Thailand's Unspoilt Island of Ko Chang
The Second Largest Thai Island has None of Phuket’s Crowds
Aug 21, 2008
Although increasingly a mainstream destination, the island of Ko Chang is still relatively uncommercialised. But its beautiful white sand beaches and laidback atmosphere make it the perfect place to recharge one’s batteries.
How to Get to Ko Chang
The island is on Thailand’s east coast, close to the town of Trat, and very near to the Cambodian border. Boats run regularly to Ko Chang from Laem Ngop, which is 17 km south-west of Trat, and easily reached by taxi. Trat is simple to travel to from Cambodia, and there are also fast air conditioned buses from Bangkok, taking a few hours. So for those travellers wanting a place to relax after a gruelling Cambodian tour, or after the heat and bustle of Bangkok, Ko Chang is ideal.
Where to Go on Ko Chang
The island’s west coast has all the pretty beaches, although accommodation can get booked up pretty quickly these days during the peak season of November to April. From May to October fierce storms can batter the island, but it becomes very quiet…and also very cheap. The resort of Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach) is the most crowded, although it is still small and quiet compared with resorts such as Phuket. Further down the coast is Hat Kai Bae, which is relaxed and friendly, but still has a few bars and some low key nightlife. Further south still, the road gets rougher and the scenery wilder, until one reaches Bang Bao fishing village and the small resort of Hat Bang Bao. This is a perfect place for a real rest, and the traveller can also get boats from here to some of the smaller outlying islands.
What to Do on Ko Chang
The island is a perfect place to chill out – lie on the beach, go for short walks, barter in the local shops – and one can get a Thai or Western massage on the beach almost everywhere. But for the more energetic there are a number of sights and things to do. Most resorts offer snorkelling from boats, and diving is possible too. There are also trips into the interior of the island to ride elephants, either for a very short period, or for longer treks. It is also possible to visit famous Khlong Phu waterfall, some other waterfalls, and other sites of the forested interior, either on foot, or by mountain bike or motorbike. And for those who prefer less active pursuits, it is possible to learn Thai cookery. Other available activities are canoeing and kayaking, speedboat trips, and bird watching.
However, for most visitors, Ko Chang is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by, and do very little…but most enjoyably. Long may it remain like this!
Sources
The Rough Guide to Thailand’s Beaches & Islands, Paul Gray and Lucy Ridout, Rough Guides 2001
Koh Chang Guidebook, published and available on the island.
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