Destination guide
Koh Chang
Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, located in Trat Province near the Cambodian border. Less developed and less expensive than Phuket or Koh Samui, it attracts a quieter long-stay community seeking genuine island isolation — tropical jungle, waterfalls, coral reefs — without the tourist infrastructure (and costs) of Thailand's more famous resort islands.
Who Lives On Koh Chang Long-Term
Koh Chang's permanent expat community is small — a few hundred at most. The profile: retirees and couples who found the island in the early 2000s and stayed, small hospitality business operators (restaurants, dive shops, guesthouses), and an increasingly visible group of DTV-holder remote workers who discovered the island post-COVID.
The appeal: no high-rises, national park protected forests covering 70% of the island, genuinely quiet beaches on the east coast, and total cost of living significantly below Phuket or Koh Samui. The trade-off: limited medical infrastructure, no airport (ferry and road from Bangkok), and most good beaches are accessible only by motorbike on hilly roads.
Best Areas
White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao, west coast): the main tourist beach. Most restaurants and services concentrated here. Good for new arrivals. 1BR bungalow/guesthouse long-term: 8,000–15,000 THB/month.
Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Nam, south): historically the backpacker and laid-back section. Younger expat community, more budget-oriented. 1BR: 6,000–12,000 THB/month.
Kai Bae / Bailan (south-central): quiet, mix of long-term expat residences. More residential feel. Houses: 10,000–20,000 THB/month.
East coast (quieter side): very few tourists, mangrove views, fishing villages. For those who genuinely want isolation. House/bungalow: 5,000–12,000 THB/month.
Cambodia Border Proximity
Koh Chang is 30 km from the Cambodia border at Hat Lek / Cham Yeam. This has historically made it a convenient visa run destination — cross to Cambodia, return same day, receive a new entry stamp. With the DTV now available, the visa run necessity is reduced for remote workers. Non-OA and Non-O holders on annual extensions do not need border runs.
Immigration
No Immigration office on Koh Chang. Trat Province Immigration (mainland Trat town, approximately 1.5 hours by ferry + minivan from the island) handles all extensions. Budget a full day. 90-day reports can be filed online or by post for those who prefer to avoid the mainland trip.
Healthcare
Koh Chang International Clinic (White Sand Beach): adequate for non-emergency outpatient care, dive injuries, and minor issues. For anything serious: mainland Trat Provincial Hospital (1.5 hours by ferry) or Bangkok (3.5 hours by minivan + expressway, or by flight via Trat Airport).
Trat Airport: small airport with Bangkok Airways service to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. 1 hour, expensive (Bangkok Airways premium pricing), but available when the road is not viable.
Cost Of Living (August 2026 Estimates)
1BR bungalow/house (White Sand Beach/Kai Bae): 13,000–32,000 THB/month
General guidance, drawn from current live rental listings (August 2026). Grocery, dining and total-budget figures we found for Koh Chang either were not current enough or disagreed too widely between sources to publish with confidence — ask us for a current, fuller comparison. Independent visa assistance agency; not affiliated with any government body.
Immigration office
Koh Chang immigration office
Confirm the local immigration office, hours and required documents with the Thai Immigration Bureau before visiting.
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Further reading
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