Koh Chang - Pearl of the Gulf

Koh Chang is the biggest in a collection of over 40 islands comprising a national marine park just off the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand. Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on the wet side of the mountainous island 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 all the way almost to Hat Kai Bae.

From here is a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat 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. Along the eastern shoreline is also a road cutting through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island.

However, roads on Koh Chang are earthen and some sections go up and down steep hills. Care should be exercised while driving.

Coral range worth viewing are at Ao Khlong Son near Koh Chang Noi and around islands south of Koh Chang.

On Koh Chang itself are several waterfalls with reasonable access. They include the Khlong Phlu waterfall, three kilometers from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi waterfall, a four-kilometers walk from the park headquarters; and Khiriphet and Khlong Nung falls, which are about three kilometers from Ban Salakphet.

Bungalows are almost everywhere. Resort-style hotels can be found along the beaches on the southern side of the island.

How to get there: Buses from Pattaya/Koh Samet

Daily minibus services operate directly from Pattaya via Ban Pae (ferry port for Koh Samet) directly to Ngop. The cost is around Bt400 from Pattaya or Bt300 from Ban Pae. The journey takes four hours from Pattaya or 2.5 hours from Ban Pae. Going to Laem Ngop the service leaves Pattaya at 8a.m. It picks up in Ban Pae at 11a.m.

A return service leaves Laem Ngop at 1 p.m. daily. Public buses leave for Pattaya from Sukhumvit Road in Trat at 5 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12 noon and 3 p.m. daily. The trip costs Bt160 and takes five hours.

Passengers ferries leave the mail pier in Laem Ngop hourly from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. fro Dan Kao in Koh Chang.  The cost is around Bt 50-60 and the journey takes and hour. 

On arrival share taxis wait to take passengers to the various beaches.  While Sands Beach (Hat Sai Khao) is Bt 30, Klong Phrao is Bt 40, Kai Bae Bt 50 and Hat Ta Nam (Lonely Beach) costs Bt 70.  A taxi from the ferry goes to Bang Bao once daily at 4 p.m.

Use our interactive city maps to choose hotels based on location and find nearby attractions.

Click here to see Koh Chang & Trad map with hotel location.