Samui or Koh Chang as a destination, pros and cons

[konisaan]

Any suggestions welcome

- Going second week November

- Time available, 1 week

- Going with a Thai woman who is easy going (doesn't need to be pampered) and loves the ocean

- If possible would like to split time between 2 places. One place that's secluded and beach-front (basic amenities are fine). Another place that's more central to nightlife, restaurants shops (and maybe more upmarket).

[PoorSucker]

Neither.

November is rainy season in the gulf, try the Andaman sea instead.

Andaman has rainy season from May to mid October from the western monsoon, then the wind changes and it rains mid October to mid December in the gulf.

Average rainfall Phuket.

Average rainfall Samui.

But if you like nightlife then Chaweng on Samui is the place for you.

Koh Chang is a family oriented Island.

[craigt3365]

Wow...I'm shocked at those graphs. Didn't know there was that much of a difference, though do see people talking about it. The graphs really drive it home. Can you post one for Koh Chang? I did 2 summer holidays in August. One on Phuket and another that I cut short in Koh Chang. Got rained out both times.

I've not been on KC in about a year. But when we went, outside the weekends, it was very quiet. We loved it and stayed at the KC Grande Resort, a small room right on the beach. Open your door and there's the sea! Fantastic. Great pool with swim up bar and great happy hour. The staff were very good. And the beach was good for swimming, not true at the other end of the beach. Not cheap, but if you can splurge, might be worth it. It's on the main beach, so you can walk down the beach for dinners on the beach, or pop into some bars for entertainment. No need for a rental scooter...which is super dangerous on either KC or Samui!

Another option is Khao Lak. Quite a bit more upscale, but some really nice beaches.

[PoorSucker]

Wow...I'm shocked at those graphs.

Koh Chang (Trat) in cm.

Wet, wet wet, remember all those summer storms from the Chinese sea.

[craigt3365]

LOL. We got a good deal on a hotel room in August. Jacuzzi tub on the balcony, right on the beach. Fantastic. Except the rain every day, almost all day, for 4 days. We finally gave up and left.

[PoorSucker]

LOL. We got a good deal on a hotel room in August. Jacuzzi tub on the balcony, right on the beach. Fantastic. Except the rain every day, almost all day, for 4 days. We finally gave up and left.

I am also shocked, it's like November on Samui for four months....

[mindo]

Wow...I'm shocked at those graphs.

Is there any place to check for the graph of other island or cities.Thanks in advance

[thrilled]

Never been to Koh Chaing.Koh Samui is ok,but what I really liked was Koh Phangan.Go there during the Full Moon Party and have A blast.

[Bullie]

Koh Chang does not really have nightlife as such, but still enough in the form of entertainment. I vastly prefer it over Koh Samui, it's more laid back, still has a more authentic feel to it, especially when you travel to the other side of the Island.

As to the rain: very doable as of november. Nothing wrong with the odd shower to make the junglesmells come out!

[jgriff]

I would suggest go to Koh Jum for a couple of days for quiet time and then to Koh Lanta for party time. You get a boat from Krabi to Koh Jum, longtails pick you up from boat and take you ashore. Then when you leave for Koh Lanta the longtails will take you out to the boat. My wife and I have done this trip a couple of times. We stayed at Season Bungalow on Koh Jum.

[craigt3365]

What is your price range? Family or as a single traveler?

[kanook]

Anyone have a resort on Koh Chang they would highly recommend? I've decided I'm going there.

KB Resort on Kai Bae beach would be my number 1 recommendation, but there are a lot of very nice resorts on the island. I have been to Koh Chang 7 times and spent three weeks there in March this year during the haze season in Chiang Mai. Note that KB resort doesn't use booking.com or agoda. Fan bungalows start at 1250฿ but the better choice would be one of the superior or deluxe bungalows set among the coconut trees or their fantastic main building rooms which are closer to 3000฿ with discounts for low season. Don't forget to have dinner at the beach side restaurant (tables for two right next to the beach with an incredible atmosphere and view) whether you stay there or not. It is also very worthwhile to have lunch or dinner at the famous Chao Ley seafood restaurant in Bang Bao. The seafood is right up there with the best Thai style seafood restaurants in the country. The other seafood restaurants on the pier are also good but imho not as good as Chao Ley. I do want to mention that songthaew taxi drivers can be very surly on Koh Chang and as it is the 3rd biggest island in Thailand it can also be very expensive if you don't drive there or rent a motorbike on the island. Well worth touring around the island if you secure your own transportation (east side of the island where the locals live is peaceful and interesting).

[aber]

Hello, I am also looking for sea front (as close as possible) bungalow on Koh Chang, have you found any ?

Anyone have a resort on Koh Chang they would highly recommend? I've decided I'm going there.

[Eclipse]

These Islands are not green without a reason.

It rains.

Samui in November means floods, landslides and deaths.