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Koh
Chang , in
the Gulf of Thailand, a designated National Park, is approximately
300 kilometers south east of Bangkok.
To
prevent environmental damage the Government of Thailand has
ensured that no roads will lead to Koh Chang . The island
is connected to the mainland by ferries only.
Away
from sun , sand & sea
If
you want to take a break from the beach, a wide range of activities
await both on shore and inland.
Thai
Cooking Schools
If
there's one thing visitors can take back with them, it's the
remembrance of Thai cuisine. Nowadays, it's easy enough to
re-create a lot of your favourites dishes since most Thai
ingredients can be easily obtained or substituted. Such knowledge
is given at most Thai cooking schools including the one at
the Koh Chang . Classes take a few hours and students usually
learn the art of fruit and vegetable carving as well as traditional
stir-fried dishes. You will have an opportunity to cook by
yourself and dine with fellow students after class.
Elephant
Trekking
During
harvest seasons in March/April, and in August/September, visitors
are allowed to pick ripe pomelos from the trees with compliments
of Chutiman, the proprietor. On your return route, the mahout
may lead the elephant through a different path that exposes
you to wild vegetation, giant trees and wildlife. Cold drinks
and coffee are served as you refresh back at the camp. If
you don't have time, you can still experience the thrill of
a one-hour trek (500 Baht) without the waterfall. Open daily
from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, you can start your tour any time
of the day.
Snorkeling
& Diving
The
best diving season is between October/November and April.
The best sites are on the west and southern tip of the island,
between Koh Chang ( Ko Chang ) and Koh Kood ( Ko Kut ). There
you can see soft corals, anemones, myriad reef fish, and sometimes
eel. Hin Luk Bat and Hin Lap both have coral seamounts. Further
south, white-tip reef sharks can be found near Hin Phrai Nam.
In
addition, there are two wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang ( Ko
Chang ) Wreck is a Thai warship sunk by the French navy in 1941.
The wreck is only 15 metres deep in the Salakphet Bay on the
southern tip of the island. The other wreck is the Pak One Wreck
which sank after hitting a coral reef in August 1996 on its
way to Vietnam. It resurfaced almost 8 years later. The 900-ton
sunken tanker posed a danger to ships on international waters.
The Royal Thai Navy drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied
petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet.
It now lies horizontally in 35-metre-deep waters
There
are a few diving centres on Koh Chang ( Ko Chang ) such as
the Ploy Scuba Diving in Bang Bao. They provide free transfer
to and from the resort. Language barrier is no problem to
the centre since they provide instructions in different languages.
Following the standards of the sister centre in Koh Samet,
this is the premier diving operator in Eastern Thailand.
Canoes
and Kayaking
For
a relaxing trip along the coastlines, try paddling canoes.
Canoes can be found along the beaches and some resorts.
Viewing
Fireflies
During
the cooler months on Koh Chang ( Ko Chang ), you can rent
a boat to slowly cruise along the waters at night to see fireflies
in the mangroves. Thousands of fireflies send out mating signals
as they settle into the mangrove forest, lighting up the whole
tree with their simultaneous flashing in the dark. It's like
rows of Christmas trees.
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Other
Activities
- Village
trekking and nature walks
- Mountain
Bikes
- Daily
cruise
- Diving
school
- Movie
& Music library
- Private
yoga, Pilates and meditation
- Trampoline
- Dart
or Archery
- Sea
Bicycle
- Jungle
walk
- Aiyapura
Gym
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Klong
Plu Waterfalls
One
of the best-known waterfalls, Klong Plu is close to
Klong Prao and Kai Bae beaches. The fall plunges down
a narrow drop-off into a pool, where you can go for
a refreshing swim. Heading 3 km south from Klong Prao
along the main road, you will see a sign of the waterfall
on the left. Turn left into the path and follow the
sign for 2 km. You'll find a ticket kiosk to pay the
entrance fee. Walk along a well-marked footpath for
only 20 minutes or about 400 metres past many kinds
of vegetation, birds and giant trees, and you'll encounter
a spectacular view of the waterfall.
This
is also a 3-level waterfall, which has served as an
important source of fresh water for the island. King
Rama V visited Klong Plu twice. Most visitors stay at
the first level which is already a breath-taking sight.
Walking to the second and third levels will need the
assistance of park officials or guides, as the path
is slippery and difficult to reach. Swimming and camping
are allowed.
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The
Shrine of Jao Po Koh Chang
Leading
up a steep road on the west coast to Ao Sapparos, not too
far from the pier, you will see the shrine of Chao Po and
Chao Mae Koh Chang on the right. This is a highly revered
shrine especially for local people. Chao Po Koh Chang (literally
the Deity of Koh Chang) has guarded people on Koh Chang (Ko
Chang), nearby islands and the mainland of Trat for generations.
Fishermen struck by monsoon or lost their directions in the
sea put their faith on Chao Po Koh Chang. Legend has it that
many prayers have been answered, and the locals have been
praying to Chao Po Koh Chang concerning various hardships,
from low yield harvests to sickness or other miseries.
Koh
Kood
Situated
80 kms southeast of the provincial capital of Trat, Koh Kood
is the farthest island from the mainland. It is also the easternmost
island of Thailand bordering Kampuchea. With an area of 129
sq. kms Koh Kood is the second largest island of the Koh Chang
Marine National Park and fourth largest in Thailand, after
Koh Samui. It is supported by essential infrastructure, which
include a hospital, schools, police station, electricity (mainly
for state-run facilities), water and telephone system. Fuel
and solar energy are, the main sources of electricity here.
Most resorts generate their own electricity.
Koh
Rang
To
the west of Koh Mak is a group of 12 islands known as the
Moo Koh Rang. Of these, Koh Rang Yai is the largest. It is
covered with tropical virgin rainforests and boast of the
longest and most beautiful beach in the area, the Had San
Chao or San Chao Beach, where the sand is powdery white and
water crystal clear. Divers can enjoy its scenic underwater
beauty up to 25 meters deep. Koh Rang Yai has a hilly terrain.
Its only low-lying area are at the shores.
Koh
Maak
Lying
between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, about 40 km from the mainland
is a group of 9 islands called the Moo Koh Maak (Moo Ko Mak).
Only 4 of these islands, including Koh Maak, Koh Kradad, Koh
Kham and Koh Rayang Nok are occupied. Koh Maak, with an area
of only 16 sq km and a 27 km coastline, is the third largest
island of the Marine Park. It has a flat terrain with plenty
of coconut and rubber plantations. The main attractions are
the long beaches and clear seawaters. There are only a few
hundred people living here, most of them related.
Koh
Maak
Just
1 km northwest of Koh Maak is Koh Kham, a small island with
clear seawater, coral reefs and coconut-fringed sandy beaches
that are excellent for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and
angling for squids. The island is almost within swimming distance
from Koh Maak's Ao Suan Yai beach. Aged lava exists on the
island which means a volcano existed in prehistoric times.
Big boulders believed to be volcano rocks are seen on its
pristine beaches. During low tide a sand dune practically
links the island to Koh Maak (Ko Mak).
Baanlanthai
Resort
34/10
Moo 4 Klong Prao,Koh Chang Trat Thailand 23170
Tel. 039-557062 , 081-2961543
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