Essential Information

• Address & Map
• Arrival & Departure
• Sailing Information
• Banks & Money Exchange
• General Information
• Electrical, Phones & Music
• Activities
• Provisioning
• Health & Safety

Address & Map

Address

Koh Chang Marina & Resort
48/14 Moo 2 South Koh Chang
Ao Salak Phet
Koh Chang
Trat
Thailand
Tel:  +66 (0) 87 894 1872
Email:  kohchangbase@sunsailasia.com

Location

The Sunsail base is located at the Koh Chang Marina, Salak Phet Bay in the SE tip of Koh Chang which allows clients instant access to white sand beaches, great snorkeling and small family run Thai restaurants serving up delicious Thai food.

Base Open Hours

Offices are open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during October - April.

Base/Shore Facilities

Water and electricity are available on the berths at the base and there are showers, toilets, swimming pool, restaurant and a hotel to spend the night before and/or after your charter.
Koh Chang Marina and Resort: Rooms include Air Conditioning, Mini Bar, TV, Refrigerator
Restaurant:  Thai and international cuisine 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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Arrival & Departure

Time difference

Standard time zone for Thailand is UTC/GMT +7 hours

Flights

Luggage allowance is 20kg per person. Only one item of hand luggage per person is allowed and this must not weigh more than 5kg. For storage aboard we recommend traveling light and using folding luggage.

Lost or damaged luggage while flying is the responsibility of the airline and is not covered by your travel insurance.  You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewelry, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.

If an incident occurs, immediately report it to airport officials. Claims will not be considered once you have left the airport.

Alcohol may be taken on flights but only in checked luggage (well secured from breakages) not as hand luggage due to airport security restrictions.

Airport

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand’s principal airport; and is situated 20 miles outside of the city center. The majority of flights entering or departing Thailand do so from Bangkok Flights can then be taken from Bangkok to Trat with Bangkok Airways. All flights into Trat are coordinated with the ferry to Koh Chang (last ferry 7pm).

Suvarnabhumi Airport offers duty free shopping for liquor, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, fashion, watches, pens, lighters, accessories and costume jewelry, skincare and aromatherapy, toys, electronics and confectionery.

Trat Airport

Trat Airport serves the southern Thai-Cambodian border area, in particular the island Ko Chang.
You will be asked to pay a local Trat Departure Tax of 200 Baht.

Facilities at the airport are very limited.

It is no longer necessary that clients reconfirm internal and international flights on most airlines 72 hours before departure. Reconfirmation can be done from the airports, from any large hotel and from the Sunsail base. There is usually a small charge of 50 Baht per ticket (International). There is no need for clients to reconfirm Thai Airways or Malaysian Airlines domestic and international flights.
International departure tax is now included in the price of the ticket.

Transfers

On arrival in Trat, it is recommended to arrange a transfer from the airport to the base. If you would like to use this service, we just need your arrival details at Trat Airport prior to your departure. There will then be a Sunsail driver waiting for you with a Sunsail board to bring you directly to the Marina. There aren't any metered taxis available at Trat Airport.

A taxi from Bangkok to Koh Chang takes 5 hours and costs between 5000 and 6000 Baht. A taxi from Trat Airport to the base costs around 2000 Baht. It is virtually impossible to get a taxi to the base from the ferry terminal.

Luggage

We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht.

Passport and Visas

Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.

Customs and Immigration

Before leaving the airport, you will have to clear Immigration and Customs.
A landing card will be given to you on the plane, along with a Customs declaration form. Airlines will assume no liability for perishable articles, e.g. food, which may also be confiscated by Customs.

On Arrival

If you have pre-booked transfers from the airport, you be will be met and transferred to the yachts. If you are arriving early or staying on Koh Chang prior to your charter, please contact the Base Manager to discuss boarding. If you have not pre-arranged transfers please contact the Base Manager on arrival to arrange a meeting time.

All boats are prepared as per the booking for boarding time at 4:00 pm. All clients will receive an individual yacht and chart briefing. This will take up to 2 hours so you need to allow plenty of time. Clients will not be permitted to leave without adequate briefing.

Briefings

These are carried out individually for each yacht and are mandatory for all clients. The chart brief describes the cruising area and any potential hazards. A one week chart briefing takes about 30 minutes and a two week briefing about 45 minutes to one hour so allow plenty of time. The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht and its systems and rigging. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood.

Out of hours arrival procedure

If you are arriving out of hours, a Sunsail staff member will meet you and show you to your yacht as long as the base has been advised of your arrival time.

On departure

Charters can start and finish on any day for any duration, starting at 4:00 pm on the first day and finishing at 9:00 am on the last day.

Before departing your boat please collect a debrief form from reception. The debrief form is to let us know if you have encountered any problems with the boat or broken anything during the trip, this enables us to rectify problems for the next charter.

In addition to filling in forms we also require you to bag dirty laundry and leave in the cockpit, empty all cupboards and refrigerator of food and throw away, return snorkel gear and any lifejackets borrowed from reception and ensure that the boat is handed back to Sunsail in a clean and tidy state.  We reserve the right to charge for boats left less than shipshape.

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Sailing Information

Koh Chang is Sailing Experience Level 2
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions.

Sailing Licenses

Although no sailing licenses are required by the authorities, we strongly advise that you take any sailing certificates on vacation with you. This may be useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police. If you have not already done so then both the Skipper and 1st Mate will be required to fill in a Sailing resume to confirm that you have the necessary skills to sail in this region.

Formalities and Taxes

A valid passport & crew list is compulsory for clearance.
Crew list for clearance must show date of issue of passports.

Cruising Permits & Taxes

There is a charge of 200 Baht per person per day and 50 Baht for the boat when entering Thailand's national parks.

Night Time Sailing

You are not permitted to sail at night unless it has been agreed with the base manager prior to departure.

Cruising Area Limits

All the island from the northern tip of Koh Chang to the southern tip of Koh Kut.  Between November & April, when the prevailing wind blows from the Northeast, the cruising area covers all Thai waters from the Cambodian Border to the SE.
Boundaries:
Southern: 11°30N Northern: North of Koh Chang is the limit, no anchorages beyond this point.
Eastern: 102°40E Western: 102°10E.
The base closes in April, at which time the boats are moved to Koh Samui.

Mooring Fees and Taxes

All overnight stops will be at anchor. It is no longer permitted to use mooring buoys in Thailand.

Area & Sailing

More information on the sailing in this area.

Charts & Pilot Book

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.

There is also a comprehensive cruising guide written by the base manager and local Sunsail skippers. This local guide with chart information is available from the base.

Skippered Charter Information

The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00pm to 12:00pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6:00pm start, he will use this time to ensure he is happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you have reserved him for a later date on your charter he will start at 12:00pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. He is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of his contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day. This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. It is suggested that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper will be required to give you as much information as you require concerning the yacht and its systems, sailing skills and navigation in general.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate him as part of the group for meals ashore.  The skipper must have his own cabin. 

For a one-day check out skipper it is the client’s responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him back to the base.
The average tip for a skipper is 15 to 20% percent of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at the client’s discretion.

More information on Skippered Charter Options.

Fuel

Coolers

Coolers are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign these out and return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Only one per boat.

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Banks & Money Exchange

Currency

The unit of currency in Thailand is the Baht.

Banks

There are no Banks, ATMs or exchange facilities near the base. There are banks, ATMs and exchange facilities ant Bang Bao, Khlong Phrao and White Sand Beach. 

Twenty-four-hour ATMs are widely available on Koh Chang and most accept cards using international banking networks.
There are no ATM machines located on any of the other islands in the Koh Chang National Park. Visitors who are visiting Koh Wai, Koh Mak or Koh Kood should ensure they have enough money to enjoy their stay before leaving for the islands to the south.

Credit Card Information

Most restaurants do not accept credit cards or will charge for using them. 

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General Information

Language

The official language is Thai, and English

Cost of living in Thailand

Prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, however the following is a guide for your reference. A bottle of wine costs from about 500 baht in a supermarket and at least twice that in a restaurant. A bottle of beer costs about 35 to 45 baht in a supermarket and from 80 baht up to 150 baht in a restaurant. Good quality Thai food can cost as little as 200 baht per course in a local restaurant where a meal in a resort can cost anything from 1000 baht per person and more.

Restaurants

The Buddha View
28 Moo 1 Bang Bao Pier
Ko Chang
23170 Trat
Thailand
info@thebuddhaview.com
+66 (0)3 955 81 57  
Located at the end of the pier in Bang Bao fishing village.

Captain Hook Resort
Koh Kut  
Located on the cape between Klong Yai Kee stream and the beach, Captain Hook resort offers pavilion by the sea, bar, clubhouse, and swimming pool, and the viewpoint where the view of Koh Rad can be seen.

Eating Out

If you eat at a local food stall you can get a meal for as little as 50 baht per person. Even eating in restaurants you generally pay less than 200 baht per course for delicious Thai food. Alcohol is generally more expensive than food. A small bottle of beer is about 80 baht and a reasonable bottle of wine about 1000 baht. Thai food is all cooked to order using fresh ingredients and lots of chilli. It is quite easy to ask for the meal to be made a little less spicy for western tastes. Seafood features on every menu with chicken, pork and beef also available as well as great vegetarian food. Rice and noodles are also main staples but western food is also easily available.

Tipping

Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants / bars and for other services undertaken during your holiday. The rule of thumb is generally 10-15% of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.

Shopping

In addition to the roadside shops, more shops of the same variety can also be found in small shopping ‘plazas’, especially in popular beach areas like White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Lonely. Small markets, while catering mostly to the locals, offer a glimpse into the locals’ lives. Beach vendors are also worth taking a look, if you’re interested in buying handmade accessories made from natural materials like coconut shells.

Car Rental

International and local car rental widely available. In order to rent a car you will need  a valid passport and/or drivers license.

Hotels

If you wish to stay on Koh Chang prior to your charter, or after your charter then most of the accommodation is found on the west coast (approx. 40 minutes from the base). More information can be found at www.whitesandsthailand.com

Tours

Sunsail offer a whole range of shore based excursions which are extra to our normal product and are organised through a 3rd party company. Ask at the base or the booking office for further details.

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Electrical, Phones & Music

Electricity

The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. 

Mobile phones

International calls are reasonably cheap. Many internet and tour shops offer telephone services which are cheaper than hotel rates.
Mobile phone coverage in Koh Chang is good. You can use a mobile telephone from your home country if you have international roaming options.
Another alternative is to buy a mobile phone with a prepaid SIM card. You can buy a reasonable mobile phone with pre-paid SIM card from as little as 1,500 baht.
You can purchase credit for your SIM card at any 7-eleven store or mini-mart

Music/Ipods

All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your IPOD while sailing you will need to bring along an I-trip or FM radio transmitter.

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Activities

Fishing

Fishing with rod and reel or hand lines is permitted in all of the cruising area and there have been no recorded instances of Ciguatera poisoning. Big game fishing and Thai style fishing by long tail can be arranged.

Diving

The diving in Thailand is fantastic. The dive centers are very strict and safety conscious, you must carry a PADI or equivalent qualification to be able to dive. Unqualified divers can do courses or resort dives. Prices range from center to center but it usually costs between 1500 Baht and 2500 Baht per person for two dives and lunch. If you wish to dive while chartering with Sunsail we recommend visiting Bang Bao pier on Koh Chang, where all major dive shops have offices or Ploy Scuba on Koh Mak or the Away Resort Dive shop on Koh Kut.

Snorkeling

Snorkel the clear blue waters of Koh Chang's Marine National Park where the waters are crystal clear and there is an abundance of fish and coral to be seen. We have a range of snorkeling gear which you may wish to use. We are limited on children’s sizes so if you have your own you may wish to bring them with you.

Kayaking

Guided kayak trips run by a British team  using new sit inside sea kayaks and equipment all imported from the UK can be contacted at www.kayakchang.com

Walking

Jungle Trekking North Koh Chang
Walk with a Ranger from the Than Mayom Waterfall to the Khlong-Plu Waterfall. The tour takes 8-10 hours and costs 500 baht per person.
Nature lovers will love Koh Chang's waterfalls, walks. wildlife and beautiful scenery. Koh Chang's unspoiled forests are home to various species of birds such as parrots, sun birds and hornbills.

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Provisioning

Provisioning is available in this location. Click here for more information or to order provisioning online.

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Health & Safety

Illness or Injury

If you get sick and visit the doctor or hospital during your trip contact a member of Sunsail staff as soon as possible on either a lead boat or at a Sunsail base or Club.

If you need to make a claim for curtailment due to illness, ask the base manager for assistance and contact your insurer’s emergency medical service immediately.

Your insurance company will assist with travel arrangements, advice and payment of bills.
Obtain receipts for any medication, treatment or transport you have to pay for and submit with your claim.

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets harnesses we leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn. We have a limited supply of children’s life jackets (age 4+ only) if you have your own children’s life jacket we would encourage you to bring it along.

We suggest that children who are not strong swimmers should not be allowed in a dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and that they should wear a buoyancy aid or harness when on deck. Children under the age of 16yrs should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.

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