Koh Chang: Information

Information on Koh Chang

Trat is the Kingdom's eastern most province. It is famous for the source of the world's finest rubies and sapphires and is emerging as one of the newest international beach resorts with many unspoiled and fascinating islands. Located some 315 kilometres from Bangkok, the province is renowned for its abundance of tropical fruits and plenty of interesting places to visit, including many historical attractions.
Historical records showed that Trat was ruled for a brief period by the French during the French Colonization of Indochina in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V). On March 23rd, 1906, the far sighted Kong negotiated for returning of those provinces that is Pratabong, Siemrat and Srisophon, now being the land of Cambodia, to French.

The exchanging of diploma ceremony, held at the provincial hall, was presided over by representatives of the two countries. The Thai representatives were led by Phraya Srithep, who was later known as Phraya Maha Amatayathibodi, in his capacity as "Palad Toon Chalong", a high ranking position at the Interior Ministry. The French Delegates were headed by Monsieur Rousseau Residant. March 23rd, therefore, had been designated by the residents of the province as Trat's independence day, officially known as "Wan Trat Ramruek" or Trat's day of Remembrance. To show their gratitude for the King's effort to grain the province's independence, They had a statue of King Chulalongkorn erected at the provincial hall.
In 1942, a French ship invaded the Thai waters in Trat province, and was done by the Thai Navy. The fighting that ensued, known as "The Battle of Chang Island", brought fame to the Royal Thai Navy, whose men fought bravely against the invaders. Despite the lost of three Thai Warships--- The Ratchburi, The Songkhla, The Thonburi: their heroic deeds remained in the memory of the Thai people in general an the residents of Trat in particular.

Trat's main attractions are the 52 islands off its coast, the most famous of which is Koh Chang, preserving the National Marine Park, and its chain of islands and islets that dot the Gulf of Thailand from Laem Ngob to Muang and Khlong Yai districts. Other important islands include Koh Laoya, Koh Wai, Koh Ngam, Koh Prao, Koh Kradat, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, which are very short distances from one another and each of them has its own unique natural beauty.

Information on Koh Chang

At Laem Ngob, 17 kilometres from Trat, is the pier where regular ferries are available for visitors to travel around the beautiful islands of the group of Chang Island National Marine Park. A stretching of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree, and fruit orchards are an ordinary sight on Koh Chang, the largest and busiest island in Trat and Thailand's second largest Island after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 square kilometres, Koh Chang, boasts several amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional way of life such as 70 % virgin islands rainforest, steep hills, many cliffs, glassy waterfalls ,notable wildlife, white soft sandy beaches and underwater world plenty of coral reefs, stony sea floors and colourful marine life. Moreover, the numerous of fruit orchards draw greenery the islands.
Most of scenic beaches and bays are on the west side spreading from the north to the south that include Khlong Son Bay, White Sand Beach, Khlong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. A road cut through the western shore almost reaching Kai Bae Beach where there is a natural trail passing through Bai Lan Bay and Kruat Bay meandering through west forest land to Bang Bao Fishing Village on the foot of the hill in the south.

At the east are Sapparod Bay, where ferry landing is situated and Salak Khok Bay. In addition, along the eastern shoreline is road cutting through Salak Phet Bay, a community with boat pier to the south of the island. Coral ranges worthy visiting are at Khlong Son bay near Koh Chang Noi and around islands south of Koh Chang. Furthermore sea-based attractions, on Koh Chang has numerous inland interesting sites including several waterfalls with reasonable reaching. They are Khlong Plu waterfall, 3 kilometres from Khlong Prao bay and a further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi waterfall, a 4-kilometer walk from the park headquarters and Khiri Phet waterfall and Khlong Nueng waterfall which are approximately 3 kilometres from Baan Salak Phet.

As well as the obvious activities Koh Chang offers many other attractions including to respect temples, visit the National Park and Museum or the beautiful charming look out points, which are all worth a trip. Divers will find fascinating diving areas off the shores of Koh Chang and the surrounding islands. Besides the many coral reefs, sunken warships, a reminder of times can be visited in the Salak Phet bay.

The Koh Chang National Park is occupied an area of 650 square kilometres and comprised of 52 islands, which is spreading from Laem Ngob to Khlong Yai district (reaching to Cambodia). The most popular islands includes Koh Chang, Koh Klum, Koh Ngam, Koh Lao Ya and Koh Rung where natural wonders await travelers to touch them. The best time of holiday season to visit the group of Koh Chang National Marine Park is from November to April. The park headquarters are divided into 4 units namely The Than Mayom, Baan Khlong Son, Tha Khlong Plu and lastly Baan Salak which are providing useful tourist's information. At any one of the headquarters , the admission fee of 200 Baht is collected. In fact, Thai seas can visit or dive all year round though the monsoon season cause the rainy season in Thailand is plenty wet but very sunshine and almost no less occurring the sea storms. Therefore, travelers all around the world can travel Thailand both on land and under marine world as your preferences.