Koh Chang is the largest island in Trad's sea and is the nearest island from the mainland, 6 km. form Laem Ngob. Koh Chang, now thak the status as a district, composing 8 villlages which are, Slak Phet, Salak Kok, Bang Bao, Kai Bae, Klong Son, Klong Prao, Klong Nonsi, and Bann Dan Mai. it has all the important government offices such as Police Station, Hospital, School ect. in its large area of 268,125 rai. In previous time, people, here traveled only by boat.

Generally, Koh Chang was known in several sides. Some said that it's full of people, but some said that there's only the jungle. This depends on which part of the island they've visited. Koh Chang may be dived into to zone community zone and tourist zone. At the rare of the island, where the popular beaches such as Kai Bae Beach, and Sai Khao Beach, are is full of resorts, while in the south is the old community. The villages live on fishing and orchard-durain, rambutan and mangosteen. Each year, Koh Chand send vast quantity of these fruits to sell on the mainland. Moreover, Koh Chang has it own fruits, siraman, the small fruit like lichi having sour and sweet taste and fruiting in summer.

Koh Chang Beaches

Talking about travelling to koh chang, many people might think about Phuket or Samui. But in fact Koh Chang is not like them both. Here there roads for transportation but not around the island. White Sand Beach (Sai Khao Beach), Klong Prao Beach, Kai Bae Beach are the tourist centre. These beach lengthen continuously for about kilometres. There are two-row buses from Sapparod Bay to each beach.

Koh Chang Climate

The temperature in average is 27 degrees Celsius with rain all year round. The rainfall is approximately 5,500-6,500 mllimetres/ year especially when affected  by the Monsoom coming from the South-West.

The wet season with strong winds and waves period falls in May-October while during November-January, the island is affected by the Southwest Monsoom coming from the land to the sea. The sea is frequently filled with strong winds and waves in the period of 3-7 days and is gradually calm and becomes windy and wavy again after 2 months.

During February-April the island is affected by the South wind called "Lom Pattaya" coming from the sea to the land. The ridges of the rooling waves are not quite strong. This period is the high season for the  tourists and the fishing lovers.

At the beginning of the rainy seasons during April-May and the end of the season during September-October the weather is rather unsettled causing the wind of change called "Lom Nguang" which attacks any ship wherever it passes.

Koh Chang Sub-district comprises 2 Tambols, Tambol Koh Chang and Koh Chang Tai (South Koh Chang) with the population of 4,869 as of 1 Jan 2002. Most people on Koh Chang Island earn their living by doing coconut and rubber plantations, orchards and coastal fishery. More have turned to the tourism business which has become the main income of Koh Chang's folks. Now the tourism business on Koh Chang is growing constantly.

Waterfalls at Koh Chang

Among the numerous waterfalls of the island the most renowned are:

Klong Plu Waterfalls: the waterfalls are located on the west coast of Koh Chang accessible from Klong Prao Beach by a small track that goes through the forest (20 minutes walk from the park entrance). You can dive into the freshwater pool in its hollow but it is evidently teeming with people.

Pic: Klong Plu Waterfall Picture

Than Mayom Waterfalls: on the east coast, this three-tiered waterfall is more spectacular after the rainy season than the former and offers a scenic view of the island.

Pic: Thanmayom Waterfall Picture

How to go Trat - Koh Chang

By Car

1. Sukhumvit Route: follow Sukhumvit Road (Highway No.3) from Bang Na Junction, across Chonburi, Rayong, Changtaburi, to Trat. Total distance is 385 km.

2. Bang Na - Trat Route: Take Highway No.34 passing Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi to Trat. Total distance is 315 km.

3. Bangkok - Chonburi Route: follow Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway, then turn off to Highway No.36 to Baan Bueng District, across Chantaburi to Trat.

By Bus

Air-conditioned buses and non-air conditioned buses are available are frequent intervals daily form Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal) on Sukhumvit  Road near Soi Ekkamai. Travel time is approximately 5 hours. for more information, please call Ekkamai Bus Terminal 02-391-2504< Churtchai Tour02-391-2237, Chok Anukun Tour 02-392-7680, Supharat Tour 02-391-2331

By Air

Bangkok Airways has initiated a new Bangkok-Trat route. Travel time is approximately 1 hour. The airport is located at Tha Som, Khao Saming district. For more information please call 02-229-3456

Getting to Koh Chang (Ferry Boat)

Pier	Destinations	Duration	Operating Hours		Tel
			Departure	Arrival
Laem Ngob (The Krom Luang Chumporn)	Dan Kao	45 Mins	7 p.m. - 5 p.m.	7 p.m. - 5 p.m.	039-59-7181
Laem Ngob (The Krom Luang Chumporn)	Dan Mai	45 Mins	1 p.m.	7 p.m.	039-59-7181
Laem Ngob (The Krom Luang Chumporn)	Koh Wai	2.30 hours	3 p.m.	8 a.m.	039-59-7181
Laem Ngob (The Krom Luang Chumporn)	Koh Kham	3 hours	3 p.m.	8 a.m.	039-59-7181
Laem Ngob (The Krom Luang Chumporn)	Koh Mak	3 hours	3 p.m.	8 a.m.	039-59-7181
Koh Chang Ferry Center Point	Dan Kao	30 mins	6 a.m. - 7 p.m.	7 a.m. - 8 p.m.	039-53-8196
Koh Chang Ferry	Dan Kao	25 mins	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	8 a.m. - 8 p.m.	039-52-8288-9
Ferry Koh Chang	Ao Sapparot	25 mins	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	039-59-7143