Situated just across from the Bangkok-Trat hospital is the (Prince) Admiral Chumphon Memorial. You cannot miss as you look towards the seashore, that’s opposite the mountains you will see a long winding staircase going straight up a small hill.

The memorial was started to pay homage to Admiral Chumphon and his life and times. There is a small temple, some old anti-aircraft guns and for most people that come here, if you are not a native Thai and versed in their history; a really amazing view of the island.

He was the son of King Rama V, who was instrumental in modernizing and bringing Thailand into the modern age. To say he is a respected King in Thailand is a bit of an understatement, he is very, very revered.   And his life was an interesting one.

Many rulers outside of Europe and America at that time the mid 19^th century, were rather self-involved and inward looking. On the other hand King Rama V actually was one of the few to send his sons and princes to be educated in the west.

Quick Notes about Rama V. He saw the devastation of the the American Civil War had upon his ally and was able to end slavery in Thailand and also forced labor.  He actually offered war-elephants to President Lincoln and although he declined he was very grateful. He also established the modern postal service, railways and first electrical generation plant. If you have some time read up on his life, try to, as it is quite amazing what he brought Thailand out of and into in such a short span of time.

 One of his sons to be educated in the west was Prince Chumphon, who attended an American Naval Academy and came back to Thailand to found the modern Thai navy around the turn of the 1900s. He passed away in 1923 and afterwards has also been known as “Admiral Phra Boromawongthir Kromluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak” hence the name of the Memorial on Koh Chang.

In Thailand you can find a lot of shrines to him and he closely associated with the modern Thai Navy and the shrine here is built on their land that dots the coast around Koh Chang. Considering the naval battle that occurred here on Koh Chang during WW2, it a good place to have this.

It is worth a look to see one of the most respected sons of a beloved King of Thailand and for the average tourist, the view is quite amazing. Two good reasons to go. Please be aware at this time , the area is still under semi-construction so watch your step!

Robert

In Thailand tattoos were the norm for nearly all men. Men would be tattooed as a sign of spiritual and religious faith. Very rarely were they done as some kind of meaningless artistic display of the tattoo for its own sake but more often as a catalyst for change or to mark a stage in their lives.

The most popular style of tattoos in Thailand are the depictions of Buddhist Temples or Buddhist deities. Those who got these temple tattoos or Buddhist deities believed that they contained power to protect them. These tattoos are usually done by Thai monks using India Ink or Rotring ink and were often accompanied by prayers while they were being done.

Bamboo tattoos take much longer than western machine tattoos and as such please be prepared for a bit of time in your schedule; the result though is well worth the wait.

Thailand is a country and a people that have deep roots in animism and the connection between the spiritual world and the realm we live in.

The Thais people believe that all living things have a soul, an indestructible force and that even non-living things have a life force that may have a bearing on a person destiny.

So how does this relate to tattoos? Traditionally getting a tattoo was a deeply religious and life altering experience as the tattoo chosen would be an amulet for the bearer and offer some protection or mastery over certain aspects of life. Some protect from evil influences, others protect against physical harm etc.. One can get a gold tattoo on the tongue to make for better salesmanship and a sweeter tongue or even some to keep away bullets, bring luck or even love. Something for everyone..

If you look carefully on Koh Chang you will see that  a lot of people here on the island have very traditional tattoos and they are almost common place per se. Either done at the local shops or even in far away monasteries by monks. There are some great artists here though and compared to the expense back in the west – you will find it a great bargain.

So if you are looking to get a tattoo on Koh Chang the question is where to go. There are numerous shops situated in almost every village from White Sands to Lonely Beach and everywhere in between. Best bet is to take a day tour, hit a few shops, look at their work and see if you can see some real examples. Nothing like a great Koh Chang tattoo to remind you of your time here!

• Beware of any high quality photos of their “work”, lots of them are taken off the web. Be sure to see some real ink on skin examples

Some good ideas are actually here also:

Robert

Firefly Trip: unknown to many there is a wonderful trip up one of the rivers here by boat that leads into an area filled with fireflies at night… majestic… This is one of Koh Changs hidden gems for sure!

Head down to Klong Prao village and turn at the Ramayana Hotel and follow the road until it turns. Look for Phu Talay restaurant, or head around the corner and look for Moleys Resort or Sea Breeze Restaurant, or to the end of the street at Iyara Restaurant and see if they can arrange a boat for you. Phu Talay (south end) and Iyara (north end) each have a supper cruise and the other two places mentioned can arrange for a local boatman to take you up, or get you a kayak to head into the river and give full directions.

Please be aware that this Firefly trip can really depend on the season and the weather. Check with the people mentioned above to see if they are around or back hiding deeper in the jungle. It can be very much a seasonal and even weekly good or bad time!

Robert

Guns for a Canadian are a bit like a hammer for a carpenter, they are very useful tools. Nope, not anything to do with Freud, just a good thing to know how to use. If you have been going out in the woods in Western Canada, a good thing to know… bears and all.

Located on the eastern side of the island is the Koh Chang Combat range. you can take a quick course in gun handling, care and safety. learning gun safety is a skill that is good to have at anytime and here is a chance to get into it. You can learn from some Thai pros as to how handle, shoot and improve your marksmanship, have afun day out and probably do something you dont usually do back home!

As a side note did you know Rambo 3 was filmed in Thailand?

Robert

Tattoo Time

No worries you can have your body modified at many shops here on the island. There are lots of tattoo and piercing places scattered about. You can choose from the more traditional bamboo style or machine type.

Robert

If you like golf, and for a lot of people the old driving wood and putter in their blood… now you can get your golf in here on Koh Chang. Although not a full fledged 18 hole golf course it is instead a fully qualified FIPPA (International Pitch and Putt Federation) 3-Par course.  So there was a lot of thought put into this well maintained golf course… The greens and course are designed to drain quickly and with a lot of rain some days on Koh Chang it will not be too long for the course to back in working condition!

The view is very picturesque surrounded by the peaks of Koh Chang around on one side and the Siam View developments on the other. Being close to the beach the breezes are generally light and nice. It really is a good place to get some swings and do some tropical putting…

Situated within the bounds of the Siam Royal View area, the greens are laid out so that you can play one way and then reverse to play the next round, so in essence you can have 18 holes of pitch and putt at your leisure.

Golf bags, tees and balls are provided with the basic package:

Robert

Koh Chang is blessed with numerous and wonderful beaches that range from good areas to snorkel to others that are made for nothing more than laying out in the sun and shade and watching the sun go down… and let us tell you – the sunsets are spectacular here! Check out or photo and video section for a complete overview and location. Generally speaking the best beaches are found on west side of the island where most of the resorts, services and entertainment is!

Robert

As more and more people come to Koh Chang we find that not only are more people taking up jungle trekking but they are also diving, Granted that the dive sites of Koh Chang are usually not advertised as much after diving in the Similian Islands and Ko Tao, but that has been a great thing for Koh Chang – think of the phrase “over-diving”: that has not happened here yet!

So Koh Chang can offer a wealth of scuba dive sites and adventure that is unmatched. And you won’t be jockeying for position on the waves like a traffic jam in London at rush hour!

More information and details are best had by dropping into one of the local dive shops and asking the pros about diving here on Koh Chang, they know way, way more than we do here… and most of them are very passionate about the whole underwater world around here! This is just a quick guide to get you going!

When To Go: The best times to dive are between October to May with usually calm seas and great visibility for diving. During the Green Season there can be great days also, but it can be a bit of a chance…

Forget About The Wrecks of WW2: The Chanburi and other ships went down in the Battle of Koh Chang and some dive guides say that there is diving on them – no there is not. Unless your idea of diving is being totally blinded and tapping on steel. They are covered in slit and the area is not clear at all… If you insist there a couple of companies that will go there but you will have to understand that it is not worth it.

Koh Chang Dive Sites Worth Seeing:

Hin Tai Nam:

Down to a depth of about 15m with good visibility the area has an impressive rock formation called Blueberry Hill by the local divers. Lots of fish including stingrays and eels.

Down to a depth of about 20m this area is not coral encrusted but has lots and lots of rocks, table corals, Elephant ear corals, pufferfish, giant clams, sponges, lots of shrimps and lobsters and fans.

Koh Yak, and Koh Laun:

Ko Laun and Ko Yak are a pair of islands surrounded by wonderful corals with a depth of about 12m with good visibility. Lots of butterfly fish, mushroom corals, giant groupers and giant clams make it a good site.

Koh Tong Lang:

Lots of small rock formations makes for an interesting dive here.

Hin Kuak Ma:

Called Tree Finger Rock by locals, and very popular, this huge rock wall is populated by seven banded angelfish, puffer fish, eels, stonefish, Moorish idols, parrotfish, stingrays and the rare nurse sharks with the odd turtle. Depth of about 20m

Hin Ga Daeng:

Located by Ko Rung this huge spire draws a lot of fish to it almost at all times, despite a strong current at times. Recommended for underwater photography due to the great visibility and amount of underwater life.

Hin Rap:

About 20-30 minutes south of Bang Bao (the main jump off point for dives), is a huge group of rocks that have turtles, porcupine fish, and close by is a coral canyon that is rich with angelfish, triggerfish and anemone. Max depth is about 18m with excellent visibility.

Hin Luk Bath:

This is the most popular site due to the vast numbers of fish from Butterfly fish, clown triggerfish, mushroom corals, giant clams, parrot fish, snappers, moray eels, parrotfish and even barracuda. Hin Luk Bath is a huge spire surrounded by boulders which divers can swim through even, all covered with a lot of Christmas Tree worms.  Great visibility down and about 25m down.

 Koh Tien:

One side of the island has been destroyed by boats over-anchoring and sadly by explosive fishing (throw a stick of dynamite in and catch stunned fish!), but the other side has been largely untouched. this allows a diver to see how coral can recover and is recovering… an interesting dive with being able to see how sea-life can and will recover.

There are quite a few good companies on the island offering courses from fun dives to full PADI Scuba Certification and everything in between, also you can find all the equipment you would need at several shops also that carry everything from scuba tanks, respirators, fins and even cameras. So you really don’t have to bring too much with you!

Robert

Gyms: There are two main gyms and many hotels have their own areas to keep in shape.  Try Paradise Palms in Pearl Beach or the Plaza at VJs for a good areas to lift some weights and get back in shape. Your fitness is up to you!

Another idea is just to head out running or walking along the beach, go kayaking or stay away from too much beer

Robert

Wondering where to go to get something to eat? Where is a good Thai restaurant? Need a steak, Issan food, burgers or pizza? Who has a view of the ocean? Wonder no more – you have the Koh Chang Restaurant Guide to help you out! Pick your favorite and just GO! Yes, the hotels all have good restaurants but we thought you might like to see something a little different on the island… there is no particular order, just a lot of ideas. Just because it is not in the guide does not mean it is no good! We cannot be everywhere, but we try. If you want to tell us about the next place to review just drop a comment at the bottom!

Rock Sand Resort: You will have to walk up the beach from KC Resort to get here but it is well worth it. Even if you are not going to eat at least take in the spectacular view! Varied menu including Western steaks, pizza and Thai. Always worth the walk to get something we figure, you will take pictures here.

Jinda Resort: Family run resort and restaurant that actually grow their own mushrooms and fresh vegetables. Great Thai food from old family recipes, so it is very Thai and very much from the island. The family here are very friendly and that just makes the food taste all that much better!

Oodies Place: For a good night take in the relaxed atmosphere and live music most nights. Good selections of Italian, Western pizzas (many recommend them!) and Thai food. Done up with a wonderful atmosphere we recommend you get the food and stay for the show. Expect to stay for a while and then return as soon as possible. If you have not heard of OOdies they are bit of a legend on Koh Chang for a good time!

Buffalo Bill Steak House: Western cowboy themed steakhouse with a large menu of steaks and western food. Quite fun and different atmosphere from many places on the island. Nothing like cowboy outfits on Thai people which makes the atmosphere very playful. Excellent western decor, if you want to try some good steaks and side dishes (go for the garlic mashed potatoes) this is a great place.

15 Palms: Smaller lounge and restaurant but right on the seaside. Great English breakfasts and BBQs at night. The restaurant is very cozy with a great laid back feeling. The owners are English and so expect a good filling English breakfast and good portions of food. Another good place to watch the sun go down and hang out for a few hours.

Chesters Grill: Thailand’s alternative to KFC. need something fast or craving fast food – they have it. Actually good coffee and deserts!

Beach Tango: Seaside with excellent views and comfortable. Good selection of Western and Thai food. We have spent hours here relaxing under the shade of their tree and with Wi-fi and great menu with specialty coffee from Italy – not a bad way to spend some time. Bonus – massage tables are just a meter away! Watch the sunset here if you can!

Pilot Bar: Seaside and very tropical. Solid Thai and cocktails are a specialty.

La Dolce Vita: In Walking Street, solid Italian food with pizzas and lasagne that are very popular.

Chow Lay Seafood: In Walking Street, two areas one with very fish seafood and a wonderful Sushi Bar. You know the fish are fresh as they are in tanks where you can choose what you want. Needless to say the sushi is superb in the Sushi Bar, the chefs are fast with a knife, perfect every time.

Nong Bua: Great Thai food and extensive Western also. Super fast, super good! They have a huge menu of Thai and Western food leaning towards German dishes. Either one is always good and very well done. The seating is a bit crowded, but the quality of the meals more than makes up for that.

Baja Cantina: Finding Mexican food that is decent is Thailand is not easy, but Baja does a good job. A good choice is the combo plates and some nachos on the side. Thai beer goes really well with Mexican food, we find Singha is best (but up to you!). Smaller but very well run, we like the place. Not tacky like so many Mexican places but instead they have decorated the place and provide good service. How did they ever get a license plate from Saskatchewan over here in Thailand??!!

Tamnak Chang: An open air restaurant, excellent Thai food with a good selection of western if you really want that, but stick with the Thai food here – it is great. The open area is wonderful for breezes and the seating is very good. Really good portions and very popular!

Emperor of India: In the mood for Indian food? Look no further then this family run restaurant. Curries and other specialites from India make for a great night out, and to be honest in a hot climate Indian food is a nice change.

Pauls Restaurant: German/European and Thai. looking for something with cheese and meat? Want a good sea view? This is the place. Paul has made a reputation over the years as a great chef, excellent service and of course… wonderful food. The view is great… did we mention that already?

Paddys Palms: Irish pub/ restaurant with a great selection of Western food, famous for their Sunday Roast.  Wonderfully air-conditioned and non-smoking with very good western dishes it is a great place to take in some home-food back from the ol’ country. They have Guinness!

Street Food: Don’t walk these stalls without taking a look. Usually situated by the central 7-11 they serve some great dishes and desserts!

Hungry Elephant: We like Hungry Elephant for the fact they have some great steaks and dishes served just right. Great portions, lots of free side dishes like salad and potatoes. Huge selection of different steaks and an excellent meal if you are hungry for some good western cooking – just go here!

Sanae Restaurant: Run by a Thai and English couple Sanae serves great Thai and Western food.

Robert