Koh Chang travel information

Introduction | How to get there | Attractions | Festivals & events | Accommodation | Map

INTRODUCTION

the largest among the 52 islands of Trat, is also the second largest of the country after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 square kilometres, it features fine beaches, coral ranges and plentiful marine life. It is also rich in natural resources such as hills, forests and streams, the latter an important fresh-water source. They also create several beautiful waterfalls. Fruit orchards dot the island.

Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on th e west side spreading from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son , Hat Sai Khao , Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore all the way almost to Hat Kai Bae. From here is a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meandering through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao , a fishing community on the foot of the hill in the south.

To the east are Ao Sapparot , where a ferry landing is situated and Ao Salak Khok . Along the eastern shoreline is also a road cutting through to Ao Salak Phet , a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, roads on Koh Chang are earthern and some sections go up and down steep hills. Care should be exercised while driving. Coral range worth viewing are at Ao Khlong Son near Koh Chang Noi and around islands south of Ko Chang.

On Koh Chang itself are several waterfalls with reasonable access. They include the Khlong Phlu waterfall , 3 kilometres from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi waterfall , a 4-kilometre walk from the park headquarter; and Khiriphet and Khlong Nung falls, which are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salakphet .

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Travel To Other Islands
Most visitors come to Amphoe Laem Ngob where there are 3 piers namely Laem Ngob and Koh Chang Centre Point, offering daily boat services to islands such as Koh Mak, Koh Wai, and Koh Kham.

Koh Chang
is very popular among visitors. Situated in the nearest distance from Laem Ngob, it takes 1-2 hours to reach the desired destinations on Koh Chang. The best season to visit the islands is between October and May. During the rainy season from May to October, visitors are not allowed to the islands south of Koh Chang; for example, Koh Kut, Koh Mak, Koh wai, and Koh Kham. The boat trip to Koh Chang can be made all year round. In the rainy season, a boat will sail along the inner coast of Koh Chang because the island's long and large shape provides shelter from sea winds and waves. Visitors will trips on land to individual destinations.

Koh Chang Naval Battle Monument
Annusorn Sathan Yutthanawi Koh Chang (Naval War Memorial) is located on :Laem Ngob Beach, consisting of the figure of Krom Luang Chumpon Khet Udomsak turning his face to Koh Chang, and a warship-shaped museum building, where an exibition on the historic naval war on Koh Chang is on display. The Trat people as well as visitors usually go to pay respect to this memorial, and also use it as a place for recreational activities. A celebration is held every year between January 17-21.

Tourist spots in Koh Chang and other groups of islands

Naval Battle Area
is in the south of Koh Chang close to Salak Petch Bay. The zone is where the battle between Thai and French naval troops fought over the east border conflict on January 17, 1941.

Tan Mayom Waterfall
is the three storey fall of medium size. The footpath up to the site, situated 500 meters from durian orchard, is near theoffice of the national park. King Rama V and VI once visited the place and singed their royal names on the highest cliff of the cascade.

Klong Nonsi Waterfall
is a little fall in the northeast zone of the island. The side walk to the area lies 3 Km. grom Baan Daan Mai or 3 Km. from the national park office.

Klong Nueng Waterfall
is a small fall situated remotely from Salak Petch Community near Salak Petch Waterfall.

Klong Son Bay
which is rich with coral lines is in the northernmost of the west coast. Klong Son Community is set up in the area.

Klong Plu Waterfall
has three storeys. The entrance is 3 Km. from Ao Klong Prao Community. It will take about 20 minutes from the entrance to the site by walking.

Koh Chang Noi
and Leam Chang Noi lie in the north of Koh Chang. The sea between Koh Chang Noi and Laem Chang Noi is abundant with corals.

Tri Petch Waterfall
has only one storey. The place is situated 3 Km. from Salak Petch Community along the orchard of rubber trees.

White Sand Beach
is one of the longest beaches on Koh Chang. Bungalows and resorts of reasonable proce are easily found. At the back or the beach are orchards of coconut trees and forests. The beach is easily accessible due to many roads passing to it The The name suggests scenic beauty of the area.

Bang Bao Fishery Village
s very interesting because residents in the area build up their houses with poles pitched into the sea and the bridge reaching to every house is set up to link the community together. Bang Bao is one of the zones rich with corals. Koh Mun Nok-Mun Nai is a small isle opposite Kai BaeBeach. The Beach around the isle can be seen at low tide.The sea in the area is some what shallow and plenty of gold-colour corals.

Long Sand Beach
is next to Sa Lak Kohk Bay. The area is covered with forest and orchards of coconut trees

Klong Phrao Beach
Laem Chaiyachet is the long seaside adjacent to Kai Bae Beach. The beach is rather steep. Swimming is possible. Standard bungalow with facilities are set. The northernmost of Klong Phrao Beach is adjacent to Chaiyachet Bay and Beach which has beautiful landscape but swimming is not recommend.

Kai Bae Beach
is close to Klong Phrao Beach. The beach, like that of Klong Phrao, is steep but swimming is safe. Thereare also quite a few cheap-priced bungalows in the area.

Koh Lao Ya
lies at thr south of Koh Chang. The group comprises Koh Lao Ya Nai, Koh Lao Ya Klang and Koh Lao Ya Nok. The transportation from Laem Ngob takes about 2 hours and a half. The islands has beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water a cololurful corals, Lao Yo Resort provide accommodation service here.

Koh Wai
Situated next to Koh Lao Ya is a big island most of Beach which are plenty with stones. The area occupies many bays which has beautiful beach lines and wide wonderful coral zones. Koh Wai is also the best source for fishing. As for accommodations, Koh Wai Pakarung Resort is ready to server tourists.

Koh Khlum
is a historical island during the Thai-French Naval Battle like Koh Chang. the island is proper for fishing. The landscape comprising stone yard is worth a visit.

Koh Phrao
is in front of Salakpetch Bay. From Laem Ngob, it takes two hours to the island, Koh Phrao has clean and calm seaside, and is cool and shady because it is plenty of coconuts trees. Long Beach Island Resort is set on the island.

Koh Rung
is a small island at the west of Koh Maak. The isle has not enough flat area suitable for the setting up of any resort and bungalow. Koh Rung is place of concessions of bird nests,
Charamed eggs and bat's dung. Stone knolls and deep-water coral under the sea of Koh Rung are very magnificent.

Koh Ngam
is situated in the south of Koh Chang. The place comprises of two island with a huge sand knoll at the middle. The little bay formed by the lines of the mountain stretching into the sea is a splendid and serene site without storms. It takes two hours to go from Laem Ngob to the place. Twin Island Resort is situated on the area.

Koh Kut
is the farthest island from the coast of Trat. Its size ranks as the fourth of all Thailand's islands or the second to Koh Chang in Trat. The island covers an area of approximately 105 sq.km or 65,625 rai.It is 25 km in length and 12 km in width. Its natural features include mountains and plains where many streams originate and some become waterfalls.One famous waterfall is Nam Tok Khlong Chao flows all throughout the year.It is an ideal place for swimming, consisting of 3 tiers; the upper two tiers are running streams and the lower one is a large pond. In 1911, King Rama VI paid a royal visit to this waterfakk and named it 'Nam Tok Anam Kohk' to commemorate Ong Chiang Su. In addition; there are beaches with crystal-clear sea popular among visitors suach as Taphao Beach, Khlong Chao Beach, Khlong Hin Beach, Phrao Beach, etc. Accommodation with a private atmosphere is available for visitors at the inner sea of Koh Kut, and the other two islands, Koh Rat and Koh Mai Si, opposite to Koh Kut.
Travel to Koh Kut
Most visitors to Koh Kut have to purchase a package tour offered by resort operators on Koh Kut at different prices that includes food, accommodation, and a boat fare. A boat for rent is also available apart from a ferry boat leaving Dan Kao Pier and Laem Ngob Pier.

Koh Maak
is a large island located between Koh Chang and Koh Kut Most of its plains area is coconut plantations. The whole area of this island covers 16 sq.km or 90,000 rai with a round distance of 27 km. Long beaches and crystal clear sea are the splendid attractions of the island. Accommodation is available for visitors along the beaches of the island's bays. Furthernore, it is possible to hire a boat trip to nearby islets.

Koh Kradad
is situated northeastern away from Koh Maak. Formerly, the area was abundant with Kradad trees; hence, the name of the island. The place was the first island to have the land title deed since the period of King Rama V. During the time French colonisation invaded the Southeast Asia. France was trying hard to seize some areas of the Kingdom including Kradad King Rama V, therefore, ordered that the land title deed of Koh Kradad be issued. Tourists attractions include the white long beach.

MAJOR EVENTS

The Ko Chang Yutthanavi Day
The Koh Chang Yutthanavi Day is organized in late January at the Koh Chang Yutthanavi Memorial on Laem Ngop. The event is to commemorate the bravery of the Royal Thai Navy's action against the French on January 17, 1941. Merit-making and tribute rites are performed and there is exhibition by the Royal Thai Navy.
Information from Tourism Authority of Thailand.