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All you need to know to visit Koh Chang
เกาะช้าง
Central Thailand
345 km from Bangkok
Province of Trat
Central Thailand
345 km from Bangkok
Province of Trat
Budget
Recomm. stay
3 jours minimum
Visits
Travel guide to visit Koh Chang
There are two main reasons attracting travelers in the Trat province: go by land to Cambodia or go to Koh Chang ( literally Elephant Island ) which is after Phuket, the second largest island in Thailand or go to surrounding islands ( Koh Mak, Koh Kood, Koh Wai ...). Sandy beach, sea with turquoise blue waters, palm trees, large forest that covers moutain make a beautiful scenery. There is also bang Bao which is a fisherman village. It adapted to tourism but the decor has kept its authenticity. Still largely wild, gathered in a national park, the island sees its popularity with tourists grow year after year. Backpackers may prefer Lonely Beach because it offers many budget places and some rudimentary bungalows. Those who prefer a clean white sand beach, White Sands Beach ( Hat Sai Khao ) will probably be more appropriate. It also there that most of the tourists stay.To move inside the island, especially on the west side, is simple, shared taxis pass regularly. The rates depend on the trip length and are from 50 THB to 150 THB if you want to go from one extremity to the other one ( White Sands Beach to bang Bao for instance ). If possible, try to get into taxis that already have passengers. If there is only you, you always pay more. Note that to reach the piers to Trat, 30 to 40 minutes before departure (depending on your location on the island), specific shared taxis with the sign "TO THE PIER" will circulate. Do not try to take the other ones or you will pay much more or they will refuse to take you.
To see all optiosn to get around in Koh Chang, read our dedicated paragraph about getting around in Koh Chang.
Accommodations in Koh Chang
In Koh Chang, the busiest and most popular beach is White Sands Beach (Haad Sai Khao). It is still possible to sleep for cheap teher. There are a few small complex of bungalows and guesthouses with basic but charming rooms. But they are rare. Those installed on the beach are located before and after the Rock Sand Resort. It is not easy to have a room in these places beacause the number of rooms is limited and many of the customers are regulars who come back year after year. So finding a room for less than 1000 THB at White Sands Beach is difficult except in the 3-4 accommodation across the street from the beach, which are less expensive but also often full. If you are targeting to stay at White Sands Beach, in high season, it is better to book a room in advance.Backpackers go in general to Lonely Beach. Bungalows are cheaper but the beach is less beautiful and rocky. Hat Klong Prao with only a few cheapaccommodation and Hat Kaibae which has more options, have nice beaches, especially Kaibae, and are quieter. For Kaibae, booking in advance is better in high season. We also recommend you to stay in one of the homestays in the fishing village of Bang Bao. But there you will not have a convenient access to the beach.
Find accommodation in Koh Chang
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Koh Chang.
Practical information about Koh Chang
To go to Koh Chang from Trat you have to go to Laem Ngop (there are two points of embarkation for ferries but usually the driver will take you to Center Point). Do not worry, no need to retain this name, at the bus terminal in Trat many shared taxis drivers will offer to take you to the pier. The crossing to Koh Chang takes about forty minutes and costs about 100 baht ( 120 thb for a round trip ticket ). There is one departure every hour from 8:00 to 17:00 (every 2 hours during the rainy season).>br>but you can also buy bus + ferry join tickets from Bangkok or minivan + ferry join tickets (book here)How to go to Koh Chang ?
Koh Chang is an island so the last part of the journey is obviously by ferry or boat. They depart from Laem Ngop, around 20 km from Trat. And to go to Trat you can fly from Bangkok (2 flights per day) or take a bus from Ekkamai Bus Terminal in Bangkok. There is a bus almost every hour and 4 departures per day of "Trat Express" which is more comfortable but not really faster than other buses. You can also buy bus+ ferry join tickets at Ekkamai Bus Terminal in Bangkok or buy minivan + ferry join tickets from Bangkok (online booking here)How to get around in Koh Chang ?
Songthaews are circulating permanently on Koh Chang. Most of them go from White Sands Beach to Bang Bao. You can take and leave them at any moment on the road but negotiate the price before getting in. Sometimes they drive very fast on the curved roads of the island and can make you car sick. Count between 50 and 200 THB depending on distance. Otherwise, you can rent scooters in Koh Chang. It's probably the cheapest option but be careful on thje road!
Festivals in Koh Chang ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Koh Chang. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
Koh Chang Annual Fruits & Local products Festival
This festival generally takes place in the month of April
Plus d'infos sur Koh Chang Annual Fruits & Local products Festival
Must-visits in
Bang Bao village
บางเบ้า
My opinion :
Other places to see in Koh Chang
Khlong Phlu waterfall
Khiri Phet, Khlong Phlu and Than Mayom waterfalls to only name the most important
Koh Kood
Neighbor of Koh Chang, Koh Kood (or Koh Kut) island is not really a place to visit for the day but rather an island where to spend a few days. Less touristy and less developed than Ko Chang, it often appeals more to people looking for more nature and tranquility.
Koh Mak
Also a neighbor of Koh Chang, Koh Mak island is also a less touristy alternative, good to rest for a few days. There are day tours from Koh Chang that offer to get there, especially on the beach, as well as to Koh Kradat, the deer island.
Weather & climate in
Koh Chang has a tropical monsoon climate with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Precipitation, on the other hand, varies considerably from season to season. Initially infrequent during the short dry season (December to January), they become rapidly torrential during the monsoon (from May to the end of October). February, March and November are months of transition during which, depending on the year, it can rain more or less.The best time to come to Koh Chang is from December to March, with the driest months being December, January and February. From May to the end of October, it is better to choose another destination.
How to ask in Thai to go to Koh Chang ?
I want to go to Koh Chang / Yak paï ti Koh Chang.Where is Koh Chang ? / Koh Chang you ti naï ?
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