Koh Chang, Thailand Travel Guide (I)

First, Description:

1. Koh Chang Thailand name: Koh Chang. English name: Elephant Island.

2. Thailand Koh Chang’s name comes from its shape throughout the island as an elephant, it around the island as small as to follow the elephants, the whole island is like elephants.

3. Koh Chang is located in southeastern Thailand. It is away from Cambodia, only separated by a gulf. (In Koh Chang with lots to Cambodia visa and shipping agency). It is from Bangkok: 310-330km and distance Trat (Trat): 8km.

4. Koh Chang, Thailand, which is China's first maritime business group found. It is also the first landed on the island as Chinese business delegation. However, due to Koh Chang steep terrain, there are dangerous animals in the forest, so they just built the temple on the island, to beg for peace. Now in Koh Chang visited attractions - Earth Temple is the year Chinese business groups to build the temple.

5. Koh Climate: Rainy season: May to October. Dry season: November to February (tourist season). Summer: March-April.

Overall, the weather is hot and humid island above, and sometimes in the evening or afternoon there will be a storm, and then cleared.

6. Thailand's Koh Chang, which is Thailand's National Conservation Park area. It's a total of 52 groups of islands, there is a unique plant cover. But one of the most mysterious structure of its terrain, the road around the island have been collusion.

7. On the west coast of Koh Chang, Thailand is the main gathering place of visitors. There are a variety of hotels, inns and shopping district. The number of visitors on the east coast is small, but elegant and quiet landscape. If you stay a long time in Koh Chang, consider exploring this Area.

2th, Traffic

From one to four is like to travel, but to travel a little troublesome people.

1. Aircraft: From Bangkok to Trat (from Suvarnabhumi to Trat Airport)

There are three round-trip flight a day, every fly away: 60min, cost: 3090-3610B

After the plane arrived at the airport, transfer by bus to the west coast of the Koh Chang. In the bus station to buy bus and ferry interline ticket: 470Baht / person. If you go to the east coast of Koh Chang, then the need for additional car rental or hotel arrange transfers to east coast.

2. Bus.
① Basic information: air-conditioned bus, the trip is about 5 hours in Thailand highway.
② Departure area:

Eastern Bus Terminal :( East Station)
            Suvarnabhumi - Trat
            Bangkik - Ao Thammachat Ferry Pier
            Ekamai - Trat
            Ekamai - Laem Ngob Centre Piont Ferry Pier

Northern Bus Terminal :( North Station)
            New Mochit – Trat

③ Fare: 250 Baht / person

3. Mini bus

① Location: Victory Monument (BKK) - Ao Thammachat Ferry Pier
② time and fares: 7: 00--19: 00, every 2h departure time, travel around 5h, 300Baht / person
③ buy ticket location: Koh Chang: Ao Sapparos Pier
                                      BKK (Airport): near the Century Park Plaza

4. There are two ferry: (can choose)

If you live in Trat, there are mini buses three times a day, and that is to go to the two ferry.
Location: Trat Department Store
Time: Trat-- ferry: 10: 00am, 12: 00pm, 15: 00pm, distance: 30min highway.

Fee: 120Baht / person

From five to six is like to travel, but do not want the trouble of visitors.

5. Koh Chang direct from Bangkok airport.

In Suwanaporn International Airport of Bangkok on the 8th Gate exit, to buy a ticket to ride the bus or Mini Bus to Center point ferry pier. Round-trip fare 900 baht, 600 baht one way. Bus and 

ferry fare is included. After arriving in Koh Chang, the bus driver will be free to drive to the hotel, it is tourists booking.  (Fee required part of the Area, such as Bangbao).
Note: From Suwanaporn airport to Koh Chang, only have four times bus per daily, 7: 50am,      9: 30am, 11: 00am and 14:00pm.

For more information, please see the website:

http://www.buskohchangsuvarnabhumi.com/product-KOHCHANGAIRPORT-67174-2.html

6. Taxis
Suwanaporn International Airport in Bangkok, you can pack a taxi to Koh Chang. One way costs about 3200B, but also whether the drivers are willing. If there are four tourists, and buy bus tickets similar. The biggest advantage is fast, about three hours to reach Koh (including ferry time).

3th, the traffic on the island

1. There is a major highway in the Koh Chang, this street side is the sea, on the other side of the mountains, and it is easy to distinguish the direction.

 

2. The west coast of Koh Chang, Thailand is the choice destination for most tourists. West coast of Koh Chang, Thailand is divided into seven Area, are Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Longly Beach, Bai Lan, Bangbao.

3. After the ferry tourists arrive in Koh Chang, the general need to take a Taxi, go to their stay at the hotel. This is for reference Taxi charges: Klong Son 50 baht / person, White Sand Beach 50 baht / person, Klong Prao 80 baht / person, Kai Bae 80-100 baht / person, Longly Beach 100 baht / person, Bai Lan 120 baht / person , Bangbao120 baht / person.

Koh Chang, Thailand during the tourist season, the small number of tourists, taxi drivers and tourists will discuss the price, you may need to incur additional fees.

4. Motorcycle: Rent motorcycle is the most convenient form of transportation in the Koh Chang, 150-300Baht / day. You are free to move, to go where to go, but to lock up, do not stolen! At Koh Chang, there is a way to Lonely Beach, it is very thrilling, super low safety factor, the proposed new driver attention to safety, not easy to drive a motorcycle.

5, the bike: in the online information, there is a bike rental, but it does not seem much.

4^th, the beaches and accommodation

1. Klong Son Beach:

It is the most northern beach in the west coast of Koh Chang. It is in a bay within (AO Klong Son). Where there is a small village (Ban Klong Son). Klong Son Beach near the pier. Klong Son beach 1km from the main road in Koh Chang. Klong Son beach stretches 1km. Whole beach was crescents, beach cliffs on both sides. So the whole beach is very quiet. When the tide is not, you can slowly toward the sea from the shore about 100m or so.

2. White Sand Beach: (HAD SAI KHAO)

White Sandy Beaches, it is the earliest development of Koh Chang, Thailand Area. It is equipped with tourist facilities where relatively tourist area in Koh Chang, Thailand. Over the past few years, White Sand Beach has been the most prosperous and popular places in Koh Chang, Thailand. White Sandy Beaches with soft and delicate silver sand known, three kilometers long sandy beaches, coastal distribution of various types of hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, lounge bar. 

In Koh Chang's white sandy beaches, on both sides of the main road has a 24-hour convenience store, currency exchange bank, craft shops, beachwear store, barber shop, pharmacy, laundry, fruit and vegetable shop, Thai massage parlors, gold shop, restaurant, music (live band), Steakhouse, Irish restaurants, Indian restaurants, Italian restaurants, Thai restaurants, CHEEST fried Chicken (Note: there is no KFC and McDonald's in Koh Chang, Thailand), coffee shop, you can Watch the ignition nightclub show and the red light district bar. As the most popular beach in Koh Chang, where many accommodation options.

3. Pearl Beach (Kai Mook Beach):

It is a relatively small beach, located in the southern end of White Beach. There are a lot of pebbles, near shore also some dark stone on the beach. Overall is quiet. More suitable for snorkeling, because in the near-shore, you can see a lot of coral mountain.

4. Chai Chet Cape:

 

It is a bay surrounded by rocks inside a small promontory, more subtle and quiet, watching the sunrise and sunset, a good place for fishing.

5. Klong Prao Beach: (HAD DLONG PRAO)

Klong Prao Beach is a relatively long, wide sandy beach. More suitable to take the kids to go, because here is not very deep offshore, there is no danger of the trend. Surrounding the development of hotels and other facilities are also good. Many upscale hotels are located here.

6. Kai Bae Beach: (HAD KAI BAE)

Kai Bae beach has many palm trees, paths on both sides have a lot of shade. This beach is developed in recent years. When the tide goes out, you can walk across the island of Koh Man Nai up from Kai Bae Beach. With the development of the original beach accommodation has gradually improved price.

7. Lonely Beach (HAD THA NAM):

Lonely Beach is very comfortable, the sea is also good, very suitable for swimming and sunbathing. Northern beach is white sand, a small rocky hill south. Hotels near the beach, and restaurants relatively complete. It should be like a second lively area of the Koh Chang. It is not “Longly”. It is a backpacker's paradise.

8. Bai Lan Beach:

In the south of Lonely Beach, 15min drive away. It is a sandy with shore marsh, relatively few people go, you can explore.

9. Bang Bao Village: (AO BANG BAO)

Bang Bao Bay is located in the southwest of Koh Chang, it is a small fishing village. Residents still living on stilts in the water in a small village, a very unique style. If you live here, snorkeling, diving, fishing, seafood is very convenient.

10. Klong Koi Beach:

In the northeast of Bang Bao, which is a very beautiful and a very quiet beach, relatively few people go. Note that the road from Bang Bao to Klong Koi Beach, and not very good to go.

11. Salak Khok Bay:

  

Salak Khok Bay, is a small farming and fishing village in the eastern part of Koh Chang. There are a lot of trees in the swamps and even the water at bay. In Salak Khok Bay, you can canoe, boat ride while enjoying the sunset while enjoying dinner. There are fireflies at night trip.

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