That one trip to Koh Chang was in November 2007 and the island resembled a building site, we thought it was terrible. We stayed at some resort down the bottom of the west coast and that was OK but rather expensive compared to elsewhere. We visited the "white sand beach" and I thought it was a lousy beach, the sand wasn't very white and the water didn't have a nice color (seemed murky to me) So as I said we bolted for Samet. I'm not really aware of any construction/building on my several visits to Samet, but I've hardly been around the island. What I don't like is the trash & dog turds I see about the place, plus those inconsiderate Thai macho-men who tear around on motorbikes & utes pushing tourists out of the way. But in terms of a picturesque beach and a nice relaxing day in a deck chair, Samet is great.