Koh Chang Voted Best Island in Thailand Overall by Thaivisa Users

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Koh Chang Voted Best Island in Thailand Overall by Thaivisa Users

 

 

Surprise Result in Thaivisa Consumer Survey

 

Thailand is without question one of the leading tourist destinations in the world, with 34 million tourists set to visit in 2017. As a destination its appeal rests largely with its year round hot climate, food, cultures to beaches. Thaivisa, the leading website for both tourist and expats in Thailand, was keen to understand which was the number one island in the opinion of foreigners: What island was best all round, what island was the most beautiful, or kid friendly and which island was most disliked? 528 surveys later and the results were in, and there were a couple of surprises.

 

The survey used weightings based on the fact that not every user had visited each island, so no actual percentages or scores will be quoted below.

 

Koh Chang #1 For All Round Experience

 

So, Thaivisa starts with the main question: Which Island gives the best all round experience – so the sum total of all factors from beauty to things to do; and perhaps surprisingly Koh Chang came out first. Koh Chang is the third biggest island in Thailand, bordering on Cambodia, and the ferry allows you to take you car across with you. It has a party area, many different ‘zones’, plenty of scuba and snorkeling, lots of restaurants, trekking and plenty of long white sandy beaches – it even has a pitch and putt golf course; but for this reviewer at least – and this is no disrespect to Koh Chang as it’s very lovely – but to come out top was a bit of surprise. Remember, it was up against islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao and so on.

 

Koh Kood came out second, Koh Lanta third and Koh Mak fourth.

 

When the data was cut by tourist only (so no expat views), Koh Kood came first, Koh Samet second then Koh Chang third. But you have to take note of what expats think – as they live here in Thailand. Again, when you cut by those under 50 years old, Koh Kood once more came out top, Koh Lanta breaks into the top three at second and then Koh Chang comes third.

 

However, which ever way you wish to cut the data by demographics – Koh Chang sits in the top three spots.

 

Most Beautiful Island: Koh Kood

 

Koh Kood – also known as Koh Kut – is located near Trat in Thailand as is just along from Koh Chang. It has the lowest population in Thailand at only 2,000. It’s untouched beauty, ideal for those wanting nothing more than to relax on a resort along one of the many stunning beaches.

 

 

Koh Phi Phi came second and Koh Lanta third. Only when the data was cut by the under 50 year old was Koh Kood knocked off number one by Koh Tao.

 

Best Island for Families: Koh Samet

 

This result came as a surprise, given the small size of this island – you cannot bring a car to this island too. Koh Chang came second and Koh Lanta – another huge surprise – came third.

 

 

This vote showed huge polarisations by different demographic groups too. Among tourists (not expat) Koh Chang came out first, and very strongly too. For the under 50 year old, Koh Lanta came out top, followed by Koh Samet and then Koh Samui. When you think that the likes of Koh Samui and Phuket have water parks and even a zoo, this vote certainly raises an eye brow.

 

Island with the Most Things to Do: Phuket

 

No real surprises with this question given the size of islands. Phuket came out first, followed by Koh Samui and third Koh Chang. Now here is an interesting statistic, although Phuket comes out top for most things to do – it also comes bottom in the poll for best island overall.

 

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/koh-chang-voted-best-island-thailand-overall-thaivisa-users/

 

-- © Copyright Inspire 2017-03-15

 

[canopus1969]

Not surprised by the result - Phuket/Samui are now

[Ace of Pop]

Cosey Beach reminds me of a Walking Dead film set.Hard to believe Thailand has a Crackdown on Drugs n Dregs.


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[tpaul1]

I vote Koh Chang best island in Thailand... before Thai Visa users and 99.99% of all the other visitors got there. Now it is ruined by greed and overdevelopment. I remember when Lonely Beach really was lonely and you needed to enlist the help of a local to find the waterfall. It is heart breaking what has happened there in the last 20 years. I can't bear to go back there.

 

[helloagain]

5 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Not surprised by the result - Phuket/Samui are now

Perhaps it has the smallest death rate of tourists

[tpaul1]

One more thing, I preferred it when it would have come last for things to do  (assuming they were things you had to pay for). Back in the day, there was nothing to do except beach comb and snorkel; you didn't need a wallet most days and just settled up your tab (honour system with a book for each bungalow) at the end of the stay and it was cheap as... There were no bars, 7/11s tailor shops, rental shops etc etc. Does everywhere have to end up the same? Can't we just keep some places hard to get to and undeveloped? Frankly, I'd pay a serious wedge to be able to go back to that kind of place, just to relax and not have this commercialism in your face.

[kingstonkid]

26 minutes ago, tpaul1 said:

One more thing, I preferred it when it would have come last for things to do  (assuming they were things you had to pay for). Back in the day, there was nothing to do except beach comb and snorkel; you didn't need a wallet most days and just settled up your tab (honour system with a book for each bungalow) at the end of the stay and it was cheap as... There were no bars, 7/11s tailor shops, rental shops etc etc. Does everywhere have to end up the same? Can't we just keep some places hard to get to and undeveloped? Frankly, I'd pay a serious wedge to be able to go back to that kind of place, just to relax and not have this commercialism in your face.

 

That is why I adore Samet

[impulse]

1 hour ago, tpaul1 said:

 Can't we just keep some places hard to get to and undeveloped? Frankly, I'd pay a serious wedge to be able to go back to that kind of place, just to relax and not have this commercialism in your face.

 

There's tons of them, all over the world- including Thailand.  And for the most part, you just have to be willing to walk a few hundred meters more than the masses, or take one more leg on your journey past the conveniences that the masses can't seem to live without.  

 

A lot like the guys who first started to make ___________________ (fill in your own blank) popular- which led to the crowds.

 

Oh, and refrain from posting snappies that give them away- even if it means a few less "likes" on your blog...

[BsBs]

It just shows that most people know nothing about nice Thai islands... luckily !!!

 

 

[Scooby and Puppy]

What about Fashion Island ?  That has a lot to do, and didnt even get a mention... sadly no beach though!!  ???

Edited March 18, 2017 by Scooby and Puppy

[Ace of Pop]

I vote Koh Chang best island in Thailand... before Thai Visa users and 99.99% of all the other visitors got there. Now it is ruined by greed and overdevelopment. I remember when Lonely Beach really was lonely and you needed to enlist the help of a local to find the waterfall. It is heart breaking what has happened there in the last 20 years. I can't bear to go back there.
 

That's 2of us,26 years ago it was no Ferry,no Cars, the Waterfall had a Dog that seemed to own it.You can still find lonely beach places on the Coastlines if you use Google Earth Camera thing some really nice Chalets on Samui side.


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[JamJar]

Who shrunk Koh Chang?!

There was me thinking it was the second biggest island.

White Sand beach before they started to build hotels.

 

 

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[BsBs]

Koh Kood is better if you like Koh panghan style.

 

Koh Chang feels like a low cost residential area in Europe, hard to breath anywhere !!!