Koh
Chang Attractions , Trad Thailand
Attraction
(Koh Chang) Koh Chang Island
 A
stretch of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree orchards
is a common sight on Koh Chang the largest and busiest island
in Trat and the second largest island
in the country after Phuket.
Covering an area of 429 square kilometres, Ko Chang, boasts several
amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional
way of life such as 70 percent undisturbed island rainforest, steep
hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and notable wildlife, fine beaches, coral
reefs and an abundance of marine life. In addition, numerous fruit
orchards dot the island.
Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on the west side 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 almost reaching Hat Kai Bae where there is a nature trail
passing through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat and 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. In addition, along the eastern shoreline is a road
cutting through to Ao Salak Phet, a community with a boat pier to
the south of the island. Coral ranges worth visiting are at Ao Khlong
Son near Ko Chang Noi and around islands south of Ko Chang.
In addition to sea-based attractions
Koh Chang has numerous inland attractions including several waterfalls
with reasonable access. They are the Khlong Phlu waterfall, 3 kilometres
from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi
waterfall, a 4-kilometre walk from park headquarters; and Khiriphet
and Khlong Nung falls, which are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salak
Phet.
As well as the obvious activities
Koh Chang offers many other attractions
including waterfalls, temples, the National Park and Museum or the
beautiful scenic lookout points, which are all worth a visit. Divers
will find fascinating diving areas off of the shores of Ko Chang
and the surrounding islands. Besides the many coral reefs, sunken
warships, a reminder of times past, can be visited in the Salak
Phet Bay.
The Ko Chang National Park occupies an area of 650 square kilometres
and is comprised of 47 islets, which spread from Laem Ngob to Klong
Yai Districts. . The most popular islands includes Ko Chang, Koh
Klum, Ko Ngam, Ko Lao Ya and Ko Rung where natural wonders await
travellers.
The most popular season for travelling to the National Park is from
November to March.
The park headquarters are divided
into 4 units namely Tha Than Mayom, Ban Khlong Son, Tha Khlong Plu
and Ban Salak which provide useful tourist information. At any one
of the headquarters, an entry fee of 200baht is collected.
For transportation
to Ko Chang, please refer to the travelling to Koh Chang section.
 
Wat Bang Bao
Is on the roadside, next to the turn-off to Ban Bang Bao.
Wat
Khlong Son
Is approximately 500 metres
from the intersection in Ban Khlong Son, in the direction of the
bay.
At the top of the hill after Sapparot Bay towards Ban Khlong Son
there is a Chinese temple.
Wat Khlong Prao
Is located in Baan Khlong Prao, also right off the main road.
Wat Khlong Nonsi
Is situated just before the Dan-May Pier in Baan Khlong Nonsi. Turn
towards the sea at the intersection on the main road. Proper clothes
should be worn during temple visits.
Namtok Than Mayom
A 3-tiered medium-sized waterfall located behind the parks office.
There is a trail situated 500 meters from a durian orchard that
leads to the site where King Rama V and VI had visited and signed
their royal names on the highest cliff of the cascade.
Koh Chang Naval Battle Area
This area is located to the south of Ko Chang close to Salak Petch
Bay. It is the area where the battle between the Thai and French
Naval forces was fought over the eastern border conflict. The Thai
Navy holds an annual event to commemorate the combat victory and
make merit for the dead naval forces on 17 January of every year.
Namtok Khlong Nonsi
This is a little waterfall
in the northeast zone of the island. The path to the area lies 3
kilometres from Baan Daan Mai or 3 kilometres from the national
park office.
Namtok Kiri Phet
Located to the south of Ko Chang, approximately
3 kilometres from Ban Salak Petch.
Namtok Khlong Nueng
This is a small 120 meter high waterfall situated in a remote area
from Salak Petch Community near Salak Petch Waterfall is an ideal
place for relaxation.
Tri Petch Waterfall
This single level waterfall is situated 3
kilometres from Salak Petch Community along an orchard of rubber
trees.
Ban Salak Petch and Ban Rong Than
These are the largest fishing villages on the island and are ideal
venues for visitors wishing to experience or observe their lifestyle.
Bungalows and food shops are available.
Namtok Khlong Plu
A large 3-tiered waterfall situated 3 kilometres or a walking distance
of approximately 20 minutes away from Khlong Prao Bay that is a
rewarding experience.
Bang Bao Fishing Village
Another ideal spot to learn more about the lifestyle of fishermen
where
residents build up their houses with poles pitched into the sea
and the community is linked together via a bridge that reaches every
house. In addition, Bang Bao is one of the zones rich in corals.
SALAKPHET
BEACH
Salakphet Beach on the southeastern tip is, similar to Bang Bao,
in a fishing village. Distancewise Salakphet is close to Bang Bao
but the stretch of three-km ring road linking the west and east
coasts has yet to be completed. Salakphet and nearby Ban Rong Than
are two biggest communities on Koh Chang (ko Chang). Both
are ideal shelters for fishing boats and there are many piers for
the fishing boats as well as boats to nearby islands and Laem Ngob
in Trat. Salakphet is a genuine fishing village worth visiting.
The Salakphet Seafood and Resort has fresh seafood and its accommodation
is clean. Rong Than village on the west of the bay is the main residential
area for the community. A monastery known as Atulaporn Banpot and
the Salakphet Temple are religious rendezvous for the locals.
At the south end of the bay is a small beach with a memorial commemorating
the sea battle of 1941 between the Thai and French navies. Two kilometers
northeast is the 12-storey Kiriphet waterfall, with a great view
of the bay. To get there from Koh Chang's Centre Point, it is about
20 kilometres while from Ao Sapparos, it is about 25 kilometres.
The area is open 24 hours a day but it is best to go from 8 am to
5 pm. While known as the Naval Battle Ground in Trat's Laem Ngob
area, there is a memorial to the event as well in the south of Koh
Chang. In a calm beach setting near Salakphet, there is a marker
on the waters indicating where the French and Thai navies fought.
Haad Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)
One of the longest beaches on Ko Chang, this beach provides the
most magnificent seascape. The beach, which is 2 kilometres long,
is dotted with reasonably priced bungalows and resorts. Embracing
the beach to the rear are orchards of coconut trees and forests.
Haad Khlong Phrao and Laem Chai Chet
Laem Chai Chet is along the sea adjacent to Kai Bae Beach, which
is rather steep but offers possibilities for swimming. Standard
bungalows with facilities are available. The northernmost area of
Klong Phrao Beach is adjacent to Chai Chet Bay and Beach where visitors
can take in the beautiful landscape while enjoying the superb relaxation
and tranquil retreat.
Kai Bae Beach
 This
beach is close to Khlong Phrao Beach and is similar to Khlong Phrao
in that the beach is steep but safe for swimming with quite a few
inexpensively priced bungalows in the area.
Ao Bai Lan
This small bay with its long sandy beach where visitors can enjoy
the spectacular view in serene ambience is situated close to Kai
Bae beach.
Haad Khlong Kloi
This shady beach with coconut trees located next to Bang Bao Village
is a perfect place for relaxation.
Provided
by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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