Koh Chang Tai: Fishing Tradition and Island History

Around Koh Chang Tai, different sides of southern Ko Chang can shape your trip: fishing traditions and island history, a bay with a sandy beach, or a waterfall in the landscape. For your planning, it is worth keeping these interests separate. The experiences mentioned take place in different locations and offer different highlights for your holiday days.

Fishing and History on Ko Chang

Ban Salak Phet lies in the south of Ko Chang and is considered the island’s largest and oldest settlement. Residents engage in coastal fishing. Visitors can walk through the village and learn about its fishing traditions, including catching crabs and fish from a boat. This makes village life and fishing the focus of a visit, rather than just part of the scenery.

The connection between fishing and local food is also tangible: the fishing community in the Ban Salak Phet area is an important source of raw materials for kapi, a shrimp paste. During fruit season, you can also discover another side of regional produce in eastern Thailand: different varieties of durian grown there can be bought fresh from orchards and sampled. Durian is thus a seasonal way to include fruit season in your travel plans.

The island’s history is associated with several different places and connections. In the Ko Chang Tai subdistrict, the south coast has a historical connection with the naval Battle of Ko Chang. From Ao Salak Phet, visitors can hike to the site of the Battle of Ko Chang. If you are interested in this history, you can combine the coast’s historical significance with a hike to the site.

Wat Salak Phet stands in front of Ban Salak Phet village. The temple was built during the reign of Rama V on the occasion of his visit to Ko Chang. The village and temple thus offer another historical connection, distinct from the subject of the naval battle.

Bay, Beach and Waterfall

For time by the water, Hat Sai Yao is a different option: the beach lies in the south of Ko Chang and forms a bay with a long sandy shore where swimming is possible. Conditions can vary; if you are planning a day of swimming, check the current conditions. A day on the coast is quite different from a visit focused mainly on village life or island history.

Kiri Phet Waterfall, by contrast, is tall and has a single tier. It lies three kilometres from Ban Salak Phet and can be seen from some spots in the village. This view makes the waterfall a landscape feature that can also be appreciated while staying in the village; it is not the same as the opportunity to swim at the beach. Together, the bay and waterfall offer two different natural attractions, but they do not form a single walking route.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday rental in Koh Chang Tai, your plans for your days away can be a good starting point. Ban Salak Phet is known for village walks and fishing traditions, Ao Salak Phet for being the starting point of the hike to the site of the naval battle, and Hat Sai Yao for its bay and sandy beach. If you want to combine several interests, keep the different locations in mind rather than treating them as a single destination.

Discover more destinations: Mai Rut, Thung Nonsi, Ko Kut, Bang Phra, Khlong Yai, Huai Raeng, Laem Ngop, Ko Chang

For the broader travel overview: Trat.