Mu Koh Chang National Park

Located about 336 km south-east of Bangkok, Koh Chang is the Thailand's second largest island after Phuket. With a length of 30 km and a maximum width of 14 km, it covers a total area of 429 square kilometers. Koh Chang lies just off the coast of Trat Province and is the main island of a beautiful archipelago consisting of 180 pristine coral islands and islets. Mostly uninhabited, the large group of islands extend from north to south-east on the easternmost coast of the Gulf of Thailand, near the border with Cambodia. A part of the archipelago, 51 islands and a part of Koh Chang itself, is under protection of Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, which is considered one of the last unspoiled paradises of Thailand. Established in 1982 as Thailand's 45th national park, it covers an area of 650 square kilometres, of which two-thirds is marine area.
Flora: Most of vegetation consists in Tropical rain forest, mangrove forest and beach blanket vegetation. There are many types of plants, including Dipterocarpus alatus, Anisoptera costata, Hopea odorata, Terminalia catappa, Calophyllum inophyllum and Acanthus ebracteatus.
Fauna: The park’s wildlife includes 29 mammal species, 74 types of birds and 42 kinds of reptiles such as Ko Chang Frog (Limnonectes kohchangae), the endemic animal of Ko Chang.
Admission fee: 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children.
Koh Chang: Almost unknown until thirty years ago, in the last decades the large island has become a major tourist destination in Thailand, both for foreigners and Thais, thanks its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The first foreign backpackers started arriving on Koh Chang in the mid-1970s, when there were few accommodations for tourists and facilities. Since then, in the island have arisen several tourist resorts, with many seaside hotels, guest houses, restaurants and all facilities to please the visitors. Nevertheless, the tourism on Koh Chang remains less developed than on Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui, a wise decision of the central government, shared by the local authorities and residents, has limited speculative building on the island, preserving the quiet and relaxing feature of the past. The vast majority of tourists who reach the island are lovers of beach activities full-time in a quiet resort, a good portion of them are diving enthusiasts. The pristine island has beautiful white sand beaches, accommodation and services to satisfy every kind of budget. Koh Chang is also the perfect jumping off point to reach the others surrounding islets, such as Koh Wai and Koh Rang, which are perfect destinations for snorkelling day-trips or just to enjoy sunbathing on a small tropical island.
Koh Chang Attractions: Than Mayom Waterfall is situated behind the National Park Office, 500 meters through the garden. It is a medium-sized waterfall with four levels. The waterfall is well known for visitations by members of the royal family such as King Rama V in 1876, King Rama VI in 1922, King Rama VII in 1927, and Her Majesty the Queen of King Rama VII in 1973. Khlong Plu Waterfall is the most magnificent waterfall on Koh Chang. There are three levels. The water runs through the cliff towards the swamp below. Its entrance is 3 kilometers from Ao Khlong Prao plus a 20-minute walk. Khiri Phet Waterfall, a one-level waterfall, is 1 kilometer from Ban Salak Phet community through the rubber plantation. Klong Nueng Waterfall is a small waterfall near Khiri Phet Waterfall- Ban Rong Than. It is around 2 kilometers plus 480 meters on foot from Salak Phet community. The waterfall falls from a narrow 120-meter-high mountain pass. It is allowed for swimming. At the Koh Chang's northern end, Chaiyachet Cape offers very nice views. Ban Salak Phet is the oldest large community on Koh Chang. It is situated in the south of the island. The villagers are coastal fishermen. The islands and the mountain range can help block the winds. Bang Bao Fisherman Village’s each houses have the pillar stick in the sea and are connected to one another by the bridge. Most of the ancestors in this village descended from people in Salak Phet.
Koh Wai is a small pristine island located just off the south cost of Koh Chang, 6 km from southern tip of island and 10 km from Bang Bao pier. The island is one of favourite destinations for day trips from the main island. Koh Wai receives a steady stream of hikers, often in large groups, thanks to its beautiful white sand beaches and shallow coral reef, ideal for lovers of snorkelling. The island has an irregular shape with a length of 3 km and 1 km of maximum wide. The pristine beaches are concentrated in the northern side. The western coast is characterized by a shallow coral reef that gently dropping down to 20 metres depth. The interior is covered with lush tropical vegetation with small hills in the western, which is nesting area for many birds. Koh Wai not has villages or houses for residents, there aren't roads and no vehicle, without fixed telephone lines, but Internet and cell phone coverage, the electricity is supplied by generators. However, on island there are some village resorts, usually operating only in high season, during which they receive a lot of tourists. Koh Wai is a small corner of paradise where you can relax and enjoy wonderful beach days to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and nothing more. There are five village resorts on island; most are located on the beaches, or in any case on the coast.
Koh Mak is one of most stunning islands in the Mu Koh Chang National Marine Park, inserted from the UK's Sunday Times in the ranking of the 10 most beautiful beach resorts in the world and still unknown to mass tourism. The pristine island has stunning white sand beaches, accommodations and services for high-level tourists. Unlike its larger neighbors, Koh Chang and Koh Kood, the island's landscape is very flat, its highest point is only 150 metres a.s.l., and is covered with beautiful natural forest alternated with some intensive plantations of rubber and coconut trees. Koh Mak has 27 km of rugged coastline dotted with pristine white sand beaches separated rocky promontories, small green hills and small stretches of mangroves. Baan Ao Nid, along the southeast coast is the largest village of island, here live about 50 families and there is also the Ao Nid Pier, the main dock of island. The infrastructures in the island are minimal, there aren't hospitals, but only a small clinic for emergencies, there are no banks or ATMs, remember to bring cash money for small payments, although in most resorts you can pay by credit card. There are some mini markets in Ao Kao, Ao Nid and Ao Suan Yai, selling foodstuffs, drinks and basic necessities. Koh Mak is escaped from mass tourism for long time, but in the last decades the five families which control the territory decided to open the island towards a small market, focused on eco-tourism. Hotels range from small resorts in bungalows without air conditioning, for backpackers, to structures of higher level and costs with every comfort. There are plenty of restaurants offering dishes of Thai and international cuisine. The most beautiful beaches are located along the two island's main bays, namely Ao Suan Yai, on the north-west, and Ao Kao on the south-west. Both beaches are long stretch of white sand surrounded by crystal turquoise waters, a total of about 5 km of paradisiacal coastline.
Koh Kood, also reported as Koh Kuut or Koh Koot, is an amazing island in the Koh Chang Archipelago, the second largest after the main island. The island is famous for its paradisiacal beaches surrounded by crystalline waters, which are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The landscape of island is characterized by a mountainous terrain with lush tropical vegetation, which covers more than 80% of island and is rich in streams that give rise to several waterfalls. The coastline is dotted of stunning white sand beaches with pristine turquoise waters and shallow reefs. Ao Salad, the village on the north-western coast built on stilts, is the biggest fishing center of the island. Koh Kood does not have a coastal road that covers the entire perimeter as Koh Chang, the few and narrow roads, just over 2 meters in wide, are limited to two main roads, only partially paved, which connects the pier in Ao Salad Bay in the north-eastern to Laem Hin Dam and Ao Taphao on the west coast, and other one which connects Ao Taphao to Ao Yai on the south eastern coast. Public transport is almost non-existent; there are scooters and bikes to rent to visit the island, but never forget to be careful because the roads are narrow and often with slopes and dangerous curves. In the early 2000s, with the great tourist development of nearly Koh Chang, Koh Kood has begun to be an exciting destination for hikers from nearby main island. Only in the last decade investors have started to build hotels and village resorts on island. Koh Kood thanks to its wonderful beaches, the crystal clear waters and unspoiled nature has become a great opportunity for the most prestigious hotel chains. However the island still escapes the mass tourism, like the nearby Koh Mak, offering itself to a market focused on Eco and VIP tourism. Hotels and facilities are limited in number, few exclusive structures for an exclusive clientele so as not to overcrowd the island, and they were also built in search of maximum respect for the environment, this also thanks to the will of government authorities and residents who are working to ensure peace and serenity to the few and lucky tourists coming into this pristine island. Ultimately Koh Kood is an exclusive destination for a relaxing holiday in a corner of paradise.
Getting there: Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood are connected to mainland with regular ferry services throughout the year which, respectively leave from Laem Ngop Piers, Krom Luang Pier and Laem Sok Pier, everyone along the coast of Trat. Two ferry companies operate service to Koh Chang. The Ferry Koh Chang leaves from Thammachat Pier with daily departure every 45 minutes from 06:30 to 19:00. The Centrepoint Ferry leaves from Centrepoint Pier with daily departure every hour from 06:00 to 19:00. Both piers are located 5 km from Laem Ngop village, about 35 km from Trat. Ticket prices are similar: 80 THB for a single journey, 100 to 120 THB for a car, 30 to 40 THB for a motorbike. Journey times are between 30 and 45 minutes, because ships dock into island in two different places. Ferry Koh Chang has the shortest crossing and docks to Ao Sapporot Pier, in the northern tip of the island, instead Centrepoint Ferry docks at its Dan Kao Pier, a couple of kilometres to the south east. The main dock for departures to Koh Mak is the Krom Luang Pier in Laem Ngop, just south of piers to Koh Chang, which offers six fast boats a day during high season and four in low season, operated by Leelawadee Speedboats, Panan Speedboats and Suansuk Speedboats. Further south of the village of Laem Ngop is the Laem Sok Pier, from which depart daily toward Koh Mak two fast catamarans of Boonsiri Fantasea and a speedboat of Suansuk Speedboats, this service is suspended from May to October. The ferry service to Koh Kood is managed by four different companies: the Siri White, Koh Kut Express, Koh Kood Princess and Boonsiri Fantasea. All companies operate from Laem Sok Pier located about 35 km south-east of Trat, and each one offers a roundtrip per day. During high season Koh Chang is connected to Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Koh Wai by other ferry services which leave from Bang Bao and Kai Bae. For more information on timetable and fares please refer to the pages: Koh Chang Ferries, Koh Mak Ferries and Koh Kood Ferries. Read More