Thailand-Hotels.nl

Koh Chang, often called the Elephant Island because its shape on the map looks like an elephant head, lies 320Km south from Bangkok. It is, after Phuket, the second largest island of Thailand and is 40Km long and up to 15Km wide and lies off the coast from Trat.
 

In 1982 Ko Chang, together with 40 other smaller islands off the coast from Thailand covering a total area of 650Km2 were designated as the "Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park". In this park the hills and mountains formed from granite rise up to a height of 740m above sea level and are thickly covered with untouched rain forests that are home to multitude of wild life including monkeys, wild pigs, red deers and snakes (including pythons and king cobras) together with over 60 diffrent species of tropical birds.

The white fine sandy beaches of the coastlines of the island are lined by plantations of palm trees and mangrove woods and numerous small picturesque waterfalls temptingly offer an invitation to swim or bath in their clean fresh water.

Until comparatively recently these island were practically unknown to the average tourists. During the 80s Ko Chang was discovered by a few adventurous backpackers. At the time simple bamboo huts were generally the only accommodation that was available and the unspoilt beaches were only accessible by boat. Simple pathways were the only routes from one settlement to another and only a very few of these (the ones that had their own generator) had electricity. All this changed quickly after 1996 when a cable was laid from the mainland to bring electricity to the island and the tourist industry began to develop.

Since then more and more luxury resorts and bungalows have been erected and a tarred road built to the southerly points of the island and 3 car ferries running at 30 min. intervals in high season provide transport to and from mainland cars and pedestrians. In April 2003 an airport in Trat was opened to which Bangkok Airways have two flights daily. Nowadays the island has six banks, dozens of ATM's and money changing offices, Supermarkets (9 Seven Eleven) which are open 24hrs a day, plenty of beer bars, Karaokes and Disco's, live music restaurants and also European restaurants. Some of the large hotel chains such as Amari have now stardet to invest in, build on the island.

In spite of all the development that has taken place the island of Ko Chang, thanks to its natural beauty and idyllic landscape, has managed to retain its charm and attraction to the present day.

Health and Medical Facilities

There is a small hospital in Ko Chang, on the east coast south of the ferry pier. As part of Bangkok Hospital group is Ko Chang International clinic located on White Sand Beach. Small health centers are located in Klong Son, Klong Phrao, Kai Bae and Bang Bao. In Klong Phrao located is also PP Clinic, which provides medical service as well as plastic surgery.

 Police

The main police station on Ko Chang is at Dan Mai. There are also police boxes in White Sand Beach, Klong Phrao Beach, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach and Bang Bao.

 Banks

Branches from Siam City Bank and Thai Military Bank are located in White Sand Beach. Siam Commercial Bank is in Chai Chet and a sub branch of Siam City Bank in Kai Bae. There are ATM's in at the ferry pier, in Klong Son, White Sand Beach, Klong Phrao Beach, Kai Bae and Bang Bao.

 Internet, Post Office and Telephone

There are several Internet Cafes in Ko Chang that charges 1 THB per minute for Email via satellite. ADSL services have up to 1024 kbps connections.

The Government Post Office is located in Pearl Beach. ZIP code 23170.

International and local phone calls can be made at Internet shops and Resorts. 40-50 THB/min international and 10-15 THB/min local are typical prices.