Ko Chang

Ko Chang (เกาะช้าง) is in Trat Province, in Eastern Thailand, about 330 kilometers from Bangkok. It is Thailand's second largest island, and the biggest in Ko Chang National Park. With about 5000 permanent residents the island is not heavily populated, but tourism (and development) has increased dramatically over the last few years.

Understand

Ko Chang is being heavily developed. It seems like the government is trying to "develop" it from a backpackers' paradise to a top-level destination. Construction work is going on throughout the island, with basic huts torn down to make way for fancy resorts.

Geography

Most accommodation is located on the western side of the island, where the sandy beaches are. On the eastern side of the island there are no sandy beaches and this side is far less touristy. There are some nice waterfalls.

Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily highs (°C)	31	32	33	35	33	32	32	32	31	30	30	30
Nightly lows (°C)	20	22	24	25	25	24	24	24	24	24	22	25

Get in

By plane

Bangkok Airways flies two times a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (the "new" BKK) to Trat. 0800 and 1625, and the flight takes 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Direct door-to-door minibus transfers from Trat airport to Ko Chang resorts cost 280 baht/person including the ferry crossing.

From Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the free express shuttle bus from outside the arrivals concourse to the airport's own bus terminal, and from there the next available bus to either Trat or Chanthaburi, then proceed as described below.

By bus

From Bangkok the easiest, most direct, and most economical way to get to Laem Ngop (where the Ko Chang ferry piers are) is to take a 1st class bus from the Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal direct to the Centrepoint pier. The fare is 232 baht (or 438 baht for a round trip) and takes just over five hours. Departures from Ekamai are at 07:45 & 09:45, and return at 14:00 and 16:00. Subject to seat availability, this bus can also be boarded at Chanthaburi.

Alternatively, there are 1st class (approx. 5 hours) and 2nd class services from both the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) direct to Trat, and frequent songthaew services from Trat to Laem Ngop (approx. 30 minutes). Departures from Ekamai are more frequent than from Moh Chit.

If coming by bus from the south, the #511 air-con bus can be used to connect directly between Bangkok's Southern (Sai Tai Mai) and Eastern (Ekamai) bus terminals.

There are direct minibus services to Laem Ngop from Pattaya, Ban Phe, and Bangkok's Khao San Road. It may also be possible to proceed directly to Laem Ngop by minibus or songthaew from the Hat Lek / Koh Kong border crossing with southern Cambodia, depending on the time of year, time of day, phase of the moon, etc - enquire locally.

By boat

Most ferries operate from Laem Ngop, which has three piers, of which two are currently operational. The Laem Ngop (Tha Khrom Luang or Tha Laern Ngop) pier is approximately 700 metres west of Laem Ngop. The Centrepoint (Tha Centre Point) pier is located about 3.5 km north-west of Laem Ngop. These piers serve both vehicle and passenger ferries.

Another vehicle ferry pier is located in Thammachat Bay (Ao Thammachat), around 15 km west of Laem Ngop.

Almost all piers on Ko Chang are situated on the eastern side of the island. The major piers are the two Dan Kao piers, Tha Dan Kao and Tha Ferry Dan Kao, who handles most of the traffic. To take a boat from Laem Ngop to the Dan Kao piers take around 45 minutes. The car ferry from Laem Ngop take around 1 hour and arrives at the Tha Ferry Dan Kao pier, situated 400 minutes southeast of the Tha Dan Kao pier. The car ferry from Thaachat Bay stops at the Ko Chang Ferry Pier (Tha Ferry Ko Chang) in the Sapparot Bay (Ao Sapparot), 3 kilometres northwest fom the Dan Kao piers.

Light meals, fruit, fruits and beverages are available at all the piers and on the car ferries.

Get around

Hillside road on the southern part of the island

In the daytime, you can catch a songthaew on its route around the main road. These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier. At the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier there may be no taxis available. If you arrive without a vehicle you may have to walk the 400 metres to Dan Kao Pier.

Small motorcycles can be hired for 150-250B. The main road almost circles the island and there are plans to complete the circuit in the near future. Cars are also available for rental, most hotels can help with it. 4x4 car recommended, since some roads might be in bad condition, especially near Lonely Beach.

See

• The Mu Ko Chang National Park - National Marine Park comprising parts of Ko Chang and 46 other islands

• War memorial monument - in the very south of the island

Waterfalls:

• Klong Plu - the most popular, and the only one on the west side of the island

• Klong Nonsi - on the east side of the island

• Klong Nueng - said to be the most breathtaking

• Khiri Petch - medium sized, about 3 kilometers from Salak Petch village

• Kongoi - 5 waterfalls near Bangbao

• The Thanmayom - near Thanmayom pier

Do

• Package tours for snorkeling, diving, elephant riding etc. are widely available.

• Snorkeling tours day cruise to southern islands. Relaxing and snorkeling.

• Khlong Plu waterfalls is medium size waterfall within a half a mile walk from parking area. Swimming possibility. Entrance fee to park 400 baht.

• Scuba Diving The national parc is amazing for Diving. You can take all PADI Course or simple diving trips on one of the many dive school of the island.

• Snorkeling and Diving Koh Chang is maybe not the best diving spot in Thailand, but diving around Koh Chang gives some adventurous feeling

• See Fireflies Boat trips on the lagoon near Khlong Prao beach to see fireflies can be organised through a travel agent/hotel. Year round. 150-200 baht for 30 minute trip.

• Flyovers Microlight aircraft give flyover tours.

• All Terrain Vehicle track Tear up the mountainside on ATVs

• Mangrove tours

• Flying Fox

Buy

Market stands along the main road. Pretty much the same pirate-products in every stand. Lots of salesmen on the beaches, especially White Sands Beach.

ATMs and 7-Eleven convenience stores can be found alongside the main western coastline road.

Eat

Similar to the rest of Thailand, including the prices. There are many restaurants at the beach open both daytime and evening.

Drink

Beer Chang, if you wish to sample the famous "Changover" the following day.

Sleep

Most of the hotels are located on the west side of the island.

Sai Khao Beach (White Sands Beach)

Located in the north west, in a section called Hat Sai Khao. This area is being developed quite rapidly, so prices are going up. However, you can still find bungalows for 400 baht/night.

• Independent Bo Bungalows - from 200 baht low season, from 300 baht high season.

• KC Grande Resort - bungalow-village with restaurant - from 1800 baht.

• Koh Chang Kacha Resort & Spa - in the centre of the beach. Fantastic beachside swimming pool, beach-front bungalow-villas, pool-side deluxe villas, deluxe hotel rooms, and many rows of bungalow in tropical-style garden. The best place for families. Good value for money, friendly staff, delicious food. From 1800 baht (low) 3500 baht (high).

• Pump's House - from 1500 baht; double room for four 2500 baht (high season prices).

• White Sand Beach Resort ).

Klong Son Bay

• Siam Royal View - Chang Noi Beach - Villas & Beach Bungalows Koh Chang

Klong Prao Beach

• Amari Emerald Cove Resort - the only officially rated 5 Star property on Island. Rates from 5300 baht for high season.

• Klong Prao Resort - rooms from 1100 baht.

• V.J. Hotel & Health Spa - a new hotel, with prices from 1500 baht.

Kai Bae Beach

• Garden Resort - Quiet and charming resort with luxury bungalows, swimming pool, high speed internet and just 150 meters from the beach. Rates 1,200 - 2,700 baht.

• Gajapuri Resort and Spa - five star bungalows on the beach. High season rates 4,000-12,900 bath.

• Sea View Resort & Spa - prices from 1,200 baht.

• Siam Bay Resort - luxury bungalows on the beach or large family bungalows on the hill side. High season rates 500-2,500 baht, "green season" rates 300-1,500 baht.

Hat Tha Nam (Lonely Beach)

• Siam Beach Resort is right on the beach. Formerly a backpacker place, converted into a 3,5 star resort with large swimming pool in early 2006. Premium and Deluxe hotel rooms, all with a sea view, cable TV, refrigerator, hot water, comfortable beds and breakfast for two start at 1500 baht. Hill side bungalows with spectacular bay view, en-suite bathroom and air conditioner start at 500 baht. Exclusive Pool Villas offer relaxation to those that require a bit more privacy and plenty of comfort.

• Nature Beach Resort is mostly a backpacker place. They have bungalows starting from 300 baht. They have quite good bungalows for about 500 baht with fan. They recently rebuilt the restaurant and the bar. They restaurant is good, but the atmosphere in the beach bar is not the same as it used to be.

• Bhumiyama Beach Resort is the only 4 star resort on Lonely Beach, offering beautiful sea view bungalows and hotel rooms. Its located next to Nature Resort. Prices starting around 3000 baht.

• Siam Hut offers a quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious food and spartan waterfront bungalows for around 300 baht/night.

• Tree House has beautiful but very basic bamboo huts, no fan, no air, but electricity 24h. Authentic open-air "bucket" showers. Children/family-specials (kids-menu, playground, kids-corner, car park). Restaurant/bar is located on the beach front and has stunning sunset views. 90-250 baht, depending on season, size and location. They also have a new (and very quiet) resort at Long Beach at the southeastern end of Ko Chang.

• Oasis Bungalows is a unique place in this area. It is situated hillside with stunning sunset views from the restaurant deck, where you can enjoy Isaan home-style dishes, sandwiches or pasta. The cute wooden huts come with fan and mosquito net, attached open-air bath with the islands best shower. Sunee gives you a warm welcome and you get the feeling to stay with good friends.

• Paradise Cottage is located at the end of Lonely Beach (most people in the area can point you to it) and has very nice, large and clean waterfront cottages from 300 baht. There is a somewhat rocky but very pleasant waterfront, an amazing bar, and lounging areas with very friendly staff and outstanding food.

Bang Bao Bay

Bang Bao is on the south side of the island. It's little more than a long stretch of wooden deck that takes probably 5 minutes to walk from end to end, with dive shops, seafood restaurants, local housing, and a few places that provide accommodation for visitors.

• Alysia Spring Resort Bang Bao, . 27 rooms with A/C, hot water, fridge, cable TV, safe, balcony. Internet. 1 km to beach, free shuttle service. English and German-speaking staff. From 800 baht/night.