"A small island with a big punch" is a fitting description for this island. It may be small, but its beauty packs a punch. Chonburi remains a popular destination for tourists seeking a seaside escape. Besides Pattaya and Koh Larn, Koh Kham is another island worth exploring. Koh Samae San, located near Koh Kham, was also on our itinerary. For this trip, we wanted to experience the sea and visit Sattahip, a place we had never been before. This led us to choose Koh Kham as our destination. However, since we had never been to Bang Saen Beach, we decided to visit it first and then head to Sattahip in the evening. We planned to stay in Sattahip for one night as we needed to be at Koh Kham early the next morning. Alternatively, one could travel directly to Sattahip. Minivans are available from Sai Tai Mai, Mo Chit, and Ekkamai, or one could take the train and get off at Plu Ta Luang station. However, trains do not operate on this route on Saturdays and Sundays.

5.00 We must leave the room at this time because it takes approximately 40 minutes to travel from Salaya to Victory Monument and another 20 minutes from Victory Monument to Hua Lamphong Station.

After a while, bus number 515 from Salaya to Victory Monument arrived at the bus stop.

Testing the camera along the way.

5.45 We arrived at the monument.

We got off the bus at Ratchawithi Intersection, but we had to take a bus at Phaya Thai Intersection because the route to Hua Lamphong Station is via Phaya Thai Road.

After a short wait, bus number 29 arrived.

6:20 p.m. Arrived at Hua Lamphong Station. I hurried to the ticket counter, and then the problem arose...

There are no trains to Chonburi on Saturdays and Sundays, but the island is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. 5555

After discussing with friends, we couldn't decide whether to take a van or a train. While the van is faster, it doesn't offer the same experience as the train.

Ultimately, I decided to purchase a ticket to Chachoengsao station, where I would then transfer to a van at the Chachoengsao Transportation Station.

6.50 The train is about to depart.

9:00 AM We arrived at Chachoengsao station slightly late due to waiting for oncoming trains to pass.

Take a tuk-tuk from the train station to the bus station to catch a van to Chonburi.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

10:00 AM: We arrived at Chachoengsao Bus Terminal. A tuk-tuk dropped us off right in front of the van queue. We quickly bought tickets and told them we were going to Bangsaen. After a short wait, the van departed from the station and headed towards Bangsaen. (We took a picture of the ticket, but accidentally deleted it.)

After 10:30 AM, the van dropped us off at the local bus stop for Bangsaen. It's located right under the overpass across from Central Chonburi. Since we hadn't eaten anything since morning, we decided to grab a bite at Central first. After searching for a while, we ended up at KFC.

11:30 a.m. Walk out of the mall and get on a shared taxi in front of the mall. Tell the driver you are going to Bangsaen.

12.10 We arrived at Bangsaen Beach.

The atmosphere of this beach is good, but it seems we came at the wrong time. It's hot. 555

After taking a single photo by the sea, I quickly walked back up to the area where food and other items were being sold.

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Strolling around, I came across a cup of coconut ice cream. It costs 40 baht, which is quite expensive.

13.30 With nothing left to do, I took a songthaew from the beach to Nong Mon Market to catch a van to Sattahip.

A red double-decker bus dropped us off in the alley. We need to cross the bridge to the other side to catch a van to Sattahip.

The original text describes a situation where the author is considering taking a ride to Sattahip. However, they encounter an issue with the ticket price. Initially, they are quoted 120 baht, which seems expensive considering the distance. The author mentions researching the price beforehand and finding that a trip from Bangkok to Sattahip costs around 150 baht. Since they are starting from Chonburi, which is closer to Sattahip, the price should be lower. The author hesitates to purchase the ticket, and eventually, the price is reduced to 80 baht. The driver explains that the initial price of 120 baht included the cost of a songthaew ride.

15.40 We arrived in Sattahip. The driver asked where we wanted to get off. We said we wanted to get off at the Toarung Market. He dropped us off on the side of a temple. He told us to walk across the temple and exit through the front. We would then find the market and a hotel.

Wandering around looking for accommodation as we came without a reservation. 555

After a while, we came across two hotels located next to each other. We inquired about the details at both establishments and found that both had vacancies. We ultimately opted for the less expensive hotel. However, it is important to note that our decision was solely based on price. Consequently, the room was extremely basic, being a simple wooden structure.

After putting away my belongings, I will rest for a while before heading out for dinner in the early evening.

6:30 PM We went out to find something to eat near this hotel.

I came across a cafe with a stunning interior design that immediately caught my eye. The ambiance was so inviting that I couldn't resist going inside.

After finishing dinner at 7:30 PM, I continued walking with the intention of going to the night market. I asked someone nearby for directions and followed their instructions.

After 7:45 p.m., I walked to the night market.

Proceed further to encounter the Sahathai Phatthana fresh market.

But in the end, we went back to eat rice from 7-Eleven. LOL.

After finishing my meal, I decided to return to the hotel. I was too tired to walk any further, as I had already walked a long distance. Therefore, I opted to take a motorcycle taxi back.

21.00 Arrival at the hotel / Day 1 completed …

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The second day began with waking up at 6:00 am, showering, getting dressed, and rushing out to catch a shared taxi to the pier.

6.50 After walking for a while, we asked the locals where to catch a bus to Koh Kham. We followed their directions and eventually saw a blue car passing by. We ran to catch it, and luckily, a woman riding a motorbike behind the car honked to signal the driver to stop. We are grateful to the woman for her help.

The hotel we stayed at was quite far from Koh Kham.

7.20 Uncle parked the car in front of 7-Eleven. When I got out of the car, I thought I had arrived at the ticket booth to go to the island. Uncle said that we hadn't arrived yet. The stop was for us to buy rice and other things in 7-Eleven first. Uncle is very kind.

Here is the phone number of my uncle, in case anyone wants to go to Koh Kham and use his services.

7.40 AM: We finally arrived at the ticket booth. I rushed to join the queue, fearing that the tickets would be sold out. In hindsight, we should have arrived earlier, ideally around 6 AM, to be among the first in line. We ended up being the 28th in the queue.

The ticket has been purchased for 250 baht. The order in which you board the ferry to the island is written on the back of the ticket. Our number is 174, so we must board the ferry in this order. No overtaking is allowed.

We then lined up to wait for the shared taxi again. This time, it was a vehicle arranged by the officials, and we didn't have to pay any fare. It was a car that would take us to the pier.

We are approaching the port.

The pier is located within the grounds of the Marine and Coastal Natural History Museum.

The atmosphere is fantastic, with a strong wind. 555

After waiting for a while, it was finally our turn to board the ship at 9:15 AM.

(There are 3 rounds: 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. However, the times may vary slightly as they seem to only have one boat, which takes the first round and then returns for the second round. I'm not entirely sure.)

The view is amazing. I love it!

9:15 AM marked the time for us to switch to a smaller vessel. The larger boat we had boarded at the port was unable to navigate the waters closer to the island.

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9:40 AM: We have arrived at Koh Kham.

Initially, I contacted the free mat service, and they offered a maximum of two mats.

After placing the items on the mat, they walked down to take photos.

The water is crystal clear, I love it! It's a small island, but the beauty is amazing. 555

At 10:15 AM, we walked up to the viewpoint.

The path was steep in some sections, but there were ropes to hold onto and help us climb.

10:30 am, we reached the highest point of the viewpoint. It was breathtakingly beautiful and well worth the climb.

If you come to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and only stay at the foot of the mountain without climbing up, it's like you haven't really been there.

10:45 AM, we descended from the viewpoint to the bottom, as our next activity was kayaking and snorkeling.

The rental fee for diving equipment is 50 baht per item, while the boat rental fee is 100 baht per boat for one hour. (No pictures available at this time.)

After playing in the water at 2:00 PM, I quickly showered and got dressed because I had to leave the island at 3:00 PM. However, I still had not visited one more spot on the island: the wooden bridge.

Before heading to the wooden bridge, it's a good idea to grab a bite to eat. The island offers instant noodles and soft drinks for purchase.

And then we walked to the wooden bridge of Koh Kham.

The area around the wooden bridge is fantastic. The water is crystal clear, and the views are breathtaking. I absolutely love it!

14.40 Walk back to the pavilion. The last return trip is at 15.00.

As people start to leave, the island will gradually become quieter.

The final round will be very crowded (there are 3 rounds for the return trip: 13.00 / 14.00 / 15.00 and there may be an additional round).

Like the last time, we need to take a small boat first, and then we will change to a larger boat.

Goodbye, Koh Kham. It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm so happy we got to know each other.

Upon arriving at the pier, a songthaew was already waiting to pick us up. Actually, before boarding the boat back, we had called Uncle to inform him that we were returning. Uncle said he was already at the pier. We told Uncle to drop us off at the bus station.

16:30 Arrive at the bus station. This is the Southern Bus Terminal. Buy a ticket at counter 6 for 165 baht.

20.30 Arrived at the Southern Bus Terminal, feeling a bit slow. 555 End of trip "Koh Kham l Small island but very spicy"

Kham Island Underwater Park, Chonburi

Kham Island, a small island located approximately 9 kilometers south of Sattahip district, is accessible by boat in about 20 minutes. Shaped like the letter "H," the island covers an area of approximately 61 rai and is managed by the Coastal Defense Command. Kham Island boasts two main beaches: the northern and southern beaches.

The Underwater Paradise of Koh Kham: A Haven for Coral Restoration

Koh Kham's underwater park boasts a vibrant tapestry of shallow-water coral reefs. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the first location in Thailand to undertake a coral relocation project. Facing environmental degradation, corals from Koh Tao Mo were carefully transplanted to Koh Kham, aiming to revitalize and replenish the dwindling coral populations. This ambitious endeavor involved the combined efforts of the Royal Thai Navy, volunteer divers, and esteemed academic institutions like Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, and Burapha University.

Koh Kham: A Day Trip Destination for Eco-Tourism

Koh Kham offers a unique opportunity for eco-tourism, with no overnight accommodation available. Visitors can enjoy a day trip to the island, experiencing its natural beauty and engaging in conservation efforts. The island is accessible by boat from the mainland, with a travel time of 20 minutes. Koh Kham is open to visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays.

Summary of expenses for this trip ...

Koh Kham l A small but spicy island l January 13-14, 2018 by GO WITH ME