Will Koh-Chang’s economy be hit by the new visa rules?

[Asiantravel]

I've been there a few times and while obviously there are many tourists (many families probably) who regard it as a destination and may even fly to Trat to reach there.

But at the ferry terminal you used to see a substantial number of people that had crossed the Cambodian Thai border at Koh Kong and were stopping off in Koh-Chang on their way to Bangkok.

Now with the new visa rules and restrictions regarding crossing at land borders , will there be a lot less tourists heading for Koh-Chang when these rules come into full force in August?

I should imagine the guys with the visas are run vans between Trat bus station and the Thai border are not too pleased either

[mrtoad]

It will be interesting, I live on Koh Chang, and I agree that the changes if enforced may have an impact. There are not many job ops on Koh Chang for foreigners, so the illegal work argument is not particularly valid, although if course there are always a few illegal workers around. I know lots of people who have visited KC, and have decided to want to extend their stay by a month or two, as genuine tourists.

[Noi657]

Love Koh Chang, if only they had a decent school I'd move there in an instant.

[Asiantravel]

Love Koh Chang, if only they had a decent school I'd move there in an instant.

I was once on the ferry from Trat to KC about 5 PM in the afternoon and it was absolutely full of schoolchildren, returning home. So evidently many people resort to this way of educating their children.

[Noi657]

Hmm.... I'll have to pass on that

[Dannyboy6]

Maybe it will become a Russian Free Zone...

[sancs001]

For children up to 12 years old, there is Klong Phroa school. There's also a private school, but I have no details on it.

Welcome to Koh Chang... and about the Russians (I'm speaking about residents, not tourists) some of them are really lovely.

It's nothing compared to Pukhet or Pattaya...

Check out for rent and for sale properties at various websites... There are plenty of good deals.

[sancs001]

Koh Chang guide book has a site with property for sale and rent...

[cobra427]

I visited koh chang recently, and fell in love with the place. I take it it's classed as a national park? So no high rise development that will spoil it?

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[MZurf]

I visited koh chang recently, and fell in love with the place. I take it it's classed as a national park? So no high rise development that will spoil it?

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On Koh Chang the maximum allowed building size is four floors so unless they change the rules no high rises will be built.