12 Aug 2002, Ko Chang or Elephant Island is situated 8 kilometres from the mainland and is part of Moo Ko Chang Marine National Park - a total of 40 islands off the Trat coast extending over an area of 650 sq kms., approximately 300 kms southeast of Bangkok. Of this total area, Ko Chang island accounts for 429 sq kms and Ko Kut island, 105 sq kms. There are permanent settlements on only three of the islands - Ko Chang, Ko Kut and Ko Mak.

An elaborate ecosystem supports tremendous biodiversity offering a magnificent variety of land and marine, and plant and animal species facilitating research. The varied landscape, contrasts in typography, flora and fauna, on land, in coastal areas, and offshore, present many interesting highlights. 70% of the island is undisturbed dense tropical evergreen rainforest with steep cliffs, waterfalls, and forested hills extending down to the beach area. Coastal and marine attractions such as beach forests, mangrove forests, strips of beach, bays and coves, coral outcrops offer their own treasure trove of brilliant life forms.

Situated within a national park and protected under the 2504 BE Act (1961), the Moo Ko Chang Marine National Park constitutes a marine tourism destination with its natural surroundings well-preserved. However in comparison to other locations around Thailand, Ko Chang also offers considerable convenience with a reasonable level of service facilities and basic amenities.

A key approach to Ko Chang development plans is for the island to serve as a hub for tourists and visitors before they spread out and travel onwards to other islands. The island is some distance away from the mainland. This physical barrier makes it easier to control development.

Its physical, natural and cultural resources are conducive to the promotion of ecotourism and recreational activities which in turn form the basis of long-term sustainable development. Throughout the area, there are pockets of small self-sufficient agricultural communities that exist in harmony with nature and readily support sustainable development. In communities found on the eastern side of the island, the locals earn a living by operating coastal fisheries, fruit orchards which in themselves can be readily developed into ecotourism attractions.

Ko Chang and the surrounding area are within a reasonable distance from Bangkok and Pattaya with state and private transportation networks providing safe and fast access to Ko Chang.