PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL LADIES CLUB

Koh Chang...

By Brian S.

The island is situated on Thailand's eastern seaboard, just off the coast of the province of Trat, near Thailand's border with Cambodia. As the nation's third largest island, Koh Chang is so named because its headland is shaped like the head of an elephant. Geographically speaking, the island's topography is somewhat mountainous and composed primarily of rainforest, punctuated with several breathtaking waterfalls. Bethat as it may, the star attraction of Elephant Island is its relaxing atmosphere, white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and the surrounding islands and coral reefs.

Getting there is best accomplished by way of a motorised vehicle, such as a car, taxi or bus, because the island has no airport. What I mean by 'there' is actually the pier at Laem Ngob on the mainland in Trat City, from which a ferry will see you safely across the channel to one of the three ferry piers on the island. The ferry will deposit you near to one of the two main roads that circumnavigate Koh Chang. The ubiquitous Songthaews, which ply the roads on a regular basis, offer both public transport and taxi services to the beach of your choice. Speaking of beaches, Elephant Island has more than a few. However, the four major beaches are:

1.White Sands Beach, which lies some 15 minutes from the ferry pier, on the western side of the island, near the southern tip of Koh Chang. As the island's most popular coastal destination, it is considered to be the nicest and the most developed. As such, it offers higher-end accommodation and tends to attract larger crowds of sun-worshipers, depending on the season. Stretching for approximately 23 kilometres, the wide beach features white powdery sand for third of the beach, the white sand begins to turn to brown sand and then to coarse sand mixed with small stones. White Sand Beach is wide enough to accommodate any beachfront activity, especially when the tide is low. If you're worried about being swamped by parasailing boats, speedboats, jet skis and banana boats while snorkeling, don't be. Koh Chang's status as a National Park prohibits these types of noisy ocean-going conveyances.

The beach is encompassed by accommodation of every Restaurants and bars are plentiful and most are situated right on the beach, so your next meal or cold beverage is never more than a few steps away. Most of the better 7E-- resorts provide deck chairs for their guests or they can be rented for a modest fee. Public toilets, most of which you'll have to pay a few baht to use, are conveniently located along the beach.

2.Khlong Prao Beach is 30 minutes by taxi from the ferry pier, and four kilometres south e White Sands Beach. It's also the longest beach on the island. The main advantages of Khlon± Prao Beach are that it is much quieter, less crowded and less developed than its norther' neighbor. It also has the unusual distinction of being bisected by the Khlong Plu waterfall's rive estuary, which provides sunbathers with spectacular views of craggy cliffs above the mangrove bordering the estuary, and the sparkling azure seas facing the Gulf of Thailand. Despite beinc overshadowed by White Sands Beach, Khlong Prao still offers a wide range of accommodation possibilities.

Like White Sands, the ocean adjacent to the beautiful wide beach is devoid of noisy, fast-. moving ocean-going transport. That's why this beach is an ideal choice for those who seek:, tranquil surroundings. However, canoeing, kayaking and great snorkeling can be enjoyed. As far as facilities, such as public restrooms and internet cafés go, most are situated on both sides of the main road, not too far from the beach. If you're not staying at one of the resorts, a beach towel rather than a deck chair, will have to do. Food-wise, in addition to the food vendors that ply the beach, the restaurants that dot the main road serve up all sorts of Thai specialties and popular Western fare.

3.Kai Bae Beach, which is 45 minutes by taxi from the ferry pier, is thought to combine the best features of the busier beaches to the north and the more serene beaches to the south. Granted, Kai Bae is only just, less appealing than its cousins to the north. Nevertheless, it still attracts more than its fair share of visitors. South of White Sands and Khlong Prao, the 2.5-kilometre beach, which is split into three sections, is partially shrouded by overhanging palms and broadleaved trees. One of Kai Bae's most unique features is that, at low tide, one can walk into the ocean for up to 100 metres before reaching waters deep enough to swim in!

Like the other beaches, Kai Bae is dotted with accommodation of all types, many of which offer beach towels, chairs, hammocks, footballs, volleyballs and snorkeling equipment free to their guests and for a small fee to others. Light meals, snacks and cold drinks can be had from the usual array of facilities that can be found in the hotels and restaurants that line the beach and the main road.

4.Lonely Beach, at 1 hour by taxi from the ferry pier, is situated at the southern tip of the island. The one-kilometre long beach is surrounded by rocky landscape that is overgrown with lush tropical jungle. The northern beach on the southern beach tends to be coarser. Regardless, the entire length of Lonely Beach is fringed with swaying palm trees and offers spectacular views of the surrounding picture postcard scenery. For this reason, Lonely Beach picnicking or enjoying the latest bestselling novel.

Formerly a backpacker's haven, Lonely Beach has recently been transformed into another beachfront resort location, albeit on a much smaller scale. As such, one can expect the usual amenities and facilities in respect to accommodation, restaurants and conveniences like ATMs and cellphone signal. It should be said that all four of the beaches mentioned are considered to be most beautiful between October and early-May.