How bad is Ko Chang?
Apr 2nd, 2007, 07:43 AM
#1
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How bad is Ko Chang?
Im starting to think that since Im having no luck with Koh Mak, maybe I should look at Ko Chang. We are a family of 4 wanting 5 days on an island that is not so full of Tourists we may as well have gone to Disney.
I have heard that Ko Chang has lost all appeal as a secluded area, how bad is it? I appreciate your input.
I have heard that Ko Chang has lost all appeal as a secluded area, how bad is it? I appreciate your input.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 07:58 AM
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I doubt you would find anything on Koh Chang to resemble Disney !
Which islands have you been to before ? and where did you stay so we can get an idea of what you are looking for, Koh Kood / Kut ( whichever you prefer ) is very very quiet indeed.
What sort of accommodation are you looking for on Koh Chang, when people may say it has developed, that is true, but it depends in relation to where people are comparing it to, but it is a long way off getting anywhere near to the busiest islands ( i.e Samui / Phuket ).
Tell us more and hpefully we can give some guidance.
Which islands have you been to before ? and where did you stay so we can get an idea of what you are looking for, Koh Kood / Kut ( whichever you prefer ) is very very quiet indeed.
What sort of accommodation are you looking for on Koh Chang, when people may say it has developed, that is true, but it depends in relation to where people are comparing it to, but it is a long way off getting anywhere near to the busiest islands ( i.e Samui / Phuket ).
Tell us more and hpefully we can give some guidance.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:10 AM
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This is my first time. My daughter is an exchange student and we are going to visit her in May. She has told me that Koh Chang is very touristy and that the tourists are loud and rude. I am really going on her thoughts. Of course,she may be taking on someone elses opinions as she has not been there either. My daughter had hoped we may vist Koh Mak or Koh Kut.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:21 AM
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Anabelle, there are quiet areas on even the most developed islands and developed places even on relatively quiet islands. For you or your daughter to rule out Koh Chang because someone told her that "Koh Chang is very touristy and that the tourists are loud and rude" makes little sense. There is nowhere I have seen in Thailand that anyone would mistake for Disney!
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:29 AM
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Ok that's clearer now.
The thing is - Koh Kood/Kut are on a different scale entirely from Koh Chang, but whether they would suit you depends, many people quite naturaly seek a quiet and relaxing place, but in some cases that is until they think 'where to go for dinner tongiht?' to realise that quiet means just that, laid back and undeveloped, weel, means just that.
When it's a family or friends together you need to be sure that everyone likes the place and everyone finds something appealing, there is quiet and there is 'quiet'.
This may help get some perspective, have a brosw through, very fast this, skip through and glance at the Pictures/details pages and you will within a few minutes get and idea of KC.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/kohchang/hotels/
I think they have one place of Koh Mak, then take a look at just the couple of places on Koh Kood and yuo will see a perspective of accommodation.
http://www.atsiam.com/hotels_koh_kood.asp
You can of course do both. We liked the Barali on Koh Chang and other regulars here also have stayed, there are better/classier places, there are also smaller/less classy places. The island is no where as developed as places like Phuket or Samui although now more luxury resorts are opening.
I don't think KC in particular would attract any particular 'type' of tourist, I understand though it can be tricky if your daugher wants a particular place. Perhaps some time on KC and then a few days on Koh Kood to keep everyone happy
Have a browse, should help.
Think also about how to get down to the area, you 'can' fly to Trat but with 4 of you that could work out very expensive, you can get a van from Bangkok, it's quite a journey but would be a huge saving over the flight.
But also do tell what sort of accommodation/comforts you want/expect, whether you are ok with the simplest or you want more comforts. Your choice on KC is huge compared with the others.
The thing is - Koh Kood/Kut are on a different scale entirely from Koh Chang, but whether they would suit you depends, many people quite naturaly seek a quiet and relaxing place, but in some cases that is until they think 'where to go for dinner tongiht?' to realise that quiet means just that, laid back and undeveloped, weel, means just that.
When it's a family or friends together you need to be sure that everyone likes the place and everyone finds something appealing, there is quiet and there is 'quiet'.
This may help get some perspective, have a brosw through, very fast this, skip through and glance at the Pictures/details pages and you will within a few minutes get and idea of KC.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/kohchang/hotels/
I think they have one place of Koh Mak, then take a look at just the couple of places on Koh Kood and yuo will see a perspective of accommodation.
http://www.atsiam.com/hotels_koh_kood.asp
You can of course do both. We liked the Barali on Koh Chang and other regulars here also have stayed, there are better/classier places, there are also smaller/less classy places. The island is no where as developed as places like Phuket or Samui although now more luxury resorts are opening.
I don't think KC in particular would attract any particular 'type' of tourist, I understand though it can be tricky if your daugher wants a particular place. Perhaps some time on KC and then a few days on Koh Kood to keep everyone happy
Have a browse, should help.
Think also about how to get down to the area, you 'can' fly to Trat but with 4 of you that could work out very expensive, you can get a van from Bangkok, it's quite a journey but would be a huge saving over the flight.
But also do tell what sort of accommodation/comforts you want/expect, whether you are ok with the simplest or you want more comforts. Your choice on KC is huge compared with the others.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:33 AM
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I myself have never been to Koh Mak or Koh Kood. But both islands have their homepage kokood.com and kohmak.com. Did you try this out already?
I was on Koh Chang by accident on a boat tour more than 20 years ago. No resort at all by this time. But this have changed a lot. Anyway, Koh Chang is not that (over)developed as Phuket or Koh Samui.
Quieter as Koh Chang now are still the islands off Trang/Kantang in the South. There is another Koh Mak (or Muk), Koh Kradan (my favorite) and others.
I was on Koh Chang by accident on a boat tour more than 20 years ago. No resort at all by this time. But this have changed a lot. Anyway, Koh Chang is not that (over)developed as Phuket or Koh Samui.
Quieter as Koh Chang now are still the islands off Trang/Kantang in the South. There is another Koh Mak (or Muk), Koh Kradan (my favorite) and others.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 09:06 AM
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Thank you to all so far for your help. I have been looking at a place on Koh Mak called Cococape, as well as on Koh Kut, Laguna resort. I do not know if we can get transportation leaving on a thursday. With the information you have given me I have begun my search on KC thinking of Paradise Resort. And yes, maybe too quiet will be too quiet. I feel much better about KC. I had read some of the trip advisor reviews where people complained about loud, obnoxious drunks. That put me off as well. We will be coming from Chanthaburi City, Im trying to locate a driver to take us to the pier in Trat, its the ferry schedule I am wondering about?
Apr 2nd, 2007, 05:39 PM
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paradise is very nice...it is right next to the barali that james mentions....we stayed at the barali at james' suggestion and were very pleased...the food if better at paradise so we often ate there....its a 30 second walk through a hedge from barali...
as far as koh chang in general....you would not want it less developed...
phuket would never do for you....samui would be ok if you picked the right area (bophut area is nice), but i think you would be very happy with KC...its an easy air flight on bkk air from bkk....no problem with transportation...
we only left the resort one day and spent our other days right there so were totally content...
great place for 3-5 days imo...
look at www.huahin.20m.com for place to stay there...
as far as koh chang in general....you would not want it less developed...
phuket would never do for you....samui would be ok if you picked the right area (bophut area is nice), but i think you would be very happy with KC...its an easy air flight on bkk air from bkk....no problem with transportation...
we only left the resort one day and spent our other days right there so were totally content...
great place for 3-5 days imo...
look at www.huahin.20m.com for place to stay there...
Apr 2nd, 2007, 07:38 PM
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I just sent off a reservation request to Paradise. I hope this is it. I have been looking at so many websites, I've started to get dizzy. Must say "Iamkohchang" is a wealth of information. I am however still confused on how to get to the island from Trat. We will be driving in from Chanthaburi. Can you help? Thanks very much folks, you guys are terrific
Apr 2nd, 2007, 08:23 PM
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i hired a car and driver in pattaya to take me....he took his boat on the ferry and delivered us right to the hotel....it was expensive but doable...we quite enjoyed the ride...i think it took 5 hours...
the hotel will arrange a pick-up for you at the ferry once you arrive in koh chang....basically it is just a parking lot....ask them for help once you have the res....
the hotel will arrange a pick-up for you at the ferry once you arrive in koh chang....basically it is just a parking lot....ask them for help once you have the res....
Apr 2nd, 2007, 09:46 PM
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From Chanthaburi just get a car and driver ( aka taxi ) so easy and not far, you could get the bus but unless you are on an extreme budget car and driver is easy and available easily, I pressume your daughter is in Chanthaburi in which case she can arrange.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 01:35 AM
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You would find people ready to take you anywhere when you get across on the ferry, you can also try this for Paradise, they will tell you if the rooms are available and hold for a few days to decide if you want or not.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/koh...e/reservation/
I did not see that you were already sorted from Chanthaburi to Trat, you are going to get a nice insight into Thailand by visiting your daughter there and you are going to find things 'real cheap' in Chanthaburi.
Have a great time and do post back when you have done the trip.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/koh...e/reservation/
I did not see that you were already sorted from Chanthaburi to Trat, you are going to get a nice insight into Thailand by visiting your daughter there and you are going to find things 'real cheap' in Chanthaburi.
Have a great time and do post back when you have done the trip.
