookaminibusthatwilltakeyoudirectly If youaretravellingtoTratairportthen pass takingyoutotheferrydeparturepoint. share taxiswillstopandpickyouupasthey about 45minutesbeforeferrydepartureand main beacheswaitanywhereontheroad When leaving theisland from any of the Leaving Koh Chang the localpolicewillbewaitingtofineyou. motorcycle accident.Ifyoudon'twearahelmet and manyvisitorshavetheirtripspoiledbya year theislandhasquiteafewroaddeaths carefully beforehiringamotorbike.Every inexperienced motorcycle rider then think some dangeroushillsections.Ifyouarean Roadsareofvariablequalityandthere around theisland. can behiredfrommanyhirefirmsandresorts Alternatively cars, motorcycles and bicycles bars andrestaurantsontheisland. increasingly beingofferedbymanyofthehotels, take advantageofthetransportservicesthatare are abiterratic.Eitherbooktaxiyourselfor don’t rely on the taxis since evening services planning toreturnyourhotellateatnight and usedtotravelaroundtheisland.Ifyouare evening. Theycanbeflaggeddownanywhere and theferryterminalsfrom6amuntillate between allthebeachesasfarBangBao On Koh Chang whiteshare taxis run Getting AroundKoh Chang Transport T r a n s p o t
15 16
Useful Information Useful Inormati facilities on Koh Chang remain open and this days are still common. All the resorts and rainfall isbynomeansconstantandsunny Itcanrainheavilyinthewetseasonbut high thirties. before thewetseasonthiscanriseto maximums averagingaround30C.Just from NovembertoDecemberwithdaily June toOctober.Temperaturesarecoolest November toMayandawetseasonfrom runsfromseasons, adryperiodthat SoutheastThailandonlyreallyhastwo Climate things tosee&doandhelpinfo. ratings onhotels,restaurants,shopping, Chang thatgivesyouinformationaboutand takes theformofaclickablemapKoh for iPhoneandiPadattheApplestore.It Free KohChangGuideAppthatisavailable Somehelpfulpeoplehavenowcreateda Koh ChangGuideApp island. way tostayupdatewitheventsonthe Group -TheKohChangGuideisagood ForthoseofyouonFacebookjoiningour Chang. Thailand youcanstayuptodateonKoh and mapssothatevenifyouareoutside files ofallthelatestcopiesourguides you canreadordownloadinteractivePDF and businesses for sale on the island. Also bookings aswellfeaturingproperties Chang information.Wealsoprovideroom you canstillgetholdofawealthKoh if youcan'tgetacopyofourprintedguide on KohChang.Weupdateitregularlyso Our website is packed with information www.koh-chang-guide.com Koh Chang.DARA Thailandoffertreatment drug andalcohol rehabilitationcentreon Notealsothat thatthereisaleading shopping areas. number ofopticalshopsinall of theisland's in Europeorelsewhere.Youwill findagreat lenses sincepricesaremuchlower thanback prescription glasses, sunglasses and contact SimilarlyThailandisagood placetobuy Contacts are086-320-0702and 039-557-235. Dentist inTrattogetyourteethhealthy. Koh ChangDentalClinicorBaanMoreFun in EuropeandtheUS.Nowyoucanuse the worldandchargeafractionofprices Dentists hereareasgoodintherestof in Thailand to have dental work done. holidays their peopleareusing Increasingly prophylactics butthechoiceisyours. also aslightrisk.Thelocalsdon'ttake cases areextremelyrare.Denguefeveris TheregionhassomeMalariaalthough (039-511-040/1). generally goodtreatment,butlongerwaits. is agovernmentruninstitutionandoffers emergencies (039-532-735).TratHospital in theeventofanymajoraccidentsor especially tothosewithtravelinsurance, excellent facilitiesandisrecommended, Hospital isaprivateinstitution,whichhas Trathastwolargehospitals.Bangkok small clinics. Bae, KlongPraoandBangBaoalsohave (Phone -039586131/160).KlongSon,Kai south ofwherethemainlandferryarrives ThereisasmallhospitalinKohChangjust a day.Serviceisgoodbutitcosts. White SandsBeach.Theyareopen24hours www.kohchanginterclinic.com) is located on Bangkok Hospitalgroup,(039-551-555or KohChangInternationalClinic,partofthe Health &MedicalFacilities Koh Chang. offices inLaemNgoporfromtheirat can beobtainedfromtheNationalParks InformationonKohChangNationalPark (TAT) officeinLaemNgop. ThereisaTouristauthorityofThailand Tourist Information to theregionisDecemberApril. quieter holiday.Thebusiesttimeforvisitors can beagood time tovisit for those seeking a
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Useful Information Useful Inormati exchange offices at the main beaches. Some There arealsolotsofbanksandforeign place sowithdrawingcashisnoproblem. KohChanghasATMsalloverthe Banks contacted on039-557-382/3or1155. Alternatively theTouristPolicecanbe in ChaiChet,Kai Bae and BailanBeach. White SandsBeach(Tel.039-551-544)and 586-191. Therearealsopolicestationsin at DanMai.Theycanbecontactedon039- The main police station on Koh Chang is evacuation byboatandambulancetoTrat. 039-532-735. Theycanarrangeforemergency 039-551-555 orBangkokTratHospitalon Chang InternationalCliniccallcentreon after normalferryhourscontacttheKo Intheeventofamedicalemergency Emergencies provides agoodservice. ThereisalsoavetinChaiChetwho always puttogooduse. org. Donationsaregratefullyacceptedand online atwww.kohchanganimalfoundation. contact theFoundationon089-042-2347or to BanKwanChangElephantCamp.Youcan their clinic in Klong Son on the road leading inoculations andveterinaryservicesfrom Chang AnimalProjectoffersallkindsof devoted toanimalwelfare.TheKoh KohChanghasanon-profitorganisation Animal HealthServices 087-140-7788 [email protected]. luxurious resortsetting.Contactthemon therapists inacomfortable,secludedand programs byinternationallycertified number 222mightbealongwayawayfrom numbering systemontheisland.House real confusionoverthehouseandbusiness Koh Chang then please note that there is or givingsomebodyapostaladdresson NB: IfyouarereceivingmailonKoh Chang office tobesurethattheywilldelivered. to getthemweighedandstampedinthepost with stampsofinsufficientvaluesoitisbest and size.Thepostofficewillnotsendletters Baht andincreasedependingondestination postcards are15B.Air-maillettersstartat14 postcard toanycountryis12Bandlarge Postageratesarereasonable.Asmall beginning ofthepierinBangBao. Beach. Thereisalsosmallerpostofficeatthe Theisland'smainPostOfficeisatPearl or smartphones. of youstilltravellingwithoutlaptops,iPads internet cafesofferingnetaccessforthefew Koh Changalsohasadwindlingnumberof probably is - usually not for too long though. you are told that the internet is down then it on anislandtheservicecanbepoorsoif also havewirelessconnections.Sincewe're them whynot. Many restaurants andbars ask haveitthen doesn't resort Ifyour Chang. WiFiisnowprettyuniversalonKoh Communications an extrathreepercentprocessingfee. credit cardpaymentsbuttheyoftencharge Many resortsandrestaurantsalsoaccept the ratesofferedarelowerthanbanks. change bothtraveller'schequesandcashbut 8pm. Varioushotelsandguesthouseswill foreign exchangeboothsoftenopenuntil Thai bank,arealsoopenonweekendsand of them,notablyBangkokBankandKrung Useful Information 19 io n a t rm fo In fu l se U cost you 500 Baht per day and payment is a cost you 500 Baht per as you leave the relatively routine process country. Environmental Protection Please remember that you are in a national and leave Koh Chang park. Avoid littering found it. If you would as beautiful as you like to help with keeping Koh Chang clean group a local of page Facebook the visit then that is working to do something about and to maybe volunteer a little time to helping preserve paradise. The page is at Facebook.com/groups/keepkohchangclean As the island develops, there are inevitably issues with litter, pollution and destruction of natural resources. If you see any such transgressions then we suggest that you officepark national the either to them report Or Thailand. of Authority Tourism the to or stick them on a Koh Chang Facebook page. What you say can have a big impact! Copyright & Disclaimer All content this of magazine is the copyright of White Sand Publications The regional immigration office Phone 039-597-261/265. A visa overstay will Phone 039-597-261/265. A visa overstay visa. These extensions cost 1,900 Baht each. visa. These extensions cost 1,900 Baht each. also get a 30 day extension on a two month also get a 30 day extension on a two month you can extend this for to 30 days. You can you can extend this for to 30 days. You here. If you have a 30 Day Visa for Thailand here. If you have a 30 Day Visa for Thailand 15 days. deal with visa extensions and other queries checkpoints will be allowed to stay for only for stay to allowed be will checkpoints can marked on the Koh Chang Map. They the Kingdom at land border immigration the Kingdom at land border immigration is is located at Laem Ngop. The location not exceeding 30 days. Visitors entering not exceeding 30 days. Visitors entering to stay in the Kingdom for a period of to stay in the Kingdom for a period for tourism purposes and will be permitted be will and purposes tourism for required to obtain a visa to enter Thailand required to obtain a visa to enter Thailand Passport holders from 42 countries are not Passport holders from 42 countries are not Immigration Trat, 23170. , Koh Chang, 222/12 Moo 4, Pearl Beach our address is White Sand Publications, Sand Publications, our address is White of the place you are sending mail to. Thus of the place you are you should include the beach or village nameyou should include the chance of reaching its intended address then address of reaching its intended chance out in date order. To give your post a better out in date order. To house number 223 since numbers are given house number 223 since 20
Useful Information Useful Inormati run themandgiveyouamention. you'd liketoseeinprint-we'llbehappy let usknowifyouhavesomepicturesthat Welovetoreceivenewpicturessoplease contributing hisexcellentpictures. ManythanksalsotoDavidVinotfor wedding picturesandbeachportraits. photographic assignmentsandspecialisesin of on084-727-5413forallkinds He isavailable guide -includingtheterrific cover image. images of Koh Chang for this issue of the who hasagainprovideduswithsomegreat Thanks toJon from Koh Chang Photographer Photography information containedherein. for damagesresultingfromtheuseof or omissions.Neitherisanyliabilityassumed Limited assumesnoresponsibilityforerrors guide WhiteSandPublicationsCompany care hasbeentakenintheproductionofthis Publications CompanyLimited.Whileevery the expresspermissionofWhiteSand content inanymannerisprohibitedwithout Reproduction oruseofeditorialpictorial Company Limited,Allrightsreserved. the passingon oftheBuddha. events; thebirth, theenlightenment and This sacredBuddhistdaymarks three Monday 1st:Visaka BuchaDay June by apublicholiday andiscelebrated ing acrossthecountry traditional commencementofrice-sow This ancientroyalceremonymarksthe Ceremony Wednesday 13th:Royal Ploughing monarch. Thailand, theworld's longestserving tion ofHisRoyal Highness theKingof A holidayincelebrationofthecorona- Tuesday 5th:CoronationDay the dayoff. the Kingdom'sworkers -bygivingthem economic andsocialcontributionsof many othercountriestocelebratethe A holidaythatisheldinThailandand Friday 1st:Labour Day May you'll havefun. famous waterfestival. Getinvolvedand Thailand's NewYear iscelebratedbythe Festival Mon, Tue, Wed 13-14-15:Songkran Monarchy in1782byKingRama I. founding ofThailand'sChakridynasty A publicholidaythatcelebratesthe Mon 6th:ChakriDay April operate asnormal. and mosttourism-related businessesstill offices etc.are closedbutalltransport On Thaipublicholidaysbanks,post Dates&Events Important
- Songkran If you’re in Thailand between the 13th and 15th of April then prepare yourselves for Songkran, Thailand’s famous new year festival. If you’ve been here before then you will probably know what to expect; celebrations, entertainment and lots and lots of water. If this is your first time then here is your Songkran survival guide. Songkran is Thailand’s biggest public holiday and celebrates the Thai new year. For convenience these days Thailand uses the international calendar and the year (this year is 2558) commences on January first. But Songkran marks the date of the traditional Thai new year. The date was originally linked to the lunar calendar but is now fixed. The festival is a time of renewal and the paying of respect to Buddhist images and elders. Traditionally this was expressed by the ritual of the pouring of a few drops of water over a person to display respect. But, perhaps because Songkran occurs in the fierce heat of Thailand’s hot season, this rite is now interpreted as the wholesale
throwing of water over anything and everybody, so expect to get wet. S o n g k r a There are two basic approaches. If you don’t want to get a soaking then stay inside during daylight hours, in Koh Chang the water throwing is focused mainly on the road so you might, just might, be safe on the beach. Alternatively leave anything that doesn’t like water such as passports, cameras, phones and the like in a safe place or seal them in a plastic bag and go and join in the fun. You can buy water guns, buckets and other "weapons" at many local stores. All of the groups of celebrants lining the road will be happy to welcome you into their armies. It is common for people to rub your face with dabs of talc, again a tradition denoting respect. Be warned, however, that it turns into a caustic goo that you do not want in your eyes. Watch out also for the groups who are using freezing cold water chilled by small icebergs of ice - a direct hit from one of these buckets is a bracing experience. By sunset things are generally wrapping up as people go home to clean up and change into dry clothes for the evening. Make sure you don't soak them then as it won't be appreciated. Also remember that Songkran is by far the most dangerous time of year on Thailand's roads and hundreds of people die annually. Drive with care and be careful about drenching passing motorists. So have a fun and happy Songkran on Koh Chang. Sawat Dee Pee Mai! Happy new year!
21 Useful Numbers Useful Numbers National Park Koh Chang 039-555-080 Directory Enquiries - Thai/English 1133 Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) 1672
Health & Medical TAT Laem Ngop Office 039-597-259/60
Bangkok Clinic - Ko Chang 1719 / 039-5511-51/2 Fire Station 039-511-044
Bangkok Hospital - Trat 039-532-735 Hook Computing 081-949-1524
DARA Thailand 087-140-7788 True Visions 02-725-2525
Klong Prao Clinic 039-557-070 Koh Chang Television 039-551-371
Koh Chang Hospital 039-586-131/160 Lawyer & Legal Services 092-513-7999
Koh Chang Dental Clinic 039-557-235 For Activities and Hotel phone numbers please see the relevant sections of this guide. Trat Hospital 039-511-040/1 Useful Websites Koh Chang Animal Project 089-042-2347 www.koh-chang-guide.com - Our website has a Police wealth of information about Koh Chang including maps, transport info, property and accommodation Immigration- Laem Ngop 039-597-261/5 recommendations and booking.
Koh Chang Police - Dan Mai 039-586-131 www.iamkohchang.com - This site has plenty of up-to- Tourist Police - Koh Chang 039-557-382/3 date information on Koh Chang.
Legal Services www.tourismthailand.org - The Tourist Authority of Thailand's official website. Setthaniti Law Office 092-513-7999 www.booksthailand.com - A Koh Chang based book Lost/Stolen Credit Cards shop. Order Online and they will deliver to your hotel.
American Express 0-2273-0022 www.bangkokpost.com - Thailand news at the website of the Bangkok Post newspaper. MasterCard/VISA 02-256-7326/7 www.thaivisa.com - This huge website/forum covers Transport almost everything an expat could wish to know about U s e f u l N m b r visiting and living in Thailand. Koh Chang White Taxis English: 089-909-8909 Thai: 081-862-8770 Koh Chang on Facebook
Trat Airport 039-525-767-8 , 1771 www.facebook.com/kohchangguide Our Facebook page has plenty of photos and info on Cenferry 039-538-196 Koh Chang related events and news. Trat Bus Station / 999 Express 039-511-986 www.facebook.com/groups/kohchangtalk Koh Chang Ferry (Ao Thammachat) 039-555-188 A fast growing Koh Chang group popular with island expat residents. Bus: 999 Express 089-752-5732 www.facebook.com/groups/wiparkkohchang Bus: Cherdchai Tour (BKK , Trat) 02-391-2237 Koh Chang's main Thai language group is a hotbed of intrigue, heated debate and information. Wish we Bus: Tanakawee (Trat) 039-252-222 could understand more of it. Sadly auto-translation of Thai to English produces rather unusual results. Bus: SWB (Klong Son) 089-113-3490
International Direct Dialling Call 007 or 009 or 001 + country www.facebook.com/groups/kohchang code + number The draconian posting rules of this group put some country codes: Australia - 61, Cambodia - 855, Canada - 1, people off but there a many members and it is a Denmark - 45, France - 33, Germany - 49, Italy - 39, Japan decent source of Koh Chang information. - 81, Netherlands - 31, UK - 44, USA - 1 www.facebook.com/iamkohchang Local Services A regularly updated page devoted to Koh Chang.
Tax Office Dan Mai 039-586-220 www.facebook.com/ultimatekcguide Home of the koh chang guide mobile app. Nothing to CAT 081-350-2012 do with us but a good information source nontheless.
TOT 039-551-515 www.facebook.com/groups/keepkohchangclean Electricity Office - Dan Mai 039-586-067 A group devoted to dealing with litter and environmental problems on Koh Chang. Labour Office - Trat 039-530-843 22 Activities Contacts Diving & Snorkelling Real Estate
B.B. Divers 086-155-6212 ABC 081-762-6482
Dive Supply 039-551-518 Cirz 092-357-7169
Scandinavian Chang Diving 089-401-3927 Siam Royal View 039-555-144
Shopping Koh Chang Guide Property 081-919-8219
BooksThailand.com 081-919-8219 Trips & Activities
Koh Chang Photographer 084-727-5413 Boonsiri Catamaran 086-333-8560
La Cabra 081-440-4814 Natcha Tour 089-099-4030 A c t i v e s C o n a Peace Moon 085-068-7139 Siam Royal View Marina 039-555-144
Wine Gallery 081-668-7035 Tiki Tours 092-806-5880
Massage, Beauty, Saunas & Spas Treetop Adventure Park 084-310-7600
Coco Massage 083-314-5777 Zip 'N Zorb Koh Chang 096-280-4298
Majesty Spa 089-457-0984 Tattoo Studios
The Spa Koh Chang 083-115-6566 Jack Tattoo 089-794-5848
Travel Agencies
Island Net 039-551-215
Jungle Fresh Travel 089-279-0021
Elephant Trekking
Ban Kwan Chang 089-815-9566
Chang Chutiman 089-939-6676
Thai Cooking Schools
Ka-Ti Culinary 081-903-0408
The Happy Turtle 087-132-7668
Gyms
BB Gym 039-558-040
Golf
Siam Royal View Golf 039-555-144
23 Activities Diving & Snorkelling seamounts and small islands to the West There are some excellent diving and of Koh Chang. These include Koh Man snorkelling opportunities around Koh Nok and Hin Sam Sao. The deeper dive Chang and the region is rapidly developing sites are located off some of the islands and into a major centre of diving in Thailand. seamounts to the South of the Archipelago. The diving in the area is mainly at Hin Luk Bat has a lot of good coral and reasonably shallow depths with good reefs some good swim-throughs. Hin Raap is located at 5 to 25 metres. Visibility can a deeper rocky site with good soft corals. reach 30m but is variable. You can dive There are also some good dive sites around year round but the best time is between Koh Rang Island. This is slightly further October and the end of May since rougher away from Koh Chang but well worth the seas during the rainy season can reduce journey to dive some interesting pinnacles visibility or make it difficult to reach the and see some of the best coral reef in the dive sites. However there are calmer region. periods in the rainy season when diving Koh Chang now has two wreck dives. conditions are OK. The first is the HTMS Chang which lies in There are impressive reefs in the area with waters to the South-East of Koh Chang. a variety of soft and hard corals including The 100 metre long vessel provides all Massive, Columnar and Stagshorn Corals. kinds of pleasure and technical diving These support a range of tropical reef life opportunities to those who fancy including Blue Tipped Rays, Moray Eels, something a little more adventurous. Trigger Fish, Grouper and Batfish. Turtles The newest wreck is the 30 metre T11. Sunk
A c t i v e s can be spotted and Whale Sharks are also by the Thai Navy in December 2013 this seen in the area from time to time. wreck is in shallower water and divers with There are a series of dive sites offering an Open Water diving certificate are able to good diving at 5-18m around the dive the site.
24 ChangDiveCenter_Ad_ChangGuide.pdf 1 24/11/2014 4:50:04 PM
www.changdiving.com 089 401 3927 / 039 696 530
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First 100% AWARE & Green Star Dive Resort on Koh Chang A partnership to protect our ocean planet, one dive at a time
Mention this ad to receive a free PADI pen! (Whilst stocks last) Activities You can book your diving by visiting the Chang Diving Center's Nitrox compressor offices of the dive shops or from resorts and if you'd like to do some nitrox diving whilst travel agencies on the island. Or refer to on Koh Chang. the list of dive shop contact numbers at the If you fancy taking the effort out of diving beginning of this activities section. it is worth noting that B.B. Divers have six The price for a two-day Discover Scuba underwater scooters that you can use to course is 4,500B whilst full PADI certification make like James Bond as you cruise the costs around 14,500B. Pleasure dives cost reefs. 2,700-3,000B, depending on site, for two Whilst the beaches of Koh Chang dives with lunch. All other PADI courses themselves offer little opportunity for are also available. snorkelling other islands in the chain can Koh Chang Dive Supply is a large retailer be reached by boat trips and there is some of all kinds of Diving equipment. They also excellent shallow reef for snorkelling at these offer a full repair and servicing workshop sites. On Koh Chang the rocky shoreline at for all sorts of Scuba equipment and are the Bang Bao Cliff Cottages offer some good largest equipment dive equipment supplier snorkelling. in Eastern Thailand. Their office is located Additionally most of the dive shops will between White Sand Beach and Chai Chet. take snorkellers on their boats. Contact them Siam H20 is another dive equipment for prices and details. retailer. Their recently remodelled shop has a huge stock of gear from diving and Swimming snorkelling equipment to free diving and It is generally fine to swim off all of Koh Chang’s beaches. In the high season A c t i v e s spear fishing kit. They also specialise in Technical diving and equipment for Nitrox conditions are calm and safe and the and Trimix diving. gradual slope of the beaches makes for good You can take advantage of Scandinavian swimming conditions.
26 DIVE KOH CHANG ENSURE YOU CHOOSE A PADI DIVE SHOP – THE BEST CHOICE IN DIVING. Exploring the amazing reefs and incredible marine life around Koh Chang is a must during your stay. Whether you are looking at becoming PADI certified, continuing your diving adventure or becoming a PADI Professional, make sure you choose a PADI Dive Shop. WHY PADI? LOCATE A DIVE SHOP • Most recognised Diving Certification in the world. • 6200+ PADI Dive Shops in 83+ countries. • Superior PADI materials and professional training. • Environmentally responsible philosophies.
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DON’T LIMIT YOURSELF, ENSURE YOU CHOOSE A PADI DIVE SHOP!
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KohChangPocketGuide_Ad_April.indd 1 23/02/2015 10:20:18 AM Activities Note, however, that during the monsoon positions so you can play in one direction heavy seas with strong rip tides can develop in the morning and then you can play a off Koh Chang's beaches and people drown different route in the afternoon. They rent every year. There is little in the way of clubs and balls for only Baht300 and after lifeguards or safety equipment so if you go your round you are welcome to take a dip out and get into trouble you can't expect in one of the resort's infinity pools or take any help. Basically, don’t swim beyond lunch or dinner at their marina pub or their your abilities and if the sea looks dangerous popular Beach Club. it probably is so stay out of the water when If you need some practise before you head it’s too rough. out on the fairway then a visit to the nearby driving range may be in order. It is located Gyms and Yoga in Klong Son, a couple of kilometres up the If you want to stay in shape while on Koh road inland from the 7-Eleven in a peaceful Chang then you might fancy a workout and attractive valley. at BB Gym in Lonely Beach. They have all kinds of weight and cardiac equipment, Boat Trips Yoga classes, WII games and a swimming A variety of boat trips around the islands pool. And thankfully there is also a bar and are available. These can be used as a means restaurant in which to recover. of travel between the islands or simply to go for a day trip of sightseeing or snorkelling. Golf Note that some of these boat services Yes, there is a golf course on Koh Chang. stop operating during the monsoon when
A c t i v e s Opened several years ago at the Siam Royal the sea can be rough so check with travel View Resort on the north of the island agencies to see what services are currently five minutes from the ferry ports, this running. par 3 course has 9 holes with different tee Natcha Tour in Bang Bao offer an
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Activities interesting adventure on their overnight guides and due to the demanding terrain "Secret Island Camping" boat trips, currently and bad paths it's probably worth taking going out three times a week. a guide unless you're an expert. Travel Bang Bao Boat and also Nor Nou Kai Bae agencies offer jungle trekking. Hut Speedboat both run a regular speedboat There is a Mangrove Walkway close to Salak service between Koh Chang, Koh Wai, Koh Kok on the East of the island and a second Maak and Koh Kood. Boonsiri operate a fast one in nearby Salak Phet. Both of them give service to Koh Kood and Koh Mak from the you a trip over secluded snaking waterways. mainland that links to their bus services to The ten minute riverside walk through the and from Bangkok and Pattaya. jungle to Klong Plu waterfall in Klong Prao Sea Adventures has a 13m catamaran. is extremely pleasant and there is a one Day trips, sunset dinner cruises, party trips kilometre circuit path up through the rain and corporate charters are all available forest over a nearby hill back to the ranger departing from Siam Royal View in Klong Son. station if you fancy something a little more You can take advantage of some of the best energetic. sailing and cruising in SE Asia by berthing your super yacht or dingy at Siam Royal Muay Thai View's 75 berth marina. On your first visit Koh Chang finally has its own centre they will give you three nights free berthing for Thai boxing in Bailan Beach. The KC with electrical and water hook ups. For more Thai Boxing Club offers a range of Muay information visit www.siam-royal-view. Thai training courses. You can do a one com or email [email protected] day introduction to Muay Thai or for the
A c t i v e s Island View resort in Salak Phet offer more committed students there are courses snorkelling trips, sea kayaking, sailing trips ranging from one week to two months. and island cruises on their range of different boats. They are the local base for Gulf Cycling Charters Thailand who offer 8 Yachts for A fun way to see the island whilst reducing charter from 32ft to 52ft, Cats and Keelboats your carbon footprint is to rent a bicycle, for Bareboat or Skippered Charter. although you will need to be in good shape For an altogether more leisurely water to tackle some of the island's bigger hills. experience you could hire the F.M.T There are bikes for hire at various places (Floating Motorized Table) from Moley’s around the main beaches. Resort. Cruise down Klong Prao river with your legs in the water, weigh anchor, dine Wildlife and drink with a spectacular backdrop. The Most of Koh Chang is covered in rain forest vessel seats four and is truly unique. that has been largely undisturbed due to the If you are interested to know the tide times mountainous terrain of the island. There in the Koh Chang region then they can be are also good examples of mangrove forest found - for Koh Mak but that's close enough ecosystems where the island’s numerous - at: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk streams meet the sea. Marine National Park status was awarded to the island chain in Kayaking, SUP & Watersports 1982 in an effort to preserve the exceptional You can rent Kayaks at Bang Bao Cliff land and marine environment. Cottages and explore their sheltered bay or The forests of the island support a large venture further afield. range of wildlife. A survey conducted for Tiki tours offer SUP, surfing and other Thailand’s National Park Service in 1992 watersports courses and rentals from their recorded 29 different species of mammal base at Tiki Drift at ChangPark in Kai Bae. on Koh Chang. These included the Stump- Tailed Macaque, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Walking Javan Mongoose and Silvered Langur. The mountainous jungle interior of the Birdwatchers will be pleased to know that island offers some challenging and enjoyable 74 bird species were found including the walking. Several people on the island act as Nightjar, Pacific Swallow, Yellow Vented 30 Activities A c t i v e s
31 Activities Bulbul and Oriental Pied Hornbill Waterfalls Additionally the survey noted 42 different The following waterfalls are free to visit species of amphibians and reptiles. Snakes and there is usually plenty of water from that inhabit Koh Chang include the Python, July to December. They may dry up after Rat Snake and King Cobra. Malayan Mud this though so ask around for the latest Turtles, Monitor Lizards and the ubiquitous information. Klong Nonsi waterfall is close Geckoes are also found on the island. to Dan Mai on the eastern side of the island. There are also a variety of very vocal frogs. It has several tiers. The first is a ten minute Has there been a survey since 1992 we hear walk into the jungle, and at the top there is you ask? Apparently not so it is difficult an inscription made by King Rama V. There to assess the impact of tourism on local are two waterfalls, Klong Neung and Khiri flora and fauna. Perhaps the National Park Phet near to Salak Phet in the southeast Service might commission another if they of the island. Both are clearly signposted. were asked often enough? http://www. There are also smaller waterfalls up the dnp.go.th valleys behind Klong Son, White Sands If you prefer your wildlife experiences to Beach and Kai Bae. Ask locals for directions. be a little more organised then note that There are also national park administered Koh Chang now has a couple of Crocodile waterfalls at Klong Plu near Klong Prao experiences. You can get up close and village and Than Mayom near to Dan Mai personal with the scaly predators at the village. If you are a foreigner you will be Crocodile & Snake Show at Hat Kai Mook charged an entry fee of 200 Baht. Thais pay on the east coast and also at Ban Chivit 20 Baht. which is 500 metres up the road that leads to A c t i v e s Klong Plu waterfall in Klong Prao. Elephant Trekking The word ‘Chang’ means elephant in Thai, so what could be more appropriate than going elephant trekking on Elephant Island. The treks are a good opportunity to sample some of the beautiful scenery of inland Koh Chang. You can go direct to the elephant camps yourselves but since the best ones are hidden away in the jungle it might be easier to call them directly or book at a tour agency to arrange a pick up from your hotel. Chang Chutiman operate economical and popular elephant trekking to the interior of the island from their new jungle elephant camp about 500M from the main road in Klong Prao village. Baan Kwan Chang offer elephant treks that take place in another beautiful inland valley to the North of the island. To get there turn inland at Klong Son and proceed for about 3km.
Shopping You can pick up a surprisingly large range of goods, both souvenirs and necessities in Koh Chang. There are a huge number of shops selling souvenir items on the major beaches. These include carvings, jewellery, ethnic clothing and handicrafts, bags, T-Shirts, CDs etc. You can buy original artwork and also 32 Activities A c t i v e s
33 Activities commission work La Cabra in Chai Chet. They produce the illustrations for our Koh Chang Treasure Map and make some excellent detailed maps of Thailand that are great holiday souvenirs. Koh Chang Wine Gallery sells a huge range of wines, beers and spirits at reasonable prices. They now have stores in White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach as well as in Kai Bae, so you're never far away from a shop. Peace Moon, about halfway down the pier in Bang Bao, sells all kinds of bags, belts and leather products that they make by hand themselves from regular leather as well as Ostrich and crocodile skin. They also have a range of silver jewellery and other souvenirs. They have also just opened a new store in the centre of White Sand Beach. A recent addition to Koh Chang is Samui's Taksin Samunprai in Kai Bae. This shop, a new branch of the popular Koh Samui franchise, sells a large range of herbal and health drinks and treatments
A c t i v e s K-Bee Gems and Jewelry in Klong Prao village is a shop that specialises in quality jewellery made from local precious stones
34 Activities 35 s tie iv i c t A offer a range of fasting, detox and cleansing and cleansing fasting, detox a range of offer and yoga meditation, as well as programs steam herbal an have They therapy. massage websites swimming pool. Their room and and www. are www.thespakohchang.com thesparesorts.net. beside Koh Spa is located The new Majesty Sand Beach. Resort on White Chang Kacha relaxing and a large selection of They offer and spa treatments. rejuvenating massage in Chai Chet, with branches Massage, Coco Bae, is another place Klong Prao and Kai many different styles where you can enjoy have Coco Fish Spa of massage. They also on White Sand Beach outside Mac Resort happily nibble away where special fish will your feet. all the dead skin on Tattooing the on Tattooists of number a are There artwork are generally island. Standards of Beach, Jack, who is good. On White Sands based at Tantawan Resort, does impressive work using traditional tattooing techniques and cleanliness modern with combined sterilised equipment. Adventure Park Treetop the This place at Bailan beach offers you opportunity to attempt their two treetop tightrope and walk, swing can You walks. your way through the trees, enjoying some spectacular views along the way. Chang Zip 'n Zorb Koh This new place between White Sand Beach and Chai Chet gives you the opportunity to try Zorbing - rolling downhill in giant so inflatable balls. They also have zip lines you can slide to and fro amongst the trees. Cookery Khok on the east side of the island. They The Spa Koh Chang Resort is at Salak treatments. who wish to learn the art of massage and spa treatments. They also offer courses for those for those offer courses also They treatments. treatments, Jacuzzi and facial and body full body massages, Reflexology, Steam full body massages, Reflexology, Steam includes Thai, Swedish, Sport and other includes Thai, Swedish, Sport and other Bangkok. Their large range of programs Bangkok. Their large range of programs by Bangkok Bodywork Training Centre, Centre, Training Bodywork Bangkok by and Spa treatments from staff highly trained all offer a wide range of massage programs massage of wide range a offer all the Bodiwork & Tea House in Chai Chet the Bodiwork & Tea House in Chai Chet Bae, The Bodiwork in Klong Prao and also Bae, The Bodiwork in Klong Prao and massage? The Bodiwork in the centre of Kai massage? The Bodiwork in the centre of Why not relax with a traditional Thai Why not relax with a traditional Thai Massage, Saunas, Spas & Beauty Thai cooking course at The Happy Turtle. Another option at Bailan Beach is to try the at Bailan Beach Another option Prao. restaurant of KA-TI Culinary also in Klong restaurant of KA-TI Culinary also in Klong classes from the cooking home and and home cooking the from classes Thai food then why not try Thai cookery Thai food then why not try Thai cookery If you want to learn how to make authentic If you want to learn how to make authentic
will refund 50% of the purchase price. bought from them in good condition they condition good in them from bought cafe whilst you browse. If you return a book cafe whilst you browse. If you return a book and you can have a coffee and a meal in their meal a and a coffee have can you and There are more than 4,000 books on display There are more than 4,000 books on display White Sand Beach and Chai Chet Beach. White Sand Beach main Post Office at Pearl Beach between main Post Office at twenty languages. It is located next to the twenty languages. It with a large selection of books in over with a large selection BooksThailand.com is a used bookshop is a BooksThailand.com and exchanges. several supermarkets offer book sales, rentalsseveral supermarkets Chet Beaches. Additionally many resorts andresorts many Beaches. Additionally Chet in supermarkets at White Sands and ChaiSands and White at supermarkets in Books and local newspapers are available Books and local newspapers Reading Prao , both of which offer a good selection. Prao , both of which offer White Sand Beach and Sing Tong in Klong Beach and Sing Tong White Sand For Western food products try Anna Store in food products try For Western of tourist item and souvenir you can imagine. and souvenir you of tourist item of foods, groceries, hardware and every kind hardware and of foods, groceries, on all the beaches selling a reasonable rangebeaches selling a reasonable on all the including 7-eleven and Tesco-Lotus stores,7-eleven and Tesco-Lotus including You can find small supermarkets, now small supermarkets, can find You province. from Chantaburi, Koh Chang's neighbouringChang's Koh Chantaburi, from Buying Property in Thailand The laws and regulations regarding purchase land and buildings from the controlling of land and properties in Thailand can be company as a further level of protection. confusing to a foreign investor. The following Consult your lawyer for details. are a few ideas to get you started in figuring A common alternative to this approach that out how things work over here. Remember is very common in house and condo sales that this is only a very broad overview and is to purchase a rolling 30 year lease on a you should do further research. property which can be renewed three times giving the buyer a total ninety years of tenure. Legal Representation Basically the best thing that you can do Types of Land Title is get a good lawyer with experience in Chanote helping foreign investors purchase property. The best and most secure of Thai land title What may seem a high fee in the short deeds. The boundary markers of this land are term can save you a fortune and a lot of measured by GPS and it provides a certificate trouble later on. We recommend that you of ownership of the land. consult a legal firm in Bangkok or Pattaya: Nor Sor Sam Gor there are many in Pattaya who specialise in The boundaries of land with this title deed are foreign real estate deals. Since they have a still fairly clear, being defined with reference lot of experience they are probably a good to aerial surveys. choice. Alternatively if you are dealing with a Nor Sor Sam: The land boundaries for Nor good real estate agency they should be able Sor Sam are defined relative to those of to recommend good legal representation neighbouring plots and errors are common. to you. But it is still an assured title of land possession.
Foreign Ownership of Condominiums Por Bor Tor/Sor Kor Foreign nationals can purchase and own These are effectively squatters land titles. apartments entirely in their own name as Whilst a lot of land with these title deeds on long as Thai nationals own 51% of the Koh Chang has in fact been developed the remaining floor space by area in the rest of development is all, strictly speaking, illegal. the condominium. NB - Occasionally it is possible to apply to have one of these less secure forms of land Foreign Ownership of Thai Land title upgraded to Chanote. In practice this In the case of land, however, foreigners can take years and may never happen. If need to establish a Thai company that will someone tells you that ‘their’ land will be purchase and possess the land. By law they upgraded then wait until it has been and you must remain a minority shareholder in this have seen all the paperwork before going any company but in reality they can exercise sole further. It is not uncommon for the ownership control over the company through a variety of land with Por Bor Tor or Sor Kor title to be of directorship appointment clauses and disputed. It is probably best to only consider Buying Property in Thailand different types of shares and voting rights. land with Chanote, Nor Sor Sam Gor or, at a The individual investor can then lease the pinch, Nor Sor Sam land title.
Thai Land Measures In Thailand Land is measured in Rai, Ngan and Wah which correspond to the following land measures: 1 Rai = 1,600 sq.m 1 Ngan = 400 sq.m 1 Wah = 4 sq.m
Or alternatively: 1 Acre = 2.53 Rai 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai
www.koh-chang-guide.com/real-estate 36 Koh Chang's Property Market The Koh Chang Property Market Times are changing fast in the youthful Koh Koh Mak and Koh Kood Chang Property Market. Koh Chang has only The nearby islands of Koh Mak and Koh recently developed as a tourist destination Kood are also developing as alternative and so has only experienced large scale considerations for property and housing growth in hotels and tourist visits over the investment. The islands are smaller, Koh Mak past fifteen years. Whilst there has been an very much so, but since they lie outside the explosion in the number of hotel beds and national park far more of the land can be related tourist businesses the potential for developed. Koh Mak so far has just a few residential property construction, with a few residential developments and Koh Kood has notable exceptions, has remained untapped. none so any dream home projects currently If you consider the histories of development of have to be built from the ground up. The Thai resorts like Koh Samui, Phuket and Hua Hin islands are both remoter and less developed that have been growing for ten or twenty years than Koh Chang. Whether this is a good thing
longer than Koh Chang then the next wave or not is a matter of opinion. They are certainly Koh Chang's Property Market of development is set to see huge demand pretty and peaceful but this can come to for housing and condominium development. feel remote and isolated in the low season. There are certain factors unique to Koh It might be a good idea to pay a visit at this Chang that have major effects on how the time of year to get a feel for things before property market will develop. you buy. The first is the fact that Koh Chang lies within a Thai Marine National Park. Around 70-80% of Selling the land area of the island falls within national If you have a plot of land, a property or a park control and, since it is under government business that you wish to sell then let us help ownership, it cannot (at least in principle) be you to find a buyer. Call us on 081-919-8219 developed. or mail us at [email protected]. Also, the Thai Navy own large tracts of land on the island. Add to this the fact that a lot of the remaining land is of tenuous land title (see our section on Thai land types) and the area of land on Koh Chang that is available for development becomes still more limited. The effect of this is that property prices can seem quite high, obviously as a factor of high demand coupled with limited supply. In the longer term of course this limitation on available land means that an investment in a well-built house or condo on a development with secure land title offers fantastic potential for growth in market value. There have so far only been a few organised housing and condo developments on Koh Chang and many people have resorted to buying land and arranging construction themselves - no mean feat. But new projects keep coming online and since we represent many of the island's commercial developments then you are welcome to call into our office or call us on 081-919-8219 to find out what we currently have available, or take a look at the property section of our website: www.koh-chang-guide.com/real-estate where there are many pages of land, property and businesses for sale.. 37 Property & Real Estate Welcome to our newly expanded property listings section. Here we list a great selection of land and property, businesses, homes and condos for sale on Koh Chang and the neighbouring islands. Why not have a browse through and see if there’s something that is of interest to you. If there is then get in touch with us - quoting the property or properties that you want to know more about and we will put you in 1.5 Rai Land in Salak Phet - 1.95M direct contact with the owners. This great plot of Chanote title land And if you are reading our PDF in the South-East would be ideal for version then click the hyperlinks to one or more homes and is listed at a see the full listings and contact info. bargain price for quick sale.
Beach on Koh Kood Lonely Beach Bungalow Resort A huge land plot of 25 Rai This popular, profitable 15 room (40,000sqm.) including a private
Property & Real Estate resort is on 2.5 Rai of land and has a beach. Ideal for large resort high TripAdvisor ranking: 7.9M Baht development 137.5M Baht
Resort at Lonely Beach: Dive Business & Resort 25 rooms, a restaurant and a minimart 30 room resort with restaurant & on 4 Rai of land near the sea with pool. Also dive business inc. boats road frontage. Now 10M Baht and all equipment. Price: 9.5M Baht 38 www.koh-chang-guide.com/real-estate Property & Real Estate
300M waterfront on the East Coast waterfront despite being only 3,500
This unique plot of Chanote land sqm. or 2.2 Rai in area. The land is Property & Real Estate comprises a long thin strip that runs cleared, landscaped and a house is between the road and the sea and in place. It has huge development offers an amazing 300 metres of potential. Price :18M Baht
2 Bed Beachfront Villa: Popular Resort at Lonely Beach: This absolute beachfront villa on the 17 garden bunaglow rooms and a east coast is on Chanote title land large restaurant/bar, new swimming and fully furnished and fitted. pool. Owned under a Thai Company. Price: 12M Baht Price: 16M Baht If you are interested to know more and get in touch with the owners of any of our listed properties then please get in touch with us using the contacts listed below and we’ll put you in contact with them. We also have lots of other land, busi- nesses, houses and condos for sale on our website. Or why not email us and tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll try and find it for you! Organic Produce Shop Find more information at: This shop is located close to a group www.koh-chang-guide.com of the busiest hotels in Klong Prao. email: [email protected] Price: 590,000 Baht Tel: 081-919-8219 www.koh-chang-guide.com/real-estate 39 Koh Chang's Wreck Dives Koh Chang now has two wrecks involvement in the occupation of to dive! The first is the HTMS Chang, Okinawa 1945. Subsequently it was formerly the US Tank Landing Ship put into use as a sea transport by the US LST-542 was decommissioned by Navy and saw extensive service during the Thai navy, stripped and sunk on the Korean War including involvement November 22nd 2012 in 33 metres of in the Inchon Landing of 1950. water off the South-East coast of Koh The ship must have performed well Chang. since in 1955 it was finally given a The Chang is 100 metres long and is name rather than a number and Thailand's longest wreck dive so you continued to serve as the USS Lincoln will find plenty of ship to explore under County until it was decommissioned the waters. and it is an interesting and transferred to the Royal Thai and challenging dive site for divers Navy in 1962. with advanced qualification. The And now there is a second wreck undersea flora and fauna has now to visit. The Thai Navy sank another had time to develop and you can decommissioned vessel off the island expect to see all kinds of larger in December 2013. The whole process pelagic fish in and around the wreck. happened very quickly and with little For the ship it is the end of a long of the fanfare and long delays that life of service that started with its accompanied the sinking of the first construction in Pittsburgh USA, and wreck. The boat was the USS PGM-71, included World War 2 service in the renamed the T11 by Thailand’s Navy. Asia Pacific Theatre, with notable It is a 30 metre long gunboat and has been sunk in shallower waters than the first wreck so it can be dived by divers with just an open water diving certificate. You can expect to see a good range and variety of undersea plants and animals that now call the wreck home. It’s another great reason to come and dive Koh Chang.
All of the dive shops listed in the Koh Chang Guide will be happy to give
Koh Chang's Wreck Dives you further information about diving the wrecks.
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Koh Chang Beaches White Sand Beach White Sand Beach is the three kilometre stretch of sand that was the first of Koh Chang’s beaches to offer visitor accommodation in the form of basic bamboo huts. Today things have changed a great deal and White Sands has more hotels, restaurants, bars and other tourist facilities than anywhere else on Koh Chang. Fortunately the steep hill behind the beach limits development to a narrow strip along the road. Since Koh Chang is a national park there are also rules governing the height of buildings so it is refreshing that there aren’t any buildings of greater than three or four storeys to spoil the views. These factors allow White Sand beach to retain all of its charm and if you look back at the island from the sea you are treated to a glorious vista of rainforest- clad hills rising to the unfeasibly sharp peak of Chom Prasat mountain climbing over 600 metres above. If you are feeling Koh Chang Beaches
42 Koh Chang Beaches particularly intrepid then local guides will of nationalities. There are some nice little be happy to help you find your way across rustic bamboo beach bars, bars that offer the dense jungle slopes and lead you to live music like the famous Oodie’s, the amazing views from the peak. ‘mini-Pattaya’ section on the main road is The beach itself is a long expanse of sand home to a bevy of beer bars and there are a that has a relatively busy southern part couple of nightclubs. and a more secluded northern stretch that In terms of infrastructure there are plenty is sheltered behind a buttress of rock that of banks and exchange places on the main bisects the beach and is crowned by the road as well as several small supermarkets appropriately named Rock Sand Resort. and plenty of gift shops, travel agents, The northern stretch is accessible only by diving businesses, opticians, tailors, foot along the sand or by driving there jewellers, pharmacies... If you need it it’s here. down the world’s steepest road (probably).
In terms of accommodation White Pearl Beach (Hat Kai Mook) Koh Chang Beaches Sands offers the full range of one to five Pearl Beach enjoys a great location since star options. Obviously you will pay a it is sandwiched between the two major premium for beachfront but there are some tourist beaches at White Sands and Chai good mid-range bungalows right on the Chet. That means that it is located close to sand and if you are prepared to walk a all the facilities and infrastructure of these little way to get to the water then there are places but far enough away for you to be some very economical places to stay. able to experience a bit of peace and quiet. Staying at the island’s most developed The beach isn’t sandy – it consists of a beach has advantages; there are scores of stretch of rounded pebbles protected by restaurants that offer the food of all kinds rock outcrops at either end – but it is quiet
43 Koh Chang Beaches and atmospheric and when the sea is calm Chai Chet Beach there is some good snorkelling here with One long beach with two names? That’s some corals and reef fishes – a rarity for a what the Klong Prao bay offers. The Koh Chang Beach. northernmost couple of kilometres of the There are just a handful of smaller beach are known as Chai Chet and the bungalow resorts on the beachfront and southern half is known as Klong Prao they are all in the low to mid-range price Beach. It’s not really that confusing when range. Add to that a few little places beside you get the hang of it. the road and that is it for accommodation Chai Chet beach is sheltered to the North by in this area. a rocky outcrop that provides a splendidly There are a few little restaurants in the atmospheric backdrop for your sunset area that offer good meals at competitive pictures. This protects a river inlet where prices and are hence popular with Koh a few colourful fishing boats are usually Chang residents. moored. And then there is a lovely stretch Amongst the facilities at Pearl Beach is of sand that is at first fronted by some mid- Koh Chang’s main post office which is range hotels and then, walking south, you located here beside the main road. Next to reach an isolated section with just sand, sea this is Booksthailand.com, a second-hand and palm trees. bookshop. Chai Chet is a pretty spot and it is a good There are also furniture and place to stay if you want a reasonable electronics shops as well as the office selection of facilities together with the of TOT, a phone and internet provider. opportunity to quickly escape from the crowds. There is a small village up on the Koh Chang Beaches
44 Koh Chang Beaches road which has several mini-marts, a bank Coast’s best growth of mangrove forest is and two pharmacies as well as the usual also located in and around the waterways selection of gift shops, tailors and the like. here. There are a couple of little shopping plazas here that have some nice places to eat. Klong Prao Beach Then as you head up the hill out of Chai Klong Prao beach is a wide expanse of fine Chet towards White Sand Beach you will sand that is home to quite a few higher end find a cluster of beer bars that are far away resorts like the well-known Amari Emerald enough to easily ignore but close enough to Cove and also to a handful of the more get to if you so desire. traditional bamboo hut bungalows. Chai Chet beach is separated from the Thankfully tasteful resort design and Klong Prao section at the point where the undeveloped stretches of jungle still allow stream that feeds Klong Plu waterfall meets the beach to retain a spacious and natural the sea. Usually it isn’t a problem to wade atmosphere. Koh Chang Beaches across the water but watch out for your Just before you reach Klong Prao village a wallets, cameras and the like getting wet. riverside road leads a couple of kilometres There are some good seafood restaurants inland to the picturesque Klong Plu here and some nice wooden guesthouses waterfall which is well worth a visit and that look out over the lagoon. If you are a swim in the natural pool below is a great around here after dark then you can take way to cool down. a boat trip into the mangroves to see the Klong Prao village lies on one of the few colonies of fireflies that form bright little flat areas of land on the West Coast and communities amongst the trees. The West so the village extends quite a way inland
45 Koh Chang Beaches and the road veers further from the sea regular sight. The West coast’s main school here than at the other beaches. A walk perches on top a small hill near the village of a few minutes from the beach to the and on schooldays an eruption of kids village brings you access to a bank and a flows down to all but close the road at the couple of supermarkets as well as plenty end of class. of roadside bars and restaurants. There are fewer gift shops around here but that’s Kai Bae Beach not necessarily a bad thing. In and around South of Klong Prao lies Kai Bae Beach the village there are also quite a few little and village. The beach is a kilometre long resorts and places to stay. strand notable for the fact that it overlooks Klong Prao Temple is in the centre of the a bay filled with several little islands. This village and is occasionally host to local makes for very attractive surroundings and fairs and festivals. Just down the road a visit to the viewpoint on a hill just south from here is a regular little local market of the village, especially around sunset, that sells clothes, household wares and is a must-do for visitors hoping to snap has a few food stalls that bridge the tasty/ what is probably the definitive Koh Chang scary divide. Other businesses of note scene overlooking the bay. The islands here include an excellent dental studio, a also offer more in the way of activity based shooting range and a tiny tennis court next entertainment since you can hire canoes to a larger builders merchant cum home and head out into the bay to explore them. store. A paddle to the closest, which has a nice Several elephant trekking businesses beach, takes just a few minutes. are based in Klong Prao and long-nosed At the north end of the beach is a jetty grey giants pacing through the trees are a from which boat trips and a speedboat Koh Chang Beaches
46 Koh Chang Beaches service to the islands South of Koh Chang nice little hotels as well as some more good depart. A couple of restaurants here offer options in the village. commanding views up and down the coastline. Lonely Beach Kai Bae village itself stretches out along Originally known by locals as Hat Ta Nam the road a couple of minutes walk behind Lonely Beach was given its English title the beach. The road is narrower here than by an enterprising resort owner and now elsewhere on the island and drivers and that’s what everyone calls it. So does it live pedestrians co-exist nervously. But the up to its name? Well kind of. Lonely Beach village has a very good selection of shops, developed as a backpacker’s haven and restaurants and bars. There are lots of whilst it certainly has more to offer than that ATM’s and a foreign exchange booth, as these days it is still the first stop for many well as several little supermarkets. travellers. Having said that there are also
As well as the almost obligatory beachside an increasing number of upscale places to Koh Chang Beaches seafood restaurants Kai Bae has several stay. There is less infrastructure here than Italian restaurants, a bakery and restaurants at the more northerly beaches but there is offering international menus that include still plenty to do and indeed there are lots Russian, Dutch, Indian, English and more. of restaurants and bars and a party scene If you choose to make Kai Bae your that is probably the liveliest on Koh Chang. base you can spend a little or a lot on The beach itself isn’t the longest on the accommodation depending on your budget island but it makes up for that by being and requirements. There are a string of extremely pretty. A thick strip of sand hotels and mid-range bungalow resorts stretches for a few hundred metres and running along the beach and also some then gives way to pebbles at the Southern
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Koh Chang Beaches Koh ChangBeaches backpackers staple–thebananapancake. and,ofcoursethat breakfasts western as well places offeringgood pizzas, There is anexcellentMexican restaurant of food and drink, oftenatbudgetrates. Lotsofrestaurantsputoutahugevariety places. orforeignexchange nobank are ATM’sbut minimarts andlotsoflittleshops.There to theleftandright.Thereareacoupleof road and downacoupleofside roads both and restaurantsthatrunsalongthemain a clusterofbungalows, businesses, bars you hittheLonelyBeachvillage.Thereis the littlebridgetosouthofbeach Howeverasyoufollowtheroadover away fromitall. so it is possible to getthatfeelingof being development atallonthispartoftheroad resorts actually beside the beach and no into thesea.Thereareonlyfourorfive end whereamountainstreamflows centre and of course the inevitable7-Eleven several diveshops,apolicestation, ahealth sets overthebay.Thepieris also home to here thatcome into theirown asthesun are also some excellent seafood restaurants paste –definitelyanacquired taste. There but preciouslocallymade“Nam-Prik” fish sunglasses tofreshfishandthepungent everything fromT-shirts,paintingsand sub-piers. Therearelotsofshopsselling now sproutedanynumberofsidearmsand and whichhas bay juts outintoalarge that Koh Chang.Ithasspreadoutonalongpier now largely been redeveloped for visitors to BangBaois an old fishing villagethathas Bang BaoBeach or vertigo. you're equippedwithregardtofitnessand/ easy ortheexpertroutedependingonhow challenges. Youcantryeitherthe other and the foresttreesnegotiatingropeslides specially constructedwalkwaysbetween Adventure Park. Here youcan climb along South endofBailanbeachistheTreetop rising fromthe jungle Inandamongstthe cooking schoolnearby. and aThai and bookshopnearthebridge café drink ontheroad.Thereisaninternet and also a few good places to eatand resorts the are barsandrestaurantsat there Thereisn’tmuchinfrastructurealthough are great. usually thecasewithKohChang,views in frontoftheMercureResortand,asis stretch on the a breakwater protected by fairly rockyalthoughthereissome sand star hotel.Bailan’s beach isquiteshortand more luxuriousplacesandevenonefive few simplebackpackerspotsbutalsosome like things to be even calmer. There are a haven ofpeaceandquietforpeoplewho less lonelyBailanBeachhasbecomea AsLonelyBeachhasbecomesomewhat Bailan Beach Koh Chang Beaches store. Many of the island’s boat tours like Nirvana to the backpacker-friendly depart from here as well as ferries to Koh Bang Bao Cliff Cottages. Mak, Koh Wai and Koh Kood. If you walk And if camping is more your style then all the way to the end of the pier you will you will be interested to learn that at The find an ornamental lighthouse that offers Beach there is a new campsite right on the some great views to those that climb it. sand of Kong Goi Beach in Bang Bao Bay Bang Bao doesn’t have any banks but there where you can pitch your own tent or rent are several ATM’s at the start of the pier as one. well as a small post office. There are also a Temple and a school next to the main road Koh Chang’s Other Beaches at the turn off point to the pier. In addition to the main tourist beaches on Bang Bao Bay also has a nice beach called the island’s West Coast you can find some
Khong Koi along its Eastern shore. The other nice and less explored beaches if you Koh Chang Beaches beach has two or three restaurants and are prepared to venture a little further off beach bars and is a great place to lounge on the well-trodden path. the sand and enjoy the views out across the neighbouring islands to the south. Wai Check Beach There are some good places to stay around You’re most likely to see Wai Check Beach Bang Bao. It is fun to stay over the water on from a boat since there is no road that the pier itself in one of several guesthouses leads to it, and no development of any and small resorts. There are also several kind on it (apart from a little hut). It lies resorts that encircle the waterfront of Bang on the South Coast of Koh Chang in the Bao Bay that range from luxurious places middle of a section of island with no road
49 Koh Chang Beaches access. If you want a Robinson Crusoe of the island's largest resorts called Siam experience then hire a boat and ask them Royal View. Apart from buying or renting a to take you there. Make sure that you villa or condo here, you can enjoy also a day arrange for them to take you back as well. out at the resort with two beachside infinity pools, watersports, marina, a par 3 golf Long Beach course, pub and their popular Beach Club Long Beach is almost as far as you can go for lunch and sunset dinners. by road on Koh Chang. It lies near the end of the road that heads to the far southeast East Coast Beaches point of the island. There is almost nothing As you drive down the road beside the east in the way of facilities on the beach, just coast of Koh Chang you will notice a few one small backpackers place with simple sandy beaches. Typically the beaches here bamboo huts. It is a very nice beach though are narrower than on the West coast and the and looks out over Salak Phet Bay and sand is a redder colour. Having said that the islands to the South of Koh Chang. they are all isolated and are nice places to The road to get there is in poor condition stop, especially if you like a bit of peace and in places and is only safely accessible by quiet. The small but perfectly formed beach motorbike or 4x4 vehicles. that plays host to Amber Sands Resort and Klong Son Beach the new Serenity Resort is a good example of Only 5 minutes from the ferries is one of the a tranquil and pretty east coast beach. islands secret gems, the horse-shoe shaped bay known as Klong Son. Over 2kms of secluded sandy beaches form part of one Koh Chang Beaches
50 "Selfie" Sticks Self-Pleasure What happens afterwards? Do the takers What’s going on? What on earth has of selfies go home and look through their social media done to our brains? Time photos whilst taking photos of themselves was people would go on holiday, or looking at photos? And then do they take to a concert, or for a meal with their more photos of themselves looking at the friends and just enjoy the experience. photos of them looking at the photos. Now they have to spend half the time And on, and on, to a hideous infinity. photographing themselves having the experience so that they can show other And what about that beautiful sunset? people that they were there and then The one that got forgotten in the selfie have an electronic conversation with posting frenzy. Wouldn’t it be better to their absent friends about it on Facebook bask in its warmth and marvel at the – whilst the friends who actually bothered dying glow of the crimson disk as it slips to show up grit their teeth and check the into the ocean, illuminating the sky, the sharpness of the cutlery. land and the sea in a kaleidoscope of " S e l f The latest abomination to surface from ever-changing colours? this global epidemic of self-regard is the accursed “Selfie Stick”. Here’s how it i works; you stick your phone or camera or e " S t i c k s whatever on the end of a long telescopic stick and then force everyone around you to move out of the way so that you can take a picture of yourself with everything around you in the background.
WHAT’S THE POINT!
Do your friends think that you’re a liar? Will they suspect you of completely inventing your holiday if you don’t have your grinning chops at the front of every photo you shoot. You may be homely, you may be stunningly beautiful; doesn’t matter. Do you really think that the splendour of a Koh Chang Sunset from Kai Bae Viewpoint will be improved by the unsubtle juxtaposition of your beaming grin? Do you think Michelangelo left a little space on the Sistine Chapel roof where he knew future generations would want to stick their heads when they photographed it? Isn’t the Mona Lisa really laughing at you? Koh Chang, as a holiday destination, is increasingly beset by these instruments of self-obsession. Walking down some of the beaches you are in danger of being spiked on them like a Spanish bull and you're forced to duck and dive out of the frame of photo after photo like a reluctant gymnast. 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 C h a n g C h a n g A F K o h K o h P O L - - S T B a e B a e T K O H C A N G . M T K O H C A N G . M T K O H C A N G . M Y T K O H C A N G . M K a i K a i A I L B R C e n t r a l C e n t r a l i n i n G A R D E N S O G A R D E N S O l o c a t e d . G A R D E N S O l o c a t e d . G A R D E N S O 0 3 9 - 5 7 2 6 0 3 9 - 5 7 2 6 B U N G A L O W S S W I M N G C O K T C I N E M A F R I E N D L a r e a r e e e e l : e l : T h e W T W I N F O@ 4 4 4 4 4 W T W I N F O@ T h e
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Lonely Beach Lonely Beach
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Bailan Beach Bailan Beach Thai Language 65 Rawn Pet Natee Dee / Mai Dee / Lek Yai Mar / Bai Bai Nai? e a g g u n i La a Th Hot (Spicy food)...... Hot (Spicy Tamruat Police...... Barn Payar Hospital...... Long This...... Nee Wan Day...... Nee Today...... Wan Nee Tomorrow...... Ploong Mer Wan Yesterday...... Wee Second...... Natee Minute...... Chuamong Hour...... Fun...... Sanuk Nam Swim...... Wai Walk...... Dern Good / Bad...... Big / Small...... Come / Go...... Where are you Going?...... What?...... A Rai? Where?...... Tee Nai? When?...... Meu Rai? How?...... Yanglai? Why?...... Tammai? Can you help me?...... Chuay Dai Mai? Nee Here...... Tee Noon There...... Tee Bicycle...... Jakrayan Motorbike...... Motorsai Taxi...... Taxi Rot Car...... Meh Bus...... Rot Fei Train...... Rot Aeroplane...... Krung Bin Airport...... Sanarm Bin Bangkok...... Krung Tep Raem Hotel...... Rong Aharn Restaurant...... Ran Chicken...... Gai Egg...... Kai Pig...... Moo Elephant...... Chang Fish...... Pla Dolphin...... Pla Loma Khor thort kit war ling tee kun hai krap. Pom aharn at me cheua pit sunat ba...... that me, but I think that that monkey Excuse you're feeding might have rabies Most Thais use the letter ‘L’ instead of ‘R’ so so of ‘R’ instead ‘L’ the letter Thais use Most alloy in speech. becomes above arroy Hot (Heat)...... - Lar Lar Gorn Neung Hok Gao Sip Neung Roy Neung Pan Rai Tao Took Lor Krap and women say ...... Bpaet at the end of any sentence. at the end of any sentence. Delicious...... Arroy Goodbye...... Six...... Rice...... Khao Hello...... Sawat Di Krap/Ka Hello...... Sawat Har Five...... Eat...... Gin (Khao) above. Four ...... See One Hundred...... Food...... Aharn but you’ll be understood if you use the words but you’ll be understood if you use the words One...... Three...... Sam Eight (difficult!) Sam Thirty...... Sip Cheap...... Handsome...... Narm Thirsty...... Hue Thai doesn’t have literal words for yes or no have literal words Thai doesn’t Krap / Ka Kun Thank you...... Korp Sawng Two...... Seven...... Jet Nine...... Ten...... Sip Twenty...... Yee One Thousand...... How Much?...... Expensive...... Paeng Attractive/Beautiful...... Sa-Why Hungry...... Hue Mai No...... Shai Yes...... Ka To be polite men say To these basics. can get you a long way. Below are a few of Below are way. can get you a long put off, basic Thai a few words and phrases put off, new wood doesn’t burn does it?”. be But don’t mai, said with the correct tones, means “The said correct tones, with the mai, ferent things. For example Mai mai mai mai For ferent things. language so the same sound can mean dif probably haven’t probably haven’t is heard before and a tonal This you tricky: Thai has sounds can be own tongue. you make an effort to talk to them in their to talk to them in an effort you make little English. will However they be happy if little English. Koh Chang will be able to speak at least a at least to speak will be able Chang Koh Most of the Thai people that you meet in that you people of the Thai Most Bang Bao B a n g o
Tel.: 03 955 81 57 www.thebuddhaview.com
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East Coast East Co East Coast 69 st o a t C s Ea opportunities. tower at the end which offers great photo offers which tower at the end deep into the bay. There is an observation the atmosphere is the long pier that juts out dotted with islands. A great place to take in to great place A with islands. dotted fishing village is at the mouth of a large bay a of at the mouth village is fishing of the island is Salak Phet. This waterside of the island is Salak Phet. This waterside The largest settlement in the South East The largest settlement in the South East Naval encounter with the French in 1941. soldiers who lost their lives in the Thai soldiers the South contains a memorial to the Thai a memorial the South contains two backpacker places. The next bay to two backpacker places. The next bay This isolated strand is deserted except for deserted is strand isolated This South and visit the lovely Long Beach. South and visit the lovely Long Beach. The intrepid can continue to the far to continue intrepid can The local community. Chang that is owned and operated by the Chang that is owned and operated by Station, perhaps the only project on Koh Station, perhaps the only project on Koh through Salak Khok Kayak the trees with atmosphere is on a guided kayak tour atmosphere is on a guided kayak tour but perhaps a better way to sample the but perhaps a better way to sample from the Mangrove Forest Walkway from the Forest Mangrove Walkway fishing village. You can view the mangrovesthe can view village. You fishing large areas of mangrove forest and a small large areas of mangrove forest and a small Salak Khok Bay is a charming spot with Salak Khok Bay is four in the dry season. cataract and retains the most water of the cataract and retains the most water of the Mayom is a six level far south. Than in the foothills of Salak Phet Mountain in in the foothills of Salak then Klong Nung and Khiri Phet waterfalls Khiri Phet waterfalls then Klong Nung and Mayom a few kilometres further South and Mayom a few kilometres Nonsi just before Dan Mai village, Than village, Than Mai just before Dan Nonsi you to visit. Heading south these are; Klongyou to visit. Heading There are no less than four waterfalls for than four waterfalls for less are no There don't need to stock provisions. quality restaurants and places to stay so youquality restaurants and make. And don't worry; there are some make. And don't worry; scenery and plenty of interesting stops to interesting stops of plenty and scenery business. Additionally there is some great some there is Additionally business. local farmers and fisherman go about local farmers and fisherman their traditional Thai way of life as you watch way of life as Thai traditional and you will be and you will treated of a more to a view island is far less developed than the other than developed less is far island East Coast of the island. This side of the of the island. This East Coast a day or more exploring the 'undiscovered' exploring the 'undiscovered' a day or more Chang then you will be well rewarded by you will be well Chang then the tourist centres of the West side of Koh of side the West of centres the tourist If you fancy a break from the beach or from the beach break from fancy a If you Sunsets Everone loves a sunset don't they? So here we have collected some stunning sunset pictures from Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood for your viewing pleasure. S u n s e t
70 Sunsets S u n s e t
71 Trat & The Mainland T r a t & h e M i n l d
Trat which is a rich sweet fruit that looks a bit The small town of Trat is the administrative like a strawberry. Or there is the Durian with and trading centre of Trat province. It is its spiky shell, pungent smell and unique located 26km and 32km away from the two love-it-or-hate-it flavour. Try whatever looks departure points for passenger ferries to Koh interesting. You can also buy good fresh Chang. Trat only has a population of 20,000 seafood and vegetables in the market. but bustles with activity due to the fact that Local handicrafts include elaborately woven it is the main market town of the province. wicker products, especially hats. These can be There is an open-air market on the main found in Ban Nam Chieo, a largely Muslim street - Thanon Sukhumvit - that offers village between Trat and Laem Ngop. interesting Thai food and drinks late into Trat has a big Tesco Lotus supermarket the night. There is also a large covered day with accompanying shops and restaurants market selling all manner of foods and and a food hall. And now also a Makro household goods. supermarket and huge Global Home store 4 Good things to shop for include the huge km out of town. range of fruits that are available year round, Wat Buppharam is a 17th Century temple many of which you may not have seen before. with some interesting architecture. It lies 2km Trat province is famous for the Rakham out of town (see map). There are several other 72 Trat & The Mainland temples scattered around the town centre. Trat also has good medical, communication, financial and other facilities. Locations are shown on the map. There are a multitude of local Thai restaurants around the town - the one opposite Trat Hospital is our favourite. Also Joy’s Pizza, and Kruarimklong do good food. You can find many other small restaurants and bars scattered around the town centre. The large bar next to Tesco has live music and so does Knight which is a large club about 1km out of town on the Bangkok Road. There is a guesthouse area just south of the town centre with many backpacker style guesthouses and accompanying restaurants, internet cafes etc. There is little to choose between the different guesthouses that all T r a t & h e M i n l d offer clean and inexpensive rooms together with good information and a friendly welcome. About 10 minutes from the centre of Trat is an attractive reservoir that is a pleasant spot for an afternoon stroll. There are several restaurants in scenic locations on the shoreside. You can often see fireflies by the canal that begins here and flows through town.
Laem Ngop Mainland Beaches Laem Ngop is a fishing village on the coast There is a long thin coastal section of Trat and is the departure point for passenger province that heads southeast towards the ferries to Koh Chang and the other islands. Cambodian border at Hat Lek, 90 kilometres Places worthy of note are the Immigration from Trat. For detailed information take a Office that serves the Eastern region of look at our new map of the region on the Thailand and the Tourist Authority of facing page. Thailand office. At the moment the area is not much By the ferry pier there is a large monument visited by foreign tourists but this is slowly commemorating two Thai boats that were changing. There are a string of really sunk in a naval battle of 1942 off Koh Chang attractive beaches on the long sandy coastline in which Thai forces repelled the French with a few accommodation options including Navy. the Centara Chaan Talay Resort which is a quality beachside resort located in a lovely Klong Yai & Hat Lek beach of powder sand 46 kilometres from Klong Yai is a small fishing town on the Trat Town. If you are looking for the peace road to the Cambodian border at Hat Lek. and quiet of a deserted tropical beach then It is the closest mainland town to Koh Kood this is the place for you. and whilst there is, as yet, no regular ferry Heading away from Trat on highway 318 service you ask around if you are feeling these beaches include Sai Ngern Beach, Sai intrepid and maybe find a boat on its way to Kieow Beach, Tap Tim Beach, Mai Root the island. Beach and Ban Chuen Beach, all of which Heading on to the border itself at Hat Lek offer rewards to the intrepid explorer. you will find a couple of hotels on the Thai Saphan Hin waterfall is located 31 side as well as thriving market selling all kilometres from Trat and is an attractive manner of weird and wonderful imports cataract located at the end of a ten minute and exports. walk along a riverside path through an attractive forested valley. 73 74
Other Islands Other Island with no development atalland on Koh Mak Heretherearestilllongstretchesof beach the otherbays. although thereare now some new resorts in this iswheremostoftheresortsarelocated, northwest andsouthwestoftheisland Thereareprettybeachesinthebaysto per day. now hiremotorbikesoutataround400Baht effort gettingaround then manyoftheresorts bicycle. Althoughifyouliketoexpendless Koh Makisperfectforexploringonfootorby the islandiswellcovered by roadsandtracks Sincethereareveryfewmotorvehiclesand unwind fromthestressesofmodernlife. visitors who wanttorelaxbythebeachand a visit to the island is the perfectchoice for a sleepyplacewherelifemoves slowly and resorts. Itis outside the infrastructure is little Thepopulationisonlyaround800andthere plantations. widely cultivatedwithcoconutandrubber there arefewmountainsandso the island is square kilometresinsize.UnlikeKohChang island of16 This isanattractive,low-lying Koh Mak with visitsto Koh Chang or some of the Itiseasytocombine a triptoKohMak fare. a smatteringofplaces that offerinternational you canfindsome goodThaifoodaswell restaurants andbarsasyouwouldexpect resortshave allthe around thebeaches; Activitiesontheislandrevolvelargely resorts oraskaroundonKohMak. To arrange avisittotheseislands contact the Kham, KohRayangNok fairly easilyfromKohMakitself.Theyare reached some ofwhichhaveresortsandcanbe Thereareafewsmallerislands off KohMak, the electricityservicetowholeisland. on an undersea cable that will greatly improve restaurants. Workisalsonearingcompletion WiFi atalltheresortsandmost can nowget Internetaccesshasnowimprovedandyou resorts nowopenyearround. daily ferriestothemainland and most of the Chang andKohMakbuttherearestillfour there is no public transportbetweenKoh monsoon seasonfromJunetoOctober Inthe excesses oftouristdevelopment. you alwaysfeelalongwayfromtheworst and KohKraDad. Other Islands other islands in the archipelago. Refer to the The sea here is extremely clear and a brilliant transport section for details of the various blue colour. This makes the many beaches ferries to the island that operate from the that run down the West coast of the island mainland, Koh Chang and the other islands. extremely pleasant places to be. Also there Alternatively some of the Koh Chang boat are some excellent corals at shallow depths on trip services can drop you off on the island. many of the beaches Enquire for details. Despite the fact that Koh Kood is Thailand’s When you arrive on Koh Mak representatives fourth biggest island the population is only from many of the resorts will meet the ferry around two or three thousand. Infrastructure and offer free pick up and drop off to visitors. is improving and there are now decent roads between many points of interest on the island Koh Kood but the resorts to the extreme north and south Koh Kood is the second largest and of the island are still only accessible by boat. southernmost island in the Koh Chang There is also a small hospital. archipelago. Its topography is similar to that The largest settlement is the fishing village of O t h e r I s l a n d of Koh Chang; it is also mountainous and Ao Salat in the northeast. This is worth a visit largely covered in rain forest. The highest hill just to see the wide range of seafood brought on Koh Kood, at 315 metres, is Khao Phaentee in and sold on the rickety wooden pier. in the southeast of the island. Unfortunately there isn’t yet any organised Another significant scenic feature is Klong public transport on the island. In fact there Chao waterfall. The waterfall itself is not aren’t many vehicles at all. If you want to have particularly high but falls into a huge plunge a look around ask at your resort to see if you pool in a very beautiful jungle setting, a can hire a motorbike or get a car to take you good place for a cooling swim. Various boat around. Alternatively you might be able to get operators on Koh Chang or Koh Mak offer around in a motor boat or canoe. trips to the waterfall. Traditionally the resorts on the island
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Other Islands Other Island development makes theisland an ideal shallow reefsoffthebeach.Thelackof There is some good snorkelling on the larger air-conditionedbeachbungalows. rooms that rangefrom simple huts to There are tworesorts on the island with island withtwosmall,pleasantbeaches. KohWaiisasmall crescent-shaped Koh Wai Kood withB.B.DiversatawayResort. you liketosnorkel.YoucandiveoffKoh some pretty good corals off the beaches if its bluenessandclarityyoucanfind The wateraroundKohKoodisfamedfor island is a good choice of destination. then the peace andquietisyourthing if you willbedisappointedbut a party Kood is theplaceforyou.Ifyouexpect listening tothewaveslapthenKoh other than way ofnightlife by anything virtually toyourself and don’t expect Ifyouwantabeautifulsandybeach Bao Boat. out forferryservices operated byBang transport section).FromKohChanglook ferry from Dan Khao close to Trat (see and KohChangorbytakingthelocal a dailyferryleavingfromLaemNgop reach the island independently is with Fromthemainlandeasiestwayto upscale SixSensesResortontheisland. the super at a typo!) Bahtpernight (not 500 Bahtpernightuptoaround100,000 from 400- Rooms attheseplacesrange which catermoretoforeignvisitors. low, medium and high end options Therearenow,however,some new part ofthepackagedeal. Transport to theseresorts is arrangedas mainly toThaipackagetourism. have beenluxurydevelopments catering agents formore information. drop you off on the island. Enquire at local travel trip servicescan Koh Chang boat Someofthe picturesque beachandasingles resort. Eastern tipofKohChang.This islandhasa South island justoffthe KohNgamisanother had aresortonitforovertenyears. place thathas linked byabridgeandispretty KohLaoYaisactuallytwo separateislands islands haveresortsonthem. the KohChangarchipelagoacoupleofother Whilstthereareplentyofuninhabitedislands in Other Islands place tokickbackaftersomestrenuoustravelling. place forapeacefulbeachtripand it’s agood Accommodation 77 Tel: 090-991-2198 Tel: 039-552-111 Tel: 02-539-5424 Tel: Tel: 039-551-119 Fax: 039-551-118 Tel: 039-551-178 Tel: Tel: 084-781-0550 Tel: Tel: 039-551-095 Tel: 039-551-451 Tel: 039-619-083 Tel: 039-551-095 o n ti d a o m o m c c A 80 room Resort in tropical gardens with a pool, 80 room Resort in tropical www.plaloma-cliff.com fan and A/C rooms. Economical sea view and mountain view rooms Economical sea view with free cooking lessons. at this guesthouse come occupies a long stretch of This large luxury resort bungalows & 2 hotels. sandy beach and offers Hillside resort with "Flashpacker" and luxury Hillside resort with "Flashpacker" and luxury rooms with amazing views over the sea. well as Basic beach huts and luxury bungalows as a bar and restaurant right on a sandy beach. Fully furnished A/C rooms behind and large Fully furnished A/C Pub. Nice swimming pool. suites above this Irish with TV, fridge & hot 8 air-conditioned rooms 15 Palms. water. Reception is in There are 13 fully featured rooms in this luxury fully featured rooms There are 13 steak restaurant. above a popular boutique hotel Aircon rooms with TV at this popular restaurant with TV at this popular Aircon rooms B C D B-C B-C B-C B-C B-C B-D
Tantawan Bungalow Rock Sand Resort Plaloma Resort Palm Garden Hotel Paddy’s Palms K.C. Grande Resort & Spa Home Bar Guesthouse Buffalo Bills Hotel 15 Palms Koh Chang - White Sands Beach - White Sands Koh Chang 2,500+ - 2,500+ D Baht C - 1,500-2,500 Baht B - 500-1,500 Baht KEY - A - <500 PRICE Baht 78
Accommodation Acomdatin 2,500+ Baht PRICE KEY-A<500BahtB500-1,500C1,500-2,500D2,500+ Home Stay Janrassamee Bungalows Exotic Tapas B.B. Worldof Koh Chang-LonelyBeach /Bailan Hotel Sea Breeze Garden Resort Kai Bae Resort Kai BaeBeach ChangPark Guesthouse Blues Koh Chang-KaiBae Breakfast V.J. Bedand Koh Chang V.J. Searenity Pajamas Moley's Place and Spa Iyara Resort Koh Chang-KlongPrao View &Plaza V.J. Island Koh Chang-ChaiChet Castle Elephant & Thailand.com Books Koh Chang-PearlBeach(HatKaiMook) C-D C-D C-D B-D A-B A-B B-C B-C D A B B B B B B with TV.Convenientlycentrallocation Popular 20roomresortwithA/Candfanrooms swimming poolandbungalowshotelrooms. This well-establishedbeachfrontresorthasa gardens completewithpeacocks. A largebeachfrontresortinextensivelandscaped and theroomsoffergreatviews This budgetcompletedhotelisclosetothebeach luxury 8beddormsaswellprivaterooms. This newplace50metresfromthebeachhas priced roomsand aswimmingpool. This centrallylocatedplacehas sixteenwell Restaurant andloungebarwith swimmingpool. Nice simpleroomsatthebackof thisTapas rooms inthisnewguesthouse,allwithhotshower. The slowguesthouse.Thereare12fanandairconTV Also hasaspaandswimmingpool. Large beachfrontresortwithoverseventyrooms. rooms forshorttermandlongrentals. This placeoppositeKlongPraotempleoffers water. Discountsforlongerstays Aircon roomswithSatelliteTV,fridge&hot Wi-Fi andfantasticviewsrightonthewaterfront. Large, modern,comfortablenewair-conroomswith month orbynightattheendofV.J.Plaza Furnished roomsareavailabletorenthereby hillside garden.Closetoeverything,butquiet. Comfy airconbungalowsinagreenandtranquil kitchen &asinglebedroom.Longandshorttermrental. A largeapartmentwithdoublebedroom, lounge, affordable, fully appointedairconrooms. New smalland friendly boutiquehomestaywith
Tel: 086-145-9529 Tel: 039-557-260 Tel: 039-557-132 Tel: 081-949-7287 Tel: Tel: 039-557100/11 Fax: 039-557-330 039-557-328/9 Tel: Tel: 084-880-0930 Tel: 039-510-789 Tel: 098-881-7512 Tel: 089-504-0543 Tel: 085-1347-999 Fax: 039-557-166 039-557-163/5 Tel: Tel: 039-557-233 Tel: 081-751-0058 Tel: 039557151/2 Tel: 087-104-9232 Tel: 088-648-8901 Tel: 039-551-427 Tel. 086-027-6344 Tel. 089-936-5621 Tel. 081-919-8219 Tel: 098-4717-013 Tel: 089-279-0021 083-098-0486 Accommodation 80
Accommodation Acomdatin 2,500+ Baht PRICE KEY-A<500BahtB500-1,500C1,500-2,500D2,500+ Resort Cococape Koh Mak Koh Mak Chang Resort The SpaKoh Resort Serenity Resort Amber Sands Koh Chang-EastCoast Club The Beach Sunny Inn Buddha View Cliff Cottages Bang Bao Koh Chang-BangBao View Resort Siam Royal Koh Chang-KlongSon Resort Warapura Turtle The Happy Siam Hut Resort Siam Beach Resort Lonely Beach Little Eden
C-D C-D C-D B-D B-D B-D A-B A-B B-C B-C B B B B B bungalows andalargesun-deck andshadybar. New boutiqueresortwithjustseven beachside pool onaquietbeachtheEastcoast. Eight air-conditionedroomswithaswimming marina, twopoolsandBeachClubRestaurant to rent.Watersports,2kmofsandybeach,pub, First classresortwithcondos,bungalows,villas and offersavarietyofaccommodationoptions. This resort lies on a lovely stretchof Lonely Beach and hotshower.Bookatwww.lonelybeach.net 17 newair-conditionedroomswithTV,freeWi-Fi two fourbeddorms.Allroomshaveaircon. New guesthousewith7comfydoubleroomsand sea onbothsidesandroomswithgreatviews This bungalowresortisinagreatspotwiththe with swimming pool.Fax.027112059 with fanareavailable atthis Large roomsover thesea,A/Cdoublesandhuts Beach intheirhome-stayrooms. Now youcanstaybesideKhongKoiBeachatThe Aircon, inabeautifulsetting. Delightful servicedrooms,allwithfanand waterside resortwithswimmingpool. Attractive andstylishwhitebungalowsatthis garden behindthispopularbarandrestaurant. ThereisachoiceoffanorAirconbungalowsinthe rooms bythebeachandapopularbar. A livelybackpackersplacewithlotsofeconomical restaurant. English,GermanandThaispoken. Neat, affordablehillsidebungalowsandagood in attractiveSalakKhokBay 26 roomsatthisSpaResortwith swimmingpool Attractive resort Tel: 088-092-4452 Tel: 039-586-177 Tel: 082-212-0698 Tel: 089-474-4335 Tel: 039-555-144 Tel: 089-161-6664 Tel: 039-558-083, Tel: 081-279-5120 Tel: 089-899-0806 Tel: 089-099-4030 Tel: 086-229-5622 Tel: 085-904-6706 Tel. 081-810-2679 Tel. 089-819-4511 Tel. 02-711-2058 Tel: 089-936-1848 Tel: 081-762-6482 Fax: 039-558-158 Tel: 039-558-157 Tel: 083-987-4777 Tel: 039-558-123 Tel: 087-132-7668 Tel: 089-252-9287 Tel: 039-558-084/5 Tel: 089-609-7772 Tel: 084-867-7459 Tel. 083-115-6566 Tel. 039-553-091 Accommodation 81 o n ti d a o m o m c c A 82
Restaurants & Bars Restaurn &B Home Bar Cafe Decompression Chang Ciao Koh Resort &Spa Chang Buri Steak House Buffalo Bill Bar Blue Lagoon Restaurant Best Food 15 Palms White SandsBeach Norng Bua Monkey's Resort &Spa K.C. Grande Western Bar/Thai/ Cafe Thai Italian/ Western Thai/ Steak Bar Chinese Thai European/ Western Thai/ Thai Western/ Western Thai/ wines andcheesesdraughtbeer.Theyalsodocookinglessons. This friendlybarandrestaurantfeaturespizza,curriesThaifood, Resort. Theyservefreshcoffee,snacksandicecream. This cafeislocatedintheSiamH20divingshopbesideGrandView restaurant halfwayupthehilloutofWhiteSandBeach. This well-establishedKohChangfavouriteislocatedinastylish cuisine Balcony restaurantatthisluxuryhotelofferingThaiandWestern using importedbeef.Andyougeta10%fooddiscountwiththisguide. This themedsteakhouseandhoteloffersachoiceofdifferentsteaks a freePooltableandshowlivesports.Lateopeningfriendlystaff. One ofthemostpopularbarsin"Mini-Pattaya"bararea.Theyhave authentic Chinesefood. This promisinglytitledrestaurantinGrandViewPlazaserves favourites. ItalianGelatoandLavazzacoffeeshop. Comfortable beachrestaurant/bar.Frenchchefcookinginternational Thai food,snacksandnoodlesoupinthisinexpensiveroadsideeatery Lounge areawithcomfysofas,apooltableandsportonbigscreen. Some interestingmenuselectionsatthisstylishrestaurantandbar. Bar, beachfront&rooftoprestaurants,poolbars,andacoffeelounge. Choose fromnolessthansevenplacestoeatanddrinkhereincluding:K.C. Restaurants & Bars 83 s a r B s & n t ra ta u e s R This large and lively bar has 3 flatscreen TVs with local and ScandinavianThis large and lively bar has 3 flatscreen TVs and opens until late. channels, Carlsberg on draft, an electronic jukebox Pizzas, Pastas and all kinds of Italian specialities offer at this roadside specialities offer at and all kinds of Italian Pizzas, Pastas steaks. Beach. They have imported central White Sand restaurant in this restaurant on the first floor of Plaloma Attractive sea views in Resort bay. with fantastic views over the beach and Beachside restaurant/bar the sunset. Now Italian Gelato ice cream. A good spot for watching a and Chinese specialities in addition to Restaurant offering Western are also available. full Thai menu. Cocktails is in a great location right by the beach. They This bar and restaurant and fresh seafood is a popular choice. have a well-priced menu on the eclectic menu in this interesting Lots of tempting selections restaurant Danish and European in Grand View Plaza has live music every night,This popular nightspot plays rock music until very, very late. free pool and Wi-Fi and This nightspot on White Sands is a large club that has DJ's, drinks, food food has DJ's, drinks, club that is a large White Sands on This nightspot hours. the very early until and dancing Food bar. Popular island hangout. live music Blues/Thai/Folk/Rock and Pizzas Steak Lao. French Menu barbecue and includes Mongolian Families an extensive Western menu. original Irish Pub has Koh Chang's and free Wi-Fi. Draft Guinness roast dinners on Sundays. welcome. Special Bar/ European Chinese/ Thai Thai/ Western European Bar Italian/ Thai Western Thai/ Western Club Thai/ French Thai/ Western
The White Elephant The Rockbar Thai/Danish Tantawan Restaurant Siam Kitchen Rock Sand Plaloma Piatto Ricco Paddy’s Palms The Bar Oodie’s Place 84
Restaurants & Bars Restaurn &b Sanae's The Sea Saffron on Resort Pennys Resort Kai Mook Castle Elephant & Thailand.com Books Hat KaiMook(PearlBeach) Wine Gallery Koh Chang Tiger’s Den Thor’s Palace Burger Station Breezes Bar Boom Bar Baan Ta Klong Prao Koh Chang Zip 'nZorb Seafood Nong Bua Italiano Ristorante Marco &Jo Peng WanResort Koh Chang La Cabra Restaurant Chinese Tea House Bodiwork & Chai Chet Chinese Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Thai Western Cafe Coffee Wine/ Bar Western Thai/ Burgers Bar Snacks Bar/ European Thai/ Bar Seafood Thai/ Italian Tapas Western/ Chinese House Spa/ Tea restaurant nowservesThaiandChinesefood. Peng WanHolidayResortisundernewmanagementandtheir breakfasts aswelloneofKohChang'sbestPatGapows. The goodfoodhereincludeshome-madesausagesandallday in ashadyandsecludedgardensetting Scenic restaurant&barbythesea.Offersbreakfasts,lunchesdinners They haveabeachsidebarbequeonSaturdaynights. Restaurant andbeachcocktailbarofferingThaiWesterndishes. classic Thaidishes. The restaurantatthisbeachsideresorthasamenuconsistingofallthe dinners, pies,curries,casseroles.Banter. Friendly cafeonanattractivejunglehillside.Englishbreakfasts,roast meals aswellsandwiches,freshcoffeesanddrinks. Now KohChang'sbookshopservesaselectionofbreakfastsandfull located oppositeLagoonResortclosetotheBangkokBank. This newplacewithThaicoffeeandalargerangeofwinesiscentrally live sport. Friendly andpopularbeachbar.Cocktailsahappyhouraswell Thor. ExcellentThaicurries.Goodmusic.Trytheirtastycocktails. Comfortable beachsiderestaurant/baratAlinaResortrunbythecolourful more -theywill deliver freeintheKaiBaearea. Real 100%home-made burgersaretheorderof dayhere.What's "buy oneget free"happyhourfrom9pmto11pm nightly. This baratAmariEmeraldCove has livemusic.Theycurrentlyhavea table. Cocktails,RhumArranges, Shots,PaninisandSnacks. Open 5pm-2amthisplacehasDJ, dancefloor,bigscreenmovies,Pool and offersawidevarietyofThai, Europeanandseafoodspecialities. This largerestauranthasanicegarden settingaswellindoorseating the topofChaiChetHill. There isanicebeergardenatthisnewzorbingandactivitycentre at Resort offersallkindsofThaimeals,freshseafoodandBBQ. This sleekandstylishnewseafoodrestaurantnexttoKlongPrao pastas andauthenticItaliandishesinV.J.Plaza. deserves thepraise.TwoItalianchefsprepareexcellentpizzas,home-made One ofKohChang'stoprankedrestaurantsonTripadvisorand it as TapasatLaCabraGalleryoppositeKohChangResortinChaiChet. Daily specials,andagoodselectionofThaiwesternmealsaswell Chinese-Thai specialities. This restaurantinV.J.PlazaservesallkindsofauthenticChineseand treatments andtrainingcoursesaswellhavingaTeaHouse. This newplaceinfrontofCoconutresortoffersallkindsspa
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Restaurants & Bars Restaurn &b Crust Bakery Cheap Thrills V.J. Searenity Terrace The Cove Bar Sapparot Moley's Resort Klong Prao Culinary KA-TI Just Thai Iyara Seafood Deli Bakery/ Western Bar/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Bar/Thai Bar Western/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Thai Western Thai/ cakes aswellaEuropeandeliwithallkindsofhardtofindtreats. This popularbakery/Delihasallkindsofbreads,sandwichesand guest house.TheyalsoserveMediterraneanandThaicuisine. There islivemusiceverynightatthisattractivebar,restaurantand Klong Praobeach. There isascenicrestaurantandbarbesidetheseaatthishotelon Koh Changisopenfrom6amto11pmdaily. This internationalrestaurantonthebeachfrontatAmariEmeraldCove They havelivesports,ThaiandIssanfoodgreatsunsets. This woodenbarleansoutovertheriverwhereitmeetssea. chicken, spag’bol’&coldbeersallinalovelywaterfrontbarsetting. Home-made farangfood:fullEnglishbreakfasts,burgers,steaks, International menuaswellanightlyseafoodbarbeque. The restaurantatthispopularbeachfrontresorthasafullThaiand you likecantakeacoursetolearnhowcookthemyourself. If Thai dishesinthisrestaurant. of authentic You cantasteawiderange presented ThairestaurantatAmariEmeraldCove. Quality Thaicuisineservedinthepleasantsurroundingsofthiswell- views ofthebeachandmountain. Seafood restaurantinapicturesquesettingonthelagoonwithterrific Restaurants & Bars 87 s a r B s & n t ra ta u e s R This new place on the beach at Chang Park Resort offers top quality This new place on the beach at Chang Park Resort steaks in a delightful ambiance. This is a popular Kai Bae nightspot. They have free Wi-Fi, pool and nightspot. They have free Wi-Fi, pool and This is a popular Kai Bae special offers on drinks every night. table football as well as is in an enviable setting at Coral Resort This new premium restaurant a mouth-watering seafood menu. with great sea views and a full at this hotel serves breakfasts, then has The beachfront restaurant throughout the day and evening. Thai and Western menu western dishes at this restaurant at Kai Bae Thai food, breakfasts and jetty. Hut Resort beside the bar and restaurant serving Thai and Popular & friendly English-run and live sports shown on a big screen. Western foods. Pool table coffee and good freshly-baked bread. Cakes, Sandwiches, fresh of Kai Bae Plaza. There is a live band playing Wooden bar at the front nightly and audience participation is encouraged. A bar in the centre of Kai Bae with a rock theme: large screens showing theme: large with a rock of Kai Bae in the centre A bar of drinks. Pizza, Burgers and all kinds regular live music, classic concerts, Lonely has recently moved from Mexican restaurant This popular a Mexican chef. food prepared by serve authentic Mexican Beach. They enter Kai Bae. restaurant just as you Italian food at this smart Excellent authentic standards. desserts. Kept clean to European pasta, pizza, lasagne and Freshly made Thai/ Seafood Thai/ Western English/ Thai Bakery Music Bar Bar Seafood Thai/ Western Bar Mexican Italian/ Thai
Sea Zen Sea Breeze Cocktails Kai Bae Hut Morgan's Papa Kai Bae Beach Resort Filou Oceanview Filou Cocktail Lounge Ciao Italian: Kai Bae Barrio Bonito
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Restaurants & Bars Restaurn &B Wine Gallery Sunflower The Hangover The Siam Hut Resort Siam Beach Q Cottages Paradise Oasis Resort Magic Garden Resort Lonely Beach Little Eden Tapas BB Worldof Lonely Beach Restaurant Ziva Italian Wine Gallery Tiki Drift The Garden International International Wine Coffee/ Western Thai/ European Bar/ Bar/Thai Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Thai/ Italian Bar/Cafe Bar Western Thai/ resort. Trytheirtastyhousespecialities.EnglishGermanandThaiSpoken. Good ThaiandInternationalfoodattherestaurantofthishillsidebungalow selection ofimportedBelgianbeers.Andaswimmingpool! This placehasalargevarietyofdifferenttapasaswellhuge shops isdownthesideroadnexttoHimmelBar. The LonelyBreachbranchofthisKohChangchainwineandcoffee atmosphere. Authentic Thai&WesternFood.Extensivebreakfastmenu.Laidback classic EuropeanandRussiandishes.Andtheyopenuntilverylate. This newbarandrestaurantpridesitselfonhavinggreatsteaks backpacker resortandothernightsarealsolively. Every Fridayseesisahugebeachpartyuntillateatthispopular meal orasunsetcocktail. The beachsiderestaurantatSiamBeachisapleasantplacetoenjoy food. TheyalsohaveCarlsbergdraught,freeWi-Fiandpool. A niceplacewhereundergroundhousegroovesfusewithinternational modern lookingresort. Thai andWesternmealsareavailableinthebar/restaurantofthis cold beerortryoneoftheirdelicioussandwiches. This hillsiderestauranthasagreatseaview.Enjoythesunsetwith Western menuaswelladaily"MagicBBQ". A barandrestaurantwithregularlivemusicanextensiveThai of theirbreakfasts,pizzasandwesternThaimenubusybar. This placehasjustdoubledtheirseatingcapacityduetothepopularity food.Pizzas,pastas,lasagne,ice-creamandhome-madespecialities. Italian Fernanda’s stylish restaurantis not Itagliano,nor Ithailian, just genuine prices.TheyhavefreshArabicacoffeesfromNorthThailand. wholesale Koh Chang’sonlybarofferingalargerangeofbeersandspiritsat minded thereisawatersportscentreofferingallkindsofaquaticaction. There's acoolsunsetbeachbarhereifyou'dliketochillorfortheactively placed hotelinthemiddleofKaiBaevillage. Restaurant andBarwithpooltableatthiscomfortablecentrally Restaurants & Bars 89 s a r B s & n t ra ta u e s R 90
Restaurants & Bars Restaurn &B Sunny Inn Restaurant Ido Bar& El Greco Buddha View Club The Beach Cliff Cottages Bang Bao Bang Bao Turtle The Happy Resort Bailan Bay Bailan Beach Cococape Koh Mak Koh Mak Chang Resort The SpaKoh Resort Serenity Resort &Spa Island View Amber Sands East Coast Pub The Marina Club The Beach Beach Bar Shambhala Klong Son Continental Bar European Thai/Bar/ Greek Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Western Thai/ Seafood Thai/ Seafood Thai/ Vegetarian Snacks Bar/ Seafood Thai/ Western Thai/ Pub Food Thai/ Bar in thegreatsurroundingsofthisbeachsideplaceatSiamRoyalView. Enjoy ameal,takedipintheswimmingpoolorsimplyenjoydrink indoor andoutdoorseatingareas. There isacocktailbaratthisnewguesthouseinBangBaovillagewithboth 500m afterBangBaovillage.Breakfastsfrom8am,foodanddrinks'tillate. This charminglittlebeachbarisonitsowncalledSaiNoiabout guesthouse andrestaurantwithagreatlocationonBangBaopier. Authentic Greekfoodandgreatcocktailsareservedatthisnicelittle enjoying authenticTraditionalThaicuisineorexcellentEuropeanfood. Relax intropicalsurroundingswithpanoramicviewoftheoceanwhile past BangBao.Theyalsohavenewbeachsiderooms. This beachbarandrestaurantisinagreatlocationonthe500m waterfront barandrestaurantarea. This relaxedbungalowresortoffersmealsinthelovelysettingoftheir and coffeeservedbyabarristaaswellbarwithgoodpooltable. Good Thaifood(theyhaveacookingschool),icecream,milkshakes great viewsoverBailanBay. This resorthasaThaiandSeafoodrestaurantatthetopofhillwith and offersbreakfasts andaThaiseafoodmenu. seaside pool andthe the this resort islocatedbetween at The restaurant branch isveryhighlypraisedsothis placeiswellworthatry. Thisresortoffersacomprehensive vegetarianmenu.TheKohSamui snacks attheirbeachsidebarand offerfreeuseofwatersportsgear. This placeisworthastopasyoutourtheisland.Theyhavedrinks and end ofapierofferingfantasticviewsSalakPhetbay. Delicious freshseafoodoverthewateratthisrestaurantsitting the wholesome foodwhilstexploringKohChang'sunspoilteastcoast. This isagreatplacetostopoffforgenerousservingsoftasty, table anddartboard,acrazygolfcoursetheyservepubmeals. The waterfrontpubatthenewSiamRoyalViewmarinahasapool specialises incocktails,mocktailsandfruitshakesfrom1-9pmThu-Tue This swimuppoolbarbesidethebeachatSiamRoyalView(Marina)