From travelconnecxion
KOH CHANG
About
Koh Chang
is the third-largest island of Thailand,
located on the Thai east coast near the border to Cambodia
in the Gulf
of Thailand. It is a mountainous island with several
waterfalls. The island is part of the Mu
Ko Chang Marine National Park.
During World
War II, Ko Chang was the scene of a naval battle between
the Royal
Thai Navy and a Vichy
France squadron. The Thais were decisively beaten.
Until the mid-1980s the infrastructure on the island was
undeveloped, but tourism has increased significantly since
then. The island now receives 75,000 visitors annually, about
half of them Thai.
Geography
The island is about 30 km long and almost 14 km wide only
217 km², The national marine park is have a total area of
650 km² and 70 % is marine. The interior of the island is
mountainous and covered with tropical rain forest. The highest
elevation is Khao Salak Phet, which is 743 m above sea level.
Around the coast of the island are several sandy beaches, most
of which have many resorts and hotels nearby.
The west coast with Hat Sai Khao, Hat Kai Mook und Hat Ta
Nam attracts the most tourists. In the south is the village of
Laem Bang Bao. There is one main street on the west coast. The
remaining roads on the west coast have a high gradient,
while the topography of the east coast prohibits roads. Most
buildings are wooden stilt houses. The island is mostly
reached by a ferry departing from Laem Ngop near Trat.
Administration
The island forms a sub-district (King
Amphoe) in the province of Trat. The district was
formed in 1994,
when it was split off from Laem
Ngop district. The district is subdivided into two
communes (tambon),
which are further subdivided into 9 villages (muban).
There are no municipal (thesaban)
areas, and 2 Tambon administrative organizations.
National park
In 1982
the island together with 50 surrounding small islands was
protected as the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park. About 85%
of the island is part of the national park, mostly the rain
forest in the interior of the island. Nearby coral reefs are
also contained within the National Park. Notable animals in
the park include the stump-tailed
Macaque, the small
Indian Civet, the Javan
Mongoose, and 61 resident bird species. The Koh
Chang Wart Frog (Limnonectes kohchangae) was
originally thought to be an endemic species, but has now been
found on the mainland as well.
By Car: Start from Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang
Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban
Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn onto Highway No. 3 and
proceed to Trat. The total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318
kilometers. More
information for private car service.
By Bus: Air-conditioned buses depart from Khao san Road
to Trat every
day.
More information
Phone: +66 2 629-4262 FAX: +66 2 629-1563
