Koh Chang, Thailand is quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular destinations. Situated along the Easter Seaboard not far from the Cambodian border, this idyllic island boasts sandy beaches, tropical waters and spectacular mountain view points. The beaches on Koh Chang are equally as beautiful as those in the South of Thailand. All of the island’s sandy beaches are located along the western coast, while the eastern coast is mostly rocky shores, and shallow bays. The busiest, and most populated beach is Hat Sai Khao, or White Sands Beach. This long stretch of sand on the northwestern coast of Koh Lanta is home to many restaurants, bars and mid to high-end resorts. Further down this island visitors can find several quiet, upmarket bays such as Laem Chichet and Bai Lan Beach, as well as the backpacker capital of Lonely Beach (Ta Nam Beach). Don’t let the name fool you, Lonely Beach is in fact a lively bustling place that has become a haven for backpackers, it’s also where most of the nightlife in Koh Chang can be found. There are around 46 islands around Koh Chang, all of which are part of the Mu Koh Chang National Park. These untouched locations make scuba diving in Koh Chang some of the best in the country. Along with the scuba diving and snorkeling, there are a number of other activities on Koh Lanta to keep holidaymakers entertained. These include cooking classes, fishing trips, island tours, elephant treks, jungle treks, a day at the waterfalls, canoeing and kayaking. Koh Chang hotels and bungalows provide a wide range of accommodations to suit all travellers’ budgets and tastes. Similarly, the cuisine is also tailored to suit tourists from all over the world. Most places serve a mixture of Thai, European and Chinese food, however the seafood restaurants on Koh Chang remain some of the most popular. The best time to visit Koh Chang is during high season, which runs from November through until February. During this time the weather is relatively cool and there’s little rain. Visitors travelling from Bangkok to Koh Chang can take a bus or minivan service to one of three piers in Laem Ngop, a small town on the outskirts of Trat city. It’s also possible to take a flight to Trat, then connect to the pier via songteaw (Thai taxi, Baht Bus). Buses leave Bangkok from the Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal, the Ekamai Eastern Bus Terminal and Suvanabhumi International Airport. Minivan services also run from Khao San Road and Victory Monument. Ferries to Koh Chang leave from Laem Ngop Pier, the Centerpoint Pier, or the Thammachat Pier. The pier at Thammachat also runs a car ferry to the island. With tropical settings, a wealth of accommodations, cuisine and activities, Koh Chang is one of Thailand’s must-see holiday destinations.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:06:52 +0000