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Southeast Thailand only really has two seasons, a dry period that runs from November to May and a wet season from June to October.

Temperatures are 'coolest' from November to December with daily maximums averaging around 30C.

Just before the beginning of the monsoon in June this can rise to the high thirties when even the seasoned locals start to feel the heat.

The busiest period for visitors to Koh Chang is December to April and there is very little rain during these months.

Global weather patterns are changing and so to on Koh Chang. In 2005/6 there was well above the average rainfall for the dry season with a heavy downpour on Christmas Day.

It can rain heavily in the wet season but rainfall is by no means constant. Indeed sunny days are still common.

All of the resorts and facilities on Koh Chang remain open and this can be a good time to visit for those seeking a quieter holiday.

In the 2006 monsoon during August we almost forgot it was not the dry season but in September the rains returned with a vengeance. There is a good reason rainfall is quoted in averages.

During the monsoon the prevailing winds are onshore on the West Coast and can bring quite high waves to the beaches. Swimming at this time is considered quite dangerous due to very strong rip tides. In the dry season the winds are onshore on the East Coast. Locals know when the monsoon is over by observing this phenomenon but there is always argument about the actual day!

The best time for sailing is probably from the end of the Monsoon through early January when the winds are pretty constant from the East. From mid January the winds tend to be light and variable and only pick up again from the West once the Monsoon sets in again around May.

Koh Chang has just one tide per day. Actually it is two but the second is almost inperceptable. The term is diurnal for the scientifically inclined.

The tide is in most of the day time during the dry season and changes in the monsoon season when it is in most of the night. The highest tides are in November, December and January and are usually 4 days after the full and new moons. Here are the Tide Tables through the end of 2006, taken from the Royal Thai Navy Website.

The region has Malaria although cases are very rare. It is more of a risk in the monsoon. Take the usual precautions. Note that many health organizations now advise against taking anti-malarial drugs since they can prevent peopel from realising that they have actually contracted the disease. Wear long sleeves and trousers in risk areas and use an effective mosquito repellent.

In the case of any health problems whilst on the island be reassured that Koh Chang now has a range of health service providers.

Koh Chang International Clinic, part of the private Bangkok Hospital group, is located on White Sands Beach. They are open 24 hours a day. Call 039 551 555. 

P.P.Clinic opposite Amari resort in Klong Prao provide general medical services from a qualified surgeon as well as a range of plastic surgery treatments. Contact them on 085 222 3935 twenty four hours a day.

Trat has 2 larger hospitals: Bangkok Trat Hospital, a private institution, which has good facilities, at a price, and is recommended in the event of any major accidents or emergencies (039 532 735) and Trad Hospital (039 511 040/1) .

There is a small government hospital at Dan Mai in Koh Chang just south of where the mainland ferry arrives.  Phone - 039 521 657. Khlong Son, Kai Bae, Khlong Prao and Bang Bao also have small clinics.

Increasingly people are using their holidays in Thailand to get dental work done. Dentists here are as good as in the rest of the world and charge less than in Europe and the US. You can use the Koh Chang Dental Centrex or Baan More Fun Dentist in Trat to get your teeth healthy. Koh Chang Pharmacy on White Sand Beach and in Kai Bae has a range of medicines. They offer wound dressing and provide insurance receipts. 

There are ATM's all over the island. Several banks have sub-branches in the main beach areas offering basic services including money exchange, money transfers {Moneygram® and Western Union®) and basic account banking. SWIFT transfers are also available. Most exchange places won't accept damaged foreign notes and if you have series 1999 US $100 bills you will have a problem changing them too.

Travellers checks are accepted by larger establishments and can also be changed at the many exchange offices on the West Coast but smaller establishments don't accept them.