Koh Chan: A gem in the Gulf of Thailand
ANYONE seeing photos of Koh Chan island for the first time will surely think an island this beautiful would be in the Andaman Sea but in fact it is near Hua Hin and easily reachable from Bangkok, Sanook! Travel columnist Peeranut P. wrote this week.
Just starting to blink on the tourism radar screen, Koh Chan is only a 100 kilometers drive from Hua Hin seaside town and is part of western Prachuab Khiri Khan province’s Haad Wanakorn National Marine Park.
There are boats leaving for this amazing island from a pier and it takes just 15 minutes to get there.
What immediately strikes visitors is the fresh blue color of the sea, especially if you look at it from a high point, as it is from way up there that one realizes how clear it is. But be warned that permission has to be obtained from the marine national park to fly a drone and capture images from the sky.
The second highlight which visitors should not miss is diving to view corals. Those who think the very best corals are in the Andaman Sea will be proven wrong once they see those surrounding this island.
However those who make a trip here must bear in mind that this island is nature’s treasure and only recently came into the limelight so has to be preserved the best way possible.
This means rules have to be strictly followed so that this gift of nature is with us for a long time.
Useful information:
Permission has to be obtained to fly drones around this island.
Additional information:
Koh Chan is within the jurisdiction of Haad Wanakorn National Marine Park in Thap Sakae district, western Prachuab Kriri Khan province.
Cost to visit the island: Thai adults, 600 baht, Thai children 500 baht, foreign adults, 700 baht and foreign children 600 baht.
There is no accommodation on the island but visitors can stay overnight at the marine national park. Telephone 0 3261 9030 and 08 1944 9956
For more information call 0 3261 9030 and 08 1944 9956.
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Top, in-text and below: Koh Chan with its fresh blue water and exquisite corals. Photos: Sanook.com
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