From Wikitravel

Ko Chang is a small island at the Northern Andaman Coast in Southern Thailand (not to be confused with the more famous Ko Chang in Eastern Thailand).

[edit] Understand

Ko Chang (Ranong) is small and nice island close to Ranong in the south-west of Thailand. The island is located in the Northern Andaman Coast. Comparing to the well-known islands of Thailand (Phuket, Ko Samui), this one is very quiet and special due to its beautiful dark-sandy beaches, interesting nature (birds) and rocks. The water is not clear and the sand is not white, but the place is so special that it does not matter. There are some nice and quiet resorts on the island, most of them basic. It is a great place for a couple or just for people who appreciate a quite and amazing place away from the mainstream developed places.

[edit] Get in

You can only get to Ko Chang by using a taxi boat, whcih leave daily at several times at the Island Pier in Ranong. Currently boats leave during the high season at 09.00, 12.00, 14.00 and 15.30. Boats back to Ranong leave at 08.00 and 14.00.

Happy Air [1] flies into Ranong Airport from both Bangkok and Phuket with Bangkok daily flights.

From Ranong every day buses leave from and return to Bangkok, Phuket and Surathani and Chumpon.

[edit] Get around

There are no motorbikes for rent on Koh Chang and the only way to get around is by walking or by boat. This is actually what makes the island so peaceful and special. Most resorts are situated on Aow Yai, which is a long stretched beach and this is during the high season, which runs from November until April, the main walking 'road'. There are several newer concrete road leading inwards the islands and also lots of dirt tracks for those who are more adventurous. During some days of the week there is also a taxi boat leaving to and returning from Ko Phayam.

[edit][add listing] See

I've just returned from Koa Chang, and there are no bikes/scooters to rent on this Island.There are a few bikes used by locals, that is why it is so peacefull.

[edit][add listing] Do

At low tide it is easyer to walk to the other resorts/ bungalow establishments. Night life is sparse; only 3 Bars dotted along this beach. We would buy a small bottle of Sam Song rum, bucket of ice, Sprite and limes, and make our own Mojitos and play Uno and Genga etc. But each of the Resorts have their own restaurants to try. The very small village is quite a walk from "Sawasdee", past the Buddist Temple and Tsunami warning tower on the coast, and then inland where there is Tsunami shelter area. Most basic necessaties can be bought in the village shop + another internet point. "Koa Chang Resort" have trips to more busier Koa Payam 300Bt return.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

Nearby beautiful and now up and coming island Koh Phayam official drink is Thai Rum SangSom and cool island coconut water

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Andaman Sea Bungalows from North to South

• Horn Bill Bungalow : 8 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0134

• Rasta Baby : 7 bungalows run by Thai & farang wife ... located on small beach ... $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7783-3077

• Koh Chang Contex : 7 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0118 // 0-9725-2187.

• Eden Bistro Cafe : 7 bungalows, $$ 250-300 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0172

• Sunset Bungalows : 10 bungalows, $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0171

• Cashew Resort : 25 bungallows , $$ 150-300 THB "

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0116 "300Bt/£6 for a bungalow (behind a more expensive nicer looking one.) Here electricity goes off at 11pm, and they have internet(60Bt -1/2 hour). Not many resorts have the internet!"

• Golden Bee Bungalows : 14 bungalows near pier .. $$ 150-250 THB

• Chang Thong Resort : 9 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : 66) 0-7782-0178

• SaBai Jai Bungalows : 9 bungalows .. $$ 250-300 THB

Contact : 66) 0-7782-0131

• Koh Chang Resort : hillside bungalows http://www.kohchangandaman.com/ .. $$ 250-300 THB

• Paradise Bungalows : 9 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0181

• Full Moon Bungalows : 11 bungalows .. $$ 250-300 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0130

• Sawasdee Bungalows sawasdeekohchang@yahoo.com // T. 077-820177

"Good bungalows with Mossie net, clean sheet and cover, and towels provided. The food here was very good, such a lovely clean place. The sand around the tables etc, is swept clean of leaves and twigs every day here. There are no Fans or Air con, only sea breeze, as the electricity is only on from 6pm to 10 pm, so use candles or bring a lantern. You can charge up phones and ipods etc, at the Restaurant. A means of watching movies in the evenings is usefull too."

• Ta Dang Bay : 9 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0177

• Lae Tawan Bungalows : 8 bungalows .. $$ 250-300 THB *Nice*

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0179

• MaMa's Bungalows : 5 bungalows .. $$ 150-250 THB

Contact : (66) 0-7782-0180

[edit] Stay safe

Very nice resorts called "mamas" are available on the island. This resort offers a good basic bungalow on a perfect beach and a great restaurant. we felt like we found our ideal holiday place and stayed there for a week. sad enough, that in the end of this week just a few minutes before leaving, we've discovered that while we enjoyed ourselves on the island, our money has been stolen from our bungalow (15,000 baht). it was done by someone who knew what we're up to, as there was only one occasion when we left the bag unattended when we went hiking and people in the resort knew about it. besides the thief took only cash in baht and left us the amount of money exactly enough to pay for our stay (the system is that you write everything you eat or drink in a notebook and pay when you leave). unfortunately the owner of the place (otherwise a very nice lady) behaved unappropriately when we informed her of the theft and of our high suspicions that it was done by someone from her staff: instead of helping us she tried to quiet the issue and blame us for "forgetting" the money somewhere. the police said that nothing can be done. we want to warn you the travellers: even when you stay in paradise don't forget to guard your belongings (who would have believed the theft on a small quiet beach?). so enjoy your vacation in this great place but be careful!

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

Happy Air flies to both Bangkok and Phuket from nearby Ranong Airport and soon will fly daily www.happyair.co.th

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