Siam Bay Devoted to Preserving Koh Chang's Natural Assets

Siam Bay Resort Koh Chang

Siam Bay Resort Koh Chang boasts a secluded setting alongside a pristine stretch of Had Kai Bae ('Kai Bae Beach') on the resort island of Koh Chang in the eastern, coastal province of Trat.

Set amid lush, tropical surroundings, Siam Bay Resort Koh Chang manages to successfully combine a comfortable, contemporary feel with the island's calm and peaceful ambiance amid the impressive natural locale. 

Lots of Room to Roam
The resort's compound is vast, featuring a huge area of land that benefits from impressive views of the beach. 

The resort offers no less than 60 bungalows, featuring six different styles, which are suitable for between two to seven guests, depending on your specific requirements. You can opt for a 'jungle'-style setting, surrounded by trees and shrubs, or opt for an ocean view, if you prefer.

Although it was drizzling when we checked into a bungalow with a view of the ocean - categorized as Ban Yong Yuth Buri (1,350 baht [US$45] per night) - the rain generated a lovely refreshing feel as it soaked the ground and the shrubs and trees within the garden area.

 

Sophisticated Styling

Our spacious, air-conditioned suite, which included a combination of white and wooden features, including wooden floors, included a generous space for 'day-to-day' living, along with a king-size bed. 

The bathroom featured tropical styling, including a clear, perspex roof, which allows the natural light to pour in. The room was certainly adequate in terms of the facilities provided, but the highlight had to be its ample terrace, which allows guests to look over the ocean and beach nearby.

The resort operator intends to try and maintain the area's tranquil surroundings, so you'll be pleased to hear that you won't come across any pushy beach vendors nor any noisy clubs and bars around Siam Bay Resort Koh Chang. In general, it could be said that the resort is ideal for those seeking to be close to nature, while still requiring all the 'bells and whistles' we have come to accept as the norm when it comes to service. I was particularly pleased, for example, when four helpful members of staff came to my aid after I somehow I managed to drop a torch from my pocketbook while trying to locate our room in the dark. 

Although the resort is reasonably large, the operator seems to be doing a great job in terms of maintaining the area's impressive natural characteristics. While there were plenty of guests like me, who were generally happy to just kick back and relax in a hammock by the beach, or by reading or taking a swim, there are also several interesting outdoor pursuits available through the resort for more adventurous types, including canoeing, elephant riding and snorkeling.

Since it is still, strictly speaking, the low season until the end of this month (September), there are several packages on offer at the resort. For further information, or to make a reservation, call Tel: +66 (0)86 306 9000, or visit the resort's official website at http://www.siambayresort.in.th.

Transport Connections:
Air: Bangkok Airways provides a daily flight to Trat. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)2 265 5555.

Bus: Buses operate regularly between Bangkok's Ekamai Bus Station and Laem Ngob, which is where the ferry departs for the island.

Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 3 (the Bangnon-Trat Road) until you reach the Chon Buri bypass. On reaching the bypass, bear left and follow the Chon Buri bypass (signposted 'Pattaya-Rayong').

When you see a signboard that reads 'Ban Bung-Klang-Chantaburi', bear right and continue towards Klang district until you reach the Chantaburi-Rayong junction. Turn left here and continue straight ahead towards Chantaburi until you reach the Sa Kaew-Trat junction. On reaching the junction, turn right and head towards the town of Trat.

Keep your eyes peeled for a signboard at the Laem-Ngob-Trat junction and turn right towards the pier at Laem Ngob. Laem Ngob is where the ferry departs for Koh Chang.

Boat: There are actually several piers based in Laem Ngob subdistrict, including the Koh Chang Ferry Pier, the Center Point Ferry Pier and the Krom Luang Chumporn Pier.

Ferries run to the island hourly, on the hour, from Koh Chang Ferry Pier between 6 am and 7 pm. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)39 518 588, or +66 (0)81 943 5872.

Once you reach the island, you will see that songtaews (pickups featuring bench seats) operate between the pier and Had Kai Bae. The fare for this journey is 50 baht per person.

Photos used with this story courtesy Siam Bay Resort.

By: TAN Network