Ko Chang TaiKo Chang Tai at a Glance
Costs: $30-100 per day (island) - budget bungalows to midrange resorts; boat transfers add cost.
Safety: Generally safe, occasional petty theft - typical island safety; take care with scooters and boat transfers.
Best Time: November-April (dry season) - calmer seas and clearer skies; monsoon hits May-October.
Why Visit Ko Chang Tai?
Set on the southern side of Ko Chang, this area attracts travelers after quiet beaches, fishing-village life and easy access to Mu Ko Chang National Park. Longtail boats, fresh seafood grilled on the shore and snorkel trips to nearby coral are primary draws. Come for relaxed island rhythms, simple seaside bungalows and mornings spent watching local fishermen head out through mangroves.
Best Things to Do in Ko Chang Tai
Ko Chang Tai Bucket List
Don't Miss
Bang Bao Pier - Walk Bang Bao Pier to sample fresh seafood at stilt restaurants over the water.
Ko Chang Tai fishing village - Explore the quiet southern fishing village and observe traditional long-tail boat activity.
Mu Ko Chang National Park entrance - Visit the park entrance to arrange island hikes and marine excursions from Ko Chang.
Hidden Gems
Local seafood stalls on the pier - Dine at small pier-side stalls serving daily-caught seafood and grilled tropical fish.
Klong Kloi viewpoint - Climb to Klong Kloi viewpoint for a calm panorama of southern bays and jungle.
Traditional boatbuilding sheds - See craftsmen building long-tail boats and learn about local boatmaking techniques.
Day Trips
Koh Rang snorkeling trip - Take a boat trip to Koh Rang for coral snorkeling and remote sandbanks.
Klong Plu Waterfall - Hike to Klong Plu Waterfall for a freshwater swim beneath a jungle cascade.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Ko Chang Tai
Visit Ko Chang Tai between November and February for the coolest, sunniest weather and calm seas. Avoid the heavy monsoon rains from May to October if you want uninterrupted beach and boat time.
Cool Season
Clear skies, pleasant breezes, and calm seas - perfect for beaches and snorkeling; prices rise around Christmas and New Year.
Hot Season
Scorching, humid days; great for early-morning jungle treks but afternoons are oppressively hot - expect occasional sea haze and quieter beaches.
Monsoon Season
Frequent heavy rains and rough seas limit boat trips; lush island scenery emerges and prices drop, but plan for interruptions to outdoor plans.
Ko Chang Tai's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3570 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 21° - 30° | 26° | 37 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| February | Excellent | 22° - 31° | 27° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| March | Good | 24° - 32° | 31° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.0h |
| April | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 34° | 125 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 33° | 318 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 637 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.7h |
| July | Good | 24° - 30° | 31° | 601 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.7h |
| August | Good | 24° - 30° | 31° | 718 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.4h |
| September | Good | 24° - 30° | 31° | 563 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 332 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| December | Ideal | 21° - 30° | 26° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
How to Get to Ko Chang Tai
Ko Chang Tai is reached by ferry from the Laem Ngop / Ao Thammachat piers on the Trat coast; the closest airport is Trat Airport (TDX) and the usual long-haul gateway is Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang). Most visitors arrive by combined bus/minivan + ferry packages from Bangkok or by taxi from Trat Airport to the ferry piers.
Trat Airport (TDX):
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK):
Train:
Bus / Minivan:
How to Get Around Ko Chang Tai
The island is best accessed via a combination of bus/minivan or flight to Trat plus a ferry from Laem Ngop to Ko Chang. On-island travel is dominated by songthaews and taxis for short distances; renting a scooter is also a common choice if you are comfortable driving.
- Ferry (Ao Thammachat ↔ Ko Chang) (80-300 THB) - Regular car-and-passenger ferries and speedboats run from Laem Ngop/Ao Thammachat to several piers on Ko Chang (including Bang Bao and Ao Thammachat). Ferries take about 30-45 minutes (speedboats are faster) and are the only way to reach the island from the Trat mainland. Buy tickets at the pier or as part of a combined bus+ferry ticket.
- Minivan / Shuttle (Bangkok ↔ Laem Ngop) (300-600 THB) - Direct minivans and bus+ferry services depart Bangkok (Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal or Khao San area) to Laem Ngop for the ferry to Ko Chang. Travel time is typically 5-6 hours including the ferry handover; many operators sell a through ticket that includes the ferry boarding. Book in advance in high season.
- Taxi (Trat Airport ↔ Laem Ngop pier) (150-400 THB) - Trat Airport (TDX) is a short drive (20-40 minutes) to Laem Ngop pier. Taxis or private transfers are the quickest option when arriving by flight; transfer time depends on traffic and ferry schedules. Expect to pay a one-way fixed fare from the airport to the pier.
- Domestic flight (Bangkok ↔ Trat) (1,200-4,000 THB) - You can fly from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Trat (TDX) on domestic carriers; flights are short (about 1 hour) and land on the mainland near Laem Ngop. From Trat Airport you still need a taxi/minivan + ferry to reach Ko Chang.
- Songthaew / Local taxi (20-300 THB) - On Ko Chang and at the piers you’ll use shared songthaews (open-sided converted pickup taxis) or local taxis to get between piers, beaches and accommodations. They are cheap for short hops but negotiate or confirm a price before travel.
- Walking - Walking is practical within small villages and beach areas on Ko Chang Tai but distances between beaches and piers can be long and hilly; bring appropriate footwear.
Where to Stay in Ko Chang Tai
Budget
Ko Chang Tai (south) - $15-60/night
Ko Chang Tai has a selection of simple beach bungalows and guesthouses - perfect for budget beach stays but basic amenities.
Local beachfront bungalows and guesthouses - Simple bungalows at the southern tip.
Small local guesthouses and hostels - Basic seaside stays on Koh Chang.
Mid-Range
Southern Koh Chang - $60-180/night
Mid-range resorts and family-run hotels provide good comfort and beach access; many properties offer transfers and watersports.
The Dewa Koh Chang - Comfortable beachfront hotel on southern island.
Kacha Resort - Koh Chang - Resort-style mid-range option with pools.
Luxury
Klong Kloi / Ko Chang Tai - $150-400/night
Luxury on Ko Chang is low-key - boutique resorts and upscale bungalows rather than big international chains; private villas available.
Kacha Resort (upgraded suites) - Higher-end rooms and seafront amenities.
The Dewa Koh Chang (premium rooms) - Upscale beachfront facilities available.
Where to Eat in Ko Chang Tai
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ko Chang Tai’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Ko Chang Tai
Nightlife around Ko Chang Tai is low-key; evenings are mostly calm with small beachfront bars or guesthouse gatherings. Most of the island’s late-night action is over on Lonely Beach and parts of White Sand Beach. If you’re after live music, DJs or a busy bar scene, plan to travel to those busier beaches by songthaew or taxi.
Shopping in Ko Chang Tai
Ko Chang Tai itself is a quiet fishing and residential area with a handful of small shops and seafood stalls. For more souvenir shopping, head to Bang Bao pier where stalls and vendors sell crafts and beachwear. Larger shopping and more tourist-oriented stores are found on White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach on Koh Chang’s western side.