TRAT, Thailand – A massive influx of holiday travelers heading to Koh Chang has triggered severe ferry delays, with some tourists waiting more than six hours to board during the Labor Day long weekend.
Since May 1, large numbers of both Thai and international visitors have traveled to the island, overwhelming ferry services operating from Laem Ngob district. Operators at key terminals, including Koh Chang Ferry at Ban Thammachat Pier and facilities in Khlong Yai, were forced to deploy up to four ferries simultaneously in an effort to ease the backlog.
Despite the increased capacity—handling an estimated 150 to 200 vehicles per hour—traffic quickly exceeded the system’s limits. Ferry operators even ran empty return trips from Koh Chang to pick up more vehicles from the mainland, but congestion continued to worsen.
Vehicle queues stretched beyond ferry terminals, spilling onto access roads and extending more than seven kilometers along the Laem Ngop–Saen Tung route. By midnight, operators had managed to clear more than 2,500 vehicles, marking one of the heaviest traffic days in recent years.
Jaruwan Jitkanon, president of the Trat Wellness Tourism Association and a hotel operator on Koh Chang, said the situation was more severe than in previous years. While expressing appreciation for the strong tourist turnout, she noted that transport infrastructure had failed to keep pace.
She identified several contributing factors behind the congestion: the peak long holiday period, combined with three major events taking place simultaneously on the island, including a running event in southern Koh Chang, an ocean-themed event, and activities in Khlong Son, all of which significantly increased vehicle traffic.
Jaruwan urged authorities to improve long-term transport solutions, particularly by supporting the development of a second ferry terminal to increase capacity and address recurring congestion issues.
Tourists also voiced frustration. One visitor said they arrived in Trat at around 5:00 PM but had to wait three to four hours before boarding a ferry. “This is my second time visiting Koh Chang, and I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” the tourist said.
With return travel expected to peak at the end of the holiday, concerns are growing that congestion could worsen, prompting calls for better planning and coordination to manage future surges.
