Ko Chang: Thailand's 2nd Biggest Island

Trat is a small, quiet town near the Thai border with Cambodia. While the town itself is non-descript, it offers a few sights for visitors, who mostly use Trat as a base for exploring the beautiful and famous islands off Thailand’s coast. Trat is located on the Sukumvit Highway, so it is easy to reach by bus from Bangkok. The trip is about 5 hours, and buses leave from Bangkok’s central bus station throughout the day.

Trat has little to see, but has quite a nice, relaxed atmosphere. It’s a good place to walk around and get a feel for local life. The main market is open all day, and a smaller version gets going after dark. There are some small guesthouses along Sukumvit road for those who want to spend the night.

The thirty-minute trip from Trat to Laem Ngop is the first leg on a visitor’s island adventure. A 45-minute ferry ride from Laem Ngop to Ko Chang can be taken via bus (on a vehicle ferry) or you can simply get off and ride the boat yourself. The pier on Ko Chang is centrally located, and there are taxis and pick-up trucks waiting for fares at the Ko Chang pier.

Ko Chang itself is beautiful. The dense forests and fog-cloaked peaks make this one of the most scenic natural places south of Chiang Mai. The Northwest section of Ko Chang is highly developed, and a rather brash place where Bangkok’s rich come to play. However, elsewhere on the island, the deserted beaches and natural beauty still remain.

The southern part of the island has a more laid back vibe. This is a good area to visit if you want to try diving, snorkeling, or just enjoy some freshly caught seafood.

A 200 Baht entrance fee gets you into Ko Chang’s National Park. This place provides maps and has well marked trails. The big attractions in the park are the waterfalls. It is possible to take a dip in the crisp water at the foot of these falls, or just sit on a rack and enjoy the sounds and sights of nature.

Ban Kwan Elephant Camp is a must for people wanting to see the surrounding area in a unique way. Despite being a bit of a tourist trap, riding an elephant is one thing every visitor should do while in Thailand. Ko Chang, with its beautiful forests, is a good place to check the elephant ride off your list.

Trat is not a bad place to spend an evening before heading on to Ko Chang for one of the best island experiences Thailand has to offer.