Ko Sichang, Chon Buri, Thailand

Among the many rocky islands in the Gulf of Siam, Ko Sichang is the nearest to Bangkok and therefore a natural focus of touristic attention.  A trip to Ko Sichang takes about half of a day and can be combined with a stop at Bang Phra.  The regularly occurring birds that are not likely to be seen at other sites near Bangkok are Pacific Reef-Heron, Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon, Pacific Swallow, and possibly a few gulls, terns, or other seabirds.

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Orientation

Directions

Ko Sichang is about 7 km offshore from the port of Laem Chabang, south of Chon Buri.  A passenger ferry to the island leaves from the dock at Ko Loy Park in Si Racha, which is about 80 km southeast of Bangkok.

To reach the dock at Si Racha by car, take Highway 7 to the south side of Chon Buri, exit onto Route 3701, then exit again onto Route 1073 (Khao Lam Road), which crosses over Route 7 to the west.

After about 3 km on Route 1073, bear left to exit southbound onto Tassaban Pattana.  After a further 3 km, turn left (south) onto Route 3.  Continue on Route 3 for 9 km and turn right onto Jerm Jom Phon Road, which runs along the shore and arrives at a roundabout after about 1 km.  Exit the roundabout westward onto the Ko Loy causeway.

At the end of the causeway, you will arrive at a roundabout, with a parking lot on your right.  Park in the lot—if the main lot is full you can park in the overflow parking area beside the causeway.  From the parking lot, walk northwest to reach the pier.

Ferries leave the Ko Loy pier every hour on the hour from 7:00 to 20:00.  Ferries also return hourly, but the last one leaves Ko Sichang at 18:00.  The trip between Ko Loy and Ko Sichang takes about 45 minutes.

Pacific Reef-Heron is commonly seen at both Ko Sichang and Si Racha.  © Owen Lishmund

Birdfinding

Ko Sichang is not especially rich in birdlife, but has at least two species that are scarce elsewhere within easy reach of Bangkok: Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon and Pacific Swallow.  Both can be found reliably at the Phra Chudadhuj Palace (a.k.a. Summer Palace), which is at the south end of the town, about 2 km from the ferry dock.  Apart from a few small beaches farther from the tow, the Summer Palace is the main tourist attraction on Ko Sichang, and its grounds are pleasant to stroll.  Look for the green-pigeon in the treetops and the swallow along the shoreline—particularly around the small lighthouse at its easternmost promontory.

Pacific Swallow is fairly common at Ko Sichang, but the Barn Swallow greatly outnumbers it in winter.  © Neoh Hor Kee

Ko Sichang is the closest site to Bangkok where Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon can be found regularly.  © Michael Henry

Pacific Reef-Heron can usually be found at either Ko Sichang or Si Racha by scanning rocky areas along the shoreline and the various rafts of floating material that about around both ports.

Notes

When to Visit

Timing is important mainly because of the limitations of the ferry schedule, in particular, the last ferry back to the mainland, which leaves Ko Sichang at 18:00.