Koh Chang Miscellany

For those thinking about trying this delicious slice of Thai life and culture themselves, here are some things to note about Koh Chang and Kacha Resort:
  • The rooms are elegant and spacious, and each has a veranda with chairs and table. Though our veranda is ground floor and looks out to a parking lot, most have views of the pool or the mountains. Along with the free breakfast at the resort’s restaurant, this is a steal at $62/night.

  • Breakfasts are ample and designed to satisfy every taste. Heaps of fresh fruit and vegetables, with a variety of Thai meat/veggie dishes, rice, and soups, along with fresh eggs, oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, bacon, toast, croissants, and cold cereal. I usually breakfasted on an omelette, Thai vegetables, and a heaping plateful of fruit (grabbing a couple of chocolates as I left, for eating with tea later in the day).



  • You can usually snag a seat by the long table overlooking the ocean. Wonderful views.



  • Dinner on the beach is a treat. Just stroll north down the beach (assuming it isn’t high tide), and you’ll find a dozen restaurants, all serving mostly the same food: traditional Thai dishes, along with European staples such as pasta, burgers, steaks (avoid eating the beef here), and fish and chips. Unless you order fresh seafood or steak, dinner usually runs around 280 baht (about $7). Street food will be half that cost and probably just as good.
  • I have never seen so many Russians in my life. They are by far the most heavily represented among Koh Chang tourists (a few Germans, Swedish, and British sprinkled among them). Many are smokers. I have to wonder if some of the men are lying low, avoiding involvement in the war. A few days ago, while in the pool, I noticed a drone high above, motionless, doubtless with a camera. I stared at it a few minutes until it moved away, observing the front of the hotel and the street. It finally flew back behind the hotel. I wondered if I should warn people that there might be someone from the homeland keeping an eye on them.
  • The two pools at Kacha Resort are great, but the best one is on the mountain side of the main road—it’s larger and has fewer people. If you want a swim-up bar, go to the smaller pool by the ocean side.
  • You can purchase a 1-hour Thai massage for $8.50. I tried one on the beach and was impressed by the woman’s skill and strong fingers. Sometimes painful, but deliciously effective. 
  • The water in the Gulf of Thailand—at least along White Sands Beach—is unbelievably warm. It’s like a heated bath—perhaps 93 or 94 degrees. Warmer than the heated pools. It cools a few degrees after rain, but not by much. 
  • If you want to see the rest of the island, your best bets are to (1) rent a motorbike or (2) to pay for a ride in back of one of the pickups that serve as cabs for the island. There is only one major road, which circles most—not all—of the island. Plan to bring along plenty of books and sunscreen.
  • Getting from Trat airport to the island is a breeze. As you emerge from the terminal with your luggage, you will be accosted by saleswomen eager to book you for a van ride to the ferry terminal and thence to your hotel on the island. Bargain a bit; you shouldn’t pay more than 1100 baht (about $30) per couple. We didn’t know we were supposed to bargain and paid a few dollars more for our trip out here. Time from airport to hotel is about 1.5 hours. Kacha Resort will book your van for the ride back to the airport.
  • The wait staff at restaurants—as well as masseuses, hotel cleaners and concierge—appreciate tips, though these are always lower than US tip standards. We were told not to tip in Thailand, but that is apparently old information. 
A few pictures of our last day here:

Lots of swings along White Sands Beach.

Another evening fire show. They can do this only at low tide.


The northern end of White Sands Beach

One fire thrower’s pants caught on fire (briefly).





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