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| Koh Chang Trat |
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| Koh Chang is the focal point of Koh Chang National Marine Park. Until recently Koh Chang and the park were well kept secrets, even from local Thais. They received very few visitors and as a result there was little development. This is quite remarkable given its close proximity to Bangkok – only 330 kilometres direct. Over the last couple of years though their have been plans to develop Koh Chang into an upscale resort and as a result there has been an increase in the amount of building that has taken place on the island. Koh Chang is the largest of the 52 islands in Koh Chang National Marine Park and the second-largest island in Thailand. Most of the island is rainforest and it features a range of hills, the highest (Khao Jom Prasat) nearly 800 metres high. The result is a very dramatic landscape that acts as a backdrop for some excellent bays and beaches including Ao Klong, Hat Sai Khao and Ao Khlong Prao. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkelling and diving. The best time to dive here is between November and April and the south of the island offers the best visibility. For more advanced divers there is a Thai warship that was sunk by the French in 1941. A number of excellent diving centres offering courses and guides are available on the island. Kayaking and sail boarding are also available on the island. The island is also a great place for hikes, and it is possible to walk from one side of the island to the other (although it’s not advisable without a guide). Elephant rides into the jungle are also popular. Elephants based at Ban Khlong Son Elephant Camp can be hired for 900 baht for one and a half hours. The more usual attractions like Buddhist temples are also available on the island. How to get there: Probably the easiest and cheapest way to get to Koh Chang is to take a Songtaew from Trat to Lean Ngop and from there take the ferry. The Songtaew trip will cost 20 Baht. |
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| Koh Chang Trat |
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| Koh Chang is the focal point of Koh Chang National Marine Park. Until recently Koh Chang and the park were well kept secrets, even from local Thais. They received very few visitors and as a result there was little development. This is quite remarkable given its close proximity to Bangkok – only 330 kilometres direct. Over the last couple of years though their have been plans to develop Koh Chang into an upscale resort and as a result there has been an increase in the amount of building that has taken place on the island. Koh Chang is the largest of the 52 islands in Koh Chang National Marine Park and the second-largest island in Thailand. Most of the island is rainforest and it features a range of hills, the highest (Khao Jom Prasat) nearly 800 metres high. The result is a very dramatic landscape that acts as a backdrop for some excellent bays and beaches including Ao Klong, Hat Sai Khao and Ao Khlong Prao. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkelling and diving. The best time to dive here is between November and April and the south of the island offers the best visibility. For more advanced divers there is a Thai warship that was sunk by the French in 1941. A number of excellent diving centres offering courses and guides are available on the island. Kayaking and sail boarding are also available on the island. The island is also a great place for hikes, and it is possible to walk from one side of the island to the other (although it’s not advisable without a guide). Elephant rides into the jungle are also popular. Elephants based at Ban Khlong Son Elephant Camp can be hired for 900 baht for one and a half hours. The more usual attractions like Buddhist temples are also available on the island. How to get there: Probably the easiest and cheapest way to get to Koh Chang is to take a Songtaew from Trat to Lean Ngop and from there take the ferry. The Songtaew trip will cost 20 Baht. |
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| Koh Kuud Trat |
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| Koh Kuud is the second-largest island in the Koh Chang National Marine Park (around 130 square kilomtres), furthest from the mainland, and certainly one of the nicest islands in the group. Koh Kuud offers some excellent views; coconut groves, rubber plantations, exquisite beaches, and it also has a number of beautiful waterfalls (3-tier Klong Jao of particular interest as is active all year round). Virtually all of Koh Kuud is unspoilt and what development there is has been well planned. The island has a number of excellent beaches on its west coast; Hap Tapho being probably the nicest, although Klong Yaikee beach, Tapo beach, Paol Bay, and Tadean Bay are also worthy of note. The waters around the island feature severl types of coral. 99% of the visitors who come to the island do so through an organised tour. As a result the island is not very well geared to receive independent travellers, although coming here alone is not impossible. The tours offer a number of options (three days / two nights, etc.) and usually include travel, food and accommodation. They usually involve trips to waterfalls and snorkelling trips as part of the package. How to get there: Given this island is not really geared to the independent traveller, it is recommended you take one of the tours available from the mainland and some of the larger islands. |
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| Koh Samet Rayong |
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| Koh Samet is one of Thailand’s nicest islands and has a unique place in Thai culture. It was here that Sunthorn Phu – Thailand’s greatest poetic – was inspired to create his masterpiece “Phra Aphaimani” – the story of a prince imprisoned in an undersea kingdom. Despite its place in literary history, Koh Samet is these days more famed for its beauty and location – near enough to Bangkok to be a popular destination for weekend trips and far enough away from the capital to offer foreign tourists a chance to get away from it all. Koh Samet is part of the Khao-Laem-Yah Koh Samet National Park and as result enjoyed the protection of the National Parks Division. Although developed, the island is not overdeveloped and retains its charm. The whole of Koh Samet is typified by glorious white sand, making the beaches excellent places to spend some time. There are 14 white beaches on the Island and surrounded by colourful reefs. Western Samet consists of long bays and shallow, crystal clear water. A series of paths link the bays… stray south and you come across a number of smaller, more secluded bays. Of course, Samet has its fair share of diving and other water sports; the island has numerous outlets for canoeing, sailing windsurfing, snorkelling and, although technically illegal on the island, jet skiing. Those with an ecological perspective should avoid jet skis which are slowly eroding Koh Samet’s coral. With so many foreigners coming to the island, a healthy nightlife has emerged, and although this is not Pattaya, it has elements of Pattaya… bars, restaurants… the works really but in less intense amounts! How to get there: Ban Phe is the main exit from the mainland to Koh Samet ., Boats leave Ban Phe regularly 06:00 to 17.00 with increased frequency at the weekends. Boats cost around 30 Baht. If you want some privacy, a charted boat with costs anything from 800-3,000 Baht per day. Details: As with all National Parks, admission to Koh Samet comes with a 200 Baht entry fee – 100 Baht for the under 14s. Contact:The National Park OfficeKoh Samet Moo 1 Tambom Phe MeungRayong Tel: (038) 653-033, (038) 653-034 |
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| Koh Phangan Surat Thani |
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| The nearest island to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan has earned a level of infamy over the years. Home to the now world-famous ‘Full Moon Parties’ (FMP) and its various off-shoots (Black Moon Parties, Half Moon Parties, etc.), Koh Phangan gained a reputation as a hedonist’s paradise of loud techno-music, dancing and raving in general. However, over recent years Thai authorities have made an effort to curb this aspect of the island’s activities, and although they still exist, they are more organized and more sanitized than in their heyday. Most parties take place on Hat Rin Beach and the FMP is still probably the biggest beach party on the planet. Aside from beaches like Hat Rin, Koh Phangan is not especially developed, and there are a host of quiet, secluded spots for you to enjoy. It has become a favorite haunt for visitors to Samui who often come over to Phangan to get away from the masses for a while. There is still plenty of activity on the island though; snorkeling is very popular, as are diving trips to Koh Ma and tours of the Angthong National Marine Park. Phangan is also home to Than Sadet National Park, a great venue for hikes and treks and visits to caves. There also countless beautiful waterfalls on the island, Nam Thok Tha Sadet, Nam Tok Phaeng, Nam Tok Than Prapat and Nam Thok Than Prawet of particular interest. Koh Phangan has changed, probably for the better. It’s no longer synonymous with less salubrious activity – although that does play a part in the island’s character. It is just a great place to visit if you can. Some people combine their trip with a meditation retreat to Wat Kaw Tam – well it’s that sort of place! You can even get your Chakra balanced! Details: There is some budget accommodation on Koh Phangan but none of the big hotels you might be familiar with on other islands. The best time to visit this island is December to March. People often rent motorcycles to get around the island. Note: Do not take drugs on Koh Phagan or anywhere else in Thailand – you could end up with a long time available to write up your memoirs! How to get there: Boats to Koh Phagan leave Na Thon pier on Koh Samui daily and the cost is 50 Baht for the 50 minute trip (60 Baht back). |
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| Koh Similan Phang-Nga |
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| Lying 80 kilometres northwest of Phuket, Koh Similan is the main attraction of the Similan group of islands, all of which are in Similan Island National Marine Park. There are nine islands in the group, each having a name and a number (the first island in the group is called ‘Koh Bon but also goes under the name “Koh Nung” – “Island Number One”). Most of the islands in the group are uninhabited, but all are accessible from Koh Similan. Like the rest of the park, Koh Similan is a major draw for people interested in diving. The waters around Similan offer up to 30 metres visibility, and there is a lot to see beneath the waves. Aside from a huge variety of coral, the underwater seascape offers large granite boulders with gaps in rock where more experienced divers can swim through. Hat Khao Lak beach offers the best diving in the Similan islands. Similan Island also boasts a long curving bay with white sand beaches and clear water - an ideal destination for snorkelling. Koh Similan is also an excellent location for hiking and offers treks to the tops of granite outcrops to take in the island’s superb views. There is also an extensive range of wildlife on the island including spiny lobsters, sea fans, plume worms and a large variety of species of birds. Details: As it is in a National Park, there is a 200 Baht admission fee to Similan. How to get there: To get to the Similan Islands boats leave the piers in Thap Lamu sub-district and Ta Kua Pa District. The 40-kilometre journey takes three hours. Contact:To book accommodation or to arrange food on Koh Similan contact the Royal Forestry Department: Tel: (579) 0529, (579) 4842 |
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