Ko Chang
From World travel guide
Ko Chang is the largest island in the Ko Chang National Park, in Eastern Thailand, about 330 kilometers from Bangkok. Population is about 5000.
Contents |
Understand
This island is not heavily populated or developed, but tourism to the island is on the increase.
Get in
From Bangkok the easiest, most direct, and most economical way to get to Ko Chang is to take a 1st class bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) straight to the Centrepoint ferry pier at Laem Ngop. The fare is 232 baht (or 438 baht for a round trip) and takes just over five hours. Departures from Ekamai are at 07:45 & 13:00, and return at 14:00 and 16:00. Subject to seat availability, this bus can also be boarded at Chanthaburi.
Alternatively, there are 1st class (approx. 5 hours) and 2nd class services from both the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) direct to Trat, and frequent songthaew services from Trat to Laem Ngop (approx. 30 minutes). The most frequent services are between Ekamai and Trat.
If coming by bus from the south, the #511 air-con bus can be used to connect directly between Bangkok's Southern (Sai Tai Mai) and Eastern (Ekamai) bus terminals.
There are direct minibus services to Laem Ngop from Pattaya, Ban Phe, and Bangkok's Khao San Road. It may also be possible to proceed directly to Laem Ngop by minibus or songthaew from the Hat Lek / Koh Kong border crossing with southern Cambodia, depending on the time of year, time of day, phase of the moon, etc - enquire locally.
Most ferries operate from Laem Ngop, which has three piers, of which two are currently operational. The Laem Ngop (Tha Khrom Luang or Tha Laern Ngop) pier is approximatly 700 metres west of Laem Ngop. The Centrepoint (Tha Centre Point) pier is located about 3.5 km north-west of Laem Ngop. These piers serve both vehicle and passenger ferries.
Another vehicle ferry pier is located in Thaachat Bay (Ao Thaachat), around 15 km west of Laem Ngop.
Almost all piers on Ko Chang are situated on the eastern side of the island. The major piers are the two Dan Kao piers, Tha Dan Kao and Tha Ferry Dan Kao, who handles most of the traffic. To take a boat from Laem Ngop to the Dan Kao piers take around 45 minutes. The car ferry from Laem Ngop take around 1 hour and arrives at the Tha Ferry Dan Kao pier, situated 400 minutes southeast of the Tha Dan Kao pier. The car ferry from Thaachat Bay stops at the Ko Chang Ferry Pier (Tha Ferry Ko Chang) in the Sapparot Bay (Ao Sapparot), 3 kilometres northwest fom the Dan Kao piers.
Light meals, fruit, fruits and beverages are available at all the piers and on the car ferries.
Get around
In the daytime, you can catch a songthaew on its route around the main road. These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier. At the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier there may be no taxis available. If you arrive without a vehicle you may have to walk the 400 metres to Dan Kao Pier.
Small motorcycles can be hired. The main road circles the island, although section to the south is privately owned and, thus, inaccessible. Cars are also available for rental, most hotels can help you with it.
Package tours can be arranged in every accommodation for snorkeling, diving, elephant riding etc.
See
- The Mu Ko Chang National Park. A Marine National Park that comprises of Ko Chang and 46 other islands.
- War monument. In the very south of the island there is a war monument being built. As for spring 2005, there was nothing but a small store and an unfinished hotel at the site.
- Waterfall.
Do
- Elephant rides.
Buy
Market stands along the main road. Pretty much the same pirate-products in every stand. Lots of salesmen on the beaches, especially White Sands Beach.
ATMs and 7-Eleven convenience stores can be found alongside the main western coastline road.
Eat
Have a dinner on the beach.
Drink
Beer Chang.
Sleep
Most of the hotels are located on the west side of the island.
The cheapest places to stay are located at Lonely Beach, on the southern end of the west coast.
The Tree House is popular among backpackers, touting an extensive boardwalk restaurant/bar built out over the water.
The next resort to the north is Siam Hut, which offers a quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious food and spartan waterfront bungalows for around 300B per night.
One more stop to the North is Nature's resort, a more upscale place with a pool and hermetically sealed cabins.
Sai Khao Beach (White Sands Beach)
The white sand beaches are in the north west in a section called Hat Sai Khao. This area is being developed quite rapidly, so prices are going up. However, you can still get bungaloos for 400 Baht/night.
- KC Grande Resort. In the outskirts of the town centre, KC Grande is a bungalow-village. Pricing starts at 1800 baht. Online booking is available and works with no complications, the hotel can also arrange a ride from your arrival to the hotel, including ferry transportation. The hotel-restaurant has a good variety of food, is cheap and the dishes taste as it use to.
- Ko Chang Kacha Resort and Spa. Prices starts at 1400 baht.
Klong Son Bay
Klong Prao Beach
- Klong Prao Resort. Prices from 1100 baht.
- V.J. Hotel & Health Spa. New hotel, prices from 1500 baht.
Kai Bae Beach
- Sea View Resort & Spa. Prices from 1200 baht.
Hat Tha Nam (Lonely Beach)
Bang Bao bay
Get out
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is very little information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
