Thailand Volunteer Locations: Koh Chang

As of April 2007 we are closing our programs in Koh Chang in order to concentrate our resources on new volunteer programs in Chiang Mai and the Mai Hong Son regions, which we are hoping to begin excepting volunteers for this summer. Please subscribe to our volunteer newsletter for updates on new programs or follow the links below for our existing Thailand programs

As a volunteer on Koh Chang volunteers can combine the two contrasting sides of the island, spending there weekdays teaching in local village schools and there weekends enjoying the tourist haven. Volunteer work on the island is predominantly English teaching in primary schools. We also run classes teaching English to staff in local hotels and work with the Koh Chang Animal Foundation in the evenings.

Volunteer Programs

Klong Phrao

Our main volunteer dorm on Koh Chang is located in Klong Phrao a quiet resort town a ten minute walk from the nearest beach and a ten minute drive from the largest resort on the island. Klong Phrao is an ideal opportunity for those wanting to contribute to something meaningful during their travel adventures. Our volunteers in Klong Phrao teach in local schools and we also run English classes for employees at local hotels.

Ban Dan Mai

Ban Dan Mai is a government school situated in the North-East of Koh Chang accommodating 95 students aged between 6 and 12. It is a lovely placement for volunteers who enjoy the idea of staying on an island but want to stay away from mass tourism. Ban Dan Mai is only 20 km from the popular White Sands Beach but it couldn't be farther away from the hustle and bustle of this tourist center. It is a tiny town, past the ferry pier in the North, where you can still experience authentic Thai culture.

The school consists of two buildings, one only a couple months old and fitted with a state-of-the-art science and computer room with internet connection that the volunteers can use. The volunteers can stay in one of the two separate male (with the director) and female teacher dorms. These are typical Thai houses with basic amenities such as squat toilets and cold showers but nevertheless comfortable and homely. Volunteers will most probably be staying in a dorm with only one other teacher, Mrs Penn. Mrs Penn is the English teacher at this school, she is responsible for the volunteers and her English in excellent.

The school is situated next to a temple and is walking-distance from a tiny beach, police station, hospital, restaurants and convenience stores. The school will offer a free lunch to the volunteers. The school is located very close to Than Mayom Waterfall, probably the most famous on the Island.

Koh Chang Animal Foundation
We have also started working with the Koh Chang Animal Foundation. This is a donation based organization set up to provide veterinary care to animals and educate local people in how to care for their animals. Our volunteers can visit the center after teaching and although volunteers with veterinary experience are ideal, no experience in needed. For more information please see Koh Chang Animal Foundation

Volunteer Programs in Koh Chang
English Teaching
Summer Camps

Koh Chang Information

Koh Chang is an island close to the border with Cambodia. Most of Koh Chang is a tropical marine national park, its hinterland consisting of over 70% virgin rain forest and one of the best preserved tourist destinations in Thailand. Situated to the east of the country in the province of Trat bordering Cambodia's South west coast. It's Thailand's second largest island after Phuket.

Nearly 75% of the Marine Park is protected by law, under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Department of Thailand. This explains how it remains a virtual virgin wonderland shielded from devastating and vigorous developments. Recently, with the surge of the island's development and popularity, it has been elevated to Thailand's new tourist haven. Some even boldly call it "the last paradise islands in South-East Asia".

With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests and abundance of wildlife and marine life, coral reefs, high mountain peaks, several scenic waterfalls, a rich variety of cuisine and great nightlife, Ko Chang is becoming one of Thailand's most sought-after holiday destinations and, therefore, it is quickly developing.

Food
Ko Chang has a huge variety of both Thai and international food. There is traditional Thai food close to both dorms and a massive selection of international restaurants throughout the Islands. There are also cooking facilities and fridge's in both dorms.

Weather
There are, broadly speaking, two seasons: the dry and the wet. The dry season begins in November and lasts until May, when rainfall starts to pick up again.

Activities
The majority of activities are to be found on Ko Chang, these include: Diving and snorkeling There are many dive centers offering specializing in PADI certificates on most of the main beaches. There is no snorkeling to speak of in Ko Chang itself, but the outer islands can easily be reached by boat.

Waterfalls There are a series of scenic waterfalls across the island. The waterfall at Nam Tok Klong Phu can be reached via Khlong Prao. There are plunge pools to cool yourself off after the trek to the falls.

Elephant trekking On Khlong Prao, a few hundred meters from our dorm there is an elephant camp that offers trekking tours.

Yachting Sailing amongst the islands of Ko Chang with Thida Yachting Co Ltd between November and March, when you can count on steady winds of 15-30 knots. This time of the year there is the most agreeable climate too.

Transportation
Ko Chang is 315 kilometers away from Bangkok in the province of Trat. There are several ways of getting there:

By air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui to the new airport at Trat. There are flights out of Bangkok which takes about 45 minutes. Onward flights leave at 8:30 and 16:10 and return at 9:40 and 17:20, costing around 4,000 Baht for the return journey.
For more information, see Bangkok Air.

By air-conditioned bus
First/second-class and VIP air-con buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai, on Sukhumvit Road, which is conveniently serviced by the BTS Skytrain. The fare to Trat - the stopping off point for Ko Chang - ranges from 120 Baht for second-class coaches to 300 Baht for the VIP coach. From the Trat bus terminal, take a cab or minibus to the ferry at Laem Ngop, which should cost you around 50 Baht.

By Minivan
There are many vans running between Bangkok and Laem Ngob. You can find many travel agencies along Khao San Road. Vans depart at 8:00 a.m. daily and arrive at Laem Ngob at 11:00 a.m. The one-way fare is 370 - 500 Baht.

Ferry services and times
Ferries leave from one of three piers every 30 minutes from 7am to 7pm. Probably the most popular is the Centrepoint Pier. Passengers are charged 30 Baht. Once on the island, sawngthaews are available during the day, the fare ranging from around 60 Baht to get to our dorm.

Accommodation
Travel to Teach's Khlong Prao dorm on Koh Chang is in a small village on the west side of the island and close to the schools our volunteers teach in. The dorm is a big house that can host seven volunteers and one staff member and has a kitchen and western toilet and shower. Images of the Khlong Prao Dorm

Back to top