Koh Chang hotels and travel guide to Ko Chang & Trad. By Sawadee.com

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Rayong, ...

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A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad
Koh Chang (เกาะช้าง) the largest among the 52 islands of Trad, is also the nation's second largest island, after Phuket. Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They include Klong Son Bay, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Kai Bae Beach. To the east are Sapparot Bay, where a ferry landing is situated, and Salak Khok Bay. Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Salak Phet Bay, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. Several waterfalls are available and easily accessible.

South of Koh Chang are located Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Speedboats transport visitors to the island within one hour. The inhabitants main income is either from rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding plants, or fishing. With scenic beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees mostly located on the western shores, it is also blessed with rich mangroves. There is plenty of Accommodation available on Koh Chang and most of the surrounding islands and ranges from 5 star hotels to simple bungalows.

WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY ?

Klong Son Bay (อ่าวคลองสน)
Northwest of Koh Chang is located Klong Son Bay. It is the first beach as you disembark the ferry boat and head down west of the island. Had Klong Son is a wide beach with plenty of coconut trees. The bay has a pier suitable for fishing boats and it is popular amongst fishermen as very protected from strong winds.

The village (Baan Klong Son) is originally situated along the beach – as mainly populated by fishermen, is now expanding inland, along the main road. Beside the Temple and a School, there is also a clinic available. Some shopping is available, but quite limited choice.

White Sand Beach (Haad Sai Kao, หาดทรายขาว) is the most popular beach located at the northern end of Koh Chang's west coast. It's over 2 kms long and lined by rocks, over-hanging palms and broad-leaved trees. The southern part is the busiest of the island with numerous shops, resorts and restaurants. While the northern part, probably the most well-known and longest visited beach on Koh Chang, is today still rather quiet, despite the surge in tourism. At both ends of the beach are rather steep mountains covered with dense rain forest, which almost reach the beach. The beach is rather flat, similarly to almost everywhere on the west coast and therefore very suitable for swimming at either high or low tide.

Klong Prao Beach (Haad Khlong Prao, หาดคลองพร้าว) is slightly over 3 kilometre long sandy beach, situated south of White Sand Beach. The beach is divided into 3 sections by 2 river estuaries: the Khlong Plu in the north and the Klong Prao in the south. There are many shops, bars, restaurants, motorbike rentals and internet shops, all mainly located at the road along Klong Prao Beach.

As well, Between Baan Chai Chet and Baan Klong Prao, when driving towards Kai Bae Beach, one can find the junction to the road that leads to the most popular and famous waterfall on the island, the Khlong Plu Waterfall.

Kai Bae Beach (หาดไก่แบ้) is located in the South of Klong Prao Beach. The scenic beauty of this beach and the small island are very popular at sunset. At low tide Koh Man Nai reveals it picturesque sandy beach and one can walk to the island at chest-deep water level, although it is recommended to use either boats, canoes or sea-kayaks.

A range of dive shops are available on site to assist with either scuba or snorkeling trips. Despite the number of accommodations available on this part of the island, rooms can sometimes be hard to get as very high in demand.

Lonely Beach (Haad Thanam, หาดท่าน้ำ) is about 1 kilometre-long wonderful postcard beach south of Kai Bae Beach. In principle it is the northern part of Bai Lan Bay (Aow Bai Lan), but is mainly known as Lonely Beach. It consists of fine white sand while the southern section is rather stony.

There are some reefs in the southern part which may affect swimming by low tide. In the village of Lonely Beach there are number a lot of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, supermarkets, Internet Cafés and diving-schools.

Bai Lan Bay (Aow Bai Lan, อ่าวใบลาน) is about 2.5 kilometres long and is situated at the southern end of the west coast, after Kai Bae Beach. The northern part of the bay is called Haad Thanam or Lonely Beach, which is famous for its sandy beach. To the south Bai Lan Bay is separated by a headland from the remaining part of the west coast. In general, aside of Lonely Beach, the bay is rocky although at the southern part there are a few small sandy beaches.

The village located on the main road consists of a few shophouses, which serve either as restaurants, shops or gas stations.

Bang Bao Bay (Aow Bang Bao, อ่าวบางเบ้า) is a very well protected bay at the southwest end of Koh Chang.The small fishing village of Baan Bang Bao is built on stilts far out into the bay and has become quite a for Seafood dining and sunset bars.

The village has as well a small clinic. Roughly a kilometer southeast is a viewpoint, which offers a beautiful view into the bay and the village. Directly behind the viewpoint is a very beautiful sandy beach (Haad Sai Noi) which is usually very quiet, with only a few small restaurants and local bars available.

Koh Mak (เกาะหมาก) the betel nut island, is the third largest island of the province of Trad after Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The island, is located South of Koh is not part of the Mu Koh Chang National Park, thus allowing all year access. In contrast with Koh Chang, Koh Mak is a rather flat island, only at the southwest there are a few hills.

The beaches though are rather flat and withdraw at low tide. Aside of a few exceptions, the beaches are of stunning beauty and sandy, especially the 2 main beaches "Suan Yai Beach" in the west and "Khao Beach" in the south which excellent for swimming.

Koh Kood (เกาะกูด) is the fourth largest island of Thailand and the second largest in the area behind Koh Chang. It is the closest island to the Cambodian border in Trad province, Koh Kood extends over approximately 23 kilometres in length, almost 9 kilometres in width and has a size of about 129 square kilometres.

The northernmost point is about 24 kilometres southeast of the southernmost point on Koh Chang (the end of Salak Phet Bay). Currently not too developed, Koh Kood is seeing some private investment (including a private airfield) taking place.

Trad (ตราด)
Trad province is covering area about 2,862 square kilometres and its population is a bit over 220,000 people. The province is mainly dedicated to agriculture such as Durian, Rambutan and Mangosteen. In the recent years the province’s main airport (TDX) has been activated by Bangkok Airways and can comfortably be reached by plane from Bangkok. There are many attractive places such as Koh Chang, Mai-Shee Island or on the mainland, Mai-Rood Beach, Tharn-Ma-Yom Waterfall and Ploy market which was formerly a main resource for gems trading.

List of hotels on Koh Chang, Trad.

POPULAR HOTELS IN KOHCHANG
Dusit Princess Resort from THB 3649 Ao Bai Lan Koh Chang, Trat	Koh Chang Kacha Resort and Spa from THB 1650 White Sand Beach Koh Chang, Trat 23170	KC Grande Resort & Spa from THB 1850 White Sand Beach Koh Chang, Trat 232120
Banpu Koh Chang Hotel from THB 1750 White Sand Beach Tumbol Koh Chang, Trat 23120	Gajapuri Resort & Spa from THB 2950 Kai Bae Beach King Amphur Koh Chang, Trat 23170	Coconut Beach Resort from THB 1050 Laem Chaichet Koh Chang, Trat 23170

How to get there Attractions Beaches & Islands Activities

The island can be accessed by various ways – all of them converging to the ferry piers on the mainland. The most comfortable is definitely by Air with Bangkok Airways operating daily flights from Bangkok to Trad airport – see Time Tables – then connecting via minivan to the ferry. For people who prefer to travel by Car there are main ways from Bangkok either via Bangna-Trad (Highway No.34) passing Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanta Buri, or via Bangna-Chonburi-Klaeng-Chanta Buri (Highway No.344) the drive takes a good 4 hours to reach the ferry pier. Last but not least, by Bus (both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned) buses depart from Ekkamai Bus Terminal for Trad many times a day, see Time Tables

Definitely worthwhile to visit is the Bang Bao Fishery Villag – located in the far South west of the island – for both succulent Seafood and tropical sundowner cocktails. The inner part of the island is a National Park and there are many ways to explore the nature, either by elefant trekking or simply hiking up to the stunning Waterfalls. There is as well the Naval Battle Monument commemorating the Naval Battles against the French troops in 1941.

Very popular as well are trips or day tours to the Islands surrounding Koh Chang and surrounded by crystal clear seas, for either snorkeling or scuba diving.

Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side of Koh Chang, extending from the north to the south.

Beach

They include Klong Son Bay, White Sand Beach, Klong Phrao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Kai Bae Beach.

Alternatively, a visit to Koh Mak or Koh Kood or Koh Kradad, to name the more popular.

Koh Chang and the archipelago surrounding it are all very popular sites for scuba diving, both training or fun dives as well as snorkeling. Kayaking to the closer islets is as well a very popular activity, and allows to step on virgin tropical islands and unpopulated beaches. Diving

Fishing is the most common source of income after tourism for the inhabitants although it is not yet really commercially developed for tourists, whereas elephant trekking camps have been established and allow travelers to enjoy a bit an unusual way of discovering the jungle.

Koh Chang Countdown and Seafood Festival 2009