As with all of Thailand, massage on Koh Chang is hugely popular and for many visitors, an integral and essential part of the whole holiday experience.
Separate to that world of pampering, you can also fine-tune your body and mind at the detox centre, Spa Koh Chang. Yoga classes too take place up and down the island but it is a relatively low key scene in comparison to other areas of the country like Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
Massage | Spas | Yoga and Detox
Massage on the Island
Across the island, there are literally dozens of different shops, beach beds and larger spas, offering the usual menu of head, body and feet in some or other combination with or without oil.
Massage is, naturally, highly subjective and what one person raves about, another may not rate at all and for sure, there are some very poor masseurs on the island. Finding the Koh Chang massage that best suits you is normally down to word of mouth and recommendations from others but above all, knowing what you yourself enjoy.
It may be a soft gentle massage or the harder, more physical version, but most of all, it should be enjoyable, relaxing, sleep inducing even. If it hurts, there is no harm in telling the masseuse, as the old maxim of it must be doing some good may not always apply.
Massage Treatments
Variations include the application of aloe vera or coconut oil, gentle pummeling with a Thai hot herbal compress (Pakop) or using another style all together, such as a sports massage or even the Swedish method.
Treatments may use tamarind (makham) with milk and honey as a moisturising and replenishing body rub, sea salt as an exfoliator and the traditional white mud, (din saw pon), as a deep, cleansing facial. Manicures, pedicures, waxing and even hair braiding are yet more options.
Prices
Prices range from 250bt to 350bt an hour, with perhaps double that in the hotel spas, which themselves have the full complement of jacuzzis, dry saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools.
Recommended Koh Chang Massage House
Sima Massage
Klong Prao
Located just after Kati Culinary by the road, great down to earth massage house with a full menu of Thai style for neck, head, body and feet. Treatments including after sun, 2 hours for 600bt. Popular and recommended across the island.
Koh Chang Spas and Sauna
- On White Sand Beach, there are large spas with full facilities at KC Grande (Chiva – massage, treatments, milk baths), Kacha (Pure – massage, treatments, milk baths) and Chang Buri Resort (Apsara – massage, treatments, steam room)
- Chai Chet Beach at Paradise Resort (The Royal Spa – massage and treatments)
- Klong Prao Beach at Annika (Sita, massage only), Aana Resort (Aar’ – massage and treatments) and Centara Tropicana Resort (Spa Cenvaree – massage, treatments, steam room)
- Kai Bae Beach at Awa (massage, treatments), The Chill (steam room, jacuzzi, massage, treatments), The Retreat (massage, treatments, volcanic sand baths) and perhaps the most popular/recommended on the island at Sylvan Resort (Rainforest – massage, Finnish sauna, whirlpool, treatments)
- Bailan Beach at The Mercure Hideaway (massage, treatments)
There is a great luxury element to all of them, with prices to match, but they do have packages and special deals.
Koh Chang Yoga and Detox
Yoga is also available at on the island and you can find yoga courses and daily sessions (both group and private) running at the following spots. Always check or call ahead though.
- Indie Beach in Hat Sai Noi (Bang Bao Beach)
- Sol Beach Resort on Klong Prao – new for 2024/25 season
- The Retreat in Klong Prao
- Gajapuri in Kai Bae Beach (3 day workshop sessions, check their Facebook page for updates on the next courses)
- Centara Tropicana in Klong Prao
- Yoga Koh Chang at Blue Lagoon in Klong Prao
- Blue Haven Bay development – ask at The Beach Club or at Shambala
- The Spa Koh Chang in Salak Khok – see below
During most tourist seasons, Koh Chang or one of the other islands (Koh Mak especially) may also play host to intensive yoga courses, normally 3 to 10 day courses – look out on the web for specific listings.
The addiction treatment centre, Dara Rehab, remains firmly shuttered post Covid and looks very unlikely to come back.
Spa Koh Chang
Salak Khok, east coast
Located in among the mangroves way down on the east coast, lovely boutique resort offering a host of different wellness, fasting and detox programmes over 3 to 10 days or more.
In conjunction with the courses, spa treatments of massage, herbal steam, facials and body scrubs. Yoga, reiki and meditation subject to availability. Gym and pool.
Radiance Restaurant offers vegan, vegetarian, chicken/fish dishes in Thai and western styles – no pork or red meat. Non residents welcome for massage, yoga and spa. Pick up from the piers arranged for guests.
Prices dependent on progamme but as a guide 7 days full fast is 16,950bt excluding accommodation.
UPDATED July 24
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