Koh Chang

On 17 January 1941, Ko Chang was the scene of the Battle of Ko Chang between the Royal Thai Navy and a much stronger Vichy

French naval squadron, in which the French won a decisive victory. Ko Chang Yutthanawi Day, which occurs in late-January

at the Ko Chang Yutthanawi Memorial on Laem Ngop, commemorates the Royal Thai Navys engagement against the French

colonialists.

Ko Chang is part of an archipelago of 52 islands. It is approximately 30 km long by 14 km, wide. It is part of the Mu Ko

Chang National Park, which covers an area of 650 km2, of which 70 percent 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, coral reefs, and

rainforests.

Ko Chang is home to populations of the stump-tailed macaque, the small Indian civet, the small Asian mongoose, 61 bird

species, and a number of snakes and deer.The Ko Chang frog was originally thought to be an endemic species, but has also

been found on the mainland.

The island forms a district in the province of Trat. It was formed on 30 April 1994, when it was split off from Laem Ngop

District, at first being classed as a minor district.On 15 May 2007, the nations 81 minor districts were upgraded to full

districts.With publication in the Royal Gazette on 24 August, the upgrade became official.