| Koh Chang is an exotic island resort in Thailand | | | | In Koh Chang however, the Thai authorities have |
| which is obscured by its more famous | | | | imposed strict building regulations and directives |
| counterparts, the island resorts of Phuket and | | | | for beach front developments such as limiting all |
| Koh Samui.It is the third largest island in Thailand | | | | man-made structures to a maximum height of |
| behind Phuket and Koh Samui respectively. | | | | three storeys. To control indiscriminate |
| However, the obscurity of this island is waning as | | | | developments, the government declared 85% of |
| more and more people are getting to know about | | | | Koh Chang as a national park and thus any |
| this island's tourism potential and are making a | | | | developments are disallowed in these areas. |
| beeline this relatively quieter and unspoilt Thai | | | | Unlike Phuket and Koh Samui with their cacophony |
| island resort. | | | | of tourism related shops, noisy entertainment |
| With more and more domestic and foreign | | | | outlets and sleazy clubs, Koh Chang is just the |
| tourists visiting to Koh Chang for their holiday | | | | opposite and is tranquil, quiet and delightful. |
| vacation, developers and hotel owners are rushing | | | | Tourists have almost nothing to do besides |
| in to tap this market potential. For example, the | | | | enjoying water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, |
| Amari Emerald Cove Resort, the first 5-star | | | | fishing or just simply soaking up the sun by the |
| resort hotel on the main island opened its doors | | | | beaches. |
| just a few years ago and since then, there are | | | | There are 52 islands which make up Koh Chang |
| many such projects springing up in Koh Chang. | | | | National Marine Park and thus potential for the |
| The White Sand Beach area is a family oriented | | | | scuba diving industry is excellent. Already, there |
| area and quite a number of assorted beach | | | | are more than 20 dive operators in this island |
| resorts and hotels can be found here along with | | | | resort offering scuba diving excursions, conducting |
| some luxurious beach resorts such as Chang Buri | | | | certification lessons and renting diving related |
| Resort and Spa and Koh Chang Kacha Resort and | | | | equipment. |
| Spa. There are also simple beach hut shacks such | | | | The best time to go scuba diving in Koh Chang is |
| as the Rock Sand Bungalow and the evergreen | | | | in the beginning of the year when its pristine |
| Bamboo Bungalow for the budget conscious | | | | water is calm and underwater visibility is at its |
| tourists. | | | | best. Non divers can also take catamarans to go |
| Located on the western side of Koh Chang is the | | | | island hopping cruises. |
| Hat Tha Nam or Lonely Beach which is also very | | | | For tourists and beach lovers who prefer laid back |
| popular with low budget travelers and the | | | | beaches and unspoilt nature, do visit Koh Chang |
| backpacking tourists whereas Kai Bae beach is | | | | now before it is morphed into another |
| more popular with scuba divers. | | | | commercialized beach destination in Thailand. Will |
| The Thai government has announced that Koh | | | | Koh Chang island resort become the next Phuket |
| Chang will developed into the next premium beach | | | | or Koh Samui? Only time can provide the answer. |
| resort tourist destination and vowed that they will | | | | This exotic tourist attraction in Thailand is |
| not commit the same mistakes they made in | | | | accessible by ferry from Trat on Eastern Thailand |
| Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui where resort | | | | and the peak season to frolic in Koh Chang's |
| development was not meticulously regulated and | | | | beautiful beaches is from December to April. |
| are infrastructural nightmares. | | | | |