Koh Chang travel information

Koh Chang, the 2^nd largest island in Thailand, with 268,125 rai, situated in Trad’s sea (Thailand Gulf) near Cambodia border. Its size is second to Phuket. Beware of duplicated name of another Koh Chang in Ranong. Otherwise you may get different destination. The name means Elephant Island. Ko Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island.

Koh Chang is the mountainous island consisting of 8 villages e.g. Baan Dan Mai, Salak Phet, Salak Kok, Bang Bao, Kai Bae, Klong Son, Klong Prao and Klong Non Si. Government offices include police station, hospital, school, etc. The island is part of Moo Koh Chang National Marine Park. In mid 1980s, when I had been here at the first time, the infrastructure was not yet developed. People in the past traveled only by boat. With charming beaches and virgin of the forests, tourism has increased significantly since then. Boutique resorts was built and spread over in every part of the island. Land price have skyrocketed, property market gain more popular in sight of investors. Today, Koh Chang receives 655,000 visitors annually; two thirds of them are Thais.

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. It was the French who were the victors after the Thai naval ship was sunk.

Nothing else happened to Ko Chang until the first backpacker foreigners started arriving on the back of 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.

Geography

Koh Chang. The topography contains high mountains and complex stone cliffs.

The island is about 30 km long and almost 14 km wide, totaling 217 km². The national marine park covers of 650 km² of which 70 % is offshore. The interior of the island is mountainous, covered by tropical rain forest. The highest elevation measuring 743m is Khao Salak Phet. There are plenty of sandy beaches on the island, dotted with hotels and resorts.

The west coast settlements of Hat Sai Khao, Hat Kai Mook and Hat Ta Nam attract most of the tourists. The village of Laem Bang Bao on the south coast is also a favored destination. There is a single road linking the west coast. The remaining roads on the west coast have a high gradient, while the topography of the east coast prohibits roads. Most buildings are wooden stilt houses. The island is mostly reached by a ferry departing from Laem Ngop near Trat.

Climate

Ko Chang has three seasons, they are:

Cool season (Nov-Feb)
Hot season (March-May)
Rainy season ( June-Oct

Due to its location and being an island, Koh Chang does get more than its fair share of rain, 4,000 mm. per year.