The island of Ko Chang is a tropical marine national park. Its hinterland consists of over 70% virgin rainforest and is the best preserved tourist holiday destination in Thailand. Situated to the east of the country in the province of Trat on the Cambodian border, it's Thailand's second largest island after Phuket.
Recently, with the surge of the island's development and popularity, it has been elevated to Thailand's new tourist haven. It has an airport near Trat, just 15 minutes from the ferry terminal. Bangkok Airways run twice-daily services from Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui. Also, the island offers fast internet access via many of the island's internet cafés.
With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests and abundance of wildlife and marine life, coral reefs, high mountain peaks, several scenic waterfalls, a rich variety of cuisine and great nightlife, Ko Chang is one of Thailand's most sought-after holiday destinations.
Accommodation on the island ranges from simple beach huts and bungalows to luxury villas, suites and apartments. If you drive, you can hire motorbikes, jeeps and cars to take you to any of the beaches along the coastal roads and, in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants, live music bars and nightclubs to choose from to spice up your holiday.
Getting there :
Ko Chang is 315 kilometres away from Bangkok in the province of Trat. There are several ways of getting there: by air, air-conditioned bus, taxi, hire car or motorcyle.
By air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui to a new airport at Trat. There are flights out of Bangkok day which takes about 45 minutes. For reservations, call the Bangkok office on +66 (0) 2265 5555 and Trat +66 (0) 3952 5299-300. For more information and bookings, see Bangkok Air.
By air-conditioned bus
First/second-class and VIP air-con buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai, on Sukhumvit Road, which is conveniently serviced by the BTS Skytrain. The return fare to Trat — the stopping off point for Ko Chang — ranges from 147 baht for second-class coaches to 420 baht for the VIP coach. From the Trat bus terminal, take a cab or minibus to the ferry at Laem Ngop, which should cost you around 200 baht.
By taxi
Getting out of Bangkok is always going to be troublesome unless you leave very late at night or early in the morning. But one of the most painless ways to travel is order a taxi that will take you all the way to the ferry port at Ko Chang. If you're a good negotiator, you can pay as little as 2,500 baht one way.
By private car or motorbike
By hiring a private car or motorbike, you make the decisions as to how and when to travel. However, do make sure you bring an International Driving Permit with you or any hassles you encounter are entirely of your own making. Simply, the best way out of Bangkok is to take Highway 3 on the Bangna-Trat road until you reach the Chonburi bypass. Continue along this road, or take the elevated tollway, then take the exit for Klaeng on Highway 344. When you reach Klaeng, get back on to Highway 3 again (Highway 3 goes via Pattaya and Rayong, which you don't want). Continue on through Khlung and, from here, about half-way to Trat, turn off on to Highway 3156, the Laem Ngop-Saen Tung road, which will take you along the coast to the ferry ports.
Ferry services and times
Ferries leave from one of three piers every 30 minutes from 7am to 7pm. Probably the most popular is the Centrepoint Pier. A motorcycle or car are free while foot passengers are charged. Once on the other side, sawngthaews are available during the day.
Where To Go :
The best beaches are on the west coast of the island. It is where you'll find the best accommodation and nightlife, the most popular being White Sands Beach.
White Sands Beach (Had Sai Khao)
White Sands Beach is the longest and busiest on Ko Chang, and has the best nightlife on the island, including beach bars, jazz clubs and nightclubs. For accommodation, the beach is full of thatched huts and wooden bungalows. If you're looking for a place to stay with a bathroom, air-conditioning, television, swimming pool and sauna, there are many luxury suites and duplex rooms available. The shops, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs are situated along the main road.
Klong Prao Beach
Klong Prao has long, white sandy beach. It is steeper than White Sands but safe for swimming. The northernmost part of the beach has beautiful rocky landscape.
Kai Bae Beach
Kai Bae beach, like that of Klong Phrao, is steep but swimming is safe. You can hire canoes and kayaks and there are plenty of dive shops.
Bang Bao Beach
Bang Bao is a fishing village on stilts, is rich with coral and is a good place to fish, snorkel or swim. It also has boats for hire.
Diving and snorkelling
The best dive sites are the seamounts off the southern coast to the island of Ko Kood, the best site being at Ko Wai where there is intensely colourful coral reefs, with depths of five to 18 metres. During the rainy season visibility can be poor and the best time to visit is from November to April. There are many dive centres offering specialising in PADI certificates on most of the main beaches. Prices range from $70-$280 per person. There is no snorkelling to speak of in Ko Chang itself, but the outer islands can easily be reached by boat.
Waterfalls
There are a series of scenic waterfalls across the island. It costs 200 baht to enter the national parks. On the east coast the Nam Tok Mayom waterfall has three waterfalls and can be climbed in under an hour. A smaller waterfall at Nam Tok Klong Phu on the west coast can be reached via Khlong Prao. There are plunge pools to cool yourself off after the trek to the falls. There are other, less impressive falls in Khlong Son, White Sands Beach and Kai Bae.
Elephant trekking and walking
On Khlong Prao, Chang Chutiman offer elephant safaris into the interior for 150 baht for half and hour and 500 baht for an hour. Or, if you prefer to do it on foot, you can take a hike yourself. The best place to start is from the southern end of the island. But be warned, it is advisable to hire a local guide!
Yachting
Sailing amongst the islands of Ko Chang with Thida Yachting Co Ltd between November and March, when you can count on steady winds of 15-30 knots. This time of the year there is the most agreeable climate too. 2-day trips available from 7,500 baht, 3-day trips from 11,000 baht, or charter a boat with a skipper from $400 per day. For more information, see the website athttp://www.sailing-in-thailand.com
Useful Phone Numbers :
Police
The local police headquarters for the island is in Ban Dan Mai, on the east coast. There is also a small police office at the northern end of White Sands Beach. The island does not have tourist police. Should you need to call them, their number is (039) 521 657.
Medical Services
There is a small hospital in Ko Chang (tel: 039 521 657) just south of where the mainland ferry arrives. There are also medical centres at White Sands Beach (tel: 01 865 8358), Khlong Son, Kai Bae and Khlong Prao. There is also a clinic in Ko Maak and a private hospital off the island in Trat for major accidents and emergencies.
Immigration
The immigration office is in Laem Ngop, who deal with visa extensions. If you have a 30-day visa, you can extend this for up to 10 days (tel: 039 597 261), but if you are looking for a much more lengthy stay, then go into Cambodia (see our section onVisa extensions).
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