Koh Chang Budget Accommodation

The largest island in the Koh Chang Marine Park archipelago,

Koh Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. Best visited outside of the monsoon season -- which runs from about June to September -- the sea is warm and clear, the beaches for the most part white and sandy and the interior is filled with National Park protected forest and craggy, picturesque mountains. Most of the beaches are on the western coast, and each has built up with a distinctive atmosphere based on shopping, activities, partying or chilling out. Accommodation offers a style to suit every type of traveller, from independent low budget backpackers to those wanting a touch of luxury. There are plenty of activities to be organised from almost anywhere on the island: snorkelling and diving trips to nearby coral reefs, jungle treks and elephant rides, not to mention various beach sports. With it's long stretches of sandy beaches and bay,

Koh Chang's west coast has become the focus of the development boom, and that's where most foreign travellers stay on the island. Beaches such as Haad Sai Khao (White Sands Beach), Khlong Prao and Kai Bae have developed more in the past few years than most of Thailand has in the last few decades. If you want to party, swim, dive or do practically anything else you'll find somewhere that's perfect for you. There are three different and definitive vibes from each of the three main west coast areas; White Sand beach, Kai Bae/Khlong Prao and Lonely/Bailan. White Sands is more modern than the others, reminiscent of Kuta in Bali, or indeed its aspired cousin, Phuket. The Kai Bae and Khlong Prao strip is gorgeous on the eye with its quaint village appearance, plenty of quirky shops and bars -- certainly more of a tropical island vibe. LonelyBeach and BailanBay continue on the topical island theme, but are far more traveller orientated; less souvenir shops, more bars playing Bob Marley. No Italian restaurants, but an abundance of affordable Thai fare. Ultimately it's a backpackers heaven.