As a large tree, Melaleuca leucadendra does not skip the attention of passersby in the coastal portions of the villages like Khlong Phrao Bay, Salak Khok, Khlong Son and Salak Phet. It is distinguishable by its thin papery layers of bark and bright green weeping foliage. By its imposing presence, it attracts several birds to hop on its branches. But the tree species is often sighted to be growing in the Koh Chang’s National Rainforests and in some littoral and riparian areas of the island.
Melaleuca leucadendra is experienced to reach the height between 10-30 meters high. The crown could reach the spread between 8-10 meters wide. The foliage which usually measures 20cm x 2 cm is described as simple, short stalked, long and narrow, leathery, tapering to a sharp point at the apex. It produces profuse white flowers especially during summer or spring. The nectar-rich, cream, fragrant flowers are borne in open to fairly dense bottlebrush-look spikes. Its small woody capsules contain fine brown seeds. The propagation of this tree can be done by removing the mature capsules from the branch and placing them in a paper bag in a warm dry position until capsules have released the seeds. Each capsule contains chaff and seed inside.
The bark of this tree species is often used by locals as roof covering for huts or utilized as firewood. Other would use it to wrap food in some traditional way of cooking. As known also by the name Tea Tree, its leaves are used as tea substitute when boiled with water. The leaves are good alternative medicine to cure cough and colds. The hardy trunk is good material for canoe building, furniture and cabinet making and construction because of its fine white timber wood. When it comes to tolerance, Melaleuca leucadendra can withstand strong winds, grows well in open to sunny location and thrives in poor soils condition.
Klong Son Beach is good for:
peace and quiet
sandy beach
fishing
Short description:
Klong Son beach (or Had Klong Son) is located on the north of Koh Chang. Nice bay at the very top of the island. Pure white sand stretch of beach, shaded with coconut trees. Klong Son gets very low numbers of visitors with the bulk of the backpackers and tourists alike speeding south enroute to Koh Chang's finer and more popular stretches of sand.
White Sand Beach is good for:
night live
sandy beach
variety of restaurants
shopping
Short description:
Koh Chang's most famous stretch of sand, at over 2km long there's certainly room for everyone! Lined with bungalows, food stalls and shops this is one of the best beaches in all of Thailand.
Klong Phrao Beach is good for:
tranquil surroundings
gorgeous rocky landscape
all sorts of activities
quiet and peaceful
Short description:
Situated on the somewhat less glamorous, northern side of the Koh Chang Island, Klong Prao isn’t all that much of tourist destination, especially for those who are in need of a true holiday experience of the exotic kind.
Lonely Beach is good for:
great sunset
cheap and peaceful retreat
all sorts of beach activities
perfect for family
Short description:
Also known as Kai Bae Beach, this is the spot to catch a great sunset! A few small shops and food stalls are along the beach, a good spot to chill out away from the crowds at White Sands Beach.
Bangbao Bay is good for:
fishing
seafood restaurants
shopping
nightlife
Short description:
A well-sheltered bay with a small and quiet beach. It is a fishing community where residents still live in houses built on stilts and are connected by wooden bridges. There are a growing number of tourist shops, scuba dive outlets and seafood restaurants offering a good selection of seafood.
Salak Khok Bay is good for:
pretty, unspoiled area
traditional Thai community
kayaking
quiet and peaceful
Short description:
There aren’t so much attraction in Salak Kok, but tourists can Kayak among the mangroves. Salak Kok Bay still has a fishing community that doesn’t change so much in many years, a great place to see the real traditional Thai community.
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