Than Mayom Pier

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 16.30

 

Than Mayom Pier on Koh Chang in Trat Province is an old coastal pier and one of the most meaningful places on the quieter eastern side of the island. Located within the Mu Ko Chang National Park area and close to Than Mayom Waterfall, this place connects the sea, rainforest, waterfall, local fruit-growing communities, and the national park landscape in one compact destination. It is not a busy beach resort area, but a peaceful gateway for travelers who want to see Koh Chang beyond the well-known west coast beaches.

 

Historically, Than Mayom Pier served as a local landing point and transport route linking Koh Chang with the mainland around Laem Ngop. The traditional boat journey from Laem Ngop to Than Mayom took about 45 minutes, making the pier an important connection for island residents, goods, agricultural produce, and visitors. Its value lies not in size or modern facilities, but in its role as part of Koh Chang’s older coastal life, where sea travel, fruit orchards, forest trails, and local communities were closely connected.

 

The area around Than Mayom Pier is especially suitable for travelers who prefer quiet natural scenery. Nearby are the Mu Ko Chang National Park office, Than Mayom Waterfall, a camping area, coastal viewpoints, and small local restaurants. Unlike the west coast of Koh Chang, which is known for White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, and Lonely Beach, the Than Mayom side feels calmer and more local. It is a place for slow travel, short nature walks, simple meals by the sea, and a closer look at the island’s less commercial side.

 

One of the most important nearby attractions is Than Mayom Waterfall. Located close to the national park facilities, the waterfall is a medium-sized cascade with several tiers and water flowing throughout the year. It is one of Koh Chang’s better-known waterfalls and is relatively easy to visit compared with more remote waterfalls on the island. Travelers can walk along the riverbank, enjoy the forest atmosphere, see smooth rock formations, and swim in suitable natural pools when conditions are safe. During the rainy season, the forest becomes lush and the waterfall is stronger, but visitors should be careful on wet rocks and follow the instructions of park officers.

 

Than Mayom Pier also has a strong seasonal connection with Koh Chang’s fruit culture. In August and September, when local fruits are harvested, this area has traditionally been used as a loading point where fruit is transferred onto boats and sent to the mainland. This seasonal activity gives the place a cultural dimension that many travelers miss. It shows that Koh Chang is not only a beach destination, but also an island of orchards, local labor, and maritime transport.

 

The landscape around Than Mayom combines several layers of Koh Chang’s identity. The coast faces the quieter eastern sea, while the mountains and forest rise inland toward the waterfall. The national park protects both marine and forest ecosystems, and the surrounding communities continue to live with the rhythm of the sea and the land. For foreign travelers, this area is a useful introduction to the more authentic side of Koh Chang: less nightlife, fewer crowds, more nature, and a stronger sense of place.

 

Visitors who want to explore the east coast can use Than Mayom as part of a scenic driving route. From this area, roads continue both north and south along the island, allowing travelers to visit Khlong Nonsi Waterfall, Dan Mai, Salak Khok Mangrove Forest, Salak Phet village, and the peaceful bays of southeastern Koh Chang. This route is ideal for travelers with a rental car or scooter, especially those who enjoy quiet roads, village landscapes, fruit orchards, and natural attractions rather than crowded beach zones.

 

The camping area near the national park facilities adds another reason to visit Than Mayom. Travelers who want to stay close to nature can camp in the designated area and use basic facilities such as toilets and showers. This type of stay is best suited for people who enjoy simple accommodation, early mornings by the coast, and easy access to forest and waterfall trails. It is very different from staying in a beach resort on the west coast, but it offers a more direct experience of Koh Chang’s protected natural environment.

 

Getting There usually begins with traveling to Trat Province and taking a ferry to Koh Chang. Once on the island, travelers can drive or hire local transport to reach the eastern side of Koh Chang and continue toward the Mu Ko Chang National Park office and Than Mayom area. If staying on the west coast, allow extra travel time because the road crosses several communities and hilly sections before reaching the quieter east side. A private car, rental car, or scooter gives the most flexibility for visiting Than Mayom and nearby attractions.

 

The best time to visit Than Mayom depends on the experience you want. For easy walking, coastal scenery, and waterfall visits, morning to early afternoon is the most comfortable period. August and September are meaningful months for those interested in the fruit season and the traditional movement of local produce. The rainy season makes the forest greener and the waterfall more impressive, but it also requires more caution. During dry months, the area is easier to explore and the roads are generally more convenient for scenic drives.

 

A visit to Than Mayom Pier is not about large-scale attractions or luxury facilities. Its charm is in the quiet setting, the old pier atmosphere, the nearby waterfall, the national park presence, and the traces of everyday island life. Travelers should take time to look around slowly, enjoy the coast, observe the local environment, and continue to nearby natural sites. For those who want to understand Koh Chang as more than a beach holiday island, Than Mayom is one of the most rewarding places to include in the itinerary.

 

Responsible travel is especially important in this area. Visitors should avoid leaving litter, respect national park rules, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take care when walking near streams and wet rocks. Koh Chang is a large island with rainforest, sea, streams, waterfalls, and wildlife habitats. Traveling carefully helps preserve the peaceful character of Than Mayom and supports the long-term protection of this part of the island.

 

In summary, Than Mayom Pier is a valuable destination for travelers seeking the quieter and more natural side of Koh Chang. It combines an old pier, national park facilities, waterfall access, camping, local fruit-season activity, and east coast scenery. With good planning, it can become more than a short stop: it can be the starting point for understanding Koh Chang’s relationship with the sea, the forest, and the island communities that have shaped this landscape for generations.

 

 

A: Than Mayom Pier is located on the eastern side of Koh Chang in Trat Province, close to Mu Ko Chang National Park office and Than Mayom Waterfall.

 

A: It is best for travelers who enjoy quiet nature, waterfalls, camping, coastal scenery, and the less crowded east coast of Koh Chang.

 

A: Yes. The pier, national park facilities, and Than Mayom Waterfall are located close to one another in the same east-coast area.

 

A: Visitors entering the national park and waterfall area pay the national park fee: Thai adults 40 Baht, Thai children 20 Baht, foreign adults 200 Baht, and foreign children 100 Baht.

 

A: Yes. Camping is available in the designated national park area near Than Mayom, with basic facilities such as toilets and showers.

 

A: Morning to early afternoon is best for easy sightseeing. August and September are interesting for the local fruit season, while the rainy season brings greener forest and stronger waterfall flow.

 

A: Than Mayom is quieter and more nature-focused, with a national park atmosphere, waterfall access, local communities, and east-coast scenery. The west coast is busier and has more beach resorts, restaurants, and nightlife.

 

A: Bring shoes suitable for wet ground, drinking water, swimwear if visiting the waterfall, and check the weather before traveling, especially during the rainy season.