Reader question: Transport between Bangkok and Koh Samet or Koh Chang

I only have experience with Koh Samet. I would take a bus to Rayong and from there to the main jetty. Note the 'official' boats are large boats. Don't take a speedboat. That's very expensive and not much faster as they claim. There is a counter where they sell the official tickets and where the prices are the same. If you are referred by the people around the harbor to counters where they rent out speedboats, you are at the wrong place. Just behind it is the official counter! Btw i departed from bangsaen/nongmon district chonburi with a bus. It will probably be longer via Bangkok. Don't know how long. If I'm right, it's best to go to koh chang from trat. There too, make sure you take the official boat. Good luck. I heard Koh chang is even more beautiful than koh samet. Note last time I was there I accidentally went on a public holiday/weekend and no hotel booked in advance. Lucky a hotel just behind the beach in an intermediate street. But many were without and I was also lucky to speak the language, which made it easier for the inhabitants there to help and guide them. It might be useful to book a hotel in advance. And I left my luggage in the home town of Chonburi and went with a backpack. Still easier. I was in hotel 35/6 Moo 4 Tambon Pae Aumhur Muang, Samed Center, Koh Samet, Thailand 21160 21160 simple, small but doable. With a good restaurant from the same owner.

Koh Samet you already have an answer to.
Traveling to Koh Chang is easiest with the mini-bus 600-800 baht pp. Can be arranged anywhere in Thailand at the hotel. You can also take a taxi if you are with more people 4000-4500 baht, just hail a taxi on the street. Ferry costs 80b pp. Every driver knows you have to go to Laem Ngop, the crossings, there are two of them and it doesn't matter which one.
You can go to Koh Kood via Koh Chang or from the mainland 500-1000b.
On Koh Chang I recommend Rock Sand Resort. Nice and quiet, on the sea and 500m across the beach to White Sand Beach. Backpackers and Flashpackers rooms, cheap and expensive. Also good food there.
You indicate: we do not travel with a backpack. It's easier in Thailand; a backpack. Transport in Thailand is always well organized, once you have the right arrangements, but you always have to walk a bit and that lugging with suitcases….

From Koh Chang you can take a small boat via Koh Mak to Koh Kood (two options: speed and slow boat: does not matter much).

On Koh Kood you only have resorts along the coastline. It is recommended to inquire and book in advance at a travel agency on Koh Chang. Availability and prices vary quite a bit.

There is nothing to do outside the resorts. There are no shops, no villages. You cannot use a debit card on Koh Kood, so take cash with you. The resorts and drinks, dinners, etc. are more expensive than elsewhere in Thailand.

Inform yourself well before you go, the beaches are beautiful, but you will not find much entertainment. If you're in good company and you're fine with doing nothing, except sunbathing and reading, then it's a good place to be. If you're looking for a little more distraction and a cheap stay, don't go.

Sjaak, I think you have no idea about the topography of Thailand, because the company mentioned above transports you from Bangkok via the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan to Koh Samui. Koh Chang is on the other side of the Gulf of Thailand….