Travel Destinations

Ko Chang, part of the Trat Province, is about 330 km from Bangkok and is Thailand’s second largest island and the largest in Ko Chang National Park. Tourism in Ko Chang has increased dramatically just in the last few years.

Bangkok Airways departs two times a day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Trat. Due to competition, one can travel to Bangkok at a low cost. The flights traveling from UK to Bangkok depart from London Heathrow. Further, the airline industries of British Airways and Quantas have flights to Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as a stopping point on the “kangaroo route” to Australia. In addition, one can give Thai Airways a try as well as the Taiwanese carrier, better known as Eva Airways.

Direct door-to-door mimibus transfers will get you from Trat to Ko Chang and fares include the ferry crossing. Ko Chang has three seasons including the cool season from November to February, the hot season from March to May and the rainy season from June to October. In general the climate is hot and humid with lots of rainfall, 4,000 mm per year.

Getting around Ko Chang is simple using the songthaew, public taxis, hired small motorcycles or cars. The atmosphere is laid back so many visitors pick a beach and walk wherever they want to go.

Ko Chang’s recent growth as a tourist destination is due in large part to its proximity to Bangkok, just 5 hours away. It has become a favorite for Bangkok families on holiday. The island is home to a variety of wildlife including birds, snakes, deer and elephants and offers ideal spots for snorkeling, diving and jungle hiking.

The Mu Ko Chang National Park consists of 47 islands including Ko Chang, the best known. You can walk with a ranger on an 8 hour tour from the Than Mayom Waterfall to the Khlong-Plu Waterfall or camp in the jungle overnight. For luxury treatment, the Aiyapura Resort and Spa offers Thai villas surrounded by tropical gardens and ocean views.

The best beaches are located on the west coast and they offer the finest accommodations as well as night life, Sai Khao and the White Sand Beach is the most popular on Ko Chang. There are beach bars, jazz clubs and night club that offer entertainment. You can stay in the thatched huts or wooden bungalows for a natural experience. You also have the option of luxury suits that offer air conditioning, televisions and pools.

Klong Prao Beach has a steeper, sandy beach with a beautiful rocky landscape in its northernmost area.Kai Bae Beach is similar to Klong Prao. You can hire canoes and kayaks, and there are plenty of dive shops. Bang Bao Beach is a fishing village built on stilts. Hire a boat and fish or snorkel to view the rich coral life.

On Khlong Prao, Chang Chutman offer half-hour and hour-long elephant safaris into the interior. You can also go on foot, preferably with a local guide. Start at the southern end of the island.

One of the attractions that you might want to consider wile in Ko Change, is stopping at the Monkey Training Center. Not only can you watch training but you the center offers shows which highlight the monkeys abilities.

Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Flights to Ko Chang