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Introduction to Koh Chang
Location:
300km south east of Bangkok. Easily accessible by road or plane, via Trat airport.
Area: 429
sq.km. (The second
largest island in Thailand)
Topography:
Inland - jungle clad mountain range, the tallest peak rising to 744
metres above sea level. The coastline is fringed by fruit fields and coconut
plantations. Long, sandy beaches are found on the west coast.
East coast is quieter with little development. Tacht moorings in
Bangbao and Salakphet Bays in the south of the island.
Infrastructure:
Roads - A good, new road circumnavigates 90% of the
island.
Telephone lines - Since 2006, landlines are
island wide. Mobile phones can also be used island
wide and to the islands south of Koh Chang.
Electricity - Island wide, occasional power cuts usually due
to bad weather in the rainy season, falling trees etc.
Water - Mains water
is planned but at present all supplies are from private wells or
waterfalls & mountain springs.
Schools - No bilingual or international
schools. Local Thai schools are of a comparatively low standard.
Medical care - Local hospital, local clinics in the villages,
an international standard clinic on White Sand Beach, run by the Bangkok
General hospital group plus private clinics with English speaking
doctors in Klong Prao and Kai Bae
Status: Part
of the 52 island Koh Chang marine national park.
Local population:
Approximately 8,000 according to the most recent census.
Annual tourist
visitors: 500,000 in 2007
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