Koh Chang a simple summary
Koh Chang is an island in the eastern area of central Thailand in the province of Trat. It is the third largest island of Thailand after Phuket and Koh Samui. With Koh meaning island and Chang meaning elephant it is the elephant island. The name was given as the shape of the island is similar to a herd of elephants (I never really saw it).
Koh Chang is about 30km long, 13km wide and 215km2. Highest mountain is the Khao Salak Phet with 744m.
The island is part of the Koh Chang Archipelago which includes 52 islands. In 1982 they were granted National Park status. In fact about 85% of Koh Chang is part of the Mu Koh Chang National Park so it’s protected and cannot be touched. Some smaller islands are completely part of the national park. You can be sure the nature and islands will be very natural when you visit them.
The population of Koh Chang is about 10.000. With some more or less during high or low season.
Best and high season is the dry season between November and March. The low and rain season is from May to October. The temperature is about 30 degrees at daytime all year around.
Before the 1970s there were only a few local people mostly farmers and fisherman living here. After that it gained some attention from backpackers and tourism and is evolving every year since then.
As the western side of the island has the most beautiful beaches it is mostly used to attract the tourist. The pier is in the north-east of the island so it all started in the north west with white sand beach. As it goes further to the south on the west side the towns get more tiny and less evolved. Which for example results in white sands beach being the most popular and fancy place with big resorts attracting families or people with bigger budgets. Lonely Beach which is more in the south being a cheap backpackers paradise with simple but evolving accommodation.