Trat - Koh Chang - Chanthaburi - Rayong

Just did a side trip. Delivered my niece-in-law, well, actually my grand-niece-in-law to the Trat Public Hospital to complete her nursing program. Four years of university and a four month internship. Upon completion she can pretty much pick which hospital she desires to work at. Fully expect it’ll be a private hospital – yup, more money.

Anyway, since we were down that way we decided to hit the islands and meander our way back north. Initially decided on Koh Kut. Went to the ferry and it’s a scuba diving mecca. We wanted beaches so off to Koh Chang. Good beaches, few customers, a nice relaxed atmosphere. Had a couple of days of the resort owner trying to sell me his resort. Ready to retire, children have no interest in resorts, sell it to me very cheap. Sorry, I’m retired with a capital “R” – no interest. Anyway, I’ve got reasonable business experience and the place is run down, much repair needed and most importantly few customers and tons of competition. Most definitely a “lose” doomed to failure opportunity.

Enjoyed Koh Chang, monkeys, elephants, Wats, Loi Kratong. Then off to Chanthaburi. Main land beaches. Much of the same. Laid back lifestyle, no rush, fishing village and tree farming. Rubber tree plantations idled by the strong baht. Bamboo, fruits, vegetables, seafood doing good. Tourism – virtually no existent.

Then off to Rayong for more face-feeding and, of course, more shopping.

Then home. Quiet and enjoyable. Side note: filed TM30 on-line, two minutes tops, website responded – apparently they fixed the issues.

Pix to follow.

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Nice one!

As a matter of interest, which resort was for sale and how much?

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Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

which resort was for sale and how much?

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Don't really know. The name, I think, was the Resortel or Restotel, possibly the Resthotel. Place was large, olympic size swimming pool with eight racing stands. About a dozen Thai staff. Owner, Thai about mid-fifties keep talking about his kids not wanting to have anything to do with the hotel. Never talked about price - no interest - he said he'd sell it "cheap" 'cause he had THB 5M in the bank and didn't need money.

But, the hotel needed lots of repairs, not just paint. Three wings, two stories surrounding the pool. One floor of one wing had occupants. This resort was in a very long row of resorts. Competition everywhere. Few customers. But, plenty of "for sale" signs visible in our travels around the island.

An astute negotiator would find a very good deal somewhere. But - highly competitive market and nothing all that special to attract folk to Koh Chang.

I love Koh Chang as a family resort. Koh Kood is a lot more undeveloped but well worth a look, Koh Mak I never got round to trying. Wanted some photos on that horizontal coconut tree.

Looking forward to more pics.

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Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

which resort was for sale

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Originally Posted by Dillinger

Koh Mak I never got round to trying.

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The western and southern sides are mainly foreign tourists, eastern and northern smaller Thai hotels. As the island is small, motorbike around it in an hour, your choice depends on which flavour you prefer. Best beaches are on the western side with the southern side not quite as good but still idyllic palm fringed and sandy. Northern can be muddy and the tides are quite strong. Eastern is generally rocky but some secluded beaches can be found.

Plenty of restaurants and bars but all smaller than Koh Chang establishments.

The islands interior is mostly flat rubber plantations. High season is Dec to May. No ATMs but larger hotels will take a card payment and give cash refund, less a small charge.

Lots of snorkelling and scuba facilities and boats out to nearby dive sights. Lots of canoes and there used to be a sailing dinghy to rent.

A very relaxing holiday and an exciting speedboat trip to and from the island from the Leam Ngop pier, (next to the Yuttanavi Memorial Monument).

Bus from Bangkok bus stations and airports or Taxis from Trat centre and Trat Airport, for the time challenged, or parking at the pier.

Great place to spend a few days, relaxing.

Indeed, one of my fav islands in LOS.