|
|
 |
|
 |
| Home » Thailand » Travel Guide »
Trat » Ko Chang |
| DESTINATION THAILAND |
 |
KO CHANG
GUIDE |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
| |
ATRACTIONS IN
TRAT |
 |
|
 |
HIGHLIGHTS IN
TRAT |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| QUICK GUIDANCE |
| The breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastlines, cultural delights and historical significance, make Thailand an enjoyable stop in Asia travel map. To help you plan a trip in ( ….. ) - Thailand, we provide the useful guide of hotel options, package tours, transport, attractions, shopping and entertainment. You just click the sections below for helpful information. |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
KO CHANG
OVERVIEW |
| Koh Chang, the largest among the 52 islands of Trat, is also the nation's second largest island, after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 sq. kms., it features fine beaches, coral reefs, and plentiful marine life. It is also rich in natural resources, teeming with hills, forests, waterfalls and streams, the latter being an important source of freshwater. Dotting the island are many fruit orchards.
Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Hat Kai Bae. From here, a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meanders through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao, a fishing community located at the foot of the hill in the south.
To the east are Ao Sapparot, where a ferry landing is situated, and Ao Salak Khok. Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, care should be exercised while driving for the roads on Koh Chang are unpaved, with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son , near Koh Chang Noi, and around the islands to the south of Koh Chang.
To the east are Ao Sapparot, where a ferry landing is situated, and Ao Salak Khok. Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, care should be exercised while driving for the roads on Koh Chang are unpaved, with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son , near Koh Chang Noi, and around the islands to the south of Koh Chang.
On Koh Chang itself are several accessible waterfalls. The Khlong Phlu waterfall is located 3 kms. from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes walk from the parking lot. The Khlong Nonsi waterfall is a 4-km. walk from the park headquarter, while the Khiriphet and Khlong Nung waterfalls are about 3 kms. from Ban Salakphet.
Second in size to Koh Chang, Koh Kut is located in the southernmost point in Trat territorial waters. A speedboat transport visitors to the island within one hour. The inhabitants grow rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding plants, while others are fishermen. With scenic beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees mostly located on the western shores, it is also blessed with rich mangroves.
The main thing to do when in Ko Chang is to relax. Other than that, there are numerous activities for visitors such as fishing, snorkeling and visiting nearby islands. In addition, many resorts rent out kayaks and arrange jungle treks as well as provide all day boat tours to the nearby islands. Moreover, scooters can be rented in most places, which make the island easier to explore independently, however the driver should have some two-wheel experience as the roads have a tendency to fade away to nothing more than tracks.
|
| |
KO CHANG TRAVEL TIPS |
*Climate
The weather in and around Trat is very comfortable with warm temperatures throughout the year. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds, which sometimes limit sea transport to a group of islands particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsafe for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Ko Chang, anyway.
In facts, 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.
*Activities in Ko Chang
The main thing to do when in Ko Chang is to relax. Other than that, there are numerous activities for visitors such as fishing, snorkeling and visiting nearby islands. In addition, many resorts rent out kayaks and arrange jungle treks as well as provide all day boat tours to the nearby islands. Moreover, scooters can be rented in most places, which make the island easier to explore independently, however the driver should have some two-wheel experience as the roads have a tendency to fade away to nothing more than tracks. Furthermore, there are diving schools at all of the 4 largest beaches on the west coast, where tours can be booked or various diving licenses can be obtained and sailing-tours can also be booked in many resorts and travel agencies.
|
| |
GETTING IN - OUT
KO CHANG |
*Bus: There is 5 hours bus trip from the Eastern Bus Terminal will take visitors to the Trat Bus Terminal (departures between 06.00 a.m. until 12.00 p.m.). From there you continue by song taew transport to Laem Ngop, which is 17 kilometers from town, or the ferry landings at Ao Thammachat and Ko Chang Centre Point where services are operated all day.
*Boats: They usually leave from Laem Ngop to Ao Sapparot on Ko Chang every hour from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. The trip takes 45 minutes and the fare is 50 baht per person. Visitors can continue to Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae by local bus which charges 30 baht per person. The schedules and fares are subject to change without notice due to climate condition.
*Ferries: They depart either from Ao Thammachat or Ko Chang Center Point Landings between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. with a traveling time of 30 minutes. Private vehicles can be loaded onto the ferry. The vehicles used on the island should be the 4-wheel drive types as road conditions are bumpy and there are steep slopes to be negotiated. From the landing on Ko Chang are song taew services to various points. Fares should be settled beforehand. |
| |
GETTING AROUND
KO CHANG |
|
|
| |
KO CHANG FOODS |
|
Ko Chang is still virtually an untouched gastronomic paradise as the islanders have made a living fishing in the beautiful blue seas for centuries. There are plenty of seafood restaurants dotted around the island and with the recent addition of a number of resorts, visitors can now enjoy a wide range of local and international cuisines.
As the island only has a single road and most restaurants are located on the road or in resort compounds, they are easy to find. It just takes a little looking around to find a place that suits your fancy. Reservations are not normally required but if you want to dine further up the scale it is best to book in advance.
|
| |
ENTERTAINMENT |
|
|
| |
|
 |
| Northern Thailand |
| Chiang Mai - Chaing Dao - Mae Ai , Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Chaing Saen , Lampang, Lamphun , Mae Hong Son - Pai ,
Nan ,
Phayao, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok , Phrae , Sukhothai - Sisatchanalai, Tak - Maesot, Buriram , Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima,
Nong Khai , Surin, Ubon Ratchathani , Udon Thani , Yasothon |
|
| Central Thailand |
|
Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi - Sai Yok , Lop Buri, Nakhon Phathom, Nonthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan - Hua Hin,
Phetchaburi - Chaam ,
Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi , Chon Buri - Pattaya, Rayong - Ko Samet, Trat - Koh Chang , Lop Buri |
| Southern Thailand |
|
Chumphon, Krabi - Ao Nang - Ko Phi Phi - Rai Leh , Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat,Pattani,
Phang Nga - Ao Phang Nga - Khao Lak, Phatthalung, Phu ket - Karon Beach -Patong Beach , Ranong, Satun - Tarutao,
Songkhla,
Surat Thani - Ko Pha Ngan - Ko Samui , Trang, Yala |
|
|
|
 |