Koh Chang Tours, Travel Guide, Hotels |Discovery DMC

KOH CHANG Thailand's island paradise unveiled

Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island, a mountainous jewel off the coast of Trat province where dense rainforest tumbles down to white sand beaches and calm, turquoise water. Once a quiet fishing outpost, the island has grown into a laid-back retreat that still feels wonderfully unhurried compared to its southern counterparts. Waterfalls cascade through the jungled interior, stilted fishing villages line the eastern shore, and the west coast offers a string of beaches ranging from lively Klong Prao to secluded Long Beach. Whether snorkelling around the surrounding marine national park, trekking to a hidden waterfall, or simply relaxing at a beachfront resort, Koh Chang blends adventure and relaxation in equal measure. It remains one of the Gulf of Thailand’s most rewarding island escapes.

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KOH CHANG Highlights

White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao)
The island’s most popular beach stretches along the northwest coast with fine pale sand, calm shallow water, and a lively strip of beachfront restaurants, bars, and resorts.

Klong Plu Waterfall
One of Koh Chang’s most accessible waterfalls, Klong Plu tumbles into a natural pool perfect for a refreshing swim after a short jungle walk from Kai Bae village.

Bang Bao Fishing Village
Built on stilts over the water, this atmospheric village of wooden walkways is home to seafood restaurants, small boutiques, and the pier for boat trips to the surrounding islands.

Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park
The waters around Koh Chang and its outlying islands form a protected marine park, with vibrant coral reefs and clear visibility that make it a rewarding spot for snorkelling and diving.

Kai Bae Beach
A relaxed stretch of sand with views over a cluster of small offshore islands, Kai Bae is popular for its low-tide sandbar walks and gentler, family-friendly atmosphere.

Jungle Trekking & Waterfall Trails
Around 70% of Koh Chang is protected national park, and inland trails lead through dense rainforest to hidden waterfalls such as Than Mayom, rewarding hikers with cool pools and forest views.

Salak Kok Mangrove Village
This community-run village offers kayaking tours through tangled mangrove channels, giving visitors an up-close look at the coastal ecosystem and traditional fishing life.

Long Beach (Hat Sai Yao)
Tucked away in the island’s southwest corner, Long Beach remains one of Koh Chang’s quietest shores, reached by a scenic trail and favoured by travellers seeking solitude.

Koh Chang Night Markets & Local Cuisine
Evening markets in White Sand Beach and Klong Prao serve fresh seafood, regional Thai dishes, and tropical fruit, offering a relaxed introduction to the island’s flavours.

Island Hopping to Koh Wai & Koh Mak
Longtail and speedboat trips from Bang Bao pier make it easy to explore nearby islands, each with their own quiet beaches and clear water for a day of swimming and snorkelling.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF KOH CHANG

Koh Chang’s history is rooted in fishing and trade rather than empire-building. For generations the island was home to small fishing communities scattered along its sheltered bays, with close ties across the gulf to Cambodia and Trat on the mainland. In 1941, the waters just off its coast were the site of the Battle of Koh Chang, a naval clash between French and Thai forces during the brief Franco-Thai War.

Development came later than on many of Thailand’s other islands. It was only once the coastal road network was completed in the 1980s and 1990s, linking remote bays such as Bang Bao and Kai Bae, that Koh Chang began to open up to travellers. In 1982 much of the island was designated part of Mu Ko Chang National Park, protecting its dense rainforest interior and the coral reefs surrounding it from large-scale development.

Today Koh Chang keeps a slower pace than many of its neighbours. Fishing villages, rubber plantations, and small family-run guesthouses sit alongside a growing number of resorts, while much of the interior remains covered in the same tropical forest that has shaped island life for generations.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Koh Chang lies off the coast of Trat province, roughly 300 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Most visitors fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports, then continue overland by road and sea, though a small regional airport near Trat also operates limited seasonal flights. Buses and minivans run regularly from Bangkok’s Ekkamai and Mo Chit terminals to Trat town or directly to the ferry piers at Laem Ngop, a journey of around five to six hours. From there, car and passenger ferries cross to Koh Chang in roughly 30 to 45 minutes, docking at either Ao Sapparot or Centre Point pier. Private transfers and combined minivan-and-ferry packages are also widely available for a more direct door-to-door option.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Koh Chang has no metered taxis or public buses; getting around relies mainly on songthaews (shared open-back pickup trucks) that run along the main ring road connecting the west coast beaches, with fares typically negotiated per trip. Renting a motorbike or scooter is a popular way to explore independently, though the island’s steep, winding roads call for caution and some riding experience. Private taxi trucks and resort transfers can be arranged for door-to-door journeys, while longtail boats and speedboats from Bang Bao pier provide access to snorkelling spots and the smaller islands nearby. For a slower pace, several of the west coast beaches are close enough to explore on foot or by bicycle.

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