About Koh Chang

The beautiful island of Koh Chang is situated in the Koh Chang Archipelago and is a part of the protected Mu Ko Chang National Park. It lies on the gulf of Thailand in the eastern province of Trat close to the Cambodian border. Koh chang is the largest island in the eastern gulf of Thailand and is second the largest island in Thailand behind Phuket in the south.

The island is easily accessible and is just 300 kilometres / 3-4 hours drive from Thailand’s capital city Bangkok. Getting Koh Chang could not be easier, there are regular busses and mini busses from the Bangkok Ekamai Eastern Bus Station and Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier, or if you want to opt for comfort you can easily arrange a taxi to take you for around 4500 BHT. Regular flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport also run daily to Trat Airport which is only a short taxi ride to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier in Amphoe (district) of Laem Ngob.

There are three Ferry Piers which will take you to Koh Chang all are located in Amphoe Laem Ngob. The first one is at the end of the road from Trat and is the Tha Laem Ngop Pier also known as The Naval Battle Monument Pier. In the high season this runs a backpacker boat that runs to Koh Chang hourly for 100BHT, this is often over crowded and is not a particularly safe option.

The second and most popular option is going from Tha Koh Chang Centrepoint Pier which lies north west of Leam Ngob, this has daily departures every hour, on the hour from 6am to 7pm. Costs are 80BHT one way per person and 140BHT for a round trip. Taking a car is an extra 100BH and the journey takes about 45 – 50 minutes.

Another option is from the Ao Thammachat Pier which lies furthest west of Laem Ngob. This is a vehicle ferry goes to Ao Sapparos on Koh Chang, there are daily departures every 45 minutes, between 7am and 7pm which cost 80BHT one way per person and 120BHT for a Car. The journey takes roughly 30 – 40 minutes. In rough seas this is often the only ferry which will continue to run.

Koh Chang literally means “Elephant Island” and gets it’s name from it’s headlands resemblance of an elephant. The island is made up from many small villages including Baan Salak Petch, Baan Klong Son, Baan Dan Mai, Baan Klon Prao, Baan Bang Bao, Ban Salak Kok, Baan Klong Nonsri and Klong Jekbare.



Koh Chang is a mountainous island with the highest peak in Salak Phet being around 750 metres above sea level and covered by pristine tropical rainforest. The island covers a little over 200 square kilometres and is roughly a third of the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park which covers 650 square kilometres.

Koh Chang only has around 5000 permanent residents but this number continues to grow as this truly enthrawly island is quickly becoming more and more popular with tourists as it has so much to offer. When you come to Koh Chang there is so much to see and do, with fantastic beaches dotted along the coast, great Jungle trekking and hiking trails, pristine rain forest and some of the best diving and adventure activities available in Thailand, you’ll never be stuck looking for something to do that’s for sure.

Koh Chang is home to some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches, with white sand and crystal clear waters and many of which are half deserted! something of a luxury and much more relaxing compared to some of the more developed islands down in the south of Thailand. Most of the best beaches are located on the western side of the island, the best being White Sands beach, Klong Prao beach, Kai Bae beach, Lonely Beach and Klong Kloi Beach, Bangbao which is one of our personal favourites.

Getting around the island couldn’t be easier, there are many taxi songthaews ready to be flagged down, or you can easily hire a motorbike or jeep from your hotel or from one of the many bike and jeep hire companies.

Nightlifle on Koh Chang is truly amazing, with a wide selection of bars and clubs on the island many of which are lined on the beaches and often have live bands. There are also some excellent restaurants and cuisine on the island, serving some of the best Thai food, Thai barbecues, European food and some truly irresistible street food.

There is a great range of accommodation on the island, ranging from basic beach huts to luxury boutique hotels and villas. Please view our current deals on Hotels and Resorts and receive some excellent savings.

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