Koh Chang in Trat province is the last of Thailand's big islands to be developed into the "next Phuket". It's the "last" quite literally, as the island sits just off the coast of Cambodia. Koh Chang is about as far east as you can go along the coast and still be in Thailand.
Map of Koh Chang / Trat Province
There is a nice selection of resorts on the island, from budget to quite posh. The main drawback to Koh Chang has generally been the difficulty getting there. With no airport, the only way to get there has been a long drive from Bangkok. But now boutique airline Bangkok Airways has revived Trat's airport and now operates two flights daily between Bangkok and the provincial capital. From there, it's about a 20 minute ride to the pier for the ferry to Koh Chang.
The fastest way to get to Koh Chang is to take a Bangkok Airways flight to Trat province, then use their transfer service to the pier in Laem Ngop for the boat to Koh Chang, and on to your hotel. At last check, there were two flights a day between Bangkok and Trat. The pier is only about 20 minutes from the airport, and transfers are available from Bangkok Airways directly.
The island sports a wide range of resorts and bungalows to stay in. Part of the challenge is choosing which area you want to stay in. Most of the accommodations are found in the beaches spread along the west coast of the island. If you want to be close to restaurants, pubs and shopping, then White Sand or Klong Prao beaches might be best for you. If you want something quieter, then a resort on Bai Lan or the south side of the island may suit you.
30 March 2008
The Pool & Beach at the Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway Note: This hotel was known as the Dusit Princess Resort when it was reviewed.
Just opened in mid-March 2008, the Mercure Koh Change Hideways (orginally the Dusit Princess) is the latest high-end resort to open on the rapidly developing island. It's located on the small Bai Lan beach, the southern-most beach on the west coast of Koh Chang.
Like the rest of Thailand, Trat is subject to the annual monsoon rains, which are heaviest from June to September. The coolest and driest time of year is December to February. While I generally emphasize that the rainy season is not an entirely bad time to visit Thailand, it really isn't a good time to visit Trat. There is very little to do away from the beaches, since there are no historical or cultural attractions in the area.
