haven't been to Koh Chang but- are you going there for 9 nights or BKK/KC for 9? BKK is a great city to go to and you won't be stuck for what to do there!

thought we'd spend about 3 nights in Bangkok - have been there before - and then move on. Have been to Cha Am and Hua Hin last time but want to go somewhere different. Thought about Kho Samui but some say it's quite comercialised now?

Chaweng is very commercialised on KS but we stay at Bophut which is lovely! When are you looking to go- as your choices will be dictated by that.

February 2006

About the same time as me. I too have been looking at Koh Chang...got to go there before it gets spolit. Don't know if there is going to be much to do apart from chill. I think Kuoni do the island if you want to use a UK based tour operator.

As far as I can see you have to use Bangkok Airways to get to Trat and then transfer from there. Seem's to be quite a few upmarket boutique resorts being built there at the moment. Thinking of twinning it with Sukothai for some culture but our plans are very fluid at the moment.

Hi all

Just noiced this thread. I'm originlly from the sunny UK but now live on Koh Chang.

Koh Chang isnt an 'activity' island, I'd say 9 days was a bit long if you want to be doing differet stuff every day. It's more somewhere where you can still get away from it all - especially on Klong Prao beach, where my house is, and also where he better hotels are. Thsi beach is very quiet - if you went tio Samui 15 years ago you'll know what to expect.

Getting here - Bangkok Airways is the easiest, quickest and coincidentally the most expensive way to do it -figure on 2,400 baht (incl. taxes) for a one way flight plus 280 baht/head for the minivan transfer from the airport to any resort on KC.

If you have afamily in tow then consider a private transfer by minivan from Bkk airport or a Bk hotel - cost is around 4,500 - 5,000 baht for a door to door transfer.

Otherwise you'll be on the bus - not hard to do but a bit time consuming, nd when you get onto KC you'll be herded onto a pick up truck taxi to get to your resort.

There are quite a few nice resorts on KC, far more than you'll see i your travel brochures. Also some arent actually on the beach - something that they dont always mention. Anyway, my favourits are : Tropicana Rsort, klong Prao; ( brightest, most tropical & nicest of the 3 star beach resorts) Aana Resort, Klong Prao ( just opened - best value luxury rooms on the island); Keereeta Resort, Pearl Beach ( best boutique hotel but not on or within walking distance of a beach); Nirvana, Bangbao ( best place to escape from the masses but still be within easy reach of excellent seafood restaurants and boats to the islands south of KC)

Feel free to PM me if you need specific info - you can buy me a beer when you're here.

great to have a Thai expert on board! Welcome to HT!
Love the username by the way.

Thanks a lot for all this info - it's good to hear from someone who can give an honest perspective.
I may email you after Xmas when I have had a bit more time to think what I want to do.
Once again - thanks.

Shame its coming up as guest for me and I would really like to PM the lucky divil that now resides in such a lovely paradise about the trip I take in Feb...

If you see this My Guest could you please PM as I could use some advice in return for more than just a beer ( Buy you a crate ) :0)

the member is macfarang- we had a technical hitch that day!

I am interested invisiting KC next Xmas after spending a few days in Bangkok. I will be travelling with my husband and children (13 and 16 yrs). The Amari Emerald Cove Resort at Klong Prao is the main hotel featured in the brochures - if we came here would we be restricted to eating at the hotel or are there other places to eat nearby? Also is there good snorkelling straight from the beach or do you need to take a boat trip for the best experience. Is the sea quite calm at this time of the year?
Any information gratefully received (I gather the currency is beer!)

Michelle
I have asked for this hotel to be added to our review pages so hopefully some one can review it for us!
In the meantime we have a member who lives on Koh Chang so I'm sure they will help when they see the post!

We've just booked to stay with Macfarang. When he pops up here ask him for his web site and take a look. It sounds lovely.

IamKohChang.com

Hope this bit of blatant self promotion gets past the mods.
Edit
OK! Just this one time Macfarang!
Fiona ht mod

Found your site a few weeks back macfarang...I thought it was you. Full of excellent information...was thinking of Koh Chang as we're thinking of going to Thailand in a few weeks time....have not made our minds up yet though. Had been looking at the AANA as it seems a good price. Then again maybe Krabi or even Trang.