Ko Chang

Introducing Ko Chang

Ko Chang feels a world apart from most of Thailand’s islands. There are no megaphone announcements for Thai boxing (even though some of the country’s best fighters hail from Ranong Province), no streets designed entirely for faràng. No, Ko Chang isn’t selling knock-off Ray-Bans and Playstation games. Its marketing scheme focuses squarely on seducing buyers with an older, slower version of Thailand. Electricity is sporadic, and tourists few and far between.

Pass the time exploring the island’s tiny village capital (where boats dock during the dry season) or wind your way around the island on one of the dirt trails. Sea eagles, Andaman kites and hornbills all nest here and, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch sight of them floating above the mangroves. Keen sunbathers can lie out on one of the island’s reasonable west coast beaches.

Bungalow operators can arrange boat trips to Ko Phayam and other nearby islands for around 250B per person (including lunch) in a group of six or more. Dive trips are also possible. Aladdin Dive Cruise (0 7782 0472; www.aladdindivecruise.de), on Ko Chang, runs PADI courses and offers a range of live-aboard dive safaris. A three-day live-aboard trip to the Surin Islands costs 11, 250B; four-day trips to the Similan Islands cost 15, 000B.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009