Thailand forum

Bit hard not knowing your budget.
But for low budget travellers I reckon one of the best locations on big Chang is the enclave of beachfront budget bungalows centered on RockSand towards the quieter north end of the most popular beach and first off the ferry, White Sand Beach.

Lonely Beach is a good budget location popular with long termers and returnees - lots of cheap places in town but right down on the sout end of the beach you should have no problem getting a good value bungalow at Siam Hut.

The islands south of big Chang are jewels. Only problem is you may have to go back to the mainland now high season has ended for transport - and some places will have closed down.
I'd be checking Ko Wai Paradise and Ko Wai Pakarang, joints like Island Hut and (the cheaper overwater bungalows) at CocoCape on Maak and those cool places travelfish lists along the river at Ban Klong Chao (Jao) on Ki Kut. Kut is best reached from a separate pier from the others - and boats will run for locals in low season. Google will give you info on this.

Ko Samet is part of Khao Laem Ya–Ko Samet National Park, which encompasses Khao Laem Ya on the mainland, as well as various other islands. Ko Samet has been developed over the past few years and remains hugely popular with Bangkok folk who take up many of the rooms during the weekends.

Koh Chang, Thailand's second largest island, is the central point of Koh Chang National Marine Park, part of a marine national park consisting of mostly uninhabited islands. In recent years the beautiful paradise beaches of 'Elephant Island' have started attracting international tourists. As a National Marine Park, the area is protected and the island has developed with the environment in mind. All new buildings have been designed to enhance the landscape, not destroy it. Koh Chang is is quickly becoming one of Thailand's most popular islands for people from all over the world!

Thanks
MVMTravel.com

Lonely beach is horrible. Lots of trash lying around and the beach is more prone to dangerous currents during wet season. You best bet is to stay between White Sands and Kaibee. Safer for swimming and lots more food choices. The road to Lonely beach is also hilly and dangerous on a bike so you are isolated in a not so good area.