Tourism

Thousands head to Koh Chang, 3 hour wait for island ferry

Published

Saturday, September 5, 2020 14:46

PHOTO: Khaosod

Cars full of tourists headed to Koh Chang waited for hours in a 2 kilometre long line to get on the ferry to the island. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit the island for the 4-day weekend. Many have Friday and Monday off work as substitute holiday time for Songkran which was cancelled in April due to coronavirus restrictions.

The island’s Deputy Municipal Clerk Theerasak Sruammasue says thousands of people waited in line for the Ao Thammachat Pier in Khlong Yai. Many got there early Friday morning. By the afternoon, more than 1,000 cars had arrived on the island. He says he expects 1,000 more cars will arrive for the long weekend.

Those still planning to make it out to Koh Chang for the long weekend are advised to consider taking the Centre Point Ferry Pier in Khlong Yai. Theerasak says the Ao Thammachat pier has too long of a wait.

Local police have been managing the traffic. They say many tourists complained about the long wait to get on the ferry. Most had to wait at least 2 to 3 hours.

Thai Residents says the island should find a solution for next time and even suggests building a bridge so cars can drive directly to the island.

SOURCE: Thai Residents

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News Categories: Thailand Tourism

Related Topics:Koh Chang Thailand tourism tourists traffic travel

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3 Comments

Stephen Westrip

Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 3:03 pm

This holiday weekend could be interesting from a COVID perspective. It is people moving around a country en masse that can cause infection rate spikes. I hope not as otherwise I fear the Government may get very nervous about tourism!

Reply
BC

Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 5:45 pm

Hmmmm. How about discouraging people from bringing their cars to the island? Improve the local public transport (“baht” buses)? People go to Koh Chang to experience “island life”. So we all bring our cars so we can clog the roads there? Humans, from leaders to followers and from providers to users, too often display the intelligence of farm animals. It’s not surprising, in many ways, why the world is in the teetering condition that its in.

Reply
- Preesy Chepuce
  
  Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 7:34 pm
  
  They could have a park and ride site at laem ngop, and get more people across quicker if only on foot.
  
  Reply

Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

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