Gulf of Thailand · Trat · Thailand's second largest island

Koh
Chang

Rainforest mountain, a string of west coast beaches, and the easiest island weekend from Bangkok.

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Rainforest interior
West coast beaches
Waterfalls
Bang Bao pier
Car ferry
Weekend from Bangkok
Introduction

A mountain with beaches around it

Koh Chang is Thailand's second largest island and mostly vertical: a rainforest spine rising to seven hundred metres, with the road clinging to the coast around it. The beaches line the west side — White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach — each with its own character, from family resorts in the north to the backpacker end further south.

Natural pool at a waterfall on Koh Chang

The interior is the surprise. Waterfalls with swimming pools at the bottom, trails through proper jungle, and a mangrove coast on the east side that almost nobody visits. It is four hours from Bangkok, which makes it the capital's island weekend — and quiet midweek.

Transport

Tickets & connections

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Tours

Tours & activities

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Quick facts

Koh Chang

  • Thailand's second largest island, in Trat province near the Cambodian border
  • About 4-5 hours from Bangkok by bus plus a 45-minute car ferry
  • Best weather November to April; heavy rain June to September
  • West coast for beaches, east coast for mangroves and fishing villages
  • Bang Bao is the departure point for Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kood
The stilt village at Bang Bao pier
Getting there

Getting to Koh Chang

From Bangkok, buses and minivans run to Trat in four to five hours, and the car ferries from Laem Ngop and Ao Thammachat cross in about forty-five minutes. Combined bus-and-ferry tickets are sold as one journey.

Trat also has a small airport with daily flights from Bangkok, which turns the trip into a morning rather than a day.

From the Gulf coast further south, the practical route is back through Bangkok. Koh Chang sits on the other side of the country from Ban Krut, and there is no coastal shortcut.

Good to know

On the island

  • The coast road is steep in places — take the songthaew rather than a scooter if you are new to riding.
  • Waterfalls charge a national park fee; keep the ticket for the day.
  • Lonely Beach is the party end, White Sand the family end. Klong Prao sits between.
  • Book ahead on long weekends: this is Bangkok's escape hatch.
Car ferry to the island
Highlights

What to do on Koh Chang

  • Klong Plu waterfall — a short walk in, and a pool deep enough to swim.
  • Bang Bao — a fishing village on stilts, now piers of seafood and dive shops.
  • Kai Bae viewpoint — the islands to the south lined up at sunset.
  • Island hopping — day boats to Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Rang's snorkelling.
Where to stay

Which beach on Koh Chang

White Sand Beach is the busiest and the most convenient. Klong Prao is long, quiet and central. Kai Bae has the best sunsets and the boat trips. Lonely Beach is where the music plays late. The east coast is for people who want none of it.

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Where next

Nearby islands

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