"Koh Chang" Ko Chang by earthflyer

Koh Chang
The largest island in the Ko Chang Marine Park archipelago, Ko Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. Koh Chang is best visited outside of the monsoon season, which runs from about June to September. The sea is warm and clear and the beaches for the most part are white and sandy and the interior is filled with National Park protected forest and craggy, picturesque mountains.

Most of the beaches are on the western coast, and each has built up with a distinctive atmosphere based on shopping, activities, partying or chilling out. Accommodation offers a style to suit every type of traveller, from independent low budget backpackers to those wanting a touch of luxury. There are plenty of activities to be organised from almost anywhere on the island, snorkelling and diving trips to nearby coral reefs, jungle treks and elephant rides, not to mention various beach sports.

With it's long stretches of sandy beaches and bay, the west coast has become the focus of the development boom, and that's where most foreign travellers stay on the island. Beaches such as Haad Sai Khao (White Sands Beach), Khlong Prao and Kai Bae have developed more in the past few years than most of Thailand has in the last few decades. If you want to party, swim, dive or do practically anything else you'll find somewhere that's perfect for you. The east coast is home to major Thai villages but few beaches and so attracts far fewer foreign travellers.

In its eastern location near the Cambodian border, Ko Chang was spared the horror of the 2004 Tsunami that devastated some of Thailand's west coast. Since then however, a wave of travellers, both international and domestic has washed over this beautiful spot in even more numbers than before, and its popularity will only continue to grow.

Since it is relatively easy to travel from Bangkok, it is a very popular destination for travelers, specially ones coming from and going to Cambodia. From Khaosan Rd in Bangkok, tourist buses are running to this island everyday with joint bus & boat tickets.