The 7 Best Beaches Near Bangkok
SRC:https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-best-beaches-near-bangkok-4163528 Thailand Best Beaches
Unlike the other options above, Koh Chang requires some additional commitment to reach. With a distance of around five hours from Bangkok, calling it “nearby” is a bit of a stretch, but the big island is just too good to leave off the list.

Despite the bus-and-ferry effort of getting to Koh Chang (there’s no airport), the island is big enough to accommodate all types of travelers and budgets. White Sand Beach is one of the nicest in Thailand, and as the name implies, has that baby-power-soft sand you’ll still be finding in luggage for years to come.

Lonely Beach is anything but what the name suggests. The beach is farther south but more budget friendly and very social. If White Sand Beach has a few too many weekenders fighting for space at buffets, Lonely Beach is a laid-back alternative.

Along with being mostly convenient, Koh Chang’s weather differs a bit from other islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Chang is situated closer to Cambodia. When Koh Samui and neighbors are still getting slammed with rain in November, Koh Chang is often pleasantly dry and sunny.

If you want to begin or finish your trip on Koh Chang, you can take a bus directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat, then catch the ferry over to the island. Consider storing your luggage and purchases at one of the two secure options in the airport, then go enjoy the island for a few days.

Tip: Chang means elephant, and with elephants being so popular in Thailand, the word is used far and wide. Don’t confuse the Koh Chang mentioned here (the second largest island in Thailand) with its much smaller counterparts in other provinces. Yes, Chang is also the favorite beer of budget travelers in Thailand.