Rumor has it that season 4 of The White Lotus is in the works.
Word on the street says the French Riviera may be the next locale that set-jetters will surely invade once all the twists and turns of the first episode air.
Given the massive popularity (and rightfully so if you ask me) of HBO’s hit TV show, fans worldwide circled Koh Samui, the film location of the nail-biting third season, as their go-to paradise in Thailand.
Crowds in always-abuzz Phuket surely thanked them for giving more elbow room, but viewers who flocked to Koh Samui expecting the same serene paradise they saw on TV quickly discovered a very different reality — skyrocketing rates, sold-out rooms, and sudden fame equating to crowds that transformed one of Asia’s most affordable escapes into one of its priciest.
As such, experts at National Geographic have revealed a lesser-known island as Thailand’s top paradisal escape, boasting far fewer crowds, authentic experiences, and unmatched beauty in close reach to the mainland.
Welcome To Koh Chang: An Easily Accessible Hideaway
Thailand will always be a world-class destination, no matter what type of traveler you are.
You can rough it with a few pairs of clothes in a beat-up backpack and scrape by in cheap hostels, or you can splurge at ritzy resorts seeming to be the pinnacle of luxury in some of the most postcard-worthy destinations imaginable.
Koh Chung is a mix of both. Budget travelers to big spenders and everyone in between can all find their niche here.
Though if there’s one aspect of Koh Chang that definitely stands out directly compared to Phuket, per se, this is not the party island.
Expect sleepy, idyllic beaches without the bass-thumping background track and crowds spilling out to every beachfront barstool.
It’s truly an escape from the city grind, which makes places like Trat, the laid-back coastal city offering a ferry to Koh Chang, even more enticing to explore too.
Hop aboard a ferry to the underrated beach town of Trat for a quick ride across gorgeous waters. Koh Chang is roughly 40 miles offshore.
Discover Lush Nature & Pristine Beaches
We’ve all seen our desktop screensavers flash random paradises before our eyes, some of which are Thai islands.
Whether it be staggering limestone karsts, lush, green jungles, or sugary white-sand shores, take one look and you’re hooked!
There are seemingly an endless number of island getaways in Thailand to explore, but Koh Chang is one of the most under-hyped, lost in the shadow of Phuket and, more recently, Koh Samui’s newfound fame.
However, you can find similar scenery, epic eats, Thailand’s renowned and captivating culture, and even top-rated resorts that often go unnoticed in guidebooks.
However, most notably, if you venture inland, you’ll find picture-perfect waterfalls, beautiful mountains, hidden villages hosting traditional markets, and dense rainforests with vibrant wildlife (don’t pet the monkeys!).
Another wildlife red flag to be aware of is elephant “sanctuaries” in Koh Chang. A telltale sign to know if it’s a true sanctuary is if they condemn elephant rides, a big no-no and a common tourist mistake…
What’s certainly not a no-no is spending countless hours seaside, enjoying calm turquoise waters and some of the quietest beaches in Thailand.
If you’ve made the common mistake of thinking Koh Samui would be as calm as it seems on TV, you’re in the wrong place — Koh Chang is calling.
Nat Geo claims White Sand Beach is the busiest, while Klong Prao Beach is where you’ll find an array of flashy resorts, and misnamed Lonely Beach is the most party-centric beach here, where young whippersnappers gather and yell “siiiixxxxxx sevvvennnn” together, or whatever kids do nowadays.
According to Tripadvisor, these are travelers’ 3 favorite beaches in Koh Chang:
- Kai Bae Beach
- Khlong Prao Beach
- Lonely Beach
Lavish Resorts At Bargain Bin Prices
“Remember when Thailand was cheap?”. That’s likely what Koh Samui and Phuket visitors found themselves saying if they booked a trip at the peak of White Lotus’ success.
It turns out that Thailand is still affordable after all. Some people were just looking in the wrong place, which is why you gotta follow us here at Travel Off Path!
Koh Chang offers numerous 4 and 5-star resorts in the $100s and lower this winter, extending into 2026.
A quick Google search shows the following 5 beach resorts offering great value for your next relaxing vacation in December and January:
4-star:
- Kooncharaburi Resort – Koh Chang – $40 ‼️
- Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort – $83
- Bhu Tarn Koh Chang Resort & Spa – $94
5-star:
- Parama Koh Chang – $95
- Dinso Resort & Villas Ko Chang, Vignette Collection by IHG – $150
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