Baan Chaweng
People wake up early in Baan Chaweng, but not all at the same time; the fisherman goes out before dawn, while the smoothie vendor forgets his alarm, again. Down the main street, scooters zigzag like they just learned how to steer. The beach does not care about the rush and keeps stretching its sand. Popular things to do or visit include the night market—where I once bought a hat and lost it by sunset—and that one massage shack with a cat that might or might not belong to anyone. You could look for the best hotel in Baan Chaweng, but you will probably get distracted by the smell of charcoal corn. Don’t forget to try the coconut ice cream, unless you are allergic to coconuts, in which case, maybe try the mango. At some point, you will get lost, and that’s actually on everyone’s itinerary, but nobody admits it.
Local weather in Thailand
SPRING
warm & sunny
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
warm & sunny
WINTER
warm & sunny
Accommodations in Baan Chaweng
Discover the best accommodations for Baan Chaweng and start planning your holiday.
Longer stays and the best hotel in Baan Chaweng
Some travelers come for just a day, but many forget to leave. If you ask the local tailor, he’ll tell you about the German guy who arrived three years ago for a week and now runs a fruit stand. The best hotel in Baan Chaweng, people say, is the one with the least amount of ants in the bathroom, though opinions differ wildly—my room had a gecko who paid no rent. There’s a swimming pool somewhere, but the sea usually wins the popularity contest, unless it rains, which it does, except when it does not.
Popular things to do or visit change depending on who you ask. Some recommend the jet ski rental, but last time I tried, the owner was taking a nap and wouldn’t wake up for less than two hundred baht. Others say a sunrise walk is best, though I found myself talking to a rooster who disagreed. The nightlife, meanwhile, is a mix of fire dancers, karaoke in three languages, and fried insects on sticks (crunchy, but not for everyone). If you want a travel destination with stories to collect—Baan Chaweng hands them out like flyers, some with spelling mistakes. Don’t forget your flip-flops, or do, and buy new ones, because you’ll probably need a reason to go back to the market anyway.
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