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Visitor Information
Getting here
Plane
Bangkok Airways operates
regular flights from Bangkok to Trat airport,
located a 10 minute minibus drive from the ferry terminals near Laem Ngop. A
round-trip ticket costs around 4,000 baht.
Car
It takes around three and
a half to four hours to drive the 300 km. from Bangkok-Laem Ngop. There
are two alternative routes. Either take the BangNa-Trat highway (Highway 3)
out of Bangkok until you reach the Chonburi bypass, turn off here onto Highway
344, follow this road until it rejoins Highway 3 at Klaeng. From Klaeng
continue past Chantaburi. Approximately 23km outside Trat, there is a
large T-junction signposted to Laem Ngop, Highway 3156,take this road for
approximately 25km until you reach the first of the ferry terminals.
Alternatively, take the motorway (Highway 7) out of Bangkok and then take the
first exit after the second tollbooth. This is Highway 344, follow the
road to Klaeng and onwards as described above.
Bus
Minibus and full sized bus services pick guests up from Khao San Road and travel
direct to Laem Ngop pier from where a passenger ferry departs hourly to Koh
Chang. Expect to pay around 250 - 300 Baht for a one way ticket. Regular buses also
leave Bangkok's Morchit and Ekkami bus terminals - the journey usually includes
frequent food & rest stops and therefore takes around 6 hours. One way
tickets range from 150 baht - 190 baht and you'll be dropped off in Trat town,
from where the passenger ferry is a 20 baht songtaew (converted pick-up) ride
away.
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Once on the island white pick-up trucks offer a taxi service to
the west coast beaches. The cost is between 30 - 70 baht/person depending
on distance, just tell the driver when you want to get off. If you have
booked accommodation in advance your resort may offer a pick up service from the
ferry pier.
Climate
Firstly, you are
guaranteed hot weather as daily temperatures average 30C, water temperatures are
27-28C year round. From December to April rain is very scarce. For
the remainder of the year visitors can expect to encounter thunderstorms and
heavy rain, especially during July - September. Although, even in the height of the rainy season rain seldom
falls for more than an hour or two and is usually followed by sunshine. The
fringes of the high season (April/May + October/November) are a good time to
visit the island. The water conditions are good, there are far fewer
tourists, hotels are cheaper and the occasional rain showers cool the air.
Health
Koh Chang is
still classified as a malarial area, although in reality malarial mosquitoes only pose a
danger if you venture deep into the jungle. Sandflies can also be a
nuisance on some beaches, mainly during late afternoon when the weather cools,
the bites look similar to those from mosquitoes and can itch a great deal. There is an excellent private
clinic , Koh Chang International Clinic, on Whitesands Beach which provides international standard health care
- it's part of the Bangkok Hospital Group. Koh Chang also has a state-run general hospital and clinics which are
located in Klong Son, Klong Prao, Bang Bao and Ban Jek Bae. The clinics are
recommended if you simply require treatment for common ailments such as
cuts or bites etc
Communications
Phone lines have
been installed on the west coast as far south as Kai Bae Beach, however there
are phone booths near all west coast beaches and also in Bang Bao at the very
southeast of the island. Most communication is done by mobile
phone. Internet cafes are located in all of the resort areas, costs range
from 1 - 2 baht per minute. Choose an internet cafe which uses a satellite
link-up as local dial up connections can be rather slow.
Beaches &
Accommodation
The far northern area
of Whitesands Beach and Lonely Beach - the backpackers' favourite hangout - offer the best
powdery white sand but are also the busiest areas. Klong Prao Beach is a
very long, coconut palm fringed bay which is always quiet. Accommodation
here is mainly in a few large package tour resorts, although 'KP Huts' and Thale
Bungalows are good budget options. Kai Bae beach has a decent stretch of sand and is
home to a large number of low and mid-price bungalows. The atmosphere of
Kai Bae lies somewhere between the commercialism of Whitesands and the
backpacker vibe of Lonely Beach. Bailan Bay, although having only a very
stony shoreline, offers those wanting to get away from it all accommodation
where they can be guaranteed peace and quiet.
Getting around
the island
Koh Chang is the
second largest island in Thailand, therefore, the distances involved in travelling from the north of the island to the south mean that walking is not an
option. Anyone who is reasonably fit can cycle the stretch of road between
Whitesands and Kai Bae, however from Kai Bae to Bang Bao the road includes many
extremely steep mountain climbs which can also be tricky for inexperienced
motorcyclists to negotiate. Motorbikes can be rented for 200 baht/day from
virtually every resort and are the preferred means of transport for most
visitors. (Small jeeps are also available to rent for approx 1,200 - 1,500
baht/day.) The alternative to having your own transport is to rely on the white
pick-up trucks (songtaews) which travel up and down the west coast road.
If you plan to head to the east of the island you need your own wheels.
Activities
Koh Chang is
still an island people come to to get away from it all. Other large
islands such as Phuket and Samui offer visitors golf courses and cabaret shows
whilst Koh Chang offers lazy days by the beach and unspoilt scenery.
Activities, other than diving and snorkelling, include:
Kayaking
The
four small islands just off the southern tip of Klong Prao Beach and Kai Bae
beach are great for spending a day kayaking around. The islands offer a couple
of small beaches - don't forget to bring lunch - and some coral reefs
which provide a good snorkelling opportunity.
Trekking
There
are no clearly marked paths into the interior of the island and as such
independent trekking isn't recommended. However, several locals offer a
guide service and for around 400-500 baht/person they will take you into
the jungle . . .and bring you out alive. Overnight camping in the interior
is also possible. Your resort will be able to put you in touch with a
guide.
Elephant Trekking
There are three camps on the island, however the best is Ban
Kwan Chang, located 3km from the small hamlet of Klong Son in the north of
the island deep in a valley in the jungle.. This camp is run by the
Director of the Asian Elephant Foundation and offers the chance to see
elephants in their natural surroundings. Short or long treks can be
booked at your resort and cost 450-900 baht. Elephant bathing, feeding etc
can also be seen . . .just don't expect any shows or cute tricks from the
elephants - the emphasis here is on elephant preservation and educating
visitors rather than putting on a performance.
Island Hopping
Rent a speedboat and head off to explore uninhabited
islands. It isn't cheap at around 7,000 - 8,000 baht/day for a
boat to take you as far south as Koh Rang. But if you're travelling in
a group or as a family a day in a speedboat will ensure loads of photo
opportunities and the chance to see islands which the majority of visitors
to Koh Chang won't make it to.
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