Information : Koh Chang Resorts, Trat, Eastern Thailand

Where is Koh Chang ?

This island’s status on the world’s tourist barometer has risen a few degrees in recent years because of its stunning natural beauty, and the fact that its once-rickety infrastructure has been solidified. More than 70 percent of the mountains island is still covered in untouched rainforest, and there are many secluded beaches, complete with that vital tropical isle trinity or white sand, palm trees, and warm blue water, where you can really get away from it all and leave your trouble on the mainland.

Koh Chang is a part of Trat province of Thailand . Trat is situated at the eastern border of Thailand , 315 Kilometers from Bangkok . Koh Chang National Park , consisting of 52 islands, has Koh Chang (also referred to as Elephant Island ) as Thailand ’s second largest island after Puket, and the most important tourist attraction of the park. Wealthy with greenery, wildlife, and marine creatures, its most scenic beaches are located along its western flank. Moving from north to south, the beaches are generally more secluded, less crowded and pricey, with the aforementioned Diamond Sand towards the northern tip, and Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae, in the middle. Further south is a lively backpacker’s enclave at Lonely Beach , or Hat Tha Nam , where you can stay in a tree house.

Other than swimming and sunbathing, the island offers inland adventures such as rainforest trekking. Or you can ride a lumbering elephant into the primeval jungle, populated with wild boars, Javan mongoose, barking deer, and more than 60 different species of birds.

Many of the bungalow operation s around Hat sai Khao and Hat Kai Bae have kayaks, boogie boards and mountain bikes for rent. Booking a ay trup, or an overnighter, to nearby islands is another attractive option.

History

While King Rama V was on the throne, Thai government inevitably made a treaty with France granting the area of current Trat Province to the western country in order that France would withdraw its force from Chanta Buri Province . Later, on March 23, 1906, the King had to grant areas, namely Pratabong, Siem Reap and Sri Sophon to France in exchange with Trat, islands and towns on the right bank of Mekong River. Thus, Trat residents regard March 23 as the “Independence Day” every year.

They also built up King Rama V Monument at the City hall to commemorate the King’s attempt to keep Trat with Thailand . On January 17, 1941 , during Indochina War, French Squadron transgressed Thailand ’s territorial waters. Thai Flotilla came to protect the land. Thus, the war which was later known as “Koh Chang Naval Battle” began. Thai Troop won and managed to drive out French Squadron.

However, Thai side lost three warships, namely Songkhla, Chon Buri and Thon Buri as well as some naval officers. Therefore, on the date of every year, Thai Naval Army holds the annual merit-making day to dedicate to those who sacrificed their lives in their effort to protect the country. Therefore, on the date of every year, Thai Naval Army holds the annual merit-making day to dedicate to those who sacrificed their lives in their effort to protect the country.

Adventure & Activities

Diving At Koh Chang
Fantastic possibilities offer Koh Chang and the national park for divier filled with enthusiasm. The diving places aren’t depression, max 28 meter, particularly, fitted with a great variety of fish and corals as well as turtles, however. There also are fish which have to be admired only in the Andamansee otherwise and don’t happen further to the south in the golf there. The visibilities lie with 10 -25 m in the average but 30 m aren’t a rareness.

The diving places are at the southwest coast of Koh Chang till down to Koh Mak and at the many south of offshore island. Wanting to leave dreams true, surrounded by turquoise blue water, the many little islands. Wreck diver, cave diver and drift diver come onto her expense here. Well, Koh Chang is a brilliant playground for fundiver which a little want action. Koh Chang offers all prerequisites alsofor diving beginner.

Dive Season : October - June
best Months : December - May

Apart from diving, the area around Koh Chang offers everything the demandingtraveler may dream of: National parks, waterfalls, pristine sandy beaches, dense tropical rain forest and the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand

Koh Chang Dive Site
Diving is a wonderful experience in and around the turquoise water of Koh Chang. Dive sites include wreck, coral reefs, rock outcrops and drop-offs. Experts say that visibility can up to and beyond 65 meters on a perfect calm day. Most sites are normally accessed by dive boat leaving from all major beach areas as well as from the best dive hop=off point of Bang bao. Boat time to the sites depends on your destination but around 60-90 minutes.

Wreck of the ’Thonburi’ The Thonburi was sunk by the French in 1941 in shallow waters close to the southeastern tip of Koh Chang. The wreck now serves as an artificial reef. The largest wreck off Koh Chang, although other, much smaller wrecks can be found.

Hin Luk Bat Hin Luk Bat is a very large rock pinnacle located 30 minutes boat journey south of Bangbao pier on Koh Chang. Due to it’s convenient location, it is also one of the more popular dive sites, lower fuel costs to get people here. The pinnacle drops down to over 20 meters and an hour can easily be spent underwater circumnavigating the pinnacle at differing depths. You are almost certain to encounter large schools of fish, these range from larger barracuda and grouper to butterfly and angel fish.

Hin Rap This site is a couple of kilometres further south of Hin Luk Bat. Another rock pinnacle where staghorn corals and an abundance of smaller reef fish are the main attractions. This isn’t an area for deep water diving as the southern side drops to a maximum of 16 meters.

Koh Wai The main reason Koh Wai is included as a dive site is that this area offers the best chance of seeing reef sharks basking on the seabed. Leopard sharks have also been sighted here as have rays.

Koh Kra This island of the north coast of Koh Rang provides a gently sloping reef upon which gardens of staghorn coral and the usual wide variety of lively reef fish are seen. The coral lies less than five meters form the surface making this a fun, shallow dive for anyone beginning their life as a scuba diver. Rays are also often seen on the seafloor.

Koh Rang The small islands and rock pinnacles surrounding Koh Rang offer the best diving in the area. The depth of most dives in the Koh Rang area is between 10 and 15 meters. Well known dive sites in the Koh Rang area include.

Koh Thian A small island off the north east coast of Koh Rang. Although the coral reef isn’t as good as it once was due to this locations popularity with snorkelers as well as divers - you can still enjoy some great underwater scenery and are guaranteed plenty of opportunities for underwater photography in the shallow waters surrounding the island.

Koh Yak This is a great shallow dive - the sea floor lies under less than 10 meters of water around the island. A great variety of corals are found here as are many colorful anemones, and the clownfish that lurk within them. Stingrays and moray eels can be found hiding under rocks and in cavities.

Hin Kaduang These two rock pinnacles drop down to almost 30 meters making this one of the deepest dives in the area. Turtles are relatively common here and even reef sharks are occasionally seen. However, rather than keeping an eye out for rare creatures, divers should simply enjoy the wide variety of both hard and soft corals and profusion of marine life.

Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the main activity for Koh Chang’s travelers. It is suitable for swimmer and non-swimmer. Snorkeling tour is easily to book on Koh Chang with the wide choice of destinations and packages.

Just contact at your resort counter where can offer you the tour. Or else, for more choice, you may go to diving & snorkeling agencies that can be found along the road and centered at Bangbao village and shopping plaza. Choose your destinations that differ with the length of journey, the beauty of the sites. Then choose your type of boat - a fishing boat which you can experience the real time on the sea but take double time length; or a speedboat which is fast but more expensive.

Health & Spa
To pamper yourself on your holiday, massage or spa treatment is one of the best choices. On Koh Chang health services are easily found, whether traditional and local method along side the road or standard service and full course in resort.

Massage
At almost all beaches, masseurs and masseuses offer Thai massages for between 200-250 Baht. In all Beach-Villages, you’ll find small Massage-Shops directly on the road. In Baan Klongprao you can attend courses in traditional Thai massage.

Spa
The notion of spending a day being pampered in a spa is obviously a very popular one as a majority of large resorts now offer spa services, comprising various forms of massage, aromatherapy, herbal scrub, and reflexology. The prices are up to your spa course around 800 - 3,500 Baht. You can ask the resorts before decision, whether they have spa service, if you need a spa relaxation on your holiday. Several resorts promote their spas as a spectacular service welcoming all travelers from all resort to visit such as Ramayana Resort and Spa, Sea view Resort and Spa and Aiyapura Resort and Spa.