Located 360 km to the east of Bangkok, close to the Thai-Cambodian border, Koh Chang is an island paradise with pristine forests and a necklace of white sand beaches. Named “Elephant Island” because it’s forest-clad mountains resemble the shape of a crouched elephant, Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket, and the biggest island of a group of 52 islands that form Koh Chang Marine National Park. An excellent road from Bangkok and the new provincial airport of Trat boasted accessibility and popularity; and the island, once seemingly lost in time, awakened to international tourism. Regular car and passenger ferry service from the mainland takes only 30 minutes and a new ring road allows a quick transfer from the island’s main pier to the beaches. All of the island’s scenic beaches and bays are located on the west side, spreading from north to south, the most popular ones being White Sand Beach and Klong Phrao Beach where a number of new four-star resorts have opened recently. There is no big town on Koh Chang, just a number of small clusters of commerce that mainly cater to tourists. Part of the charm of Koh Chang is a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can soak up the sun, take long strolls along the beach, trek to several waterfalls or ride by elephant into the forest. The mountainous interior is largely undisturbed with dense tropical rainforest, the island’s highest peak rises to 740 meter. As for most of the country, Koh Chang’s main tourist season is between November and April.  

What to do on Koh Chang

Hire a speedboat and head out for a day of island-hopping. Each island is different but all await you with white sand beaches, turquoise water and coral beds at shallow depths.  Koh Wai is crescent shaped, Koh Phrao Nai and Nok have long lines of coconut trees and Koh Lao Ya is a group of three small islands straight out of a South Pacific movie set.

How to get to Koh Chang

By air: 2 daily flights by Bangkok Airways (morning and evening) connect Bangkok with the provincial airport of Trat (45 min). Transfer from Trat Airport to the mainland ferry pier at Ao Thammachat takes approx. 20 minutes, crossing over to Koh Chang by regular ferry service takes 30 min. A further transfer from the island pier to the hotels, mainly located at Klong Phrao Beach on the southwestern coast, takes another 30 minutes. 

By road: Transfer time from Bangkok to the mainland ferry pier at Ao Thammachat, near the town of Trat, takes approx. 4 hrs. From Ao Thammachat regular ferry service crossing over to Koh Chang takes 30 minutes.  A further transfer from the island pier to the hotels, mainly located at Klong Phrao Beach on the southwestern coast, takes another 30 minutes. 

Amari Emerald Cove 4****+

The Amari Emerald Cove Resort is located on a quiet stretch of Klong Phrao Beach. The recently opened hotel is the most luxurious resort on the island, featuring a total of 165 rooms and suites. Superior rooms offer mountain view, whereas Deluxe rooms overlook the pool towards the sea. All rooms are elegantly furnished in solid teak wood, 40 sqm in size with a 10 sqm outdoor terrace fitted with a table and chairs, and feature modern bathrooms with separate bath and shower, TV, personal safe, mini-bar and individually controlled air-conditioning. A beautiful and cosy Family suite (1 master bedroom & 1 living room that can be converted into another bedroom at night) with wood laid flooring and 2 balconies overlooking the pool and the palm-fringed beach is available on the third floor. The resort offers a choice of 3 restaurants (Thai & Seafood, International, Italian). Recreational facilities include a jacuzzi pool, children’s pool and a 50-meter long lap pool, fitness room and the Sivara Spa, offering a selection of body treatments and traditional massages.

Our barefoot-island tip: Koh Mak Resort, Koh Mak 3***

If it's peace and solitude, a laid back atmosphere, a long and quiet sandy beach and the chance to dive or snorkel, this is our barefoot-island tip: The island of Koh Mak is the third biggest island in the Koh Chang archipelago. Located on the western side of Koh Mak is Suan Yai Beach, a crescent-shaped bay with a 2,000 meter long white sand beach and clean and clear seawater. Nestling under it’s swaying palm trees is Koh Mak Resort. The resort features 50 1-or 2-bed rooms bungalows, with fan only or with air-condition. Each bungalow provides a balcony looking across the bay, the panorama stretching to the nearby island of Koh Kham and as far as Koh Chang in the distance, the perfect backdrop for marvellous sunsets. All bungalows are built with natural wood, consisting of 2-4 beds with built-in toilet and shower. The resort’s facilities include an open-air Thai & Seafood Restaurant, a small Pizza-corner as well as Internet service. A tour desk organises boat trips for snorkelling, diving and fishing tours.

How to get to Koh Mak

There is a choice of various daily boat transfers from the mainland ferry pier at Laem Ngop, 15km outside of Trat: Express Boat (1 hr), Speed Boat (1 hr), Slow Boat (2 hr). Alternatively there is a daily “Island-Hopper” connecting Koh Chang with Koh Mak.