Ko Chang Island

Address: Ko Chang (island), Trat Province, Thailand

Admission: Island entry and national park fees may apply for certain beaches or marine activities; accommodation and tour costs vary by choice.

Ko Chang is a forested island in Trat province in the Gulf of Thailand and the largest island in the Mu Ko Chang archipelago. Much of the island is protected as part of Mu Ko Chang National Park, combining marine and terrestrial protected areas.

Beaches and bays ring the island and are interspersed with pockets of resort development; inland the terrain is steep, with rainforest, streams and several waterfalls that are popular for short hikes. Coastal activities include snorkeling, diving, boat trips and beach-based tourism concentrated on several main bays.

Settlement and economic activity historically centered on fishing and rubber planting; tourism expanded markedly from the late 20th century, creating a range of accommodation from small bungalows to mid-size resorts.

Ko Chang lies off Thailands eastern seaboard in the Gulf of Thailand, administratively part of Trat province and reached by ferry from the mainland near the town of Trat.

• Getting there: Ferry services connect the island with the mainland at Laem Ngop and Trat town; journeys are the usual way to access the island with vehicles and luggage.
• Terrain: The island interior is mountainous and heavily forested, so many roads are steep and winding compared with the flat beaches.

What to See#

• White Sand Beach: White Sand Beach is a long, developed beachfront with restaurants, accommodation and easy access to snorkeling and boat trips.
• Lonely Beach: Lonely Beach is a smaller, backpacker-oriented bay known for nightlife and budget accommodation.
• Klong Prao: Klong Prao is a sheltered bay with family resorts and a mangrove-lined coastline, often used as a quieter base for island excursions.
• Klong Plu Waterfall: Klong Plu waterfall is a popular inland waterfall reached by a short rainforest walk, providing freshwater pools for swimming.

Ko Chang is accessed by ferry from Laem Ngop pier in Trat province; Trat is about a 5-6 hour drive from Bangkok by road or a short flight to Trat followed by a ferry. Ferries and speedboats run regularly from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang (ferry takes ~30-45 minutes).

• If planning beach-hopping, base in the main town (Bang Bao or Ao Salak Phet) to minimize driving each day.
• Avoid the monsoon months (October-December) when seas are rough and many boat services are reduced.
• For jungle hiking and waterfalls, hire a guide who knows the island's trail conditions and best viewpoints.