Ko Chang District
|
Koh Chang เกาะช้าง |
|
|---|---|
| Amphoe | |
Koh Chang
|
|
 Amphoe location in Trat Province |
|
| Coordinates: 12°6′13″N 102°21′7″E / 12.10361°N 102.35194°ECoordinates: 12°6′13″N 102°21′7″E / 12.10361°N 102.35194°E | |
| Country |
 Thailand
|
| Province | Trat |
| Seat | Koh Chang |
| Area | |
| • Total | 650 km2 (250 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 5,356 |
| • Density | 34.6/km2 (90/sq mi) |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) |
| Postal code | 23170 |
| Geocode | 2307 |
Koh Chang (Thai: เกาะช้าง, pronounced [kɔ̀ʔ tɕʰáːŋ], also Ko Chang) is an amphoe (district) in Trat Province, Thailand. It is on the Gulf of Thailand's eastern seaboard, 310 km from Bangkok, near the border with Cambodia.
It is the country's third largest island, after Phuket and Ko Samui, and the largest island in the Mu Koh Chang National Park archipelago.
The name means "Elephant Island", and comes from its elephant-shaped headland. Despite the presence of elephants on the island, they are not indigenous. At present, there are nine villages on the island.
Prior to World War II, Koh Chang was little known. During this period, the few families there made a living growing coconuts and fruit.
During World War II, when Thailand was occupied by Japanese forces, Koh Chang was the scene of the 1941 Battle of Koh Chang between the Royal Thai Navy and a Vichy French naval squadron, in which the French won a decisive victory.
Koh Chang is part of an archipelago of 51 islands, and is approximately 30 km long by 14 km, wide with a total area of 429 km². It is part of the Mu Koh Chang National Park, which covers an area of 650 km², of which 70% is offshore.
It is a mountainous island, with Khao Salak Phet being the highest peak at 744 metres. The island is known for several waterfalls, thriving coral reefs, and rainforests.
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Wikipedia