Thailand - Ko Phangan and Ko Chang

We're planning our Thai honeymoon at the moment - a couple of days in Bangkok, followed by a week in Chiang Mai (with a 3day trecking tour) and then 2 weeks on an island in the south, to be spent relaxing, diving and, well, honeymooning!
We're deciding between ko phangan and ko chang. The travel agent has told us he prefers Ko Phangan since it's more hippy-ish and he's a kletterer, but I'd like a second opinion. Can anyone share their experiences of these islands, or recommend others? Ko Samui has apparantly become too touristy (OK, I know all of Thailand has become touristy) - does this take away from the experience?

I spent six weeks on Phangan about 4 years ago. I was very disappointed by it. Witless 18yr old drunkards everywhere. Not been to Chang..so no comment. Congratulations, by the way.

That's what I was worried about - someone else described it as full of "American backpackers sitting around watching TV in bars and talking about some mushrooms they took a few weeks ago". I'm not exactly sure how to interpret the travel agent's description of "hippy-ish" - I had originally thought he meant less built-up, more relaxed but now...

The mushroom and puff people are not so bad, but people drinking jack daniels and coke out of a buckek...jeez...I lost the will to live. In the late nineties Phangan was a great place to rave, but it's best days are long gone. Try Cambodia or Vietnam.

mmm i was there two years ago and we were well away from all the full moon parties and young crowds around Had Rin. We stayed at Thong Nai Pan which was beautiful and hardly any people there. Couple of bars and restuarants and we met mostly couples really. We were only there for a few days though before heading down to Koh Tao for some diving. Guess it is like anywhere - bits which attract the younger crowd and bits where you really can get away from it all. And whether your timing coincides with a full moon party. Never been to Chang though sorry.

I def reccomend co chang. It is far less cheap and tacky!

Well, we're looking for relaxation, nice beaches, diving...not parties or travelling...Any recommendations for ko chang, miss bucket?

When I was there I ran into more Brits and Israeli's doing this than Americans!

anyhow, why not Ko Tao? Spent a week there last year. Lovely diving, nice resorts. Is Ko Chang a bit further north in the gulf or on the other side of the peninsula? Also, depends on time of year and monsoons and all.

I'm certainly open to other suggestions - they are just the two that the agent was flogging!
@ Elfenstar - Ko Chang is in the north east of the gulf. We'll be there in May so weather should be ok on that side of the peninsula.

I went for a Relaxing break and ended up on Phuket Island but on the sleepy Kata Beach. Great diving and no mad bars etc down the south part of the beach..
Koh Chang was very serene but alas that was over 4 years ago and the local were complaining that it was getting too crowded.

Thai Airways do 3 single flights for $150 or somethin like that.. if you are looking for flights. We did Bangkok to Chang Mai, Chang Mai to Phuket and Phuket to Bangkok with it. there are lots of remote places of Phuket that might be more suitable for a Honeymoon.

Congrats anyways

Sorry I forgot to attach the link

http://www.phuket-maps.com/frameme.php?page=kata.htm

Thanks Brigid, but apparantly it will be rainy in Phuket in May. We've been advised to stick to the other side of the peninsula.

It's been a while since I was over there but I wasn't impressed with Kho Phangan or Had Rin in particular as it was full of people who were blasted out of their skulls all day, after three days I fucked off back to Kho Samui.

As for Kho Samui, the areas around Lamai and Chaweng are very touristy, and great crack. Whenever I went to Kho Samui I'd stay at Bo Phut or Mae Nam on the northern shore. Mae Nam in particular is within sight of the Golden Buddha and so there are more restrictions on development around there which helps to keep the place quiet and the night life, when you want it, is only a ten or fifteen minute tuk-tuk ride away.

yeah, but it's right quite near to the airport (noise!).

The Thai authorities don't allow overflight of the Golden Buddha so there was very little air traffic over Mae Nam. Mind you, now I've thought about it, it's twelve years since I was there. I imagine the flight restrictions over the Buddha would still be in force though.

Been to both and enjoyed both... Ko Phangan as aforementioned, can be a fantastic place for a rave and partying, but there are also lots of other sides to the island, yoga retreats, a gorgeous Wat in the middle of the island with an amazing citrus wet sauna. Ko Chang definitely had less young people and partying when we were there, albeit in off season in June. I totally recommend the spa/health retreat there, on White Beach I think if memory serves. The massages were out of this world and the little huts were wonderful for a romantic getaway. I think I should head back immediately!
Boutique Resort & Health Spa
17/5 Moo 4, Klongprao Village,
Koh Chang, Trad 23120 Thailand
Tel : +66 2 399 4085 , +66 2 744 5585
Fax : + 66 2 399 1885

I can't recommend Ko Chang more highly. It is the perfect antitode to the craziness (and humidity) of Bangkok. We went in November '04 and it was amazing. It is so unspoilt, with no buildings allowed to be higher than a palm tree, so when you are swimming in the sea, you can barely see buildings, just lush vegitation. You have to get a ferry there from Trat, which takes about 40 mins.

Once you are there I'd recommend going to Bang Bao, a small fishing village on the island for delicious seafood (squid stuffed with mince pork and chilli...mmmmm). Nightlife was very low key and chilled out, but we did find an amazing beach bar which had a barbeque most nights with the hugest shrimps I've ever seen. It was next to our hotel (whose name escapes me at the moment, I'll have to try and find it). The hotel itself was lovely, with its own beach, pool, and sumptuous breakfasts included in the price. It was so cheap too, for such luxury, prices then were about €40 a night. Oh and definitely agree about having spa treatments, most hotels have spas, and they are fabulous...

Obviously it's been three years since we were there, so I'm sure it's a bit more touristy than it was, but it was very undeveloped then. I really hope it hasn't changed too much. We want to go back as soon as possible before it becomes too developed. It really is the most magical place...writing this has made me want to book tickets back there!

Whatever you choose, I hope you have an amazing time.

I've added a picture we took at Bang Bao one evening.

Hello, me again. I found the hotel we stayed at: http://www.seaviewkohchang.com/home/index.php

See how lovely...

Oh and my husband went diving when we there (and I had half a day in the hotel spa...bliss) the diving was from Bang Bao too, and very reasonably priced.

Please let us know how you found it when you get back. I am very jealous!