Koh Chang, Where you’ll never be alone on Lonely Beach – Thailand.
Ko Chang, located in the East of Thailand, used to be a jewel of a place. Close enough to a border crossing for Cambodia to make it a good resting point before taking on the challenging behaviour of the Cambodian ‘rip off merchants that call themselves guards. White sands, blue seas, a jungle interior, quiet bungalows amid palm trees, good food and entertainment, provided by some of the more vibrant locals, made it a tempting place to linger. One of the highlights of a trip to the island, for me, was to revisit the local celebrity restaurateur , Thor at Thor’s Palace, and his famous tricked out toilet – probably the best toilet in Thailand! http://www.koh-chang-guide.com/people/characters.html#thor The food is delicious and spicy hot as is the man himself!
Unfortunately, commerce has come to the island big time and concrete hotels, music and girlie bars now front the main beach trying to outdo each other in the loud music stakes. Sadly Lonely Beach (the backpackers haven) seethes with people and the beach is lined with sun-baking bodies. White sanded beaches have been eroded by the sea and the vast concrete hotels, that have replaced many of the simple huts, have eaten up what remaining sand there might have been. The girlie bar and night life scene now dominate what used to be a quiet town road. The last time I visited, White Sands the last bastion to modernisation (a walk away from the main drag) was still in tatty tact, fronted by pristine white sand – although I fear that too has probably suffered from the greed of the developers. Lovers of the laid back holiday probably will not like the all night partying, drinking and flashy neon dance floors that front the beach as the Island now has large party emphasis. If you want to chill, sleep and generally forget the world you would be better heading off Ko Kud or one of the other nearby islands —— unless they have succumbed as well!
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date
rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you May for your comments – how very kind
How sad, but some obviously enjoy the crowds, lights, music etc.
Thanks for the link – on the personal level I love Thailand and the Thai people, such wonderful souls – so friendly and welcoming – but I would never go back, because I would never spend my money in a country that the government allows children to be sold for sex and denies that they have AIDS in the country – all for the sake of the tourism. Unacceptable. That is my stand and I don’t mind others visiting – it’s all up our believes. Have friends living down there full time and they love it … so happy for them.
Unfortunately most countries have this problem – but especially Asia, But there are a lot of good people out there working in these countries to combat the issues
Hi Skinnywench! So sad to hear this…Koh Chang was just falling into this trap when we left Thailand 11 years ago. We lived there for 3. We always went to Koh Samet which was basic – hope that has not fallen into same trap. Prob too small for all that. WE lived in Pattaya latterly – so can just imagine what Koh Chang is now like all too well:(
Hi hungry heart – unfortunately Samet has gone the same way – it’s Bangkok’s playground now and full of the Russion package tourist –
UUUGH! We used to come against the Russian mafia types in Pattaya….very intimidating. My heart groans for this land which is being prostituted on every level. Have friends there doing a great job of helping people change their lifestyle at grass roots but it needs bigger changes than that. So sad.
Unfortunately the Russian Tourists so fat tend to be the ones with money – I’ve seen it in Sri Lanka a lot –
“Developers” are a scourge all over the planet.
That is sad 😦 So little of paradise left.