THE BEST TRAVEL IN THAILAND,KOHCHANG

Koh Chang

offers activities for beach lovers and mountain trekkers alike. Its pristine white sand beaches are perfect for swimming, sun-bathing, or snorkeling in clear blue waters. Watching the beautiful sunsets after a day filled with satisfying activities remains one of the favourite pastimes. Land activities, from elephant trekking to hiking through the mountains and rainforest with several waterfalls, form a great complement to the beach activities.
General Information
Koh Chang is the largest island when compared with other 51 islands in Trat Province <http://www.kohchangreservation.com/trat/index.htm>.
This island is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket <http://www.phuketbooking.org/> Island which is Thailand's biggest island. Koh Chang covers an area of 429 sq. kms., comprised of fine beaches, coral reefs, and rich marine life. It is also rich in natural resources, teeming with hills, forests, waterfalls and streams, the latter being an important source of freshwater. Many fruit orchards spotted the whole island.
Koh Kut <http://www.kohchangreservation.com/kohkut/index.htm> is the island smaller than Koh Chang but bigger than other islands in Trat, located in the southernmost point in Trat territorial waters. Visitors to the island can take a speedboat transport from Koh Chang within one hour. The majority of inhabitants grow rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding plants while some others make a living on fishing. Scenic beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees which are mostly located on the western shores which are abundunt with rich mangroves.
Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. To the east are Ao Sapparot which has a ferry pier, and the other beach called Ao Salak Khok. There is a road which passes along the eastern shoreline that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, visitors should be careful while driving since the roads on Koh Chang are unpaved with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son, near Koh Chang Noi, and around the islands to the south of Koh Chang.
Koh Chang is enriched with several accessible waterfalls. The Khlong Phlu waterfall is located 3 kilometres from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes walk from the parking lot. The Khlong Nonsi waterfall is a 4-kilometre walk from the park, while the Khiriphet and Khlong Nung waterfalls are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salakphet.
Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Hat Kai Bae. From Hat Kai Bae, Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meanders through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao, a fishing community located at the foot of the hill in the south with the help of a natural trail. To the east are Ao Sapparot, where a ferry embarkation is located, and Ao Salak Khok. Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, care should be exercised while driving for the roads on Koh Chang are unpaved, with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son , near Koh Chang Noi, and around the islands to the south of Koh Chang.

Koh Chang Attractions
A stretch of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree orchards is a common sight on Koh Chang the largest and busiest island in Trat and the second largest island in the country after Phuket.
Covering an area of 429 square kilometres, Ko Chang, boasts several amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional way of life such as 70 percent undisturbed island rainforest, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and notable wildlife, fine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. In addition, numerous fruit orchards dot the island.
Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on the west side spreading from the north to the south they include Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore almost reaching Hat Kai Bae where there is a nature trail passing through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat and meandering through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao, a fishing community on the foot of the hill in the south.
To the east are Ao Sapparot, where a ferry landing is situated and Ao Salak Khok. In addition, along the eastern shoreline is a road cutting through to Ao Salak Phet, a community with a boat pier to the south of the island. Coral ranges worth visiting are at Ao Khlong Son near Ko Chang Noi and around islands south of Ko Chang.
In addition to sea-based attractions Koh Chang has numerous inland attractions including several waterfalls with reasonable access. They are the Khlong Phlu waterfall, 3 kilometres from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi waterfall, a 4-kilometre walk from park headquarters; and Khiriphet and Khlong Nung falls, which are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salak Phet.
As well as the obvious activities Koh Chang offers many other attractions including waterfalls, temples, the National Park and Museum or the beautiful scenic lookout points, which are all worth a visit. Divers will find fascinating diving areas off of the shores of Ko Chang and the surrounding islands. Besides the many coral reefs, sunken warships, a reminder of times past, can be visited in the Salak Phet Bay.
The Ko Chang National Park occupies an area of 650 square kilometres and is comprised of 47 islets, which spread from Laem Ngob to Klong Yai Districts. . The most popular islands includes Ko Chang, Koh Klum, Ko Ngam, Ko Lao Ya and Ko Rung where natural wonders await travellers.
The most popular season for travelling to the National Park is from November to March.
The park headquarters are divided into 4 units namely Tha Than Mayom, Ban Khlong Son, Tha Khlong Plu and Ban Salak which provide useful tourist information. At any one of the headquarters, an entry fee of 200baht is collected.
For transportation to Ko Chang, please refer to the travelling to Koh Chang section.

Koh Chang National Marine Park
Koh Chang National MARINE Park is new and virtually unknown to the outside world. Only a few people know of its secret wonders. It can be unofficially called it one of the last paradise islands in South-East Asia”. This national marine park has been a heaven to the locals who need to replenish their mind and energy. Therefore, qualifying the park as a dream escape, a true hideaway, far from the bustling city-life. However, Koh Chang is only 330 kilometres east of Bangkok <http://www.bangkokbooking.org/> or approximately 4 hours by road plus another 30 to 45 minutes by boat or ferry.
Koh Chang National Marine Park is a secret retreat to be explored. Nearly 75% of the Marine Park is protected by law, under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Department of Thailand. This explains how it remains a virtual virgin wonderland shielded from devastating and vigorous developments. The lack of infrastructure and population makes a few thoughts of modernization. The locals as well as their regular patrons are pleased the way it is. Slow and gentle, tranquil and romantic, Koh Chang National Marine Park continues at its own pace, and still it is a paradise for those who appreciate nature at its basics more than the sophisticated luxury of modernity. The coastlines of the Koh Chang National Marine Park is a spectacular work of nature’s art and there are beautiful beaches, coves and bays around the islands. Koh Chang National Marine Park is indeed a wonderland of fertile virgin rainforests, untrekked jungles, high peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful beaches, spectacular coastlines, colourful
coral reefs, clear blue sea of warm waters, idyllic islands, fascinating wildlife and an abundance of healthy marine life.
Realising the rich tourism resources and the economic potential of Koh Chang National Marine Park, plans are being carefully mapped out to open up more doors and windows to welcome environmentally-conscious visitors who can appreciate this forgotten paradise of leisure islands. Koh Chang Marine National Park is set to be the new holiday destination within an old natural National Marine Park.

Geography
In Trat province, 312 km. from Bangkok <http://www.bangkokbooking.org/>, the second-largest island in Thailand, 30 km in length and 8 km in width, was discovered, and then became one of the most famous sites among travelers. It is called Koh Chang because its appearance is like a sleeping elephant. Koh Chang is covered with dense rain forest and with the relative savage nature, bisected by the steep wall of mountains.
Considered as one of the most untouched island in Thailand, Koh Chang became an easy-found paradise for thousands of tourists from all over the world. Those who long for the pure, calm, peaceful, and magnificent island could feel like being in your own world here.
As the matter of the fact that Koh Chang today has changed a little because of the flowing of tourism industry, it still enormously keeps its beauty and its characteristic features for nature lovers to appreciate.
See Qwikcast.com forecast for Koh Chang, TH <http://www.qwikcast.com/cgi-bin/sticker/qcmagnet.cgi?cust=5975&unit=C>.
Weather & Climate
Koh Chang, like the rest of Thailand, has 2 seasons, the rainy season here lasts from June until October and the dry season from November until May. Most visitors are on the island between December and March, this is also the best time for a stay, since the temperatures rarely exceed over 30? Celsius. In November and December it can become occasionally quite cool because of the wind in the evening and at night

Wat Bang Bao
Is on the roadside, next to the turn-off to Ban Bang Bao.
Wat Khlong Prao
Is located in Baan Khlong Prao, also right off the main road.
Wat Khlong Son
Is approximately 500 metres from the intersection in Ban Khlong Son, in the direction of the bay.
At the top of the hill after Sapparot Bay towards Ban Khlong Son there is a Chinese temple.
Wat Khlong Nonsi
Is situated just before the Dan-May Pier in Baan Khlong Nonsi. Turn towards the sea at the intersection on the main road. Proper clothes should be worn during temple visits.
Koh Chang Naval Battle Area
This area is located to the south of Ko Chang close to Salak Petch Bay. It is the area where the battle between the Thai and French Naval forces was fought over the eastern border conflict. The Thai Navy holds an annual event to commemorate the combat victory and make merit for the dead naval forces on 17 January of every year.
Namtok Than Mayom
A 3-tiered medium-sized waterfall located behind the parks office. There is a trail situated 500 meters from a durian orchard that leads to the site where King Rama V and VI had visited and signed their royal names on the highest cliff of the cascade.
Namtok Kiri Phet
Located to the south of Ko Chang, approximately 3 kilometres from Ban Salak Petch.
Namtok Khlong Nonsi
This is a little waterfall in the northeast zone of the island. The path to the area lies 3 kilometres from Baan Daan Mai or 3 kilometres from the national park office.
Namtok Khlong Nueng
This is a small 120 meter high waterfall situated in a remote area from Salak Petch Community near Salak Petch Waterfall is an ideal place for relaxation.
Tri Petch Waterfall
This single level waterfall is situated 3 kilometres from Salak Petch Community along an orchard of rubber trees.
Namtok Khlong Plu
A large 3-tiered waterfall situated 3 kilometres or a walking distance of approximately 20 minutes away from Khlong Prao Bay that is a rewarding experience.
Ban Salak Petch and Ban Rong Than
These are the largest fishing villages on the island and are ideal venues for visitors wishing to experience or observe their lifestyle. Bungalows and food shops are available.
Bang Bao Fishing Village
Another ideal spot to learn more about the lifestyle of fishermen where residents build up their houses with poles pitched into the sea and the community is linked together via a bridge that reaches every house. In addition, Bang Bao is one of the zones rich in corals.

Haad Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)
One of the longest beaches on Ko Chang, this beach provides the most magnificent seascape. The beach, which is 2 kilometres long, is dotted with reasonably priced bungalows and resorts. Embracing the beach to the rear are orchards of coconut trees and forests.
Khlong Son Bay
Rich in coral lines, the bay is located on the western coast of Ko Chang where Klong Son Community is situated.
Haad Khlong Phrao and Laem Chai Chet
Laem Chai Chet is along the sea adjacent to Kai Bae Beach, which is rather steep but offers possibilities for swimming. Standard bungalows with facilities are available. The northernmost area of Klong Phrao Beach is adjacent to Chai Chet Bay and Beach where visitors can take in the beautiful landscape while enjoying the superb relaxation and tranquil retreat.
Kai Bae Beach
This beach is close to Khlong Phrao Beach and is similar to Khlong Phrao in that the beach is steep but safe for swimming with quite a few inexpensively priced bungalows in the area.
Ao Bai Lan
This small bay with its long sandy beach where visitors can enjoy the spectacular view in serene ambience is situated close to Kai Bae beach.
Haad Khlong Kloi
This shady beach with coconut trees located next to Bang Bao Village is a perfect place for relaxation.