KOH CHANG Series Begins! Flying Bangkok - Trat Airport ++

My 1st time to Koh Chang! Come along and explore (STL style;) starting with flying from Bangkok - Trat (and next up White Sands Beach hotel search plus much more ahead in this epic series). Thanks for coming along, LOVE KOH CHANG! Links:
Koh Chang Hotels: www.agoda.com/...
Bangkok Hotels: www.agoda.com/...
Tip Jar: www.buymeacoff...
Bitcoin: 3QbwGdsuKLnxfzovXDy7aB8wSoP2Qx8nbn
Music: bit.ly/3BSU42v
Merch: sidetriplife.c...
Gear: amzn.to/3jaC4cJ
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Happy SideTrips
STL

[@SideTripLife]

Tip Jar: www.buymeacoffee.com/SideTripLIFE Part 1. Fly Bangkok to Trat kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpaxnKmEl9l6bNU Part 2. White Sand Beach++ kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3yZiWqZf95-j9E Part 3. Kai Bae Hotel Search++ kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYC1qmtop5qHo5Y Part 4: Lonely Beach: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5mYcoaXfZl3d9U Part 5: Diving, Bang Bao, Koh Wai: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4bEkIKam9uDbc0 Part 6: Top 'Secret' Beach Klong Kloi: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpezgHSbatR8a7c Part 7: BEST Beach on Koh Chang? Klong Kloi kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH6tk3aEir57n9U Koh Chang Hotels: www.agoda.com/city/koh-chang-th.html?cid=1898974 Bangkok Hotels: www.agoda.com/search?city=9395&cid=1898974 Bitcoin: 3QbwGdsuKLnxfzovXDy7aB8wSoP2Qx8nbn

[@mikeyboy3054]

Moved to Thailand last year from BC and couldn't be happier. The best days of my life. And even though I now live here I still get inspired to see more by these videos

[@SideTripLife]

Nice one Mikey. We're both lucky Canucks eh;) I do still miss skiing up at Whistler and rollerblading round Stanley Park seawall etc but living in Thailand is pretty tough to beat!

[@debrablue]

Oh Mikey you are so Lucky. Had I known about Thailand & its Beauty 40 years ago I would be there also. I'm 67 & can't walk well but I'm Still Dreaming Of My "BEACH-HUT". Enjoy Yourself For Me As Well. (DRY-DRY=Texas ) lol.

[@endyy6671]

Thanks for posting these man. You're really helping out us wageslaves back in North America dreaming about the lush green jungle and the blue beaches with the cute girls. Enjoy yourself!

[@foundatsea3483]

Love the detailed travel-train-airports-ferry-taxi lol walk throughs!

[@LouisTheTraveler76]

I wanted to thank you for all your tips, tours and adventures - tip left thank you.

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks kindly :)

[@urquhmc]

Was in Koh Chang in Jan 2022. Loved it. Thanks for all your videos.

[@SideTripLife]

Agree and thank you!

[@seanmullins5010]

I love all of the additional info and graphics in this one! Great stuff man! 🍻

[@Goeker]

Can't wait for the upcoming videos from Koh Chang. Please don't make us wait too long. Sawadee krap.

[@karltraveldude7817]

Thank you STL , I look forward to this series !! Enjoy ...

[@SideTripLife]

Thx Karl. I look fwd to bringing it :)

[@tomm.6265]

always love your videos keep up the good work

[@marketsqueezer]

Kho Chang is paradise 👌🙏😎

[@SideTripLife]

Aye, tis indeed :)

[@raymond8385]

O come on getting to see you leaving the airport, waiting to see the beauty of Koh chang and its ending. Had to wait for part 2.

[@SideTripLife]

Sorry bout that Raymond. Vid would've been around an hour and few would watch that long. Part 2 with loads of beach scenes etc coming soon. Thx for your patience :)

[@freelancekate8919]

very exciting you are going to a new place and i havnt been here before so im taking notes for when i do go here. thanks for great channel as always. So many foreigners as well

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks for coming along Kate :)

[@jorg45ify]

Really chill place. Been there in 2016.

[@SideTripLife]

The Dude always knows... btw, saw your place on Koh Tao, nice spot. The Dude Baan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2HUfqxrfc5ppJI

[@michaelhughes3273]

Next month we will be there; Pattaya, ChonBuri for Christmas just like last year. Kids seeing their great grandmother and grandma there as well. 4 generations together for who knows if it is possibly the last time. But been saying that for years. God bless her, she's tough.

[@SideTripLife]

Bless indeed. Go grandmums! Have a wonderful gathering, enjoy :) STL

[@sanremosallymusictravel]

Beautiful Bangkok my friend excellent great shoot very nice thank you for sharing Big Big Like 😊🌴👍👍👍🇮🇹

[@whatsname2649]

Once again 👍 very informative. Not just travel & destination, but energy info & burning season & ramifications! Four 🌟

[@markgavin1856]

Great location again love ur work

[@julien6444]

Always love the travel videos ! Thanks and enjoy Koh Chang (if you are still there :) )

[@judykekesi5174]

Thanks for the great vlog with very informative content.

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks for watching and commenting Judy

[@mariofindit]

great adventure, good job

[@ua1514]

I enjoy the BTS/MRT footage, always some lovely scenery 😎

[@LouisTheTraveler76]

Thanks!

[@happywealthy4508]

Love your video style and music choices STL! Keep them coming:)

[@Malin031]

Amazing like always

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks for always watching and commenting Malin, much appreciated. STL

[@mia.m..]

Hope you love Koh Chang as much as we do, looking forward to the series xxx

[@lumij]

Interesting video, thanks! I usually went by car or private minivan to Koh Chang before. Also interesting infos about electricity generation, air pollution etc. I always like such infos.

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks LucaM. Will be returning to Bangkok by road, hopefully not 7.5 hrs as someone has said...

[@BIGJED75]

As always a great informative Vlog, we come for the bird and stay for all the tips and places to visit.

[@RealmDesigner]

That view of Bangkok is amazing.

[@สุทธิศักดิ์มธุรพงศากุล]

Nice trip 😉👍🏖🏝

[@janus302]

Nice,i never went to koh Chang,so i can enjoy your fantastic movies and tips of the island. Thanks and have a good time.

[@legambaz]

Well Hell you're a young man. i thought all this time you're an old retiree! That sunset view from your apartment is absolutely awesome! Hey and the info you give us here is really great.

[@SideTripLife]

Thx. Older than I look but feel younger

[@rfpeace]

the first time I flew in a small turbo prop was from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, those little things pull pretty hard during take off, total fan!

[@SideTripLife]

yep up and away lickitysplit

[@jamu8095]

Thanks for the video 👍 You are doing great stuff and it is allways nice to watch your videos.. Nice to see what is going on that elephant island.. This is my first post but

[@Dutch-K9-Unit]

What a awesome video exacly what I need to know thank you very much !!!

[@heatherdavies1894]

I love that "don't worry beach happy". Great job yet again 👌🏻👏🏻💗

[@SideTripLife]

Thx Heather (& apologies to anyone who now has that tune is stuck in their head lol;)

[@heatherdavies1894]

@@SideTripLife hahaha yes I have 😂

[@antruok4950]

Great overview and detail on the ways to get to Trat / Chang - looking forward to this series 👊😄👌🙏

[@SideTripLife]

LOADS more coming Ant, thanks for watching.

[@shirleyboy8859]

The Boy just wants to have fun!!!!! Great work STL... :-))

[@SideTripLife]

Cheers SB :)

[@jimsinthailand]

Koh Hop Bar. I had 3 Singh there last week. Almost 1000 baht. Protip, go the Lawson store next door. Large Singh can is around 65 baht. Sit down on a chair somewhere and enjoy. Cheap food at Lawson also.

[@SideTripLife]

Top tip right there! Didn't realise Lawson sold brewskies airside. Will have a look next time. Cheers

[@FeralFomoTravel]

I’m currently about 12 weeks from pulling the trigger and starting my remote work solo slow travel adventure. I’ve really enjoyed your vlogs. Your travel style resonates with me! I’m looking forward to learning more.

[@whatsname2649]

Basement, yes sir!!!

[@krishabroad9282]

I was waiting for you video... 👌👌

[@SideTripLife]

Cheers Krish! Btw, I checked out your Bangkok video (nicely done) and that Indian platter looked amazing! Restaurant name and where exactly is that place in Bangkok please? STL

[@krishabroad9282]

It's in soi 30.... Sugam Restaurant, a South Indian restaurant.... Please go over there and make a food vlog ! Thank you so much for your support sir.. 🙏

[@SteveInsidious]

Cheers bro

[@jamesmorrin2729]

Just back from Thailand. I caught covid but no symptoms. I was just about to go to ko Chang. Now I know I can fly to Trat I will be back in June. Keep up the fabulous work. Please visit as many beaches as possible on the island. Stay safe.

[@SideTripLife]

Cheers James. On it, part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3yZiWqZf95-j9E

[@thatcrazyuncle9195]

Keep these video's coming! I'm planning a 3 to 4 week trip to Thailand in January and thanks to you I'm looking at Prachuap Khiri Khan and also Koh Samui. Your information is helping A LOT!! LOL

[@SideTripLife]

Thx Dane. PKK, my 1st vid, still love it there but many more expats have moved in now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGipdmWVq9aCmbs Khanom area may be my alternate retirement place one day: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX_Ze3qYjq-Kfpo

[@Moz8476]

Love this channel. Am saving up to come there

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks Moses. You can do it and Thailand will be waiting :)

[@tommypaget2294]

****great info, sir. Nice video*****

[@whatsname2649]

Bus, excellent option. Cheap + I love to take in the scenery. This is what I love about your videos, you show All options. I better stop telling you how good your videos are or you won't be able to fit your swollen head through the aircraft door.

[@whatsname2649]

Nice touch; energy info! Gas is a drastic improvement. Ev stations👍 the thing that impresses the hell out of me is the cleanliness. Aesthetics cannot be underestimated! It has a staggering effect on attitude. I come from N.Y.C. f*****g depressing!! Thailand really gets it. Aesthetics, attitude, infrastructure, crime... I ❤️ this place, from Bangkok to to Chaing Mai to Phu Quoc!!! Guess I don't have to convince you of this.

[@jeffcahill5722]

two thumbs up

[@SideTripLife]

Two thanks to Jeff :)

[@christosdeloudis6495]

Hello i ben 4 times but when i come to Suvarnabhumi i am excited every time

[@SideTripLife]

Hi Hristos. Some viewers complain about my 'boring' airport scenes but for me, like you, I love the excitement of being at an airport and heading off on a trip (& if it's an airport in Thailand, then all the better;)

[@RockersBeerReview]

looking forward to the next video as i was in koh chang in 2000 so will be interested to see how its changed. Was always a little secret place that not many people had been too so hope it still is more like that than to more commercial islands of phuket and koh samui

[@SideTripLife]

My 1st time to Elephant Isle. You're fortunate to have seen her 20 odd years ago and I'm guessing there's been more development. However, being further afield hopefully less than some other places. I've found some real gems on KC (to my eyes) and will be showing them upcoming. Btw Rocker's Beer Review, love your channel name and theme, brilliant! Cheers, STL

[@Anthony-qn8ox]

Ko Chang is on my list. Looking forward to this excursion. You have some nice tips. Btw Thanks for Benjamin's Hut and Phangan Cabanas.

[@SideTripLife]

Thank you Anthony. Btw, how many Benjamins is Benjamins charging now that things are picking up again? LOVED that place (but was always full each time I went back, wish I never vlogged it lol;) Also love Cabana, stayed there recently - for any who would like a look can see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIvEfXyspM1pgqs

[@NomadShifu]

The island is famous for its great diving and snorkelling spots, making Koh Chang one of the popular dive destinations in Thailand. There are also the bounties of nature found on the island, like the majestic and beautiful waterfalls in several parts of the island.

[@motidavid8430]

Thank you for this video, I am currently in Pattaya and debating whether to get to Ko Chang

[@SideTripLife]

Would absolutely say do it, especially as you're just a 4hr bus ride from Patts.

[@Malin031]

Great video . Many tips. Everything from skytrain to Airport and elevators. Nice also to se you in the Mirror in the begining. Never know how you look before. You are not old as i think

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks Malin. Actually I do appear albeit briefly in several videos but my style is POV / what's in front of the camera. This won't be everyones cup o tea and that's ok but I greatly appreciate the few who seem ok with it like yourself. As for age, in Thailand more than anywhere, you're truly as young as you feel :)

[@Malin031]

@@SideTripLife I am only 36 years old. And you? Should you visit Koh Mak and Koh Xxxx , didnt remember the name of the other relaxing, cozy Island.

[@whatsname2649]

Great airfare.

[@tottui15]

Thailand has Western tourists more than any nation in Asia. Western people love Thailand so much.

[@ericroang685]

Thailand hasn't seen the last of me !

[@joezip6389]

Why does plate 9999 have so much value? Nice video

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks Joe. They're called 'vanity' plates for good reason I suppose

[@mrackelito1]

Cant wait for this series! When on Koh Chang, you have to go to El Barrio in Kae Bay, best mexican food in all of Thailand. The Guacamole is insane and the Fajitas are crazy too. Best wishes, from Sweden

[@SideTripLife]

Tack mrackelito1. Will have a look but that place gets vlogged more than Mark Wiens restaurant lol. So will also have a good nose around other restaurants in Kai Bae.

[@mrackelito1]

@@SideTripLife lol yeah I know, you don't have to vlog it tho, its definitely worth checking out even without cameras, I ate there 4 days per week! Would love to hear your opinion, its not overhyped

[@rolandet]

Ev's and bum guns, it's what it's all about(aboot? 😜) here 😁

[@SideTripLife]

lol. If I ever move back to Canada I'll need a touque and an electric bumgun eh ;) And as much as I love classic cars plus the roar of a V8 engine, the future is indeed all aboot EV's (as they just make more sense + cents;)

[@mesamis1]

Brilliant presentation again. Who the hell spends 500k on a plate number?! I'd be retiring very early to Thailand if I had that. Such an informative video I'd love to know how many people have visited Thailand on the strength of your, thankfully, unique videos.

[@SideTripLife]

Thx R B. 'Who the hell spends 500k on a plate number?!' That's why they're called vanity plates I guess... Have heard from a few who've travelled to places based on my vids but not many to be honest. Have also heard from a few hotels saying they rcvd a bump in bookings after a vid (+a couple that I couldn't stay at on my return as they were booked solid, doh! lol;)

[@1morchang]

Hard to believe there's so many masked sheep.

[@1morchang]

All the lonely sheeple where do they all come from.

[@Sibl3o]

got through 4 minutes total

[@lahipster3172]

#KoChang #Thailand #Agoda for booking hotel bungalows #Villas

[@ligsy9072]

hey what was the name of the bungalow at 17.38? looked great!

[@SideTripLife]

Name + Full tour + other gems to stay at on Koh Chang coming in the next vid (this week)

[@jamu8095]

Not the last

[@SideTripLife]

Cheers Jamu80!

[@TonyYendle]

Thanks for the video. do I need to book a van from airport to hotel or just turn up?

[@SideTripLife]

just turn up

[@shaggytech1562]

Great content as per usual. Im arriving in thailand at the start of may and plan to travel by train towards surat thani stoping at different places on the way. Could you confirm that all trains start at Bang Sue station now and not the old one?

[@SideTripLife]

Thx Shaggy. They were supposed to switch over to Bang Sue Grand in Dec but thankfully beloved ol' Hua Lamphong got a reprieve (for now). So can 'presently' go from either stn. However, keep an eye on dticket.railway.co.th and select FROM 'Bangkok' as this indicates Hua Lamphong (Bang Sue is a separate selection). If it suddenly shows no trains, then switch to Bang Sue as the big switch may have happened. Like many, Hua Lamphong is sacred to me and as much as I'm grateful they're keeping it as a museum (vs another mall or condo etc) I still hope they at least continue to have special runs from HL to Ayutthaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi etc, thus also keep her 'alive'.

[@shaggytech1562]

@@SideTripLife Thanks for the reply. Thats good to hear as I would like to sample the charm of Hua Lamphong before it closes.

[@roygoad2870]

Looking at the air quality map, over India, China and SE Asian countries it’s nearly always the worst part of the world for air pollution, seems the governments, industry’s and everyone, will have to step up to improve the situation especially for the farmers!

[@SideTripLife]

I look at 3 sources: NASA fire map, then overlay that onto Windy (or Zentusky as it uses Canada's GEM model, Germany's ICON, USA's NOAA, EU's EURAD etc) then correlate the data onto the AQI map. But all this navel gazing won't solve the problem. As you say Roy, we collectively (us, govt, industry, farmers etc) must take action. There's been some steps in that direction. In Chiang Rai the Agriculture Ministry has started a tractor share program to enable poorer farmers ability to plow under crops vs burning (however, this is extremely limited, farmers still lack funds for petrol, etc etc but it's a good test program and a start). In India they've also started a limited test program of paying farmers not to burn. Ironically, both Bangkok and Mumbai are the biggest consumers of the burning crops and also the biggest complainers of pollution (of course cars/industry are also a problem but burning season spikes AQI through the roof). Not sure I agree with straight hand-outs to incentivise (usually a slippery slope) but it's clear especially poorer farmers need some form of assistance as burning is all they can afford to do.

[@roygoad2870]

@@SideTripLife Thanks for your detailed reply, yes something needs to be done, if other countries can solve this problem no reason why this can’t be solved, just needs more investment from everyone, we only have one planet 🌎

[@WadersInAlaska]

Good one!! ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ Three Cheers!!

[@SideTripLife]

Thx AK (& the 3 bears cheers:)

[@KrisWustrow]

I'm curious, why not take the bus from BKK Ekkimai to Koh Chang pier?

[@SideTripLife]

Got a great deal, around 1500 baht/$45 and also wanted to see Trat Airport. But it's the roadway on the home leg back to Bangkok.

[@KrisWustrow]

@@SideTripLife Awesome! I'll try a flight too

[@suphawk85]

Good vibes on travelling Thailand. Offbase on the comment about the music for the fire show, what about people who like that type of music? Not welcome here??

[@SideTripLife]

lol just thought a better soundtrack would do them more justice as it was a great show and they put a ton of effort in. No worries, was much appreciated as is :)

[@Roof_Pizza]

Gotta have a proper english language interpreter at the neon light factory.

[@whatsname2649]

Couldn't possibly entertain the mere thought of eating burger king or any other poison: McDonald's, Wendy's, taco bell...😝 No, No, No!!!

[@jesspeinado480]

Only a fool loves landings and takeoffs. Most hazardous part of air travel.

[@SideTripLife]

Fair point Jess. But for me, takeoffs and landings are the most interesting part of flying and as hazards go, ranks fairly minimal comparatively. QUOTE: "Your odds of being in an accident during a flight is one in 1.2 million, and the chances of that accident being fatal are one in 11 million. Your chances of dying in a car crash, conversely, are one in 5,000"

[@davidthomson692]

ICE all the way mate I’ll never buy an ev

[@SideTripLife]

I get that David. Love the roar of a V8 (esp 50's-70's big blocks) But my fear is China charges ahead (literally) and we're left behind with a decimated auto industry, along with loss of jobs & tech leadership. Not looking fwd to becoming the next societal Kodak or Nokia but It almost seems inevitable sadly. STL

[@Swaggerlot]

Would love to live on the east side Ko Chang away from the tourists, a beautiful spot that I hope won't be trashed by Chinese tour trips. Sadly, I'm not sure that it isn't planned by some of the money grabbing wealthy Bangkok-Chinese Thais. Thailand isn't a great prospect for hydro power due to upstream control being under Chinese or puppet government control, maybe a Chinese built Thai nuclear power station? 😞

[@rover62]

good vids mate , but cut the global warming bull s##t

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks. Btw, only mentioned EV's in Thailand (is Elon also 'guilty'?;) I also mentioned we'll need oil for some time to come and got an earful in an email for that.... (can't win;). Anyways, since you raise it, I'll give my position: Even if 98% of scientists are wrong and there is no climate change being caused by man made influence, I'd rather err on the side of caution while being both economically and environmentally pragmatic. Many say, 'Let's return to the 'good ol days' and that's fine but those days also included smog clogged L.A., toxic polluted rivers, contaminated drinking water, lead paint, smoking on airlines, etc etc... But back then, same as now, some tried to prevent those changes based on a sense of threat to personal freedoms, or their perceptions of cost (mainly to their own pocketbook, without factoring the potential benefits, or much higher costs of doing nothing) . I'm all for personal freedom, a great part of the reason why I love living in Thailand vs the West. However, I wouldn't say 'Aw screw it, I'm older, have less time left on this planet and it doesn't affect ME much, so I'LL take the risk of doing nothing on behalf of my kids and their kids future...' So again, my personal bottom line on the issue is, wherever pragmatic I would err on the side of caution vs doing nothing. Cheers

[@daviddenham1511]

I have to WARN viewers…flying to Koh CHANG Is VERY expensive and a total con!……secondly,TRAT airport is nowhere near Koh CHANG……you arrive then have to get an expensive taxi miles from the airport to the ferry port then pay for a ferry as well……..I believe Bangkok Airways own TRAT airport!!……trust me, get the luxury VIP bus from Bangkok straight to the ferry!…..very cheap takes about 5 hours and you get to see a bit of thailand!…..avoid TRAT airport!

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks for adding the 'warning' David but in the vid I clearly showed the cost of flying to Trat and also the bus (with photo of 999 bus + cost). Also added a map to show location of Trat Airport in relation to the Ferry at Thammachat Pier (a 20 min ride) + cost of said ride. Also explained both Trat & Samui Airports are owned by Bkk Airways. The flight cost me a reasonable 1500 Baht approx $45 (IF booked in advance, if not 2500+) and took just 1 hour. This may be IDEAL for any in Bangkok who just have a weekend or a few days to visit and don't wish to be sat on a bus for 6-7+ hours (reality from Bangkok, another viewer just posted his bus from Ekamai took 7.5 hrs). Personally dislike buses and always opt for trains if available, as you say really enjoy seeing the countryside (and for me, nothing beats the train if time isn't an issue). Unfortunately no train in this case, so flew in, great price and within 2 hours of leaving was enjoying a cold Chang beer with toes in sand on lovely Koh Chang. Will also show travelling by road as well on the return leg since this was my plan from the outset - show diff between travelling Koh Chang by plane vs by road. Cheers! STL

[@daviddenham1511]

@@SideTripLife well fair enough, explained well, but no for the recently arrived international traveller…still a bit of a con

[@rudyhachey7440]

hi mr side trip life. living in Calgary. love all the information you send your follwers.. never been international (except Hawaii)..Would love to visit Thailand some day! Question are there many ex-pats living in Thailand? Just curious!!!

[@SideTripLife]

Hello Rudy in Calgary. There are many expats living in Thailand, hard to know exactly how many but somewhere between 500,000 - 1 million. Majority are retired, some are biz owners, then there's digital nomads and others. Hope you may yet get to visit. Cheers, STL

[@LiveMyAssOff]

Yeh. I just got back from 'Chang. Bus there sucks unfortunately :-/. Althought only about 30% capacity (7.5 hrs) Return was 100% full (~5hrs). TIP! The back row is the only one with legroom :-/. Enjoy. :-) P.S. I love tangents ;-)

[@SideTripLife]

Woah.... 7.5 hrs on a bus! Great tip though, thank you! (ps: congrats on your wedding and welcome back:)

[@LiveMyAssOff]

@@SideTripLife thanks man. Hoping to get my daughter a Canadian passport !!! THAT will change her life :-). Gonna try your BKK airways back to 'Chang for sure !!! :-)