Ko Chang Island
The Perfect Getaway
Ko Chang Island is the perfect getaway where the sky is a lot bluer and the air is a lot cleaner. Take a dive in the cool clear waters at a number of the island's stunning waterfalls, or simply relax on one of the numerous pristine beaches. Ko Chang is the second largest island in Thailand and the principal isle of a national marine park archipelago of some 52 islands scattered around these waters. The island measures some 30 kilometers or 18 miles from it's northern most point to it's southern most tip and some 8 kilometers or 5 miles at it's widest. Some of the the many characteristics are the exceptionally beautiful white sandy beaches and the lush vegetation on the island's centrally located jungle-clad interior. The highest peak at Khao Salak Pet reaches over 700 meters above the sea level. It was only after 2001 that large scale government sponsored development began pouring in as more and more tourists soon discovered an alternative escape route from the more popular islands of
Phuket
and
Koh Samui
Of course things are a little different now that new money keeps pouring in to finance better road systems, luxury upmarket resorts and an increasing real estate market for those who want to stay a little longer. Tourists are not the only ones taking advantage of all the crazy development and excitement, as ever so many more Thai's are flocking to Ko Chang making this one of the biggest growing mainstream destination of note.
Welcome Sign on Koh Chang Island
Getting to Ko Chang IslandThe island of Ko Chang is located along the south eastern Gulf of Thailand in the province of Chanthaburi and extremely close to the borders of Cambodia. Take a leisurely drive from Bangkok to the small fishing village of Trat from where you will find easy access to the island. From Trat you will only need to drive a little further south for approximately 20 kilometers or 12 miles before reaching the small port of Laem Ngop where various ferry and speedboat services will take you directly to the island. Trat is approximately 320 kilometers or 200 miles from Bangkok. A trip of this nature should take you between 4 and 5 hours depending on the traffic situation and how many other lengthy stops you might want to make along the way.
Driving around the Island
An alternative would be to sleep over at the seaside resort town of Pattaya before proceeding to Ko Chang. This is a favourable route as this will allow you a more scenic passage along the coast as apposed to the drive inland from Bangkok to Chon Buri and then on through Chanthaburi before reaching Trat. Although the drive from Bangkok to Pattaya is only 100 kilometers or 60 miles, There is considerably less traffic as you exit Pattaya. I have done this trip myself by road as there is far more to see and experience than with air transport. You could of course choose to fly directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the airport at Trat. Another alternative is to use the regular bus service from Bangkok. Several new luxury beach front resorts have been built recently to encourage tourism to the island which was once a hideaway for mainly Thai's. This sparsely populated island makes it the ultimate getaway destination. The island's western shores is the right spot to be as it is here where you will discover some of the very finest and most prettiest beaches on the entire island.
Ko Chang Beach Front Setting
Beaches of Ko ChangHat Sai Khao or it's English name, White Sand Beach is the most popular destination on the island attracting more and more tourists every year than any of it's closet rivals. Situated on the very north western point, Hat Sai Khao is by far the longest shoreline at over two and a half kilometers in lenght. Apart from it's super wide white sandy beach and it's ample shade from a fringe of casuarinas and palm trees, it also sports an impressive hilly backdrop of lush forested vegetation. Dozens of luxurious hotels and resorts, scores of shops and stalls as well as bars and restaurants, line the coastline between road and sea.
Hat Sai Khao Beach
Hat Khlong Phrae is a stunningly long stretch of sloping shoreline where all good things are possible for total relaxation. The northern end of the beach connects with Laem Chaichet, a rather splendid scenic rocky outcrop and popular for sunset spotting due to it's natural surroundings. Not the best place for swimming though. However the southern end of the beach near Hat Kai Bae offers every kind of water sports from snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Hat Kai Bae is also a pretty and popular beach destination situated not very far from Hat Khlong Phrao. During high season the island can get very congested.
Hat Kai Bae Beach
Hat Tha Nam or Lonely Beach as is it's other known name is one of the smaller beaches on the western shore. Due to fairly inexpensive lodgings in the form of bungalows and beach huts, the area is frequently over-run by mostly back packing tourist who love to revel in the already established party scene. Ao Bai Lan is the beach of choice should you be wanting to spend some quiet time. This very laid-back beach is situated a little further south of Hat Tha Nam.
Sunset over Hat Tha Nam Beach
It may not always be easy to tell you exactly when is the best time to visit the island of Ko Chang but I shall pass on my thoughts and the rest I shall leave up to you to decide. During the peak season between November and March the island can get pretty much congested and it would be advisable to book accommodation well in advance. Beach lodgings tend to fill up very quickly. Although prices for accommodation and restaurants are a hell of a lot cheaper from May thorough to October, the island is known for it's fierce storms and rough seas that tend to lash the shores and beach huts making it impossible for any water sports or safe swimming. The up side is that you won't be bumping into any of your neighbours allowing you some quality time to relax and reflect.
Local Fishing Grounds
Koh Chang Click here to find accommodation on the islands of Koh Chang, Koh Samet and Koh Kood, as well as at Trat, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Pattaya. The site is compiled by a local Thai company and is extremely well written in English discussing many aspect from beaches, waterfalls, attractions, trekking, cooking schools and loads of various other activities. You will also find additional information regarding accommodation on the islands of Koh Samet and Koh Kood as well as the mainland towns of Trat, Chanthaburi, Rayong and Pattaya. You only need to click on the link above to enjoy. Just remember that this particular south eastern area of Thailand was probably one of the least visited tourist destination but it is now slowly becoming extremely popular. The next time you are in the country, have some extra time to spare and want to try something different, then you could consider a special trip to this relative new area of discovery.
The ultimate place to relax
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