Klong Prao is the largest area on Koh Chang and is quite diverse, and spread out. In the north there is a debate as to where Chai Chet ends and Klong Prao starts. We think the debate comes from the fact that so many places don't want to think they are in Chai Chet… Chai Chet has got a lot of bad press over the years. But road signs are road signs... and so no hiding!
Klong Prao offers some excellent beaches, in fact the longest and perhaps the best on the island. Quite a few places to eat and relax, and lots of options for accommodations. If you are staying on a bit longer there are some good long stay places off the main road.
There are a couple of places that you might want to see that are not that advertised.
If you turn at Ramayana Resort and head down to the road it turns and although you wont see it due to being really built up all along the shore, is the Klong Prao river area… For us it is one of the nicest views on the island and well worth taking in. With several restaurants in the area offering boat-suppers it could make for a great night. Depending on the season, so be sure to check, there are also some amazing firefly trips down the river at night. The local Temple also offers a glimpse into monastic life here on the island.
There are three elephant camps in the area also that all pretty well offer the same trek into the woods and swimming with the elephants, if you don't have time to go the one in Klong Son, this would be a good place to arrange for one. As a tip ask if they have a male elephant. If they do walk away. This is important; there should be no mature elephants with any herd - ever. Reports have come back that a camp may has brought a male to the island to basically help make more elephants (profit)… and doing this is nothing more than criminal.
When a mature male is in the herd, they are unstable, aggressive and will do their best to try to kill you. In the wild they are not in the herds at all unless they are mating. The proper way to impregnate a female is to send the female away to a large camp up north for a little R&R away from humans and then come back impregnated. This of course costs money… If any camp has a male, just walk away. Baby males are fine - just not sexually mature males
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The beach is quiet and the biggest in Koh Chang, lots of great restaurants and lounges, the waterfalls...Klong Prao could be a good pick for staying
Klong Prao has a good selection of places to eat, some are actually rather good and many are rather a good surprise!.
Klong Prao is not the place for beach parties and all-nighters, much more relaxed and laid back than any other place besides Bang Bao and Bai Lan. It still has some great lounges and places to go that will surprise you!
Lounges:
Kai Bae was once a quick pass through on the way from Lonely Beach to White Sands or back, but it is growing quickly and yet retains a lot of charm. The on going rumor is that it will rival White Sands Beach in a few years for tourist development.. and it is well on its way to do doing that… but not yet.
It is more scenic though than White Sands with less concrete and more trees, a bit easier to walk per se… Smaller restaurants and smaller clubs, a more intimate feel and perhaps a bit of the reason why so many families come here.
The beach itself is great, located in a bay with stunning views, great sand and shade. The beach is a great place to spend the day and with all the roadside services just a quick walk away it is a very handy beach to be on..
Kai Bae is becoming more popular with families and as such it slowly turning more into a couples and family friendly area with good restaurants, excellent couple based nightlife and a lot of services. At night the road more or less becomes a walking area with lots of small shops and places to see. If you walking around though please remember that there are vehicles here also - watch your step. Walk facing traffic.
With good services,a decent beach, lots of accommodations - this can be a great area to stay in.
There are some great places in Kai Bae to grab a meal with a good mix of Thai and western dishes offered up.
Kai Bae has some really decent nightlife that overall has a more laid back and intimate feel than anywhere on the island. Good place for a date or couples night out.
Beer Bars:
There is a bit of a holdover from the older days before Kai Bae went more family oriented and several beer bars can be found interspersed up and down the main road. Sometimes open or not there is a few on Walking Street - if they are open...
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