While the beaches of Thailand’s south-east are better known, the small island of Ko Si Chang makes for a much quicker tropical getaway from the Thai capital of Bangkok.
Ko Si Chang’s only true beach is Taam Pang, where visitors will find decent swimming and beautiful sunset views. An equally fine lookout can be had at Chom Kao Kard with its hillside gazebos. Rounding out a viewpoint trifecta is a spot overlooking the small lake, Buddha’s Footprint. The island boasts many other top attractions including the Wat Tham Yai Prik temple, the Rama IV Summer Palace and Gardens, and a number of limestone caves.
Buses leave for Sriracha hourly from Bangkok’s northern and eastern bus terminals and take around two hours. Tuk-tuks connect the Sriracha bus station to the pier, from which hourly boats depart for Ko Si Chang arriving in less than an hour. The island can be navigated on foot, by motorcycle, or by tuk-tuk.
The Summer Palace is the island’s most interesting piece of history. Built in 1889 by King Chulalongkorn, the royal residence wound up abandoned upon the 1893 French occupation of the island as European troops attempted a blockade of the Gulf of Thailand.