There are about 52 nearby islands which are reserved as National Marine park. Koh Chang has its tropical rainforests, waterfalls, nice beaches and beautiful view points. The guest can enjoy outdoor activities and water sports such as diving and fishing. Besides, fresh seafood will be served all day every day.
Trat Overview
Trat is Thailand's eastern-most province, located about 315 km from Bangkok. This small province borders on Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural demarcation. With 52 large and small offshore islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs, Trat offers delightful scenery and a tranquil hideout for nature-lovers. The province also serves as a major fruit-growing and fishing area.
The city of Trat is a starting point for Ko Chang island group or forays into outlying gem and Cambodian markets. Those enthralled by shopping will be delighted as Trat has more markets for its size than almost any other town in Thailand due to the Cambodian coastal trade.
Like Chanthaburi, Trat is a very important ruby-mining province, with the most famous gem market located in Bo Rai District, some 50 km north of the Cambodian border.
With an area of 2,819 square km, the province is administratively divided into the districts of Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Ko Chang and Ko Kut.
The weather in and around Trat is very comfortable with warm temperatures throughout the year. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds, which sometimes limit sea transport to a group of islands particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsafe for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Ko Chang.
Historical Places of Interest
- Ko 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.
Natural and Cultural Attractions
- 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. - 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. - 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. - Hat 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 relaxing in tranquil retreat. - Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)
One of the longest beaches on Ko Chang, this beach provides the most magnificent seascape. The beach is 2 km long, and embracing the beach to the rear are orchards of coconut trees and forests. - 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. - Namtok Khlong Plu
A large 3-tiered waterfall situated 3 km or a walking distance of approximately 20 minutes away from Khlong Prao Bay that is a rewarding experience. - Tri Petch Waterfall
This single level waterfall is situated 3 km 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. - Wat Salak Petch is located in Ban Salak Petch. Would appeal to travelers wishing to pay respects to the historical Buddha image and also make a wish.
- Wat Bang Bao is located on the roadside, next to the turn-off to Ban Bang Bao. Visitors can visit and admire the beauty of the ancient temple's architecture, whilst observing the serenic lifestyle of the Buddhist monks.
- Wat Khlong Prao is located in Baan Khlong Prao, just off the main road. After an enjoyable run on the white sandy beach, visitors can come to Wat Klong Prao to meditate and collect their thoughts.
Travel to other Islands
Most visitors come to Amphoe Laem Ngob where there are 2 piers namely Laem Ngob and Ko Chang Centre Point and Bang Bao Fishing Village, offering daily boat services to islands such as Ko Mak, Ko Wai, and Ko Kham. Tourist spots in Ko Chang and other groups of islands.
- Ko Chang Noi Ko Chang Noi and Laem Chang Noi lie to the north of Ko Chang. The sea between Ko Chang Noi and Laem Chang Noi is abundant with corals.
- Ko Kham This island is located near Ko Mak and is endowed with natural wonders such as crystal clear seas, chie sandy beaches, coral reefs and most importantly, tranquility and privacy. Ideal for swimming and diving, the trip to Ko Kham from Bang Bao takes 1 hour.
- Ko Klum Like Ko Chang, this is an island of historical significance during the Thai-French Naval Battle in 1941. Attractions on the island include the stone yard landscape and fishing.
- Ko Kradat This island is situated to the northeast away from Ko Mak. In the past, the area had an abundance of Kradad trees (paper trees); hence, the name of the island. This island is notable for the fact that it is the only island in Thailand to be issued a land title deed during the period of King Rama V as a measure to protect the island from French colonization. Ko Kradad is famous for its white long sandy beach and wonderful coral reefs.
- Ko Lao Ya This wonderful island which is less than 1 km long and 300 meters wide with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and colorful corals, lies about 3 km west of the southeastern end of Ko Chang. Ko Laoya forms an island group with Ko Laoya Klang and Ko Laoya Nok and is connected to Ko Laoya Klang by a wooden bridge. Travel time from Laem Ngob to the island takes about 2.5 hours and only chartered boats can reach the island.
- Ko Mak This is a large island to the south of Ko Chang that is blessed with several beautiful bays and beaches and coral reefs nearby that are still in perfect condition. The islanders make their living by growing rubber and coconut trees. The best time to visit is from November until late April. A passenger boat departs Laem Ngob daily at 15.00 hrs and returns from Ko Mak at 7.00 hrs, traveling time is 3.5 hours.
- Ko Ngam This island is situated southeast of Ko Chang and is comprised of twin mountains linked by huge rocks with a huge sand knoll at the middle. The little bay formed by the lines of the mountain stretching into the sea makes the island a splendid and serene site worth visiting.
- Ko Phrao This island situated in front of Salak Petch Bay has clean and calm seas, and is cool and shady with coconut trees. Travel time from Laem Ngob is 2 hours.
- Ko Rang Ko Rang is well known as the location for its birds nest concessions, sea turtle eggs and bat's dung. The main attractions at the island are the stone knolls and the magnificent deep-sea corals.
- Ko Wai This big island, which a part of Ko Chang National Park and is situated next to Ko Laoya, has stone laden beaches. However, Ko Wai is famous for its coral and is also the best place for fishing and swimming. Accommodation at Ko Wai Pakarung Resort.
