About Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a beautiful island off the coast of Trat Province in the southeast of Thailand. The second largest island after Phuket, Koh Chang has increasingly become on a world tourist map. It is covering an area of 429 square kilometers. Koh Chang is only 315 kilometers east of Bangkok or approximately 4 hours by road and 40 minutes by air plus another 30 minutes by ferry.

 Beaches at Koh Chang

Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on the west side spreading from the north to the south they include Ao Klong Son , Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach) , Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore almost reaching Hat Kai Bae where there is a nature trail passing through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat and meandering through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao, a fishing community on the foot of the hill in the south.

At the northern most tip of Koh Chang is Ao Klong Son Bay. The inner beach is partly the muddy shore of Ao Klong Son Bay, while the outer facing the open sea has a sandy beach that is ideal for swimming.

White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao) as the name implies, this is a long beach of powdery white sand on the western coast. The beach slopes gently into the sea with the largest concentration of boutique hotels and guesthouse, beer bars, internet cafe and etc. Most of the accommodation here is low-rise and clusters tightly along the beachfront. The wide white sandy beach is excellent for all beach activities including volleyball and football.

Laem Chaiya Chet situated between White Sand Beach and Klong Prao Beach. It is most famous for its beautiful  landscape, with unique rock formations stretching down to the sea and a spectacular view of the curved Klong Prao Beach shore and a small island off the coast.

About 4 km. to the south across Laem Chaiya Chet, lies Klong Prao Beach. The atmosphere here used to be quieter than White Sand Beach, with very little nightlife, but now the area is the hub of the island activities and has more costly accommodation. Shady rows of coconut trees line an estuary and Klong Prao is a white sandy beach with the ocean on one side and mangrove forest lining the stream from Klong Plu Waterfall on the other, appealing to sea canoeists  who explore the stream and nearby beaches.

Kai Bae Beach next to Klong Prao is another perfect spot on the west coast to watch the spectacular sunset with dotted islands on the foreground. Some islands are so close that you may be tempted to wade the sea to reach them. At low tide, you can walk at chest-deep  level to Koh Man Nai.
Tha Nam Beach (Lonely Beach) is a small stretch south of Kai Bae. Visitors could have passed the tiny beach without noticing.

Bang Bao Beach on the southwestern tip is in a fishing community where residents still lives in house built on stlts. House are connected by wooden bridges. There is a growing number of tourist shops, scuba dive outlets and seafood restaurants.

Ao Salak Petch is one of two bays that form the southern coastline of Koh Chang and rising from the sea is the mountaintop of the highest peak, Yod Khao Salak Petch, often obscured from view by a blanket of clouds. On Ao Salak Petch, a quiet and tranquil bay flanked by a mountain range and with the mountainous islands of Koh Prao Nai and Koh Phrao Nork offshore blocking strong winds and waves, is located the oldest fishing village.

Breath-taking waterfalls at Koh Chang

Breath-taking waterfalls is one of the natural attraction on Koh Chang. The high peaks and deep mountains of fertile rainforests in the central region of oh Chang create some of the most spectacular waterfalls, so captivating that many of them now find their places in travel itineraries.

Than Mayom Waterfall is far from Ao Klong Son port about 12 km., which H.M. King Rama V visited several times over a century ago.  His Majesty the King was very fond of the pristine lush tropical forest here and the crystal clear waterfalls. In his memories he noted that several tiger footprints had been seen on the beach around the entrance to the waterfall. Than Mayom Waterfall is easily accessed from the main road and the water falling over a 50 m-high cliff into the pond below are pure, clear and free of calcium carbonate. In front of this pond on first level of the waterfall is the most favorite spot for tourists, although the whirlpool at the foot of the waterfall should be avoided.

Klong Phu Waterfall in the interior of the island is one of the best rising from lush rainforest and descending into a single pool in a deep canyon. The clear waters fall over a 70-foot high cliff and plunge into a rocky gorge that invites visitors to take a swim.

Klong Nueng Waterfalls is the tallest waterfall with a chest deep pond in front, good for a cool dip after the long hike of about an hour. Vistors will be exhilarated at the magnificent sights of a tall waterfall gushing water down the ravine, so fast the water seems white and foamy.

Ferry to Koh Chang

There are 2 piers from mainland to Koh Chang, Ao Thammachart Pier and Center Point Pier. All of the piers are located in Laem Ngob District.

Ferry at Ao Thammchart Pier operate from 6.30 am till 7.00 pm. daily. It takes around 25-30 minutes. The ferry leaves every 40 minutes on high season (October to April) and long weekends landing at Ao Sapparos Pier. Ferry fare is Baht 60.- per passenger per way for round trip ticket (Baht 100 per person for single way ticket.) and Baht 100 per car per way.

Ferry at Center Point Pier start from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm. daily. It takes around 45 minutes. Landing at Dan Kao Cabana Pier. Ferry fare is Baht 50.- per passenger per way for round trip ticket  and Baht 70 for those who come with their own cars. The frequency lessens during other times of the year depending on the crowd and weather.

If you do not reserve transfer from resorts or hotels you can catch a taxi (Songthaew) when you arrive Koh Chang at Ao Saparos Pier or at Dan Kao Pier. Fare depends on the distance around Baht 50 to 100.

Please be noted that no taxi (Songthaew) to go to the piers after 5 pm. but there are available be waiting you at the piers. It quite difficult for passenger who takes the last ferry at 7.00 pm. and want to go to Trat town. Just private transfer from pier to Trat town. However, we can arrange transfer for you, just leaves your requirement at info@thailandtravelplanner.com or fanta@thailandtravelplanner.com   

Nearby islands

Koh Chang Marine National Park is comprised of 52 islands, all of which are exposed and best preserved in the nature. Recommended nearby islands are Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Laoya, Koh Kham.

How to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok

1. By Private Van @ Baht 6,900.-/ van / way with ferry tickets (Maximum 8 persons with belongings)

A drive can pick you up at your place as your convenient time. The latest time to leave from Bangkok is 11:00 am. It takes around 4 hours from Bangkok to Trat Province

2. By Join Van @ Baht 980.-/ person / way with ferry ticket (Additional charge 200.-/ person / way for drop at Bang Bao Beach)

Pick up Place in Bangkok                    1st Round                     2nd Round 

Banglum Plu                                          6:00 am.                       7:45 am. 

Royal Hotel                                           6:00 am.                       8:00 am.

Hualum-pong Station                              6:15 am.                       8:15 am.

Silom, Surawong, Sathorn, Rama 4         6:30 am.                       8:15 am.

Pratunem, Petchaburi                             6:30 am.                        8:30 am.

Sukhumvit Soi 1 - 39, Soi 2 – 24             6:45 am.                        9:00 am.        

Join Van leaves from Koh Chang, 1st round at noon and the second around 14:00 pm.

2. By Air , please check the promotion and schedule at www.bangkokairs.com

3. By Air-conditioned bus

3.1 The Ekamai Bus Terminal is the main terminal for the eastern provinces. It is located at the Ekamai section of Sukhumvit Road which is also easily accessible by the BTS Skytrain. Air-conditioned and ordinary buses depart almost every hour as shown in the timetable here. The trip is about 5 hours.

3.2 The Northern Bus Terminal (New Morchid) is the other route.It is located at New Morchid of Kampaeng Petch Road.Air-conditioned buses depart as shown in the timetable. The trip is also about 5 hours.

4. By Private Car (Drive oneself)

Trat is accessible by three main routes from Bangkok. Travelling time is about 4 hours.For convenience and better road surface use the elevated BANGKOK-CHONBURI TOLLWAY until its final exit or the BANGKOK-CHONBURI MOTORWAY and exit for BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI.

ROUTE 1

BANGNA-CHONBURI-BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI-TRAT

DISTANCE : 315 KILOMETERS

This is the more preferred route with the following details:

(a) Take highway No.3 ( BANGNA-TRAT ROAD) until you reach
the Chonburi by-pass. You can either take the normal road or the new elevated BANGKOK-CHONBURI TOLLWAY which is right above it.
Toll fee is 55 Baht.

(b) Exit from the main road,head to the left and follow the Chonburi by-pass that reads Pattaya-Rayong.

(c) Head for Rayong until you see the BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI and the BANG SAEN-PATTAYA signboards.

(d) Take the BAN BUNG-KLAENG-CHANTHABURI route on your left.
You are now on highway no.344

(e) Turn right at the BAN BUNG-KLAENG intersection and head for KLAENG only until you reach the CHANTHABURI-RAYONG junction.Take the left route to CHANTHABURI but do not enter the town which is on your right. This is again highway No.3. Instead go forward until you
reach the SA KAEW-TRAT junction.

(f) Take the right turn and go all the way to the town of Trat.

(g) Alternatively, you can head directly to the three piers without passing through Trat town.Look for the signboard Laem Ngop at the LAEM NGOB-TRAT junction.Notice there is a PTT petrol station to your left before the junction.Turn right to LAEM NGOB.This is Highway no. 3156 (LAEM NGOB-SAEN TUNG ROAD).You will reach AO THAMMACHAT followed by CENTRE POINT and KROMALUANG CHUMPORN Piers.

ROUTE 2

The Motorway is another alternative. Starting from Rama IX Road and onto Srinakarin Road, exit after paying the second toll that leads to Ban Bung, Klaeng, Chanthaburi and finally Trat. The total toll fee is 60 Baht.

ROUTE 3

BANGNA-CHONBURI-RAYONG-CHANTHABURI-TRAT

DISTANCE : 385 KILOMETERS

This is the other route using the same highway no.3 but takes longer as you need to pass through the province of Chonburi.

For more information: info@thailandtravelplanner.com