KOH CHANG, THAILAND
Koh Chang is The last paradise island in South-East Asia.
The Koh Chang Marine National Park has been untouched by modernisation
yet is only four hours by road east of Bangkok. Koh Chang lies within Trat Province which borders Cambodia to the north and east
while to the south, the Gulf of Thailand gives the area some
outstanding beaches including White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao). The
area measures 30 km. long by 8 km. wide, making its Thailand's
second largest island after Phuket, is the main isle in a 42-island
archipelago that forms Koh Chang National Park, established as a
nature preserve in 1982.
Facilities on Koh Chang include mainly bungalow-type
accommodation on most beaches and rental services for bicycles and
boats.
Several smaller isles south of Koh Chang include Koh Wai, Koh Lao
Ya and Koh Kradat. Noted for both deep-water and shallow-water
corals are the Koh Kra group and Koh Rang which are to the west of
Koh Mak.
GETTING TO KOH CHANG
A 5 hours bus trip from the Eastern Bus Terminal will take
visitors to the Trat Province Bus Terminal (departures between 06.00
a.m. until 12.00 p.m.). From there continue by Song Taew transport
to Laem Ngop, which is 17 kilometers from town, or the ferry
landings at Ao Thammachat and Koh Chang Centre Point where services
are operated all day.
Passenger boats usually leave from Laem Ngop to Ao Sapparot on
Koh 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 White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao), Hat Khlong Phrao Beach and Hat
Kai Bae Beach by local bus which charges 30 baht per person. The
schedules and fares are subject to change without notice due to
climate condition. For current information, please contact Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) Trat Province office, Tel: Tel:
0-3959-7255, 0-3959-7259-60 Fax: 0-3959-7255.
By Air
Bangkok Airways; direct flight leaves to Trat Province everyday.
Booking in Koh Chang may be made by telephoning Bangkok Airways
Bangkok or Trat Province Office. Bangkok Airways operates three
daily non-stop flights from Bangkok to Trat and vice versa with the
70-seat ATR72-500. Bangkok - Trat a total distance of some 385
kilometers, has reduced travel time from 4-5 hours to just 45
minutes.
Ferry Services
Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat or Koh 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. Please note
that 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 Koh Chang are Song Taew services to
various points. Fares should be settled beforehand.
Naval Battle Monument Pier (Krom Luang Pier)
Wooden boats depart every hour from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The
passenger fare for a round trip costs approximately 100 baht. Call
tel. 039 538 084 for more details.
Center Point Pier
Ferries leave hourly from 6.00 a.m. until 7.00p.m. Call 039 538196
for more information.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicles, 60 baht/passenger
6-wheel vehicles, 250 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
10-wheel vehicles, 500 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
Ao Thammachat Pier
Ferries leave every hour from 6.30 a.m. to 7.15 p.m. Contact 039
528288-9 for more details.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicle, 60 baht/passenger, no charge for driver
6-wheel vehicle, 500 baht, no charge for driver but 60 baht fee is
applied for any passenger
10-wheel vehicle, 1,000 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
Ko Chang Ferry
Ferries depart every 45 minutes from 6.30 a.m. until 7.15 p.m. For
more information call tel. 039 597143.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicle 150 baht, no charge for driver, but a fee of 60
baht/passenger is applied
6-wheel vehicle, 500 baht, no charge for driver but 60 baht fee is
applied for any passenger
10-wheel vehicle, 1,000 baht, no charge for driver and one
passenger.
For visitors planning to stay at Koh Wai there is a ferry service
from Laem Ngob to Koh Wai at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare of 120
baht/person/one way.
For visitors planning to stay at Koh Kham there is a ferry
service from Laem Ngob to Koh Kham at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare
of 170 baht/person/one way.
For visitors planning to stay at Koh Mak there is a ferry service
from Laem Ngob to Koh Mak at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare of 150
baht/person/one way.
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