Discover Koh Chang
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island and can be reached easily from Bangkok either by bus, car or via a short flight.
The island is characterized by pristine sandy beaches and much of its mountainous interior is made up of protected national parkland.
Koh Chang’s landscape is diverse with mostly steep hills and mountains covered with lush green forest inland. Over 80% of the island’s landmass is part of a protected national park, which ensures that it will remain virtually unspoiled. Developments are largely confined to the coastline.
Koh Chang’s unique topography provides a wealth of options and even long-time frequent visitors to the island always find new places to discover, activities to undertake, new shopping options and restaurants to visit. Further afield, there are more than 50 tropical islands in the Koh Chang archipelago to explore as well.
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KOH CHANG MAP
Here you can view a detailed overview-map of Koh Chang Island.
Click on image for full size.
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KOH CHANG OVERVIEW
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island and offers that rare combination of an expansive, pristine coastline and a lush interior that is mostly made up of protected national parkland.
The Blue Haven Bay resort on Klong Son Bay is in the most desirable location on Koh Chang and is fringed by crystal clear blue seas and protected rainforest – it truly is a tropical paradise.
KOH CHANG – A UNIQUE IDENTITY
Through its transformation from virgin rainforest to a little-known backpacker hangout, and to its current position as high end resort destination, Koh Chang has developed a unique identity with a very special look and feel.
The contrast between the steep mountains and the idyllic beachfront is the most striking. For example, the journey on the island ring road to the south of the island is a road trip adventure not to be missed; not only because of the stunning views but also the dramatic gradients, reminiscent of a roller coaster experience.
Koh Chang possesses its very own distinctive charm that you won’t come across anywhere else and we invite you to discover its outstanding features. We hope to be able to welcome you to this sun-dappled paradise soon. The most difficult part is the departure from the island, which is why so many visitors are keen to return time and again.
STRINGENT BUILDING REGULATIONS ON KOH CHANG
Development of tourism and large scale construction on Koh Chang only started at the very end of the 1990s, at a time when strict building regulations were already in place.
Under these building codes, construction is not allowed at all within 20 metres of the ocean front line and only single storey buildings are permitted between 20 and 50 metres from the ocean front line. Beyond this, three storey buildings are only permitted after 50 metres or more from the beach/ocean front line. In fact, three storeys is the absolute maximium building height permitted on the entire island.
These regulations are strictly enforced and have ensured that overdevelopment does not occur and that the carefree tropical island character of Koh Chang will remain for many decades to come.
Along the shore line, only the occasional bungalow is visible, giving Koh Chang this unique natural appearance, while offering all the comfortable amenities demanded by the discerning holidaymakers.
HOW TO GET THERE
BY CAR OR TAXI
From Bangkok, take the motorway (Highway No. 7), exit Ban Bueng (in the direction of Klaeng) and travel on Route 344 directly to Klaeng, where you turn left onto Route 3 (Sukhumvit Road) in the direction of Chanthaburi. Stay on Route 3 for 108 km all the way to the huge “Koh Chang” ferry sign in Saen Tung (Ampur Khao Saming). Then turn right onto road 3156. Follow road 3156 for 25 km until you see another “Koh Chang Ferry -> turn right” sign, taking you on road 4006 which brings you directly to the Koh Chang car ferry terminal at Ao Thammachart.
Pay the fee of 120 Baht per car and 80 Baht per person and drive right onto the car ferry. The ferry will take about 20-25 minutes. There are outlets with drinks and snacks for sale and toilets on the ferries.
On arrival at Koh Chang, take a right turn onto the ring road. The entrance to the Blue Haven View Resort is less than one kilometre away from the island ferry arrival point.
Driving time to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 3 hours 45 minutes, and around 3 hours 30 min from Pattaya.
BY AIR
There are three connecting 50 minute flights daily via Bangkok Airways from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport to Trat airport.
Book tickets online: www.bangkokair.com
After the arrival of each flight, a fleet of minivans await passengers to take them directly to their hotel on Koh Chang. Just mention “Blue Haven View” and the driver will know exactly where to take you. The same minivans will also pick you up at theBlue Haven View Resort to take you back to the airport at the end of your stay.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
By Scheduled Minivan: There are numerous minivan services operating directly from Bangkok (with a variety of pickup locations), Bangkok Airport or Pattaya to Koh Chang.
By Bus: From Bangkok, there are hourly buses from Ekamai and Mo Chit bus stations to Trat. From the Trat bus station, there are numerous options for mini buses and taxis to take you swiftly to the ferry terminal and onward to your Koh Chang destination.
By Hired Vehicle / Taxi: If you wish to enjoy more privacy, comfort and a faster journey, rent a taxi, limousine or minibus to the pier and take the regular ferry over to Koh Chang. On arriving on the island there are taxis waiting to take you directly to your finals destination at Blue Haven View Resort.
BY SPEEDBOAT
The associate operators at Blue Haven Bay operate a fleet of speedboats of different sizes which are available for transportation to and from the mainland pier and other islands in the area.
Visitors and residents can arrange to be picked up at the mainland for easy and speedy transfer to theBlue Haven View marina on Koh Chang island, bypassing the public ferry.
We are able to speed you across the water in minutes – just a fraction of the time it takes on the public ferry.
This service is also available for late arrivals, since the public ferry services stop at 7:00pm.
This service can be combined with a valet service for your car, saving considerable time especially in peak tourist times, compared to the public ferry.
Please contact the front desk by filling form to book speedboat services.