Koh Chang Thailand : Paradise on the East of Thailand
Koh Chang Thailand also known as Elephant Island because of its elephant shaped headland. It has a white sand beaches and it’s the most popular destination when visiting Thailand.With 50 offshore isles, Koh Chang boasts the finest red gems, sweet Rakam fruits (Salacca), the historical site and the eastern-most province in Thailand.
Location & Navigation
Koh Chang is located in Trat province which is 310 km away from Bangkok. Travel to Koh Chang Thailand by car take 5 hours to the pier and another 40 minutes by ferry which departure every morning and start from 7.00-18.00. Upon arrival at Koh Chang there are Songtaew taxis, motorbike and mountain bike rentals for you to navigate around.
Bangkok Airways has a direct flight to Trat and then you can take a van for 30 minutes ride and another boat ride for 45 minutes. This is the only carrier service provider. Flight by PG departure from Suvarnabhumi airport.
Must Do Activities in Koh Chang Thailand
1. Waterfall
Most part of Koh Chang Thailand is belonging to Marine National Park. It still has several waterfalls to observe so activities for trekking and swimming in waterfall are valid there. Klongplu waterfall is the biggest waterfall which has water all year round.
2. Beaches
The most famous beach of Koh Chang Thailand is Had Sai Kaw and Klong Proa. Visitors can go shop for souvenir, such as T-shirt, handicrafts, tailored clothing and sarong. At night Had Sai Kaw offers a variety of dining options for visitors. This is the center of nightclub and beach front restaurants which serve all kinds of food such as Thai, India, Italian and more.
3. Trekking
If you’re a person that are more into jungles and natural there are some organized trips into the jungles and to some of the islands highest mountains. The views are of course amazing but it will be very hot so make sure you stay hydrated and ready to sweat like crazy.
4. Kai Bae Viewpoint
The Kai Bae Viewpoint is where you can see the beautiful scenic view that includes the nearby islands. It’s a nice place to stop for a cool shot of picture.
5. Fishing Villages
Want to experience how the locals live and taste the freshest seafood? You need to put “Bang Bao Bay” in your list. This is home to one of the largest fisherman’s community on Koh Chang. Along the way there are some souvenir shops, restaurants and convenience stores for you to check out cool stuff and try tasty food. So what are you waiting for? Come join us!
6. Watching Sunsets
It’s a must do activity for every beach that you go but here, you’ll experience the most beautiful and incredible sunsets ever. Watching the sun slowly disappear from the sky into the ocean behind the hill, turning the sky into warm orange color…. Isn’t that romantic?
7. Scuba Diving
Wanting to see some weird, cool sea creatures and corals? Let’s experience the underwater adventure! Koh Chang is the best place for Scuba Diving because of its warm tropical water of the Gulf of Thailand.
8. Snorkeling
Boat trip out of Koh Chang is another popular activity that you must try. There are 46 other islands around Koh Chang so you have a plenty of choice that you can choose from but the most common one is “Five Island Tour”. This goes from Bang Bao or Kai Bae beach and head into the Marine Park, towards Koh Rong, Koh Wai, and small islands which are home to a variety of amazing sea creatures.
9. Thai Massage
A little bit sore from trekking and travelling around Koh Chang? I think traditional Thai massage can help you. This will help you relax, relieve aching muscles, and boost your mood. There’s a lot of place that offer Thai massage but if you’re not sure where to go, find some reviews online or ask the locals. This way will help you get the best Thai massage experience in Koh Chang.
10. Thai Cooking Class
Wanna learn delicious Thai food recipe? There are a few cooking schools on the island that you can choose from. Each of them offers similar classes, you get to cook 4-5 popular dishes and of course you get to eat what you cook. You’ll enjoy the fun cooking class and there’s a lot to learn about Thai food, is not easy to make but once you can do it, you will be so proud of yourself.
Season of Travelling
For those who love to snorkeling or diving you should visit here during October to May. During monsoon season from May to September, seawater is not clear so you can’t really see the corals and beautiful sea creatures. On the other hand, you may visit during monsoon if you like to go for waterfall.