Thailand Guide
The east coast
Arrival
Access to Ko Chang from the mainland is by boat from Laem Ngop, 17km southwest of Trat. During high season there are also boats to Ko Chang from Ko Mak and Ko Kood.
The main Laem Ngop– Ko Chang boat services are operated by two different car ferry companies from two different piers. Ferries run between 6.30am and 7pm, at least once an hour from November to May and at least once every two hours during the rest of the year. Fares are competitive and change frequently: expect to pay about B100 single or B160 return, and not much more if you have a vehicle, though deals on the latter can vary considerably. Centrepoint Ferry (039 538196) runs from Tha Centrepoint, 3km west of Laem Ngop, to Tha Dan Kao (45min); and Ferry Ko Chang (039 518588) runs from Tha Thammachat, 9km west of Laem Ngop, to Ao Saparot (25min).
On Ko Chang, pick-up share-taxis meet boats at Tha Dan Kao and Ao Saparot and transport passengers to west-coast beaches (B50 to White Sand Beach, 25mins; B100 to Lonely Beach, 1hr; B150 to Bang Bao; 1hr 15mins).