Travel experts reveal beautiful white-sand paradise as Thailand’s best island getaway

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Rumor has it that season 4 of The White Lotus is in the making.

Word on the street is that the French Riviera might be the next location that set jetters are sure to invade once all the twists and turns of the first episode have aired.

Given the enormous popularity (and rightly so if you ask me) of HBO’s hit TV show, fans around the world circled Koh Samui, the filming location of the nail-biting third season, as their favorite paradise in Thailand.

The crowds in ever-bustling Phuket certainly thanked them for giving them more room to play, but viewers who flocked to Koh Samui expecting the same serene paradise they saw on TV soon discovered a very different reality: sky-high prices, sold-out rooms and sudden fame that equated to the hustle and bustle that transformed one of Asia’s most affordable escapes into one of its most expensive.

As such, experts from National Geographic have revealed a lesser-known island as Thailand’s best paradise escape, with far fewer crowds, authentic experiences and unparalleled beauty close 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 tackle it with a few pairs of clothes in a worn-out backpack and potter around in cheap hostels, or you can spend your money on fancy resorts that seem to be the height of luxury in some of the most postcard-worthy destinations you can imagine.

Koh Chung is a mix of both. Budget travelers to big spenders and everyone in between can all find their place here.

But if there’s one aspect of Koh Chang that definitely stands out compared to Phuket, it’s not the party island.

Expect sleepy, idyllic beaches without the bass-thumping backing track and the crowds flocking to every beachside bar stool.

It really is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, which makes places like Trat, the laid-back coastal town with a ferry to Koh Chang, even more enticing to explore.

Hop aboard a ferry to the underrated beach city ​​of Trat for a quick ride across beautiful waters. Koh Chang is located about 65 kilometers off the coast.

Discover lush nature and pristine beaches

We’ve all seen our desktop screensavers flash random paradises before our eyes, some of which are Thai islands.

Whether it’s stunning limestone karsts, lush green jungles or sweet white sand beaches, one look and you’ll be hooked!

There are seemingly an endless number of island getaways in Thailand to explore, but Koh Chang is one of the most underrated, lost in the shadow of Phuket and, more recently, the newfound prominence of Koh Samui.

However, you can find similar landscapes, epic dining experiences, Thailand’s famous and captivating culture, and even top-rated resorts that often go unnoticed in travel guides.

But most strikingly, if you venture inland you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, beautiful mountains, hidden villages with traditional markets and dense rainforests with vibrant wildlife (don’t pet the monkeys!).

Another wildlife red flag to be aware of is elephant reserves on Koh Chang. A telltale sign of whether it’s a real sanctuary is if they condemn elephant rides, a big no-no and a common tourist mistake…

What’s definitely a no-no is spending countless hours by the sea, enjoying calm turquoise waters and some of Thailand’s quietest beaches.

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 sandy beach is the busiest, while Klong Prao Beach here you’ll find an array of flashy, misnamed resorts Lonely beach is the most party-oriented beach here, where young whippersnappers gather and shout “siiiixxxxxx sevvvennnn” together, or whatever kids do these days.

According to TripadvisorThese are travelers’ 3 favorite beaches in Koh Chang:

• Kai Bae Beach
• Khlong Prao Beach
• Lonely beach

Lavish resorts at bargain prices

“Remember when Thailand was cheap?”. That’s probably what visitors to Koh Samui and Phuket said when booking a trip at its peak 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 should follow us here at Travel Off Path!

Koh Chang is offering numerous 4- and 5-star resorts in the $100s and below this winter, through 2026.

A quick Google search will show the following 5 beach resorts that offer great value for your next relaxing holiday 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 from IHG – $150

Sam Sears

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Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.