By Kylian DevGetting there
Buses and minivans from Bangkok reach the Trat piers in roughly 5 to 6 hours; a car ferry then crosses to Koh Chang in well under an hour. Bangkok Airways also flies to Trat airport, a short transfer from the piers.
Regional guide
Thailand's east coast: Koh Chang, Koh Kood & the Trat islands
Jungle-covered islands a few hours' drive from Bangkok, with waterfalls, quiet bays and a slower pace than the famous south.
- Best from November to April
- No flight needed from Bangkok
- Among the cheapest islands
- destinations covered
- 5
- per day (mid-range)
- €25–80
- best months
- Nov–Apr
- recommended time
- 5–8 days
Overview
East coast at a glance
Close to the Cambodian border, the province of Trat has an archipelago that many visitors overlook. Koh Chang, Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket, is mountainous and covered in rainforest, with waterfalls inland and beaches along its west coast.
Beyond it, smaller islands such as Koh Kood and Koh Mak are even quieter, with clear rivers, near-empty bays and a handful of resorts. It's a good choice to add a few days of beach to a Bangkok stay without taking a flight.
Best for
- Islands reachable from Bangkok by road
- Jungle walks and waterfalls
- Quiet beaches and a gentle pace
- Smaller budgets
Less ideal for: the rainy season from May to October and travellers after lively nightlife.
Weather
East coast: weather month by month
Like the Andaman coast, the east is at its best from November to April. The rainy season runs from roughly May to October and is quite marked here, and some boats to the smaller islands stop running.
Jan
100%
Feb
100%
Mar
100%
Apr
80%
May
0%
Jun
0%
Jul
0%
Aug
0%
Sep
0%
Oct
0%
Nov
100%
Dec
100%
The percentage shows the share of the region's destinations in their ideal season that month.
| Koh Chang | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Koh Kood | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Koh Mak | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Koh Samet | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Pattaya | JFMAMJJASOND |
- Ideal
- Mixed
- Rainy
Where to go
The 5 destinations to know
IslandKoh Chang
Elephant Island: inland waterfalls and untouched jungle
- Best season
- November to April
- € / day
- €25–50
- Beaches
- Jungle & hiking
- Diving
IslandKoh Kood
The wildest island in the East: jungle, waterfalls and crystal-clear water
- Best season
- November to April
- € / day
- €40–80
- Beaches
- Jungle & hiking
- Diving
IslandKoh Mak
Coconut palms, bikes and empty bays between Koh Chang and Koh Kood
- Best season
- November to April
- € / day
- €35–65
- Beaches
- Diving
- Wellness
IslandKoh Samet
The closest beach to Bangkok, fine sand and quiet coves
- Best season
- November to April
- € / day
- €35–70
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Diving
CityPattaya
The beach resort two hours from Bangkok, beyond the clichés
- Best season
- November to March
- € / day
- €35–70
- Nightlife
- Beaches
- Temples & culture
Suggested route
A 5-night route through the region
From Bangkok, allow most of a day to reach Koh Chang by road and car ferry. Spend four or five nights there, then continue by speedboat to Koh Kood for a few quieter days in the dry season.
- 1BangkokStarting point
Grand Palace & Wat Pho
About 274 km as the crow flies · roughly 5 h by road - 2Koh Chang5 nights
Bang Bao fishing village
The route at a glance
5 days- 1Koh Chang5 d
Distances are straight-line; road times are rough estimates and depend on the bus or minivan. Ferry times are typical crossings in the dry season.
Transport
Getting to and around East coast
Getting around
Shared songthaews run along Koh Chang's coast road, where most beaches and hotels are. The road is hilly with sharp bends, so be careful on a scooter. From about October to May, speedboats link Koh Chang with Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
- Koh Chang45-minute fast ferry from the Ao Thammachat pier in Trat.
- Koh KoodSpeedboat (1–1.5 h) from Laem Sok or Ao Thammachat near Trat; fewer boats from May to October. No public transport on the island: rent a scooter or use your hotel's shuttle.
- Koh MakSpeedboat (about 45 min–1 h) from Laem Sok or Ao Thammachat (Trat), or inter-island boats from Koh Chang and Koh Kood in the dry season.
- Koh SametBus or minivan from Bangkok (Ekkamai) to Ban Phe (about 3 h), then ferry (40 min) or speedboat (15 min). National park entry fee payable on arrival.
- PattayaBus from Bangkok's Ekkamai station or a direct shuttle from Suvarnabhumi airport (about 2 h). In town, shared songthaews run along Beach Road.
Budget
East coast: daily budget by destination
Expect roughly €25 to €80 per person per day for a mid-range trip, depending on where you stay.
Koh Chang
€25–50
Koh Mak
€35–65
Koh Samet
€35–70
Pattaya
€35–70
Koh Kood
€40–80
Indicative ranges for one mid-range traveller: accommodation, meals, local transport and one activity. Peak season (around Christmas and New Year) is noticeably pricier.
FAQ
East coast: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
By bus or minivan to the piers near Trat (roughly 5 to 6 hours), then a short car ferry. Many tickets include the ferry. Alternatively, fly to Trat with Bangkok Airways and transfer to the pier.
When is the best time to visit Koh Chang?
From November to April, when the weather is dry and the sea calm. From May to October it rains a lot, some boats to the smaller islands stop, but prices fall and the jungle is at its greenest.
Koh Chang or Koh Kood?
Is Koh Chang good for families?
Yes: it's reachable by road from Bangkok, prices are reasonable and there are calm beaches and short jungle walks. Choose a hotel on the west coast for the best beaches and keep an eye on children near the sea in the rainy season. More in our Thailand with kids guide.
Keep exploring
Other regions of Thailand
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