Koh Chang, Thailand

Koh Chang National Park and archipelago

Forty-seven of the islands off Trat's coastline belong to a national park name after Ko Chang (Elephant Island), which at 492 sq km is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket. Ko Chang itself is about 70% undisturbed island rainforest - the best preserved in Thailand, perhaps in all of Southeast Asia with steep hills and cliffs reaching as high as 744m Khao Jom Prasat. Beach forest and mangrove are also found in abundant. Notable wildlife includes the stump-tailed macaque, small Indian civet, Javan mongoose, monitor lizards, water monitor, Burmese and reticulated python, king cobra, barking deer and wild pig. Avian species (61 resident plus 12 migratory species) include Pacific reef egret, nightjar, green imperial pigeon, white-winged tern, blue-winged pitta, hooded pitta and three hornbill species.

Most of the scenic beaches and bays of Koh Chang are on the west side spreading from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae.

A combination of steep terrain and year round stream creates several scenic waterfalls. It is recommended that you take a hiking trip into the interior of Koh Chang to explore the beauty of this island.

Koh Chang is the ideal location for the real rest as the weather there is very comfortable with the average temperature not too cold or too hot.