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Ko Chang




























 
 

Ko Chang

Travel guide

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The largest island in the Ko Chang Marine Park archipelago, Ko Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. Best visited outside of the monsoon season -- which runs from about June to September -- the sea is warm and clear, the beaches for the most part white and sandy and the interior is filled with National Park protected forest and craggy, picturesque mountains.

Most of the beaches are on the western coast, and each has built up with a distinctive atmosphere based on shopping, activities, partying or chilling out. Accommodation offers a style to suit every type of traveller, from independent low budget backpackers to those wanting a touch of luxury.

There are plenty of activities to be organised from almost anywhere on the island: snorkelling and diving trips to nearby coral reefs, jungle treks and elephant rides, not to mention various beach sports.

With it's long stretches of sandy beaches and bay, Ko Chang's west coast has become the focus of the development boom, and that's where most foreign travellers stay on the island. Beaches such as Haad Sai Khao (White Sands Beach), Khlong Prao and Kai Bae have developed more in the past few years than most of Thailand has in the last few decades.

If you want to party, swim, dive or do practically anything else you'll find somewhere that's perfect for you.

There are three different and definitive vibes from each of the three main west coast areas; White Sand beach, Kai Bae/Khlong Prao and Lonely/Bailan. White Sands is more modern than the others, reminiscent of Kuta in Bali, or indeed its aspired cousin, Phuket. The Kai Bae and Khlong Prao strip is gorgeous on the eye with its quaint village appearance, plenty of quirky shops and bars -- certainly more of a tropical island vibe.

Lonely Beach and Bailan Bay continue on the topical island theme, but are far more traveller orientated; less souvenir shops, more bars playing Bob Marley. No Italian restaurants, but an abundance of affordable Thai fare. Ultimately it's a backpackers heaven.


 
















The east coast is home to major Thai villages but few beaches and so attracts far fewer foreign travellers. This side of the island is popular with Thais from cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, who might never have seen the ocean before and want to join in traditional Thai seaside life.

Sea Eagles, monkeys, epic views and jungle noises are all around, and if you're lucky you may spot the majestic Great Hornbill, resident of Ko Chang but rarely seen. Ko Chang is somewhere you can let your hair down a little, where perhaps those who hit the road in years gone by can capture the spirit of this wonder that we call travelling, yet enjoy the facilities that they yearn in today's society... namely air-con, hot water and a comfortable bed, and all found in abundance in White Sand, Khlong Prao and Kai Bae Beaches. At the same time, the old scene still exists at places like Lonely Beach, a reminder of what got the ball rolling in the first place.

A word of warning, the roads on Ko Chang are treacherous. The steep gradient of the hills can be very dangerous, particularly during the rain, and every year there are fatal accidents; during our research through mid 2008, three people died in road accidents in one week -- serious statistics. If you're not an accomplished and experienced driver then this is not the island to start to learn. Cars and minibuses travel at breakneck speeds around the island and coupled with the hundreds of motorbikes whizzing about it becomes quite hazardous. Particularly bad stretches of road lead from the ferries to White Sand Beach, between Kai Bae and Lonely Beach, and the stretch from Bailan Bay to Bang Bao. With numerous hairpin turns up high on the cliff there is no room for mistakes. Taxis are a far better and safer option for getting about for the inexperienced. Also worth bearing in mind is that the clinic charges a 4,000B fee just to walk through the door for accident victims, even if all you need is a light bandage and some antiseptic.

Through the last decade, a wave of travellers, both international and domestic has washed over Ko Chang in ever increasing numbers, and its popularity will only continue to grow towards its government driven target of becoming the 'next Phuket'. That said, Ko Chang has much more of a tropical island feel than its larger cousin Phuket. Phuket Island is a province in itself, with an intricate network of villages and roadways -- Ko Chang didn't even have a main road ten years ago!

Text and/or map last updated on 13th August, 2009.

More information

Other spots near here
 » Bang Bao
 » Haad Kai Mook
 » Haad Sai Khao
 » Kai Bae
 » Khlong Prao Beach
 » Khlong Son
 » Lonely Beach and Bailan Bay
 » Salakphet Bay

Further reading
 » Ko Chang Diving Guide
 » Do I need reservations for my holiday?

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White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand Tire tubes, White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand Kai Bae, Ko Chang, Thailand White Sands Beach Kai Mook, Ko Chang Salakhet Bay, Ko Chang Thailand White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand Balian and Lonely Beach, Ko Chang, Thailand Khlong Phrao, Ko Chang, Thailand
Khlong Prao, Ko Chang, Thailand White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand Khlong Phrao, Ko Chang, Thailand Barali Resort, Khlong Prao, Ko Chang, Thailand Kai Mook, Ko Chang, Thailand White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand Cooking class on Ko Chang, Thailand Rock Sand Resort, White Sands beach, Ko Chang Thailand

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Picture of Cliff Cottage, Cliff Cottage Bang Bao BayCliff Cottage
Cliff Cottage Bang Bao Bay
From: US$4.64 with HostelWorld


Picture of The Sunflower, 4/1 Moo 1 Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Narm)The Sunflower
4/1 Moo 1 Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Narm)
From: US$6.19 with HostelWorld


Picture of Remark Pu-Zi Hut, Bang Bao BayRemark Pu-Zi Hut
Bang Bao Bay
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Picture of V.J. Residence, Klong Prao BeachV.J. Residence
Klong Prao Beach
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Picture of Chang Park Resort, 40/6 Moo 4 , Kai Bae BeachChang Park Resort
40/6 Moo 4 , Kai Bae Beach
From: US$23.22 with HostelWorld


Picture of Koh Chang Cliff Beach Resort, Kai Bae BeachKoh Chang Cliff Beach Resort
Kai Bae Beach
From: US$29.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Top Resort + Hotel, White Sand BayTop Resort + Hotel
White Sand Bay
From: US$34.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Remark Cottage Resort + Restaurant, White Sand BeachRemark Cottage Resort + Restaurant
White Sand Beach
From: US$34.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Klong Prao Resort, Klong Prao BeachKlong Prao Resort
Klong Prao Beach
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Chang Park Resort, Kai Bae BeachChang Park Resort
Kai Bae Beach
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Chang Buri Resort + Spa, White Sand BeachChang Buri Resort + Spa
White Sand Beach
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Banpu Koh Chang Hotel, White Sand BeachBanpu Koh Chang Hotel
White Sand Beach
From: US$35.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Chang Cliff Resort, White Sand BayChang Cliff Resort
White Sand Bay
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Picture of Koh Chang Grand Lagoona, Bang Bao BayKoh Chang Grand Lagoona
Bang Bao Bay
From: US$41.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of V.J. Hotel + Health Spa, Klong Prao BeachV.J. Hotel + Health Spa
Klong Prao Beach
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Fresh off our Asia travel forum

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Ko Chang reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Ko Chang
By thailand_asia (dabbler - 2 reviews)
Written on 8th July, 2009 after a visit to Ko Chang in June, 2009

A great island in a great country! Ko Chang became for me the no 1 destination in Thailand. Nice beaches, good prices and a really nice atmosphere especially on Lonely and Khlong Prao beaches. Try as well scuba diving on Ko Chang, you will be surprised how relaxed the life can be on a island in Thailand.
Enjoyed as well the other islands of this archipelago like Ko Maak.
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