Essentials
- City
- Ko Chang, Trat Province, Thailand
- Population
- Approximately 8,500
- Internet Speed
- 40-100 Mbps (Fiber available in main villages; 5G coverage 70-120 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 35.5 THB. ATMs prevalent in White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 20L water jugs delivered for 40-60 THB.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C/O sockets. Frequent short outages during storms.
- SIM Card
- AIS or TrueMove H; AIS has best island coverage. Unlimited 30-day data ≈ 350-600 THB.
- Banking for Expats
- Kasikornbank (K-Bank) and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB). PromptPay QR accepted everywhere.
- Accommodation
- Bungalow resorts, private villas via Airbnb, and long-term beach huts.
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially; PromptPay QR ubiquitous, cards accepted at 7-Eleven and upscale resorts (3% fee common).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Facebook groups like 'Koh Chang Rent & Buy'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Pajamas Koh Chang (Klong Prao) - Approx 500 THB/night; Sleepy Owl (Lonely Beach) - Approx 450 THB/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) for convenience and dining.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Klong Prao or Kai Bae - good balance of speed, amenities, and residential feel.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Koh Hub (Closed permanently); Current best: 'The Chill Resort' lobby or 'Common Ground' (Klong Prao).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Fig Cafe (Kai Bae) - Excellent Wi-Fi and healthy food; Wari Coffee (Klong Prao) - Quiet with AC.
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at 'Stone Free' (Lonely Beach) or via the 'Koh Chang Digital Nomads' Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly Trivia Nights at 15 Palms (White Sand Beach).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Grab/Bolt available. White Songthaews (Shared taxis) range from 50-150 THB depending on distance.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Standard 125cc scooter ≈ 200-250 THB/day or 3,500 THB/month (Available at street shops).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Long Beach (Remote, south end) or Klong Prao Beach (Central, spacious).
- Top Regional Airline
- Bangkok Airways (Only airline flying to Trat Airport TDX).
- Top International Airline
- Thai Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways (via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi BKK).
- Highway Access
- Route 3 (Sukhumvit Rd) connects Trat to Bangkok (approx. 5-hour drive).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (Direct bus to Ao Thammachat Ferry).
- Public Transport Passes
- None; Negotiate monthly rates with local Songthaew drivers.
- Regional Travel
- Speedboats to Koh Kood or Koh Mak (Approx 600-900 THB) departing from Bang Bao Pier.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Koh Chang International Clinic (White Sand Beach) - Private/Expensive; Koh Chang Hospital (Dan Mai) - Public/Affordable.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Spa Koh Chang Resort (Salak Khok) - Renowned for detox and yoga retreats.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- BB Gym (Lonely Beach) - 150 THB day pass; Koh Chang Gym (Klong Prao) - 1,200 THB monthly.
- Laundry Services
- Local shops everywhere; 40-50 THB per kg (Wash and Fold).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; direct WhatsApp/Phone ordering through local restaurants like 'Food on Koh Chang'.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Geng Som (Sour Spicy Fish Curry) or local caught grilled Barracuda.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tofu Kitchen (Klong Prao) - Wide range of plant-based Thai dishes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mordi e Fuggi (Italian gelato in Kai Bae).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Makro Food Service (Klong Prao) for bulk groceries; Night markets in White Sand Beach.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (Deliveries take 3-5 days to the island).
- Grocery Delivery
- HappyFresh (Not available); most use local 'Tesco Lotus' or 'Big C' in person.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Lonely Beach (Backpacker party vibe) or Kai Bae (Chilled bars).
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; 'Morgan’s' (Kai Bae) offers widest craft beer selection.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Gallery (White Sand Beach).
- Street Food Stalls
- White Sand Beach Night Market (After 6 PM).
- Popular International Cuisine
- El Barrio (Mexican in Kai Bae); Sharky's (Seafood/International in Klong Prao).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mu Ko Chang National Park; Bang Bao Pier (Floating village on stilts).
- Museums & Art Venues
- None significant; local art sold at 'The Gallery' in Klong Prao.
- Historical Sites
- Koh Chang Naval Battle Memorial (Near Dan Mai).
- Religious Sites
- Wat Klong Prao (Buddhist temple).
- Annual Events
- Songkran (Thai New Year in April); Koh Chang Food Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Bang Bao Fishing Village.
- Theater Venues
- None; Fire shows nightly on White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach.
- Local Markets
- Klong Prao Fresh Market (Morning).
- Music Scene
- Live reggae at 'Himmel' or 'Nature Beach Resort' (Lonely Beach).
- Street Art
- Scattered murals in the Lonely Beach alleyways.
- Cooking Classes
- Blue Lagoon Cooking School (Klong Prao) - approx 1,500 THB.
- Art Galleries
- Baan Sanook (Handmade crafts and local arts).
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional wooden houses in Salak Phet.
- Local Heritage
- Fishing culture; the island was historically an important freshwater stop for sailors.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Klong Plu Waterfall (Most popular); Wai Chak Beach (Secret beach accessed by boat).
- National Parks Nearby
- Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park (Covers 70% of the island).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Steep mountain road connecting the West and East coast (For experienced riders only).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kai Bae Viewpoint (Postcard sunset views of man-made islands).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Rainforest hiking trails near Salak Phet.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lonely Beach (Designated resort beach areas).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Thailand Post (Klong Prao/Dan Mai); Kerry Express (Kai Bae).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small phone repair shops in Klong Prao; for MacBooks, must go to Bangkok.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at many larger resorts like KC Grande.
- Language Classes
- Informal lessons at 'Koh Chang Thai Language School' (Klong Prao).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- No public libraries; 'The Spa' has a quiet reading lounge.
- Community Centers
- Local government office in Dan Mai.
- Gaming Lounges
- None official; some internet cafes in White Sand Beach.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Thailand; nearest are in Poipet, Cambodia (4 hours away).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 65,000 THB per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 2.2M THB) - White Sand Beach condos.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 45,000 THB per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 1.5M THB) - East Coast area.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 60,000 THB per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 3M THB).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 40,000 THB per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 2M THB).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 55,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4.4M THB).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 35,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2.8M THB).
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate for companies in Thailand).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% on dividends paid to residents/non-residents.
- Tax System
- Resident if in Thailand for 180+ days; taxed on worldwide income brought into Thailand.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (For income over 5,000,000 THB).
- VAT
- 7%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None (Thailand does not currently have specific CFC legislation).
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax ranges from 0.02% to 0.6% depending on usage.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fee 2%, Withholding tax 1%, Stamp duty 0.5%.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa offers a 17% flat tax rate for highly skilled professionals.