When you feel like unwinding and wanting to escape the rat race we’re all in, the first thing that comes to your mind is a weekend escape to the beach. After all, this is Thailand and clear water washing off on white sand beaches is one of the main reasons why foreigners like this country and why the Thai people love it so much.
But the problem we always have is time. And when you have only one weekend at your disposal, you’d like to make the most out of it. Speaking of islands, to those living in Bangkok, the first option that comes to mind is Koh Chang, but unless you’ve got more than a weekend at your disposal, you don’t really feel like spending five hours on the road plus another 45 minutes on the ferry to reach your destination. Then there’s Koh Samet which requires three and a half hours on the bus and another 45 minutes on the ferry, which doesn’t sound that bad but then there’s the return trip on the next day you also have to account for.
You just want to enjoy as much time on an island beach as possible so you bring up the map of Thailand on your screen, zoom in on the eastern coast, find Koh Chang off Trat Province, then you move further northeast and pinpoint Koh Samet off Rayong Province and, still unsure, wonder up with your mouse cursor on the coast. You ran into Koh Larn off Pattaya but are still unsatisfied. You want to be far from the madding crowd…
Then you spot another island further to the north. You zoom in even more and you read “Koh Sichang.” You quickly do the math and realize that the 130 kilometers from Bangkok to the port of Laem Chabang in Chonburi province can be travelled in less than two hours. Add the 45-minute ferry ride to the island and you realize that you could be on the beach on Saturday late morning. You’re sold and Koh Sichang it is!
Many foreigners oversee Koh Sichang in the favour of the bigger and more vibrant islands mentioned above and thus, over the years, Koh Sichang has remained a destination more favoured by the Thais. Surprisingly, there are many more activities you can do on Koh Sichang than bathing in the sun and swimming in the sea. These include visiting a royal palace, checking out Thai and Chinese temples, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and even fishing.
It’s a very good idea to visit the attractions the island has to offer before you actually hit the beach. To do this, you can rent one of the island’s specially-modified tuk-tuks which can go up on steep roads and negotiate a tour of the island. Make sure you don’t miss the Royal Summer Palace, the Thai temple Wat Asdangkhanimitr, the Chinese shrine Saan Chao Pho Khao Yai, the shrine housing Buddha’s Footprint, and Chom Kao Kard Park with its pavilions and panoramic views.
The most popular destination on Koh Sichang is by far the Summer Palace which was built at King Rama V’s orders. The construction started in 1892 but soon the French invaded the place and disrupted the construction plans. Eventually the French left and the palace was completed but the king never spent time there. In 1900, King Chulalongkorn visited the abandoned palace and decided to move it to Bangkok where everyone can visit it today as Vimanmek Mansion, the largest teakwood building in the world.
Next to the palace you’ll find Wat Asdangkhanimitr, a Thai temple built in the shape of a round church with a Thai style roof. Gothic arch windows, Buddhist statues, stained glass on the door, stone inscriptions, and a tree brought from India add even more charm to this temple.
There’s also a Chinese shrine you can visit which is very popular with both Chinese families from Thailand and the rest of Asia as, supposedly, it was founded by seafarers from the Ming Dynasty. The name of the shrine translates as Shrine of the Father Spirit of the Great Hill and includes several deities and sacred rocks one can pray to.
You’re only 500 steps to another shrine housing a copy of Buddha’s Footprints where, once you’ve reached, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the island and the far sea. Reward yourself with a minute of rest, ring the shrine bell three times to ask for blessings from the mountain god, and snap a few good photos.
By now you’re all sweaty and can’t wait to get to the beach but make one more stop before you check in. The views available from Chom Kao Kard Park can’t be found anywhere else on the island and they’re well worth the detour.
The island has changed a lot in the last decade. Resorts have replaced bamboo bungalows and very cheap food with a place that offers better comfort and more exquisite Thai cuisine. But all this is now available at a higher cost in Thai baht and at the expense of the encroached nature.
The sand is not as soft and white and the water is not as clear as what you’d normally expect from a Thai island, but Kosh Sichang will nevertheless offer the relaxation you are looking for. If you get bored easily on the beach, you can also go snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, or you can even vist some of the other smaller islands in the area. Plus, don’t forget to explore the island on foot, especially the fishing port and see what life on the island really entails.
Charlie’s Bungalows offer great accommodation at decent prices and have a good restaurant, but you’d better book in advance as weekends get quite busy. Their website is also full of valuable travel advice.
To reach the pier at Laem Chabang, you’ll have to take a bus to Si Racha, a costal town in Chonburi province. Buses leave hourly from both the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). From the bus stop you’ll have to get a motorbike taxi or tuk tuk to Koh Loi Pier and from there the ferry to the island. If you drive, take the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway or the Bang Na-Trat Highway and park at the pier.
