THE SATELLITE ISLAND
KOH
NGAM
Koh Ngam is an enchanting island just a few hundred meters off the southern coast of Koh Chang. It is a small island with a very narrow sand dune that forms a gorgeous contour holding the northeast and southwest section of the island together. The almost kidney-shaped island would look like 2 separate islands from afar. Besides holding the island in one piece, the sand dune created 2 crescent-shaped lagoons which are only 50 meters apart. Corals and fishes are aplenty. Occasionally, you may see dolphins in the area. For the more adventurous, a hike up the rocks to a 100 meter-tall hill on the southwest side of the island is both challenging and rewarding. Ropes are provided to guide you. Over the hill is a white sand beach where you will also see plenty of decayed corals and serves as an excellent viewpoint for the islands of Koh Wai, Koh Mak, Koh Laoya, Koh Kradad and Koh Chang. Fresh-water ponds are found on the island. A waterfall flows across the island during the rainy season.
MOO KOH
MAI SEE
This is a group of islands southeast of Koh Chang with unspoilt nature most suitable for swimming and fishing. The islands are made up of mostly mountains and forest with some coconut groves around the fishing villages. Koh Mai See Yai has a splendid sandy beach along its bay on the east.
KOH MAI DANG
A small island east of Koh Wai, Koh Mai Dang is peaceful and tranquil with white sandy beaches and unspoiled corals.
KOH KOOD
(Ko Kut)
A group of 24 islands south of Koh Chang was designated as Koh Kood district in 2007. These include the main island of Koh Kood, 9 islands of Koh Mak and 12 islands of Koh Rang. Koh Kood district has a very small population of less than 2,200. About 70% of the population is on Koh Kood while the rest live on Koh Mak. Almost all the other islands are uninhabited. Fishing and agriculture are the main occupations.
Situated 82 km southeast Laem Ngob, Koh Kood is the farthest island from the mainland. It is also the easternmost island of Thailand bordering Cambodia. With an area of 105 sq km, Koh Kood is the second largest island of the Koh Chang Marine National Park and the fourth largest in Thailand, after Koh Samui. It is 25 km long and 12 km wide. It is supported by essential infrastructure, which includes a hospital, schools, police station, electricity (mainly for state-run facilities), water and telephone system. Fuel and solar energy are the main sources of electricity here. Most resorts generate their own electricity.
The oldest village in Koh Kood is the Klong Mad Village where the people are of both Thai and Cambodian origins. These early dwellers had migrated from neighbouring Koh Kong since the turn of the 20th century during the French colonization of Indochina. Koh Kood has a mountainous terrain in the central region. About 70% of Koh Kood is covered by tropical rainforest. Development is scarce and mostly in coastal areas. Koh Kood boasts of scenic beauty, crystal clear water, pristine beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and a very pure natural environment.
The resorts tend to cater to the higher priced market, offering tour packages which usually include boat transfers for added convenience.
The west coast is lined with a series of pristine beaches, sparkling clear sea, captivating views and a great place to catch the magnificent sunset. Most of the best known beaches are along the bays. Noted fishing villages include Ban Klong Mad and Laem Hin Dan. Ban Klong Mad is the oldest village in the office, and the most significant ferry pier. The northern part of the said village is where the Klong Yaiki Waterfall is situated. It is a splendid tourist spot, where the stones of the waterfall are in different levels similar in formation to a very wide staircase.
The famed Klong Chao Waterfall is situated further inland between Ao Klong Chao and Ao Tapow, on the southern part of Ban Klong Mad. This is a fabulous medium-sized waterfall with a large pool at its front, making it the most popular on the island. A 20-minute boat ride from the Klong Chao Bay plus a short hike leads to the fall. Alternatively, you can hike up the 4-km trail, which will take about 10 minutes. In 1911, Klong Chao Waterfall was once visited by King Mongkut (King Rama VI) and was given the royal name ‘Anamkok Waterfall’ in commemoration to Ong Chiang Lue, a Vietnamese king taking refugee in the Kingdom of Thailand during the reign of King Rama I in the late 18th century.
Another tourist attraction on the island is the Ban Ao Salad. It is a fishing village that is more than 80 years old. It is comprised of 80 houses, inhabited by Thai and Cambodian people, most which hail from the Koh Kong province of Cambodia. In history, it was once a hiding place for Vietnamese and Chinese crooks, but in present time, is the seafood haven of the island.
On the eastern part of Koh Kood is the Saphan Nam Luek pier. Sit around and wait for evening, and some people begin to gather for squid fishing right on the pier.
Another interesting place to drop a visit on Koh Kood is the Khao Rearub. Its natural physical feature is similar to 3 boats laid side by side forming a small hill. Oddly enough, a small statue of a Thai naval officer is placed above the formation.
In addition to that, a fascinating work of nature is the Tonsai Yak a tree more than a hundred years old, so big that it will take a number of people with handheld hands to go around its trunk.
Two of the most beautiful islands closest to the shores of Koh Kood are Koh Mai Si Lek and Koh Raet. Both are small islands of coconut trees, fine beaches, healthy corals and excellent sunset viewpoints.
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