Why KOH CHANG Is Thailand’s Most Relaxing Island 🇹🇭

Leaving Bangkok for Koh Chang

We left the house around 4:30 a.m. and, at 7:00 a.m., were almost halfway to Trat. The journey was around 320 km from Bangkok, and we were going to stop in Trat before taking the ferry boat to Koh Chang.

Taking the Ferry to Koh Chang

We arrived at the pier around 9:00 a.m. and took the car on the ferry for 280 Thai Baht. The crossing to Koh Chang takes around 30 minutes, and taking the car made sense because we planned to explore the island rather than stay in one place.

The process was easy. After leaving the car, we went up to the boat, where there was a cafeteria, a bathroom, and seats with views. There were VIP and economy seats, and the ferry was different from the one to Koh Samui.

Arriving at Kai Bae Viewpoint

We officially arrived on Koh Chang at Kai Bae Viewpoint. The first impression was calm and quiet, with a different atmosphere from Phuket or Koh Samui. The island still has markets, massage places, and nightlife.

Driving around the island revealed dense forest and beautiful shores. Koh Chang also has a national park and many places to visit. It was beautiful and much calmer, without large numbers of tourists.

Staying Near Lonely Beach

We stopped at Sylvan Koh Chang Resort while waiting to check in at our own resort. The restaurant and coffee area had beautiful views, and Sylvan was another accommodation option.

We then checked in at our resort in the jungle near Lonely Beach. The bungalow had a garden view and a view toward Lonely Beach, along with a large sofa and a comfortable bed.

The best part was the beach view and the outdoor bathtub. The room cost 1,400 Thai Baht per night, including the beach view.

Exploring White Sand Beach

Our resort was near Lonely Beach, and we drove to the viewpoint and then along the shore. Visitors should not feed the monkeys. The weather was cloudy, breezy, and windy because it was the low season, but it was not raining.

White Sand Beach was around a 10-minute drive from our resort. It was better for us than Lonely Beach because Lonely Beach is rocky, while White Sand Beach has white sand.

Koh Chang seemed like a good place to relax during the low season. There were affordable prices, and the town had massage shops, shopping, markets, entertainment places, and bars. Compared with Phuket and Krabi, there were fewer tourists and fewer pushy vendors.

The island is more vibrant during high season, but the low-season atmosphere was quiet and easy.

Enjoying a Quiet Koh Chang Evening

We ate at the U-Turn Restaurant. The meal included beef and som tam, and everything we ordered cost 1,100 Thai Baht. The prices reflected the fact that Koh Chang is an island.

There were many 7-Elevens around, so it was possible to get necessities 24 hours a day. We returned to the resort to enjoy the sunset at Lonely Beach. It was cloudy, but the weather was still pleasant and the sunset was beautiful.

The resort was around 15 minutes from the main action. The next day we planned to stay at a resort in the centre so we could compare the two locations. The first resort had beautiful views but no television.

Moving to a Resort in the Action

The jungle resort had been a peaceful low-season experience, with a quiet shore, nature, butterflies, and birds. After checking out, we moved to a resort closer to the action.

The second resort had a pool view and a mountain view, while the beach was across the road. The room cost 1,200 Thai Baht in the low season, although prices change according to the season and availability.

The resort also had pool villas, a breakfast restaurant, a nearby 7-Eleven, and direct access to the beach. The difference was clear: one resort was surrounded by jungle and nature, while the other was closer to the town centre and everyday activity.

Exploring Waterfalls and an Elephant Camp

We visited an elephant camp and then a national park and waterfall. The entrance fee was 200 Thai Baht for foreigners and 40 Thai Baht for locals.

At Khao Chong Phlu, the route had five stations, with the highest point at 600 metres. The first level took around five minutes to reach, but the path became rocky and slippery. Some people were swimming in the water below.

Koh Chang has many things to explore, including elephant trekking, waterfalls, national parks, and forest trails. The climb was difficult, but the view at the waterfall made it worthwhile. It was one of the most beautiful places we saw that day.

Finding a Quiet Drink at Vanilla Sky

Vanilla Sky is a quiet place to have drinks on the beach. I ordered a drink called Relax after the waterfall and a large pizza.

Koh Chang is a good place to relax. It is different from more heavily visited islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui. There are tourists and foreigners, but the atmosphere is quiet, easy, and slow, especially during the low season.

We returned to the resort for our last night on Koh Chang. The sunset was beautiful, and the waves were strong.