This is my top pick for Thai islands, hands down. On Koh Chang, meaning Elephant Island, you'll find insane partying, adventure with waterfalls and jungles, beautiful pristine beaches, and laid back hippie chillin times. While Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi are amazing as well, this island has a more laid back and hidden gem ambiance. It is less overrun with tourists thus making it one of the cheapest islands you can do in Thailand, but yet it is insanely dynamic and fun. If you're travelling as a couple, Koh Chang is perfect for hottie romance as well. I spent one month living here teaching migrant Cambodian children English before my internship in Bangkok as well as spent over a week on the ile with my old amour. It was so amazing we did it twice thus why I want to share every gold nugget of advice that made the experience unforgettable slash mad affordable with you.
Where to Go: Lonely Beach
The island is divided into several areas. If you are a young backpacker looking to party your ace off with others like you, play beach volleyball everyday and more, head straight to Lonely Beach. The taxi ride won't be more than 100 Baht (don't let them trick you!) and it will take you through winding roads and beautiful jungle hills in order to get to this hidden paradise along the beach. White Sands Beach is the most expensive area and usually where all the tourists without a clue end up (or the rich old folks). If you are looking to escape the backpacker scene and have a more mature/expensive trip, I'd recommend Kai Bai. Everything else in between the two polar opposites (both culturally and geographically) is decent I guess, but honestly don't be silly. For the most fun party chillin times and best prices, head to Lonely Beach.
Contents:
1. Lodging
2. Eating
3. Partying
4. Intoxication
5. Practical Stuff (Internet, Laundry)
6. Other things to do
1. Lodging
Ice Beach Huts: This is the cheapest in Lonely Beach for 50 Baht/night, which is the equivalent to less than 2 USD/night and where I managed to spend one month in while volunteering. It provides the basics for any backpacker who is going to spend most of their time partying and not dwelling in the huts - literally just a place to rest your head. And honestly, who needs more than that? There is a fan, a kind of hard bed, mosquito net and a light bulb. The shower is outside and quite an adventure to use. I really have great memories of this place because it was sort of the epitome of what you imagine when you think of living in a hut in Thailand. There are always fun students staying in the area. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a romantic getaway or are a bit of a princess, but if adventure is in your blood and money is not in your pockets this is the best place to go. It can be scary because the walls aren't sealed, just wooden sticks put together to make a hut, and maybe giant lizards go and come as they please, but who cares? T.I.T ! (This is Thailand).Where: Go to the infamous Treehouse bar/restaurant and on the other side of some barb wire and in the forest a bit there is the cheapest hut you'll ever stay at in Thailand. Please tell me if it's still there or not.
Siam Huts: If you want some more of the creature comforts of life but while remaining cheap, I recommend Siam Huts. They are huts along the beautiful water and they have A/C and hot water showers. The price is around 100 baht/night (4 dollars). I stayed there when the amour came to visit and we wanted something cheap and romantic. They have a restaurant there which is absolutely beautiful and overlooking the water but...the food isn't as great as it can be. I recommend elsewhere for eating as seen below.
There are many huts around for different prices, but these two offered everything I could have wanted and for a good price.
2. Eating
Treehouse: This is the most obvious place for people on the island, so as a newcomer you have to know that Treehouse has some of the best food you can imagine. Being right next to Ice Beach huts I ate breakfast there every morning while over the clear blue ocean and writing my lesson plans. The Pad Thai is to die for and for breakfast the Grilled tuna melt is incomparable around the world. The chill ambiance, with reggae and hammocks every where will easily entice you to spend whole hung over afternoons just hanging around awaiting the next party. Parties here are on certain nights of the week they are a lot of damn fun. Be careful jumping around on the wooden planks, people's foots have been known to break through them. Also, they sell happy shakes (marijuana grinded into a fruit drink) there. Historically, this is the place that defined Lonely Beach as the chillest spot on the island. I HEARD IT SHUT DOWN. IMPOSSIBLE.
Rainbow Huts: Get the best BBQ Seafood here. As the sun sets they bust out the grills where they cook the most delicious feast of fresh seafood you could imagine. The whole beach does it, but I found that the flavour here was the most ultimate.
Lil'Fel's recommendation: I always get the white snapper, grilled with some salad and white rice. You can get fresh bbqed jumbo prawn as well. It isn't that cheap, relatively, around 300 baht, but hell it is worth it at least once while there. Also, in any restaurant you go to, you must order Thai Ice tea and coconut shakes. They are dirt cheap and so yummy.
Best and cheapest pad thai: in Lonely beach is at the restaurant next to Reggae Bar. The man is so nice and will always chat up a storm with you. The great thing about Lonely beach is that the locals all really become your friend and are super chill and lovin' life. Also, you can poach free wifi from Reggae Bar too. Where I'd spend my evenings talking to my amour and eating the best deal for pad thai in the hood.
Reggae Bar: If you want food open all night, this is the place to be. It great to chill at during the day but the food is nothing special. This is where the best parties are though.
How to Eat for Free: This is possible every night in Lonely Beach. Every major bar host a BBQ on alternating nights of the week. In truth it is nothing special, some bbq chicken and salad but since it's free, it draws large crowds. It's also where the party is that night. Obviously the respectful and expected thing is to buy drinks at the bar, which has been jacked up in price because of the free food.
Ghetto Tip: What most poor souls do looking for a free meal is they buy one drink at the bar and then buy drinks from the super market for much cheaper.
3. Partying
Treehouse: Overlooking the water, great dj's and best ambiance. RIP
Siam Huts: similar thang as Treehouse. Being along the beach is so essential to having the best nights on the island.
Reggae Bar: It's inland but they know how to throw down a good time. Live music is usually playing and some of my best memories were made there. If you are musically inclined you can even go up and play music with your friends and have the whole bar sing along with you!
For Some Naughty Fun..
One of the best things you can do is to sneak into the snobby hotel swimming pools with your friends and bathe in the middle of the night. It's beautiful and peaceful.. until the guards find you and start chasing you out naked with bamboo sticks and whipping your little derrieres! Be prepared to James Bond it out of there as the Thai guard searches for you in the water with his flashlight, in the corners of the pool, under the fountains, oh my! If you don't sneak out unseen you pay the price in red whipped skin.
Important Cultural Tip: While it may seem somewhat acceptable to be belligerent in fancy hotel pools, one thing you never do is mess with the local Thai property. Knew some people who thought it would be cool to sneak on a fishing boat to watch the sun rise (sounds reasonable and awesome) but one of them had to pee and did so off the side of the boat. THIS IS A NO-NO. This was believed to bring bad luck to fishing and as its such a major part of their livelihood, the man was staggeringly upset. Point being, don't be idiots. Respect the Thai people while you have your good time, duh.
4. Intoxication
Mushrooms: Koh Chang means elephant island in Thai. Most of the mushrooms in Thailand are grown from elephant dung so there is def' a plethora on this island (whereas in Koh Phi Phi it is impossible to find) and backpackers love to do try out the magical experience. Being discreet is obvious because it's illegal, duh! But actually, it's not as prevalent as it is on Koh Phangan. One reliable place to buy from is Siam Huts. They sell "magic shakes" for 500 Baht, but rather than having them mix it into a shake, I've heard it's better to get them raw in a bag to eat with food.How do you know they're real? Mushrooms in Thailand have a golden eye and a dark outer area. I've known people who have bought them and have had no effect once it was in a shake (in Koh Lanta). I imagine that is because they weren't real and there is no way of telling once they are grounded up. One tip for taking them is to eat it food.
Alcohol: Cheapest way to drink is by buying in the super market. Since you probably won't have a fridge in your hut it's recommended to buy bottles of Sam Song (Thai Whiskey) and mix that through out the night. The stores in lonely Beach are open late (midnight) so you can buy bottles of cold beer as your night progresses
Happy Shakes: Marijuana is very easy to get on Koh Chang and is cheap. You can get it mixed in a shake too.
5. Practical
Internet: There are internet cafes but they are sort of expensive. If you have a laptop you can get free wifi from Reggae bar.
Laundry: You can get laundry done for you for very cheap, but I've had several pieces of clothing destroyed in the process. Maybe just do your panties and boxers but nothing nicer.
6. Other things to do
Waterfall Road Trip to Long Beach: Rent a motorbike and go exploring on the other side of the island. It takes a couple hours and is a great day trip to arrive at the other Treehouse on the real remote part of the island on LONG BEACH. Along the way there are several waterfalls, monkeys, untouched fisherman's village and more. It's stunning. The waterfalls are nice to see and swim in but they cost some money. At the end of the long and adventurous journey and sketchy roads you end up on Long Beach, where there are only three huts to accomodate people. The water is beautiful. Come here for an escape from drunken crowds and some zen moments, not for insane partying. It's seriously quiet and nice for couples.
Visit the Cambodian School: Donate some clothes, supplies, see the children and if you're there for a while maybe volunteer some of your time teaching english. This is a school set up for migrant Cambodian children who cannot afford to or whose parents are scared to put them in the Thai School System. A lot of them are not legally in the country so they fear registering their kids in school. This school gives them a chance at an education. I volunteered there Summer 2009.
Stop by Evolution Tour and talk to Brian, the Dutch manager. Or give them a call. You have to go through a small path in the jungle to get to it. 30/1/7 Moo 4, Baan Klong Prao, Trat Province 23170, Thailand Phone: +66 39 557 078 - Mobile: +66 9 603 9642
Fish Market at Bang Bao: Rent a motorbike and go to Bang Bao. There's a market over the water and where all the fishing boats are lined up. It's nothing crazy special but it's pretty to sit out on the peer when the sun is setting or shop around for ridiculous hats.
Kayak to Deserted Island for Romantic Picnic: The old amour and I decided to dish a bit of money out on a kayak and head out to one of the little rocky islands not far out to picnic. With our beers in our bag and pad thai ready to go, we set off into the setting sun. It was an amazing adventure for our anniversary, as we jumped off the Kayak and swam in the bath warm water. The only bummer was when on the way back Zeus decided to send out a lightening storm (fine, maybe just heat lightening, but still). It was terrifying to go back to the mainland in a boat! Still, def recommend it for romance + adventure!
This is probably awkward. This relationship doesn't exist anymore. #ohwell #travelproblems
See the rest of the photos here from Koh Chang and please like the Facebook page
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