Koh Chang Travel Guide

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Koh Chang Travel Overview:

Second in size to Phuket, Koh Chang counts itself the largest among the 52 islands of the Koh Chang National Marine Park archipelago.
A lesser known getaway island some 300 km southeast of Bangkok on Cambodian border, Koh Chang has been elevated to one of Thailand��s most sought-after holiday heaven, whose unspoilt biodiversity still unremittingly protected by the National Park, its natural riches still work their magic for the stressed urbanites, yet its once seemingly inaccessibility and rickety tourist infrastructure considerably improved, especially after it��s spared the horror of the 2004 Tsunami.
Koh Chang is named Elephant Island not only for its elephant shaped headland, but also as it��s the perfect habitat for this kind of amazingly sure-footed creatures to showcase their skillful performances as they powerfully crash through the jungle-encrusted hinterland where all its treasurable gems, including wonderful waterfalls, loquacious streams, technicolour birds and wildlife, are veiled under a shroud of mist, or as they delicately balance on powdery soft sands along the long strech of beaches revealing on one side the postcard-perfect seascape and the other the low-key built-up communities with rustic huts and posh villas, thatched bungalows and air-con suites and stilted homes and fancy restaurants smoothly blended in with each other as well as the sound ecological enviroment.
The experience as a whole is as much a part of memory of your lifetime as taking a dip into the speckled clear waters of various blue shades, hopping aboard a speedboat bounding for pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life of some of the world��s best diving sites nearby, as well as digging into fresh rock lobsters over a bottle of wine while the sun sets gracefully into the horizon.

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What To Do in Koh Chang

1.Beachcombing
White Sand Beach, the longest, busiest and most popular beach with the most development;
Klong Prao Beach, south of White Sand Beach, with fewer but larger resorts;
Kai Bae Beach, south of Klong Prao Beach, from where you can actually walk to Koh Man Nai at low tide;
Lonely Beach: south of Kai Bae Beach, a small but decent stretch of peaceful beach with cheap accommodations.
2. Elephant Trekking
Ban Kwan Chang or the Klong Son Elephant Camp, member of the Asian Elephant Foundation, and the Chang Chutiman operate elephant treks into the forest, revealing secluded eye-catchers like wonderful waterfalls, and exotic flara and fauna that your eyes have ever seen.
For more detals, contact the Ban Kwan Chang on +66 081-919-3995, the Chang Chutiman on +66 089-939-6676, 087-135-7424, or consult the tour counter of your resort.
3.Islands Hopping
Koh Chang Noi, off Laem Chang Noi (Chang Noi Cape) at the northwestern tip of Koh Chang;
Koh Yuak, Koh Man Nai, and Koh Man Nok, right in front of Klong Prao and Kai Bae beaches;
Koh Khlum, a historical battleground as well as a great spot for diving and fishing;
Koh Sai Khao, located within Ao Salak Petch (Salak Petch Bay), with great viewpoint and strolling pavement;
Koh Lao Ya, a group of 3 small islands futher south of Koh Sai Khao;
Koh Wai, 10 km south of Koh Chang, great snorkeling site blessed with a coral reef of up to 2 km long;
Koh Kood (Koh Kut), easternmost of Thailand territorial islands, home to Nam Tok Klong Chao waterfall;
Koh Maak (Koh Mak), between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, with plenty of coconut and rubber plantations;
Other highlights include Koh Ngam, Koh Mai See Yai, Koh Mai Dang, Koh Raet, Koh Kradad, Koh Kham, Moo Koh Rang, etc.
4.Snorkeling & Diving
Season: October�CJune; best Months: December�CMay;
Sites: Koh Man Nok, Hin Sam Sao, Hin Luk Bat, Hin Rap, Koh Yak, Hin Kaduang, Hin Kuak Ma, Koh Khlum, Koh Tong Lang, Koh KraKoh Kra, Koh Rang, Koh Thian, Koh Yak, Koh Laun, and Koh Wai.
Wreck sites: The Koh Chang Wreck near the Salak Petch Bay and the Pak One Wreck between Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
Diving centers: Koh Chang Divers on White Sand Beach, Eco-Divers on White Sand Beach and Klong Prao Beach, Sea Horse Dive Center and Koh Chang Dive Centre on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong Prao Resort, Ploy Scuba Diving in Bang Bao, etc.
5.Spas & Massages
Bodiwork Spa Academy (Klong Prao Beach and one in Kai Bea Beach);
Aana Resort and Spa (Klong Prao Beach);
Aiyapura Resort and Spa (Klong Son Beach);
Koh Chang Grand Orchid Resort & Spa (Bann Klong Son);
Koh Chang Resort and Spa (Klong Prao Beach);
Ramayana Resort and Spa (Klong Prao Beach);
Sea view Resort & Spa (Kai Bae Beach);
V.J. Hotel & Health Spa (Klong Prao);
6.Other activities
Attending Thai cooking classes offered by many a culinary schools and resorts on the island;
Bird watching at Khao Laem and Khao Yai by Koh Chang and the Nok and Nature Club;
Hiking the forest-clad steep hills of the southern interior of the island;
Viewing the pyrotechnic flashing of fireflies aboard a quiet mangrove cruise.

What To Wear in Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a tropical island, yet with its unique insular tropical climate, with the west coast being sunny and breezy, the opposite side of the island being windless and humid.
But this does no... More>>>

What To Eat in Koh Chang

1.15 Palms
Cuisine: Thai /European
Location: Whit Sand Beach
Average entree: 125 baht
Contact: +66-019-105870
Comfortable beachfront restaurant/bar featuring a large selection of Thai and European dishes, including Good food inclucding full English Breakfasts and children��s menu, and a comprehensive colllection of wines and spirits, plus pool table, live sports, and free wireless Internet access.
2.Ban Nuna
Cuisine: Pizza /European
Location: White Sand Beach
Average entree: 250 baht
Contact: +66-039-55-1230
Roadside palmgarden-restaurant/bar with simple fan bamboo huts and private bathroom, providing homemade pizzas, pasta, BBQ, meatballs, German potato salad,schnitzels, kebabs, ice beers, cocktails and much more up to 24.00 daily.
3.Cookies
Cuisine: Thai /European /Seafood
Location:White Sand Beach
Average entree: 150 baht
Contact: +66-018-63-5563
Popular resort and resturant on the beach, serving avery a good Thai and Western menu and a nightly Seafood BBQ with good size servings at good prices.
4.Invito
Cuisine: Italian
Location: White Sand Beach
Average entree: 300 baht
Contact: +66-039-55-1326
Reputably the most authentic and best quality Italian restaurant on the island serving classic Italian dishes, genuine homemade pasta, imported meat and fresh seafood, wood-fried pizza oven, and a fine selection of cocktail and wine, and opening for lunch, dinner and food delivery and catering services.
5. Kai Bae Marina
Cuisine: Thai /European
Location: Kai Bae
Average entree: 150 baht
Contact: +66-086-835-9928
Well-stablished bar and restaurant best known for its deliciously selection of American Type Steaks, together with other traditional German and European cusine, as well as a wide range of Italian pizzas, pastas, spaghettis and Thai specialities.
6.Oodie's Place
Cuisine: Thai /French
Location: White Sand Beach
Average entree: 230 baht
Contact: +66-081-853-1271
Popular hang-out on the island with daily movies from 6 - 9 pm, then blues, rock, folk, Rock live music accompanying great Thai and Frech dishes like Mongolian barbecue and Steak Lao, etc.
7.Papa Deli Bakery
Cuisine: Bakery & Deli
Average entree: 150 baht
Contact: +66-087-941-6511
Location: Kai Bae
Opened by a German baker opposite Kai Bae Marina, Papa deli is a bakery and delicatessen offering tasty baguette sandwiches, croissants, pizzas, pasta, salads, a variety of freshly-baked cakes and pastries, as well as a great selection of home roasted coffee drinks in air-conditioned comfort.
8.Sirin
Cuisine: Pizza/ German
Location: White Sand Beach
Average entree: 180 baht
Contact: +66-081-827-1326
Small bar and restaurant with an ever-changing German specials board which includes homemade pizzas, Frikadellen, Kassler, Lasagne, Lentil soup, roast pork spahetti, cold beer, cocktail and a borad choices of everything else.
9.Tantawan
Cuisine: Thai /Western
Location: White Sand Beach
Average entree: 150 baht
Contact: +66-039-551167
Beachside bar and restuarant where you can enjoy reqular live music, refreshing dirnks as well as delicious dishes from the a-la-carte Thai/Western/seafood menu.
10.The Taj
Cuisine:Indian
Location: Chai Chet
Average entree: 200 baht
Contact: +66-039-551-450
All classic aromatic northern and spicy southern Indian Indian curries and other specialities, including the aloo palak, chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken, are to be enjoyed at this large Indian restaurant to the northern end of Klong Prao Beach in Chai Chet.

Where To Stay in Koh Chang

1.AANA Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 (0) 39-551539
Location: Klong Prao Beach
71 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 2,600 baht
A lagoonside luxury resort by the northern bank of Klong Praow river, well-designed in country style with conical thatched villas, hilltop and lower Swimming-Pools, Hilltop-Bar, riverside AAR Spa and Cinnamon Restaurant, and well-balanced with the surrounding environment with landscaped gardens and natural scenery fronting onto Klong Prao Beach which is only 300 meters away.
2.Amari Emerald Cove Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 39-552000
Location: Klong Prao Beach
165 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 4,500 baht
Luxury modern Thai designed rooms, professional yoga class by the huge swimming pool, body-balancing massage at the Sivara Spa, Thai seafood and Italian speciality treatments by the fancy Cove Terrace, Sassi or Just Thai restaurants, ice cold beer, cocktails and live music in Breezes Lobby Bar, and more at this one of Koh Chang's premier resorts at the more secluded south end of Klong Prao Beach
3.Ban Thai Resort
Location: White Sand Beach
11 rooms in total; Rates from approximately 1,300 baht
Boutique resort bursting with Thai and Khmer culture, with brick-walled Khmer temple style gate leads to 11 Ayuthaya-style units decorated with authentic Thai artifacts and furniture, charming beachfront open-air restaurant with cushions on the floor, and fountains and stone sculptures scattered around a nice courtyard garden sthat graceful descends to the beach.
4.Bhumiyama Beach Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 39-558067-9
Location: Lonely Beach
45 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 2,150 bath
Facing the calm water and soft sandy beach in the southern part of Lonely Beach, the only luxury boutique style resort on Lonely Beach has high quality rooms, a swimming pool and a restaurant set in exquisite tropical gardens and against the jungle-covered emerald mountains of the national park right behind this small lovely nature lover��s enclave.
5.Koh Chang Cliff Beach Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 39-557034-5
Location: Kai Bae Beach
33 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 2,700 baht
Wakp up to the sound of soft caressing wave or wild birds chirping at one of the spacious Cliff View, Poolside or Garden suites, start your wonderful day with Thai, Chinese, European seafood and specialities at one of the choice of 2 fine restaurants, work out extra calories you consumed with the swimming pool, the mini golf course, or water-sports equipment rentals and services available at the tour counter, all at this northernmost of all bungalow resorts at Kai Bae Beach.
6.Koh Chang Tropicana Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 (0) 26-424420
Location: Klong Prao Beach
77 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 3,500 baht
A luxurioius full scale resort complex with comfortable rooms, a restaurant, spa and swimming pool wrapped up in the beauty and tranquility of landscaped gardens on the sand of Klong Prao beach right in the the middle of the west coast of Koh Chang, allowing you to enjoy the tropical nature of the National Marine Park at its finest and its most convenient.
7.Panviman Ko Chang Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 39-551290-6
Location: Klong Prao Beach
50 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 3,000 baht
Posh resort set in a lush tropical garden in the middle of Klong Prao beach, with luxurious bungalows built in traditional Thai-architecture, its romantic Four Angels Restaurant with a big terrace sticking out over the beach, the cool and cosy Rockies Bar posed by the generous swimming pool and various rentable and bookable water-sports equipment and tours.
8.Ramayana Koh Chang Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 (0) 22-616364
Location: Klong Prao Beach
65 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately 1,900 baht
Largely inspired by the great Asian epic "Ramayana", with all rooms entirely decked out with superb mod-cons and private patios overlooking the outdoor swimming pool in nicely landscaped Pha-U-Ma's Garden descending to the Hemtirun private beach, Ramayana Koh Chang Resort & Spa bestows the natural tranquility, modern indulgence, genuine hospitality and intriquing oriental ambiance to all its visitors
9.Sea View Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 (0) 39-552888
Location: Kai Bae Beach
126 rooms in total; Rates from arroximately
A peaceful hillside resort opens directly onto the beach on the southernmost bay of Kai Bae Beach and is beautifully integrated, along with its well separated and decorated cottages, big private beach, a spa, and a huge swimming pool, in an expansive exquisitely landscaped garden, with a whole lot of discount package tours available for all its guests.
10.Siam Beach Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 87-0265515
Location: Lonely Beach
Rates from arroximately 500 baht
A 2 storey beach resort blissfully tucked away in the lush tropical vegetation of the the most beautiful northern part of Lonely Beach, with a sea-facing restaurant, beachfront Sweet Beach Bar a large swimming pool with Jacuzzi and beach chairs adding appeal to its backpacker-style accommodations which are of great value, but nevertheless of good quality, this is truly an oasis of tranquility on the otherwise busy west cost of Koh Chang island.

How To Go Koh Chang

1. Reaching Trat
By Air:
Departure airport: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport;
Arriving airport: Trat Airport, about 10 kms from Ao Thammachart piers pier and 25 kms from ... More>>>

What to be noted in Koh Chang

1.Time to Visit Koh Chang
Given its obvious tropical climate pattern which usually consists of only a dry season and a wet season, the ��coolest�� temperatures are expected from November to May when daily maximums hover above 30 Celsius Degree, and the ��rainiest�� weather is to be expected from June to October with a high rare of heavy storms of up to 2 to 3 times a week.
To avoid being ripped off by the double priced bungalows, or caught in bad weather or beach crowds, consider visiting in June prior to the onset of the monsoon, or mid/late October after the monsoon retreat.
2. Health
Unfortunately, Koh Chang is one of the only parts of Thailand apart from the North where sporadic malaria cases are still reported on other islands outside of the malaria-free Koh Kood.
To cut off the possible infection of malaria, tourists are recommended to stay in rooms with mosquito-lattice windows and doors, apply mosquito-coils or mosquito-repellent incense spray before you go to bed, sleep under a mosquito net, and if necessary wear bright-colour long trousers and long-sleeve shirts and effective mosquito-repellent while if you��re going out and about, or take chemical malaria prophylaxis before you start your Ko Chang holiday, although many of the malarial parasite bearing mosquitoes are resistant to most of the prophylaxis medicines.
If you��re suffering from a non-clarified fever accumulation, have yourself examined for Malaria immediately, at the Koh Chang International Clinic on White Sand Beach, the P.P.Clinic opposite Amari resort in Klong Prao, the Koh Chang Hospital in Baan Khlong Nonsi on east coast.
There are also clinics on major beahces and villages of Baan Klong Son, Baan Salak Phet and Baan Bang Bao.
A well-stocked first aid kit is highly recommended. Make sure it contains an extra supply of sun screen for a trip on the water��s edge.
3.Safety
Driving:
Roads on the island are less than ideal to drive on, since there are many sharp turns along the cliff-sided narrow passage and some section of the surface can be unexpectedly slippery.
Having said that, you��d better pay extra attention to the conditions of the vehicle you��re driving or riding, the ongoing traffic and road condition, wear a helmet and never drink and dirve.
Theft:
Like everywhere else in Thailand, petty crime like theft are more often happening to tourists and violent crime only occur rarely.
As a precaution, keep valuables away in the room safe or at the resort's reception, and secure your accommodation when going out.
Should you get unlucky, report your case to any one of the police posts in many of the villages on Ko Chang.
The police headquarters is located in Baan Khlong Nonsi at the east coast, There is also a tourist police office located directly at the Kai Bae Beach viewpoint.
Water-sport safety:
No matter you��re planning to swim near shore, snorkel the warm shallow seawater, dive the colorful coral reefs or kayak the neaby islands, always remember to check the conditions of the water, the equipment you��re using, safety line or life buoy aboard, and the competency of the operator or the guide and his kowledge as to what to do in case of emergency.
4.Culture
Appropriate clothing:
Lightweight casual attire made of natural materials that dry easily are recommended;
Shoes should be taken off when entering a temple, a restaurant or a local��s house;
Just look for groups of shoes in front of a place or ask when in doubt;
No topless sunbathing!
Appropriate words and deeds:
Do not desecrate the image of His Majesty The King of Thailand, or speak derogative of him and the royal family;
Hold your temper. However justified it seems to loose your temper, apply patience and gentle resoning;
Do not point your feet toward other perosn, or touch another person��s head.
5.Useful Phone Numbers
Police:
Tourist Police, +66 039-651351
Koh Chang police station, +66 039-586191,586250
Medical Care:
Koh Chang International Clinic, +66 039-551555;
Koh Chang Dental Clinic, +66 086-320-0702;
P.P.Clinic, +66 039-557211, 085-222-3935;
Koh Chang Hospital, +66 039-5216 57;
Transportation:
Bangkok Airways, +66 039-525777;
Bus Terminal, +66 039-511986.

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Koh Chang Travel Guide