Ko Chang is the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Ko Samui ."Chang" in Thai means elephant so this is also known as Elephant Island.Located just 315km away from Bangkok,Ko Chang is a weekend paradise island to most Bangkokian and a place for retirement too.
There are more than 50 smaller islands surrounding it to form the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park.
For beach lovers,Ko Chang's long white sandy beaches,unspoilt coral reefs and sceneries offers a transquil hideouts.
A great place to unwind yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Ko Chang also has many spectacular waterfalls in the interior mountainous terrain.
The most popular one is the Than Mayom Falls which is near Ko Chang's Marine National Park Office on the eastern part of the island.
Khlong Phiu Falls is near to Klong Prao and Kai Bae beaches.
Khiri Phet Waterfalls is a medium size falls just 2km from the Salak Phet community in the south of the island.
Ko Chang consisted of the following 9 villages:
Salak Phet(south),Salak Phet Nuea,Salak Khok,Chek Bae(rubber,coconut plantations),Ban Dan Mai(lychee farms),Bang Bao(stilts houses),Khlong Son(orchards),Khlong Phrao(sloping beaches suitable for swimming) and Khlong Nonsi(fishery).
The rainy season is between June till October.
Khlong Nongsi Waterfalls is near Ko Chang Police Station.
The ferries terminal are north of Ban Laem Takhian which is the eastern part of the island.
Most of the hotel resorts are towards the western shoreline around settlements such as Hat Sai Khao,Hat Kai Mook and Hat Ta Nam which attract the most tourists.
There is only one single main road linking the west meandering through steep gradients due to the topography.
3 major landing piers in Ko Chang namely Ao Sapparot,Center Point Ferry Pier,Dan Kao Pier and Ko Chang Ferry Pier.
It takes about 30 minutes to travel from one point to the other and ferry services are between 7:30am till 4:30pm.
On arriving at the pier there are many songtheaws to transport travellers to any destinations within the island charging between 40 -80 Baht depending on the distances.
A section of the northern tip of Ko Chang map.
About 18 km from Trat is Laem Sok Pier also called the Siriwhite Pier.
At the pier only taxi speedboat to Koh Kood are available.
The speedboat carry around 30 passengers leaving only at 1:00pm daily arriving at Koh Mak at 1:40pm and reaching Koh Kood at 2:10pm
Between Koh Kood and Koh Mak the fare is 300Baht.
Laem Ngop is at the mainland in Trat where the ferry terminals are located.
The 3 piers offering ferry services are at Ao Thammachat to Ao Sapparot Pier(30 minutes)--50 Baht per person and 150Baht for car,Center Point Pier to Dan Kao Pier(40 minutes)--90Baht person and vehicles free while Laem Ngop Pier with less ferry frequencies--mostly fishing boats.
Use only the Laem Ngop Kromaluang Chumporn Pier if you plan to go to Koh Kood(400 Baht),Koh Mak(500 Baht),Koh Wai,Koh Kham and Koh Laoya.
There are also many vans plying between Khao San Road to Laem Ngop and the fares per person one way is around Baht500.
There will be no songtheaw after 6 pm to go back to Trat town. Trat Bus Terminal.
Trat is the capital city of Trat Province located near the Cambodian border in the eastern part of Thailand.
This is the only access point to go to Ko Chang Island which is about 20km to the pier roughly 30 minutes ride.
A songtheaw to the pier cost about Baht50 and can be easily found near the Trat municipal market starting from 6am.
The Cherdchai Bus ticketing counter on the left while another counter offers Trat to Nakhon Ratchasima with departure time at 9:30am,11:30am,14:30hrs and 15:30hrs.
The triple 9 bus company ticketing counter has services to Ekamai and Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok while other companies has both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses departing from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal(Ekamai) to Trat every hour from 6 am till midnight.
Ao Thammachat ferry pier is about 3km from Dan Kao pier and 15 km west of Laem Ngop.
Ban Ao Thammachat Bay location map.
This is the vehicle ferry pier .
The Centre Point ferry pier is for both passengers and vehicles about 20km from Trat town.
Koh Chang ferry pier is 29.4km,Dan Kao pier is 6.9km from Trat bus terminal.
Cherdchai first class 42 seater aircond bus to Bangkok ends at Ekamai Bus Terminal only.The bus fare is Baht241.Departure Time:07:00,08:00,09:00,10:00,11:00,12:00,13:00,14:00,16:00,18:00,21:30,23:00 and 23:30 hrs. To Morchit Terminal only 06:30 and 14:30 hrs.
A government second class bus will cost Baht188.Departure time:6:30,7:30,8:30,10:30,13:3015:30,16:30,1730 and 23:30 hrs.
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat is about 293km.Traveling time about 5 hours by bus.
Places to stay:1) Bailian Family Bungalows:Hut(300 Baht),Bungalow aircond(600 Baht)
Tel:(66) 0 9051 2701
2) Siam Hut Koh Chang:1001/1 Moo 4 Lonely Beach Tel:(66) 0 3955 8084/5
3) Ko Chang Withithai Stay:Kai Bae Beach Tel:08 6142 1397,08 1945 3079
4) Paradise Cottage:104/1Moo 1,Lonely Beach Tel:(66 34) 217 042,(66 2) 497 1588
5) Oasis Bungalow and Restaurant:Tel (66) 0 817212745
6) Baan Rim Naan Guesthouse:Khlong Prao.Tel (66) 87 005 8575
7) Clif Cottage:Bang Bao Tel:(66) 0 8590 46706
