Koh
Chang
Ranong
- Thailand
Koh
Chang
, is the largest island in Ranong on the Andaman Coast. Do
not confused with the much larger island of Koh Chang in Trat
province on easthern coast ofThailand. It is called Koh Chang
( Koh means island,Chang means elephant) because it looks
like a sleeping elephant .The island is covered by the Rain
Forest and there are a few paths crossing it (no roads ) .
There are many beaches and resorts , mostly place along Aow
Yai beach on the west . The resorts are well into the vegetation
behind the beaches and hardly see them from the boat. In the
forest wild animals abound, especially wild boars. It takes
only one hour to get to Koh Chang from Ranong . The longtail
boat ride on the border line between Thailand and Myanmar
among many small islands: Myanmar on the right, Thailand on
the left.
At
the northern , you can see boats of sea Gipsies , a short
dark people , mostly living on boats and moving from island
to island. No electric power islands, telephone and mobile
phones almost in every resort.
Koh
Chang Island (the "Elephant Island")
Don't confuse this Island with the other Koh Chang Island
in the “Province of Trad” in Thailand, which is situated on
the eastern coast near "Rayong", in the Gulf of
Thailand.
This
is Koh Chang Island - the Elephant Island - at the west coast
of Thailand, close by "Ranong", in the Andaman Sea.
Koh
Chang is to be reached within a one hour boat trip from Ranong
at the “Ranong Islands Pier”, which is situated at the end
of Sapaan Plaa Road.
What
about the Elephant ?
Koh Chang is named after an Elephant, as its shape looks like
a relaxing elephant.
Those
who like to enjoy a holiday away of hotels, shopping malls
and any traffic on wheels, will find Koh Chang is the perfect
hide away island. Enjoy at Koh Chang pure nature and the relaxed
traditionel spirit of southern Thai people.
At
the island are several beaches, where “Ao Yai”, translated
as the “Big Bay”, is definitely the biggest one. At this 4
km stretched beach, which is ideal for swimming, about 15
present resorts offer cosy basic to more luxurious accommodation.
More
beaches of Koh Chang you will find at the bays of "Ao
Hornbill", "Ao Contex", "Ao Laetawan",
"Ao Kai Tao", “Ao Siad”, “Ao Lek”, and “Sapaan Hin”.
At
these bays are one to three resorts situated, and all offer
cozy mid-range accommodation.
Local
Life
Deeper inland the nature of Koh Chang is full of lush evergreen
vegetation and remained jungle.
The
local people make their living besides tourism by fishing,
growing cashews and sator beans, and by farming rubber plantations.
The
main roads in Koh Chang are by boat and going along the beach,
and therefore there are no motorbikes for rent. You just won’t
need them!
Scuba
Diving
- Aladdin
Dive Safari
How to get to Koh Chang
: From Ranong you can take a motorbike taxi to the Koh Chang
- Koh Phayam pier or a songtaew truck to Saphanpla (the fishing
pier). Get off the songtaew truck just before the toll and
enter the soi on the left side between the gold shop and the
beauty salon. From there you will start to see many signs
in English leading you to the pier. The boat leaves at about
12.00, but sometime there is a second trip if there are many
tourists. Every boat can accommodate may be 20 persons, less
if carrying goods to the resorts as well. Cost 100 baht per
person . Many resorts have owned boats leaving at different
times. If you know in which resort you want to stay you can
contact them by phone a couple of days before to organize
your transportation to the islands.
South
Department Motor Vehicle...Click here
Accommodation
: There are more than 13 resort in Koh Chang . Not all
of them open all the time and many closing down during the
rainy season. Prices are very similar: 100/150 for a bungalow
without bathroom, 150/200 for a bungalow with bathroom. Most
of the resorts Koh Chang are located in Aow Yai or in the
nearby Aow Yai area. With the area about 2 Km. width from
east to west and 5 Km.long from north to south with a high
hill on it. You can walk from one to another
Here is a list of the resorts in Koh Chang. For more detailed
information about prices and services. Please contact the
resorts or bungalows by phone again before you arriving or
in Ranong.
Starting
at the northern of the island :
Horn Bill Bungalow : 8
bungalows with bathroon build in different style.Price 100-180
ß/day. Located on small privated beach at the northest of
west .They are almost cut out from the rest and if you go
by yourself it is a long walk to get there. They have owned
boat served for transportation , fishing and travelling .
Contact : Khun Jib (66) 0-7782-0134 at bungalow .
Rasta Baby : located on
small beach , 7 bungalows run by Thai and his American wife
.
Contact : (66) 0-7783-3077 in Ranong .
Koh Chang Contex : located
on the same beach with Rasta Baby, 7 bungalows run by a Thai
family . Price 100-200 ß/day. They have owned boat served
for transportation , fishing and travelling .
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0118 at bungalow and mobile 0-9725-2187.
From
the northern , the right of Aow Yai :
Eden Bistro Cafe' : small
place with 7 bungalows, price 250-300 ß/day .Very friendly
atmosphere and a small restaurant with good menu of Thai and
Western food.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0172 at bungalow .
Sunset Bungalows : Just
down the beach from Eden in shady , breeezy spot area . 10
nicely build bungalows with shared bath and with attached
shower, price 100-250 ß/day. Sharing the boat with Cashew
resort.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0171 at bungalow .
Cashew Resort : The oldest
and largest resort in the island is also the one offering
more services. 25 bungallows , price 100-300 ß/day . With
owned boat served for transportation , fishing and travelling
.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0116 at bungalow .
(66) 0-7782-4741 in Ranong and mobile (66) 0-1485-6002.
Golden Bee Bungalows :
a few hundred metres past the pier in front of temple . 14
bungalows with shared bath and with attached shower , price
100-150 ß/day' Friendly atmosphere and a small restaurant
with menu of Thai and Western food. With owned boat served
for transportation , fishing and travelling .
Chang Thong Resort : a
real nice all Thai atmosphere, village style. 9 bungalows
, price 100-200 ß/day . Restaurant serves decent Thai food
. Have owned boat served for transportation , fishing and
travelling .
Contact : Khun Aoy (66) 0-7782-0178 at bungalow and (66) 0-7783-3820
in Ranong .
SaBai Jai Bungalows :
9 bungalows , price 150-300 ß/day . Restaurant serves Thai
food . Have owned boat served for transportation , fishing
and travelling .
Contact : Khun Nui (66) 0-7782-0131 at bungalow .
Koh
Chang Resort : sits on a section of rocky headlands...Click
here
Paradise : 9 bungalows
, price 100-150 ß/day . Restaurant serves Thai food and Western
food.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0181 at bungalow .
Full Moon : 11 bungalows
, price 200-300 ß/day . Shared boat with Cashew resort . A
favored place for many German tourists.Restaurant serves Thai
food and Western food especially German food .
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0130 at bungalow .
Ta Dang Bay : small resort
at the far side of Aow Yai Beach. 9 bungalows , price 100-150
ß/day .Shared boat with Cashew resort . To get there you have
to cross a stream on an adventurous looking wooden bridge.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0177 at bungalow .
Pass
a rocky headland southern end of Aow Yai , a few bungalows
sits on small beach .
Lae Tawan Bungalows :
a small but real nice. With 8 bungalows ,price 100-200 ß/day
. Restaurant serves Thai food and have owned boat arranged
for transportation, fishing and travelling . The proprietor
is charming. Perfect place in a family style . A bit isolated
from the rest but not too far.
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0179 at bungalow .
MaMa's Bungalows : 5 bungalows
, price 100-150 ß/day . Restaurant serves Thai food and and
Western food especially German food .Have owned boat arranged
for transportation, fishing and travelling .
Contact : (66) 0-7782-0180 at bungalow .
N&X Bungalow : located
on Aow Lek (small bay) at the southern end of the east side
. The only one stay isolated from the most bungalows too far
.
Contact : Not available .
About
Ranong Province
In the middle of Thailand, just about the same
height as the province Chumpon, but just on the other side,
lays the province Ranong.
Ranong
is located 586 km south of Bangkok and is the first southern
province that is located on the Andaman Sea. It compasses
an area of 3,298 square km, with a length from north to south
of 169 km and the narrowest part of only 44 km. This narrowest
part is known as the “Isthmus of Kra”.
Nature
Ranong is Thailand's least populated province and
the land area is 80% forest and 67% is mountains terrain.
Its surrounding nature is spectacular and offers a breath
taking scenery.
The
whole province is very rich of nature. Evergreen vegetation,
stretched jungles with rare preserved orchids, birds and monkeys,
mangrove forests and several islands with stretched beaches,
mark the nature of Ranong.
Ranong's Districts
The province administration is divided into 4 Amphoes (districts)
and 1 sub-district: "Amphoe Muang Ranong” is the largest,
which is the town centre and its vicinity, others are "Amphoe
La-un” to the east, "Amphoe Kra-Buri" to the north
and "Amphoe Ka-Poe" to the south.
The
distances between Amphoe Muang Ranong to other Amphoes are
as following:
• 57 km to Amphoe Kra Buri
• 42 km to Amphoe La-un
• 52 km to Amphoe Ka-Poe
• 92 km to the sub district King Amphoe Suk Samran
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