Koh Chang Important Travel Tips
Although Koh Chang is indeed a very safe place there are few important pointers to bear in mind when visitings.
Drugs
There is a zero tolerance policy with regards to drugs from the authorities. Huge fines or even worse long time imprisonment awaits the unfortunate. We urge you to simply stay away from drugs.
Motorbikes & Driving
You guessed it: most accidents on motorbikes stem from intoxicated parties hopping on a moped and crashing shortly afterwards. Having said that, some roads are less than ideal so we urge you to keep in mind to go very slow, use low gear when going uphill and to remember that driving is on the left.
Be careful getting off the bike as not to burn yourself on the exhaust.
Trekking & Rock Climbing
Koh Samet is a big island and we do not recommend you to go trekking or rock climbing without a guide. It gets dark quickly and you wouldn't want to get caught far into the mountainside not knowing where you are or how to get down.
Theft
There is relatively little problems with theft on the island, but should it happen simple venture down to the police station near Thongsala to get a report written so your insurance will cover it.
Keep a few easy steps in mind: always leave your valuables in the room safe (if possible) or with the resort's reception. Close windows and doors properly and don't tempt anyone. Should you get unlucky, then please keep in mind that the most likely suspect is another traveler.
Important Phone Numbers
Name |
Tel (Code: 039)
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TAT Central Region office : Region 5 (Trat) |
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Trat Provincial Office |
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Bus Terminal |
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Police Station (Amphoe Muang) |
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Police Station (Amphoe Klong Yai) |
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Police Station (Amphoe Laem Ngob) |
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Police Station (Koh Chang) |
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Fire Brigade Station |
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Trat Hospital |
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Klong Yai Hospital |
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Bo Rai Hospital |
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Laem Ngob Hospital |
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Bangkok Trad Hospital |
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Koh Chang Hospotal |
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Bangkok Bank |
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Krung Thai Bank |
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Bank of Ayutthaya |
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Thai Farmers Bank (Brance of Laem Ngob) |
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The Siam Commercial Bank |
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The Government Savings Bank |
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The Military Bank |
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Immigration Office |
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Post Office (Amphoe Muang) |
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Post Office (Amphoe Laem Ngob) |
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The Telephone Organization of Thailand |
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Laem Ngop Immigration Checkpoint |
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Khlong Yai Immigration Checkpoint |
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Ban Hat Lek Immigration Checkpoint |
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Tourist Police (Code 038) |
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Tips from other travelers
Once you are in the Park setting on your bike, there are no paved roads almost. All you got are gravel and mud "roads" where two cars can't meet. When we went by motorcycle on the island we had to stop all the time and I had to jump off from time to time because Mathias didn't dare drive with me on the back.
Ko Samet can get very crowded during Thai holidays and on weekends. So if you are planning to visit the island then, do book accommodation in advance! Note that prices then also rise about 50%!
Most resorts insist that you pay for your room on a daily basis and will issue a receipt for each payment. I learnt how important it was to keep these little bits of paper, when one of the staff members came knocking on my door, claiming that I hadn't paid. I was staying at Silversand Resort, but I heard someone telling a similar story on the beach about different accommodation.
The only nuisance with Ko Samet is the pier on the mainland. The touts are especially aggressive there, and they constantly lie at tourists: they lead them to a boat (to make a small commission), saying it will leave in a moment, finally waiting up to two hours for more passengers ... How to avoid that? Don't talk to them approaching you. Arriving by bus, get into the small lanes and sois of Baan Phe, go into an agency of one of the Resorts, and ask them at what time they are having a boat. Try to get a boat directly to the beach you are heading to, as the cost of transport will be quite high on the island, for example, chartering a pick-up from the Northern Na Daan pier to Vongeuan beach would be around five hundred Baht. For speed boats there are other piers . Ask a mototbike taxi to take you there (speed boat in Thai: rüa duan) for not over a hundred Baht (two and a half dollars). Next time you would have their contact numbers and would go directly there to avoid the hassle at the main pier. A speed boat would be approximately five hundred Baht to Na Daan and a bit more to the Southern beaches. Proceed in the same way when returning from Ko Samet, should you look for a taxi. Go into an agency for bargaining and have a look at the car and driver before boarding it.
Try to speak in Thai language, you'll get a big smile for it!!! It's a difficult language but with the next simple words you'll get far: hello = sa-wa-dee Thank you = korp-kun If you use this words (it's not the right spelling, but how you pronounce it) with the locals, you'll get a friendly laugh and many help. Especially when you are in a restaurant, a hotel, a cab or touristic attraction you'll get more help.
What to bring
It's better to bring along a backpack with you as it's more comfy in going to the nearby island. I saw a couple that brought along their 2 big luggages(i think they will stay there for long) and they had a hassle time transferring them to one place to another. Of course, the old lady can't carry atleast one.
Bring along comfy clothes! Swim suits, trunks and comfy sandal for walking. And the hat..
I bring my personal toilet papers.
I've seen for sale spare films anywhere. And if you have digi cams..bring along spare batteries or you can still bring your charger. I did it in there and it's free of charge!
It's possible to camp-out and it's more refreshing! I've seen people around camping as it's the cheapest price and more lovely thing to do..It's also safe.
Check out bookings first before leaving. And if you want to catch more lovely sunrise, bring an alarm clock and set it before it's too late to have one!
Bring as little as possible! it makes it so much easier!
Shoes:just bring flip flops Clothes: Bathing suit, sarong, lots of shorts/skirts, pr pants, long sweater, tanks, tees, etc... one rain jacket if you want
Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, aloe vera, moisturiser, hair moisturiser/conditioner
soccer ball, frisbee, cards, smile!!
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