Arrival Thailand

Koh Chang is the largest among the 52 islands in Trat region and has skyrocketed become one of the favorite tourist destinations in Thailand for us Swedes. With its unspoiled nature, proximity to numerous paradise islands and endless white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear warm water, it is not so strange.

Getting there
Flights - Ko Chang is the east coast, 33 mil southeast of Bangkok. It's easy to get here from Bangkok and the new airport you fly in 40 minutes (Trat). After that the mini buses, ferry and the ferry "Sangthaew" (pickup with two seats).

Bus - If you are traveling by bus, you can expect 5-6 hours to the ferry situation, then about 45 minutes to travel by ferry. Further, from the state ferry travel with a "Sangthaew" travel time depends on which part of the island, you should to. White Sand Beach (first beach) is 5 kilometers, travel time about 15 minutes (50 Thb.). You can also take a taxi directly to the ferry situation Trat. The price varies depending on how good you are at haggling, about 4 to 5.000 Thb. (See timetables further down the page).

How it started
Koh Chang was long known as backpack travelers' favorite. They found Koh Chang in the 80s where residents offered them food and shelter for almost no money at all. More and more found to Koh Chang, which led to the expansion, the resorts began. Today, Koh Chang turned into a popular holiday island for both Thais as Westerners, here thrive even families with children like fish in water.

Elephant island
With a lot of imagination, you can see the outline of the elephant's head in Koh Chang lines and the name means merely Elephant. But there is another story about how the name came about. The island will according to a legend, got its name long before it had drawn maps (more on KohChang.se).
A popular destination is the elephant trekking. After a ride through the jungle on elefantrygen gets you scrub the elephants lying stretched out in the water hole. Washing rites repeated each day, in the morning. To ride on elephants is fun but getting to swim with them is even more fun and an experience you will never forget.

Untouched nature
The island offers beautiful beaches, coral reefs and lush underwater life. It is also rich in natural resources. It is full of wonderfully lush vegetation, waterfalls and streams, which are a major source of the island's fresh water consumption. The island also has a lot of fruit orchards and rubber plantations which is still an important food source for residents. On Koh Chang will find several really beautiful waterfalls. Khlong Phlu Waterfall is located three kilometers from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes of walking through the jungle from the parking lot. Khlong Nonsi waterfall is a four kilometer walk from park headquarters, while Khiriphet and Khlong Nung waterfalls is three kilometers from Ban Salakphet.

Best beaches
The majority and most beautiful beaches are located on the western side and stretches all the way from north to south. They include Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the West Coast, almost all the way from north to south. In the south you will find Bang Bao Village, a fishing village located at the foot of the hill to the south.

Islands around
For those who dare to leave Koh Chang's secure embrace waiting several riktigta paradise. Only 30 km south of Koh Chang and 40 km from Cambodia, Koh Kood (Koh Kut sometimes spelled). A place so close to paradise as you can get. The island is the second largest island in the Koh Chang archipelago. The beaches on the west side is the best on the island and is incredibly beautiful. Another paradise island Koh Maak. Koh Maak is a flat island with a lot of coconut -and rubber plantations. The beaches located on the eastern side of the island is the best and finest. It is on the east side most of the resorts with bungalows from 200 baht and up there.

East side
Along the eastern part of the island is the ferry situation and a road that takes you down to Ao Salak Phet, a village and båtpir on the southern part of the island. The roads on Koh Chang are treacherous with steep hills and sharp curves. To be extra caution on the roads is a must.

Diving
The best places for diving and snorkeling around the coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son, near Koh Chang Noi, and around the islands in the area south of Koh Chang.

More about the island
Three quarters of Koh Chang consists of jungle and a total of three mil is sandy. Most of the best beaches are on the western part of the island and runs all the way down to the southern tip and Pier Bang Bao. In Bang Bao await the diving with its excursion boats for those who are eager to dive or snorkel. Choose between half, full or multi-day excursions.