The boardwalk is constructed primarily from recycled materials to minimize impact on the fragile mudflat ecosystem.
The forest plays a critical role in sequestering carbon and preventing coastal erosion in the eastern Gulf of Thailand.
The brackish water environment here supports a high concentration of mudskippers and fiddler crabs observable from the boardwalk.
The Salak Phet bay area is considered the largest natural harbor on Koh Chang.
Salak Phet Mangrove Forest is a protected ecological site located on the southeastern coast of Koh Chang, Thailand. The site features a 1-kilometer-long elevated wooden boardwalk that meanders through a dense, mature mangrove ecosystem. It serves as a natural nursery for marine life and functions as a coastal buffer for the Salak Phet bay area. The walkway is integrated into the native forest structure, allowing visitors to walk directly beneath the canopy of various Rhizophora mangrove species. Information signage along the trail details the biological importance and local conservation efforts within the forest. It remains one of the few easily accessible mangrove tracts on the island. The boardwalk concludes at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the surrounding bay and coastal mountains.
The elevated viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, providing a wide-angle view of the bay.
Wear mosquito repellent, as the humid, sheltered environment attracts significant insect activity.
Visit during low tide to observe the diverse crustacean activity on the exposed mudflats.
Stay strictly on the designated wooden walkway to avoid damaging the pneumatophores (breathing roots) of the mangroves.
Avoid visiting during heavy rain as the wooden planks become slippery.
Respect the quiet environment; do not feed wildlife; carry out all trash.
