Koh Chang

Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island and it is located on the Thai East coast 310 km from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island due to the fact that its headland is shaped like an elephant. The island is a mountainous one, with Khao Salak Phet being the highest peak at 744 meters. Koh Chang and a large group of smaller islands nearby form the Koh Chang Marine National Park. A large part of the island is covered by tropical rainforests with waterfalls in between. The hills rise right in the middle of the island, splitting it in two. Closer to the water there are plenty of mangroves and the clear water streams down to the lovely white sand beaches.

In 2002, the government announces its plans to turn Koh Chang from a traveling paradise into a luxurious touristic place, labeling it “a Phuket of the East”. From that moment on, the number of high-class hotels has grown, the paving of the streets is extended to the South, and the main airport opens in Trang. The idyllic charm of the 492 square kilometers, out of which 85% forms the national park, has been swept away, but the development did not have the disastrous effects that it had on other Thai islands.

Ferries regularly go from the pier in Laem Ngop on the continent and make many stops on the beaches around the island. Despite the touristic development, Koh Chang remains one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand and is well worth while a trip from Bangkok.

The longest and most popular beach is Hat Sai Khao, or the White Sand Beach, which covers a third of the Northern half of the island. In the Southern part of the beach, after a small hill, Hat Khlong Phrao spreads its yellow sands – a place where you will find a sea of silence and solitude. South from this beach you will find the smaller – but not less tempting – beaches Hat Bae and Hat Kruat. At Hat Bae, the shallow and calm water is ideal for inexperienced swimmers. Most of the tourists are satisfied with the relaxation the beaches have to offer, but they can’t help noticing the natural attractions that offer interesting changes of atmosphere. You can take a walk on the Khlong Phrao beach towards the tropical rainforest to the Khlong Phlu Waterfall. A longer trip to the mountainous peaks of the island requires tourist guides that can be hired through bungalow owners. The attractions on the Eastern coast include an almost empty tourist center that features a three-dimensional model of the island, the Than Mayom Waterfall that unfolds on six levels with a small pool at its base, and the modest waterfall Don Keo, in the North-Eastern part of the island, beyond the main city Don Mai.

More than 12 islands in the Koh Chang groups populate the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, between Koh Chang and Cambodia. All of them are accessible through ferries, with departure from Laem Ngop. Frequent trips are registered from December to April, which is the peak of the tourist season. During this period short stops are made on all the islands. During the rainy season (from May to November) some tourist units are closed and transportation is more difficult. Koh Kut, the second island in size of the archipelago, is not under the protection of the National Park Division and is consequently the most developed island in the area. Luckily, the size of the mountains on the island and the lack of access helped to preserve the environment and kept most beaches, gulfs and lagoons in nearly perfect conditions. The beaches with bungalows or larger tourist units are mostly located in the North and North-Western coasts. Other worth mentioning attractions are the Khlong Chao and Khlong Anamkok waterfalls. You can go by boat up to Khlong Chao and then take a small walk through the jungle.

Koh Mak is smaller and flatter than Koh Kut, but it is the third largest island of the archipelago and one of the most developed from a touristic point of view. It has beautiful beaches, coconut tree gardens and colorful coral reefs in its Northern part. The other smaller islands of Koh Chang archipelago are part of the national marine park. Koh Kradat (the Paper Island) has a 6.5 km beach and swimming activities among the corals. This island, together with the smaller islands South from Koh Chang, is a favorite for one-day trips. Other islands that offer accommodation over night are Koh Phrao, Koh Ngam, Koh Laoya and Koh Wai.