Where is Koh Sichang, and is it the same as Koh Chang?
You have one free day near Bangkok and want the sea, some history and a quiet lunch. Koh Sichang, also written Ko Si Chang, gives you all three. It is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, just off the port town of Sri Racha in Chonburi province. It is not Koh Chang, a much larger island in Trat province, far to the east near the Cambodian border.
The two names sound alike, so search results and maps often mix them up. If you want a quiet, historic day out from Bangkok or Pattaya, you want Koh Sichang. If you want a beach resort island with forest and long beaches, read our Koh Chang guide.
Koh Sichang is a working island, with fishermen, temples, a small town by the pier and rocky bays. Ships anchor in the sheltered water nearby, a reminder that this is a busy shipping coast. It is not a luxury resort island, and that is part of its charm.
How to get to Koh Sichang from Bangkok and Pattaya
The private way is a chauffeur to Sri Racha, then a private speedboat across to the island. The Department of Highways puts Chonburi town 81 km from Bangkok, and Sri Racha lies a little further along the same coast. From Pattaya, Sri Racha is a short drive north.
Your car collects you from your Bangkok or Pattaya hotel early in the morning. At Sri Racha, a private speedboat waits at the pier and takes you straight across, with no queue and no timetable. On the island, a driver with a car or a covered pickup takes you between the sights.
Public ferries run from Ko Loi pier in Sri Racha. Times and fares change, so we check the first and last boats on the day of your trip.
For a longer day at sea, a private yacht can sail to Koh Sichang from Pattaya. Lunch is served on board, with a swim stop on the way. See our private island day charters.
For a large group, note the law. Under the Navigation in Thai Waters Act, a boat carrying more than 12 passengers counts as a passenger vessel and needs that licence. We split bigger groups across two boats or book a licensed vessel, so your day stays legal and comfortable.
The royal summer palace (Phra Chudadhut Palace)
Phra Chudadhut Palace is the reason most people visit Koh Sichang. It was a royal summer palace in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Today it is a peaceful park of old buildings, gardens, steps and sea views. It is the island's most rewarding stop for anyone interested in Thai royal history.
Walk through the gardens to the old palace buildings, the stairways down towards the sea and the small shrines on the hillside. The grounds are shaded and calm, with benches looking out over the water. A guide brings the history to life: why the court came here, and what happened to the palace later.
The Phra Chudadhuj Palace Museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00, its own site says, and entry is free. Polite dress is asked. On Mondays the buildings close but the grounds stay open, unless the Monday is a public holiday.
Dress as you would for a temple: cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes where you see a sign. Keep your voice low near the royal buildings.
Take your time in the grounds; the palace is best enjoyed slowly. Bring a hat and water, as some paths are in the sun. The steps can be uneven, so wear comfortable shoes rather than sandals.
Other things to do on Koh Sichang
Beyond the palace, Koh Sichang is about views, temples and quiet bays. A large Chinese shrine sits on the hill above the town, with wide views over the Gulf. Small beaches on the west side are good for a swim on calm days, and the town has simple seafood restaurants.
The hilltop shrine. Climb the steps to the Chinese shrine above the pier for the best view of the island and the ships at anchor. It is a steep climb in the heat, so go in the morning, or let the driver take you up the road.
Viewpoints and bays. The island's west coast has rocky headlands and small bays. Photographers love the late light here, with fishing boats and the mainland coast in the distance. A sunset viewpoint on the west side is a calm way to end the day before the boat back.
Seafood lunch. The town by the pier has simple restaurants with fresh fish and squid. For a finer lunch, we arrange a picnic on the boat or a table back on the mainland.
Who it suits. Koh Sichang is best for history lovers, photographers and families who want a calm day away from Bangkok. It is the wrong island if you want white-sand beaches and beach clubs. For those, the islands off Pattaya or the Gulf islands further south are a better fit.
A one-day plan for Koh Sichang
A good Koh Sichang day trip starts early and ends by sunset. Here is an example plan from a Bangkok hotel.
From Pattaya, start later and still be back for dinner.
What to bring: a hat, sunglasses, reef-friendly sunscreen, a light layer for the boat, swimwear and modest clothes for the palace. We bring cold water, towels and snacks on board, and the boat crew carries life jackets for every guest. Our luxury chauffeur service handles both drives.
Where to stay: Sri Racha or Pattaya
There is no luxury hotel on Koh Sichang, so our advice is a day trip. Stay in Pattaya, where there is a wide choice of five-star hotels and villas, or go back to Bangkok the same evening. The island has only small guesthouses.
If you want two quiet days, combine Koh Sichang with a night in Pattaya and a second day at sea. A private yacht can take you to Koh Sichang one day and to the islands off Pattaya the next. You keep the same crew and the same boat.
Pattaya is the better base if you want to combine Koh Sichang with beaches, golf and a day at sea. Our pick of the best areas is in where to stay in Pattaya, or read our Pattaya guide.
Best time to visit Koh Sichang
The cool, dry season, from mid-October to mid-February, is the best time for a Koh Sichang day trip. The sea is calmer and the walks are easier. March to May is hot, so plan the palace and the hill for early morning. From mid-May to mid-October, expect rain showers and choppier crossings.
Weekdays are quieter than weekends, when Thai families visit from Bangkok. Avoid Thai long weekends and public holidays if you want the palace grounds to yourself. The upper Gulf by month is in our Thailand weather guide.
Plan your Koh Sichang day with Tanner
Tanner plans your Koh Sichang day from door to door. One planner sends the car, books a private boat, arranges a palace guide and holds your lunch table. That works for two of you, or for a large group across two boats. Our Thai team checks the sea the evening before. If it is rough, we tell you early and move the trip to a calmer day. Tell us your date and where you are staying, and we send one clear plan.
