Island: Koh Chang

Location: 300km south east of Bangkok. Easily accessible by road and 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. 

Infrastructure:
Roads - A good, new road  circumnavigates 90% of the island.  Road across southern tip due for completion in early 2006. Additional road linking east and west coasts approved but construction not underway. 
Telephone lines - These installed all down the east coast, the west coast has lines installed as far south as Kai Bae.  Mobile phones can be used island wide. 
Electricity - Island wide, occasional power cuts usually due to falling trees etc.
Water - Mains water planned, government project to build pipeline from the mainline in 2005-6.  All water currently comes from bore holes. 
Schools - No bilingual or international schools.  Local Thai schools are of a comparatively low standard.  Medical care - Local hospital, local clinics in the villages and an international standard clinic on Whitesands - run by the Bangkok General hospital group.

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: 350,000 in 2004 (predicted by the TAT to double by 2007)
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