Ko Chang (เกาะช้าง) is in Trat Province, in Eastern Thailand, about 330 kilometers from Bangkok. It is Thailand's second largest island, and the biggest in Ko Chang National Park. With about 5000 permanent residents the island is not heavily populated, but tourism (and development) has increased dramatically over the last few years.
Understand
Ko Chang is one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands with long white sandy beaches, most half deserted. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkeling, diving and jungle hiking. The "discovery" of the island as a tourist destination since 2000 has brought on a large amount of rapid development, and while still far quieter than places like Phuket or Ko Samui, it's probably better to go now than later.
History
Prior to World War II, Ko Chang was little known by anyone. During this period, the few families there made a living growing coconuts and fruit on the mainland. In January 1941, during the Japanese occupation, the Thai Navy fought the French in a battle in the waters to the south-east of Ko Chang.
Nothing else happened to Ko Chang until the first backpacker foreigners started arriving on the back local fishing boats in the mid-1970s. In 1982, Ko Chang along with surrounding area became part of the protected Mu Chang Marine. Only very recently, in less than ten years, Ko Chang has turned itself into a major tourist destination, both for foreigners and local Thais.
This sudden tourism boom however, has been thwart with controversy concerning land encroachment etc. The government is trying to "develop" it from a backpackers' paradise to a top-level destination, and construction work is going on throughout the island, with basic huts torn down to make way for fancy resorts.
See
- The Mu Ko Chang National Park - National Marine Park comprising parts of Ko Chang and 46 other islands
- War memorial monument - in the very south of the island
Waterfalls:
- Klong Plu - the most popular, and the only one on the west side of the island
- Klong Nonsi - on the east side of the island
- Klong Nueng - said to be the most breathtaking
- Khiri Petch - medium sized, about 3 kilometers from Salak Petch village
- Kongoi - 5 waterfalls near Bangbao
- The Thanmayom - near Thanmayom pier
Ko Chang Naval Battle Site (บริเวณยุทธนาวีเกาะช้าง) located in the southern part of Ko Chang. The Trat waters near Ao Salak Phet and Ao Salak Khok also added another page in the Thai history of fighting for the country’s sovereignty. On 17 January 1941, the Royal Thai Navy managed to evict the invaders although they lost a certain number of squadrons and soldiers. 17 January has become a memorial day for the fighting, of which a service is held annually at Ko Chang Naval Battle Memorial in Amphoe Laem Ngop.
Ko Ngam was the first point of confrontation in the Franco–Siamese War in which the French army sent aircraft on a reconnaissance and bombing of the island, whereas Ko Wai is the point where French patrol aircraft crashed after being fired by HTMS Songkhla and HTMS Chon Buri.
A squadron of 7 French warships led by the Lamotte Piquet Cruiser, 2 sloops and 4 gunboats invaded in 3 divisions. The Lamotte Piquet alone made Division 1 blocking the south of Ko Wai and Ko Bai Tang. Division 2 comprising 1 sloop and 1 gunboat blocked the channel between Ko Khlum and Ko Wai whereas Division 3 comprising 1 sloop and 3 gunboats blocked the channel between Ko Khlum and Laem Bang Bao.
Ko Mai Si is a small private island located not far from Ko Kut where there is beautiful nature, sandy beaches and clear water –home to diversified marine life and ideal for diving. Various plant species grow wild on the island, which used to be a confrontation site between the Lamotte Piquet and HTMS Thon Buri that was in commission at Ko Lim. In assisting HTMS Songkhla and HTMS Chon Buri which were heavily fired and eventually sank near Ao Salak Phet and Ao Salak Khok, the HTMS Thon Buri was also hardly attacked, ran aground and sank near Laem Ngop.
Semi-homestay accommodation is available for a group visit of 15–30 persons. A 3-day/2-night package sells at Bt 4,500-5,000, 2-day/1-night at Bt 4,000-4,500. For more details, please contact Tel. 0 2750 6873, 0 9980 5757.
Ao Khlong Son (อ่าวคลองสน) a bay in the northernmost west of the island where Ban Khlong Son Community is located, with a beautiful coral reef. Accommodation is available. Klongson Beach is the first beach on the right after you disembark at the ferry pier.
Namtok Khlong Nonsi (น้ำตกคลองนนทรี) a small waterfall to the northeast of the island accessible by a 3-km. pathway from Ban Dan Mai or about 4 km. from the national park’s headquarters.
Namtok Than Mayom (น้ำตกธารมะยม) a medium 4-tiered waterfall located some 500 metres through a garden behind the national park’s headquarters, with the 3rd tier being the most beautiful. King Rama V, King Rama VII and Queen Rambhai Barni used to visit this waterfall as evident from the royal initials on the rock.
Namtok Khlong Phlu (น้ำตกคลองพลู) a large and most breathtaking waterfall on Ko Chang with water cascading down 3 tiers of the cliff to a basin, with an entrance located 3 km. from Ao Khlong Phrao plus another 20-minute walk.
Long Beach/ Hat Sai Yao (หาดทรายยาว) located near Ao Salak Phet to the south of the island with a long stretch of sandy beach where swimming is available. Trekking to the naval battle site, as well as a trip to admire nearby islands such as Ko Lao Ya, Ao Salak Phet, Ko Wai, etc. is provided. The viewpoint in the area is terrific and so are the snorkeling opportunities. The only way to get to this beach is by boat. Accommodation is available.
Monkey Training Centre (โรงเรียนฝึกลิง) located at Mu 4 Hat Sai Khao, Tambon Ko Chang, the centre provides training as well as shows of monkey’s abilities, especially in collecting coconuts. There are 3 shows daily at 10.00 a.m., 02.00 p.m. and 04.00 p.m. Admission is Bt 200. For more details, please call Tel. 0 1982 8661, 0 6531 3398.
Ban Salak Phet (บ้านสลักเพชร) the largest and oldest community on Ko Chang located in the southern part. The villagers’ main occupation is coastal fishery in an advantageous area sheltered from winds and storms by islands and mountains. There is an old temple in front of the village known as Wat Salak Phet built in the reign of King Rama V on his royal visit to the island. Ao Salak Phet is the largest bay on the island.
Namtok Khiri Phet (น้ำตกคีรีเพชร) a single-storeyed waterfall located 3 km. from Ban Salak Phet Community through a rubber plantation.
Namtok Khlong Nueng (น้ำตกคลองหนึ่ง) a small waterfall near Namtok Khiri Phet – Ban Rong Than, located some 2 km. deeper inside the island from the Salak Phet Community with another 480-metre walk. The waterfall cascades down from a narrow gorge for 120 metres. Swimming is available.
Bangbao Beach is a small fishing village where the villagers still live in houses built on stilts, all connected by wooden bridges. The area is developing quite quickly in regards to tourism. The road getting there is steep and winding.
Bang Bao Fishery Village (หมู่บ้านประมงบางเบ้า) a village of houses on stilts built into the sea with bridges connecting them together. Most of the villagers are descendants of the Salak Phet villagers, living a simple way of life and earning their living from coastal fishery, with abundant soft cuttlefish and corals. There is a pier, fish dock, and manufacturing of shrimp paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp and salted fish. The area is an ideal berthing area for fishing boats, with mountains and islands providing a good shelter from wind and storms in the monsoon season.
Ban Rong Than (บ้านโรงถ่าน) a small community located near Salak Phet in the southern part of the island. It is a scenic viewpoint where the mist-covered peak of Khao Salak Phet in the north and Ko Maphrao Nai and mountains near Laem Yai in the east are visible. A panoramic view of the whole area of Ao Salak Phet is also available from Samnak Song Atulaphon Banphot on the hill.
Ao Bai Lan (อ่าวใบลาน) located next to Hat Kai Bae and accessible by a pathway across the mountain which takes about 1 hour, with a scenic view of mountains along the way. Ao Bai Lan has a long stretch of serene beach ideal for swimming and relaxing.
Hat Kai Bae (หาดไก่แบ้) a sloping and long stretch of beach connecting with Hat Khlong Phrao where swimming is good. There are several bungalows for rent at economy prices, some with mountain bikes available.
Hat Khlong Phrao- Laem Chaiyachet (หาดคลองพร้าว-แหลมไชยเชษฐ์) a long stretch of sloping beach connecting with Hat Kai Bae where swimming is possible. There are several bungalows for rent with standard rooms and necessary facilities. The northernmost end of Ao Khlong Phrao connects with Laem Chaiyachet with a scenic rocky cape but swimming is not possible.
Laem Chaichet nestling between White Sand and Klong Prao beaches is a great place to see the sunset and admire Klong Prao’s natural beauty. Activities to do here include: snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. Coconut Beach Resort and Chaichet Bungalow are located on this site.
Ko Chang Noi, north of the Ko Changh an abundance of coral.
Tri Petch Waterfall, located 3km from Salak Petch Community, has just the one storey.
White Sand Beach is one the island’s longest beaches that attracts a lot of visitors. At the back or the beach are orchards of coconut trees and forests. Located north of the beach is the White Sand Beach Resort which has more than 100 bungalows, some of them very near the beach. The stretch of peaceful beach in front of this resort is 680-metre long.
Ao Sapraros is the location of the pier to and from Ko Chang.
Lonely Beach is extremely popular with backpackers hoping to find cheap budget accommodation. The road leading there is a difficult one; it is steep and curved.
Donkao Pier is where there are ferries to Center Point and Lae Ngob Pier. There is no accommodation.
Salakkok is a small fishing village that is popular for its cheap and fresh seafood. |
