About KOH CHANG
Koh Chang is one of Thailand’s famous sea national parks. It locates in the western of Lam-Ngob District, Trat Province, in the east part of Thailand’s coast. KOH-CHANG consists of about 47 islands. Its area is the largest about 268,125 Rai KOH-CHANG National Park has the biggest area both on land and in the sea of about 650 square meters or 406,205 Rai.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang History :
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island. Since 1982 eighty percent of Koh Chang is under national park jurisdiction. It has around 30,000 residents. It is called Koh Chang (Chang means elephant) because it looks like a sleeping elephant.
The island is completely covered by the Rain Forest and there are no roads crossing it. The thick vegetation is coming down to the sea. The island is known for its crystal clear waters and its white sands beaches. Pristine rain forest covering the islands and precious few tourists. Today most tourists are back packers.
d is completely covered by the Rain Forest and there are no roads crossing it. The thick vegetation is coming down to the sea. The island is known for its crystal clear waters and its white sands beaches. Pristine rain forest covering the islands and precious few tourists. Today most tourists are back packers.
But this small paradise will change its face very fast. During a trip to the island in 2001, Thailands Prime Minister was so taken by its beauty he suggested Koh Chang should be developed into ‘the second Phuket. His intention was to develope the island to attract ‘first-class tourists’ only, to limit the number of visitors. Backpackers would not be welcomed anymore. Under a master plan proposed by the Forestry Department only the rich are welcome.
It takes only one hour to get to Koh Chang from Rayong. Most of the tourists there are Germans, due to a good description of the island on the most popular guide book in German. But tourists from other countries are welcome as well. The season is from October to May.
Festivals Celebrated in Koh Chang Island
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.
Trat Memorail Day , on March 23, marks the day the province returned to Thai sovereignty after the French occupation. The celebrations are held at the provincial town hall.
Trat Fruit Fair , usually in late May or early June, features exhibitions and agricultural produce. There fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak (or Rakam)
NightLife in KohChang
Koh Chang, Thailand’s second largest island, is a marine national park holiday resort with stunning beaches and exciting nightlife. the koh chang island website was set up to showcase one of the country s most pristine tropical marine national parks to provide information to tourists and web services to local businesses and to promote koh chang ,Thailand’s second largest island, is a marine national park holiday resort with stunning beaches and exciting nightlife. the koh chang island website was set up to showcase one of the country s most pristine tropical marine national parks to provide information to tourists and web services to local businesses and to promote koh chang as a unique holiday destination the site was launched at the end of may 2003 structured and optimised to the best of our professional abiltiies for high search engine
Koh Chang Night Clubs :
- Five Star Saloon
The Five Star Saloon is set feature some stunning girls and hosting live bands playing everything from contemporary rock and blues to ’60s favourites and jazz. - Skybay Pub
The Skybay Pub in Pearl Beach (Hat Kai Mook) is a relatively new nightclub playing Thai music. It has a wicked sound system and a very tight, professional band with both male and female singers. Its has a traditionally local layout in that there is very little dance space but is nevertheless a good venue.
Koh Chang Attractions :
Most visitors come to Amphoe Laem Ngob where there are 3 piers namely Laem Ngob and Ko Chang Centre Point, offering daily boat services to islands such as Ko Mak, Ko Wai, and Ko Kham.
Koh Chang Island
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 Ko 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 Ko Chang; for example, Ko Kut, Ko Mak, Ko wai, and Ko Kham. The boat trip to Ko Chang can be made all year round. In the rainy season, a boat will sail along the inner coast of Ko 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
Ko Chang Naval Battle Monument
Annusorn Sathan Yutthanawi Ko Chang (Naval War Memorial) is located on :Laem Ngob Beach, consisting of the figure of Krom Luang Chumpon Khet Udomsak turning his face to Ko Chang, and a warship-shaped museum building, where an exibition on the historic naval war on Ko 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.
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.
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
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 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 Lao Ya
lies at thr south of Ko Chang. The group comprises Ko Lao Ya Nai, Ko Lao Ya Klang and Ko 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 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 ver
Koh Ngam
is situated in the south of Ko 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 Ko 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 Kok’ 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 Ko Kut, and the other two islands, Ko Rat and Ko Mai Si, opposite to Ko Kut.
Koh Maak
is a large island located between Ko Chang and Ko 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. Furthermore, it is possible to hire a boat trip to nearby islets.
Koh Kradad
is situated northeastern away from Ko 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 Ko Kradad be issued. Tourists attractions include the white long beach.
How to Reach Koh Chang
BY CAR
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 344 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn into Highway No. 3 and proceed to Trat. A total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometres.
BY BUS
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. It takes 5 hours for the journey. The fare is 169 baht for air-conditioned bus, 197 baht for 24-seat VIP bus. For more information, contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2391 -4164, Choet Chai Tour Tel: 0-2391-2237, Chok Anukun Tour Tel: 0-2392-7680 and Suppharat Tour Tel: 0-2391-2331.
Ekamai Bus Terminal
Transport Co.,Ltd., tel.0-2391-8097,0-2391-2504. In Trat,tel.0-3951-1986.
Cherd Chai Tour, tel.0-2391-2237,0-2391-4164. In Trat, tel.0-3951-1062.
Suparat Tour, tel.0-2391-2331.In Trat tel. 0-3951-1481,0-1319-2500.
Choke Anukul Tour, tel.0-2392-7680.In Trat,tel.0-3951-1587,0-3951-1481.
There are also air-conditioned buses leaving from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Trat 6 times a day from 6 am.-11 p.m.. Call Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2936-2852-66 or Suppharat Tour Tel: 0-2936-3388.Mor Chid 2 Bus Terminal
Transpoert Co.,Ltd., tel. 0-2936-2852-66.
Cherd Chai Tour, tel.0-2936-0199.
Suparat Tour, tel.0-2936-3388,0-2936-3939
Eastern Group (air-con van), tel 0-9822-2643.
BY VAN
There are many vans plying between Bangkok and Laem Ngob. They are found on Khao San Road near the Vieng Tai Hotel, departing at 8:00 a.m. daily and leaving Laem Ngob at 11:00 a.m. daily. The one-way fare is 250 to 350 Baht / person depending on the season.
BY Airways
Bankok Airway' Services are available.For ticket booking and more information, please contect Bangkok Airways tel. 0-2265-5678Route flight No Dep Arr Days Reservations
Bangkok – Trat PG 310 0810 0900 1357 BKK:o2-265-5678
PG 316 1540 1630 Daily Trat:039-525-299-300
Trat – Bangkok PG 311 0930 1020 1357 Airport:039-525-767-8
PG 319 1700 1750 Daily
To Koh Chang
Navel Battle Monument Pier (Krom Luang pier)
Wooden Boat Go 09.00-17.00 hr. every hour
Tel. 0 39538 084 Back 09.00-17.00 hr. every hour
Rate roud trip passenger 100.-bht.
Center poit Pier
Ferry Center Poit Go 06.00-19.00 hr. every hour
Tel. 0 3953 8196 Back 06.00-20.00 hr. every hour
Rate round Trip 4 wheels Vehicle free of chang driver and passenger 60.-Bht./per.
6 wheels 250.-Bht Free driver and one passenger
10 wheels 500.-Bht Free driver and one passenger Ao Thammachat Pier
Koh Chang ferry Go 06.30-19.15 hr. every hour
Tel. 0 3952 8288-9 Back 06.30-19.25 hr. every hour
Rate Round Trip 4 wheels Vichicle 150.- Bht Free driver and 60.-Bht. for each one passenger
6 wheels 500.- Bht free driver and 60.-Bht. for each one passenger
10 wheels 1,000.-Bht. Free diver and one passengerFerry Koh Chang
Ferry Koh Chang Tel. 0 3959 7143 Go 06.30-19.15 hr. every 45 minutes.
0 3959 7434 Back 06.30-19.15 hr. every 45 minutes.
Rate round trip 4 wheels Vichicle 150.-Bht.Free driver and 60.-Bht.for each one passenger
6 wheels 500.-Bht. Free driver and 60.-Bht. for each one passenger
10 wheels 1,000.-Bht. Free driver and one passenger