From Wikitravel

Ko Kut (also Koh Kood) is an island in Trat Province in the Gulf of Thailand and the easternmost island before Cambodia. The island is a popular spot for package tourists and families. The island has virtually no night life, so if you are after partying this is definitely not the place to go.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] To/From Trat

Now there is an Express boat with free transfer from outside Trat Market near the big Temperature/Clock. Cost including transfer to the pier at Laem Sok and from the arrival pier at Koh kood to most resorts is 350Bht. About 2 hours. Leaves market in Trat at 11.30am sharp!!! Two speed boats depart daily during the high season from Laem Sok on the mainland near Trat. Stops are made on demand at most west coast piers on Koh Kood, finally terminating at Koh Kood's Bang Bao Bay. First boat departs from Laem Sok at 09:00, costs 600 baht one-way, and takes 60-90 minutes to Koh Kood. Second boat departs at 13:00, costs 600 baht one-way, and also takes 60 - 90 minutes to Koh Kood. During the low season other operators run a daily service from the Dan Kao pier near Trat city. Two boats depart from Koh Kood daily at 10:30 and 12:00pm, returning to the mainland [1].

WARNING: Note that the boat fee (350 baht slow boat, 600 baht speedboat) includes the transport to/from Trat. Some hotels will try to rip you off by requesting hundreds of baht for the transport to the pier. Do not agree to this, and if you find the deal changes when you arrive at the pier and the boat operators (who run the taxis as well) try to force you to pay this fee, and taxi drivers/boat operators are connected in a sort of mafia-style operation. Feel free to politely mention that you may need to phone the tourist police and wait for a resolution if this happens to you. In my case I offered a face-saving compromise with extra baht, which was promptly returned to me with a 'thank you' in Thai when I boarded the boat. To be fair to the boat operators this hardly ever happens.

If you take the slow boat and book ahead, some resorts will pick you up from the pier. If you take the speed boat, you will usually be dropped at or very close to your destination so this is not required.

[edit] To/From Koh Chang

There are two ways to get to Koh Kood from Koh Chang's Bang Bao harbour. Either the slower Inter Island Hopper, which takes 3-4 hours, or by speedboat [2]. The price by speedboat is 900 baht (as of Nov 2009) one way, which includes a pick up or drop off at most hotels on Koh Chang. The trip takes about 1-2 hours, depending on conditions and the number of stops at the islands between Koh Chang and Koh Kood (Koh Mak, Koh Wai, etc.) and the number of stop around Koh Kood.

Another company offering both fast and slow boat service from Koh Chang to Koh Kood is Bang Bao Boat [3]. They leave the Bang Bao pier in Koh Chang twice a day (9:30am and 12:00pm) and make the same stops along the way to Koh Kood as the other company (unless no one on the boat is going to the other islands, in that case they will cater the trip to the needs of who is on board). If you go for the slow boat option it costs 700 baht, and you have a 2 hour "layover" on Koh Mak which could be a nice break for lunch (Koh Mak is small, only a 27km coast line- you could almost see the whole island during your layover!). Then the speed boat picks you up in Koh Mak and you continue the rest of the way to Koh Kood that way. If you want to get to Koh Kood quicker, you can take the speed boat the whole way from Koh Chang. The listed price for the speed boat trip is 900 baht, but if you book through a tour agency on the pier in Bang Bao you could get it down to 850 baht.

[edit] Get around

Getting around can be a bit of a hassle since taxis are not available. The best way to get around is by motorbike (expect to pay around 300-350 baht per day) which can be rented at almost all resorts. Road conditions vary between dirt roads and pathed roads. Maps are available though a bit confusing. Bicycles can also be hired (I paid 150 baht per day), but the heat and the hilly nature of the roads makes them of limited usefulness for all but die-hard cyclists.

Bang Bao Boat has a speedboat and one or two competitors.

[edit][add listing] See

• The west coast has some breath-taking beaches. Most resorts are along this coast, and more are being built very quickly, however there are still a lot of relatively clean and pristine areas. The water is warm, and many beaches are essentially empty.
• Nam Tok Khlong Chao - a large waterfall, with a huge pool that you can swim in. About 20-30 minutes' walk from the turnoff, sometimes you can hitch.
• River estuary - near the turnoff to the waterfall is a mangrove-lined estuary. Many places (hotels, restaurants, guesthouses) rent kayaks cheaply here. The top of the estuary is a rocky area, if you want to be alone in nature you can pass it by carrying the kayak then swim in a natural pool surrounded by forest. Very few people can be bothered to go here, so it is very clean. There is also a tributary flowing from a mangrove forest part-way up, on the western side. This is quite spooky and has more pollution as the top is a road and there are some houses at points the way, but you can still appreciate the natural environment, which is pretty spectacular at points and maybe see some rare birdlife. You can also kayak out on to the ocean, which is often very still and without waves, and being shallow a long way out the water is warm.
• Ao Salat is a fishing village in the north of the island. It can reached by motorbike.

[edit][add listing] Do

Swimming in the crystal clear waters, sunbathing, scuba-diving, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking to the waterfall, checking out the view of Klong Chao Beach from the viewpoint which can be accessed by motorbike or by foot along a path that originates at the southern end of the beach and winds through some trees and has a short climb along a paved path to the viewpoint. Good coffee can be enjoyed here. Or just relax and read a book.

There are virtually no towns on Ko Kut so sightseeing is pretty limited. The fishing village of Ao Salat (on the North East of the island) is home to around 300 people, making it the largest settlement on the island. The village is built on stilts in the water, and is quite interesting and well worth the the rather long road trip to get there. Expect to pay around 500 baht for the trip as cars are quite scarce. Or rent a scooter to get around.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is a souvenir shop in Ao Salat. Other than that, you'll be hard pressed to find anything in particular to buy outside your resort.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Many of the resorts -but not all- now have good restaurants. Outsiders are always welcomed . Now also a few restaurants are popping up including the rustic local run Chiang Mai Restaurant and a Thai/Italian run Italian Pizza and Pasta House. Prices are slightly above mainland. The cheapest feed I found was 60 baht for a bowl of noodles, expect to pay 80-200 baht for a main course at non high-end places (usally 100-150 baht).

If you want to cook for yourself then a small selection of fruit/vegetables is available at a stand/shop operating some distance across the bridge from Ban Klong Chao, before the Sunset Bar. Basic staples and ice creams are available at a number of shops around the Khlong Chao area.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• View Point Cafe Up the south hill of Klong Chao beach there is a small cozy drink hut with great views on one side down onto the beach below and on the other side sunsets are there to be enjoyed as well. Real fresh ground Vietnamese style coffee, fruit lassie shakes, and interesting non-alcoholic cocktails. The Australian/Thai proprietors of the View Point Cafe are also a great source of local and S.E. Asia information. (Seems to close for low season in mid-May - information from 2011 season)

• Sunset Bar Friendly but uninspiring French/Thai run bar across the bridge and 1km or so down the road from Klong Chao. Only serves beer in cans (50 baht). Food is available but relatively expensive.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Dusita Resort (081-825-7076) Cosy air-conditioned bungalows that will set you back around 1200 baht per night. Really good food, and a beach you will never want to leave.

• KohKood-Ngamkho Resort [4] (081-825-7076) One of the cheapest resorts on Koh Kood, if not THE cheapest! Laid-back resort on the west coast run by a guy called Uncle Joe and his family. Has basic bungalows only 20 meters from the beach for 500 baht during low season and 650 during peak season (sometimes includes breakfast in the rate). Also offers tents for 200 baht. The resort is on a beautiful strip of a white sand beach lined with coconut trees. Motorbikes and kayaks are available for rent on a daily/half-day basis. 15 minute walk or boat ride to one of Koh Kood's main attractions, water fall Klong Jao.

• Beach Natural Resort (086-999-9420) Neither a naturist resort nor particularly natural, but the deluxe bungalow (3200 baht/night) is really nice, and the chairs at the end of their long pier is a perfect place to watch the sunset.

• Koh Kood Resort [5] (087-026-5515) Wonderful Japanese style bungalows in a magnificent garden for only 1800 baht per night. Private Beach, Free use of Kayaks, Free WiFi / internet access for guests.

• Away Resort Koh Kood, 43/8 Moo 2, Baan Klongchao, Kohkood, Trat, 23000 Thailand, ☎ +6681 835 4517, +6684 466 5554, [6]. Away Resorts on Koh Kood is the epitome of an island hideaway. The resort recently added a man-made beach located behind a rock seawall which makes access to the water difficult. Their advertisement in Bangkok Airways inflight magazine showing a gently sloping beach has been heavily photoshopped. The resort features spacious luxury bungalow villas, with private terraces and sea views from almost every room. The resort has the largest activity and dive centre on the island, so guests can enjoy not only the beauty and peacefulness of the resort, but also everything the island has to offer.  edit

• Koh Kood Seaview Bungalow, Ban Khlong Chao, ☎ 087-9083593. checkin: 1PM; checkout: 12PM. Good location to Khlong Chao beach(600meter) and waterfall(3km)Family running restaurant and motorbike rental 400-1000THB.  edit

• for Rest Boutique House Koh Kood, Ban Ao Prao, Ao Prao Beach, ☎ +66-870-265515, [7]. Brand new boutique style guesthouse built on stilts in an beautiful estuary, next to mangrove, tiny fisherman village and an endless empty beach.  edit

• Cozy House, Ban Khlong Chao (About 200m down the road to the waterfall), ☎ +66 8 5101 4838. Aimed at backpackers. Shared shower/toilet facilities. Washing machine 50baht/use. Easy walking distance to a white sandy beach, as well as the waterfall. Backs on to the river estuary for kayaking. Sand volleyball court. Weekend BBQs (every other day in high season) with fresh seafood (the one we enjoyed had three kinds of fish, squid, giant prawns, chicken, potatoes and salad for vegetarians). Relaxing atmosphere and a congenial local proprietor. Free but slow internet for residents. Free coffee/tea before midday. Kayaks (150 Baht/day), bicycles (150baht/day) and motorbikes (250baht/day) offered for hire. Visa and Mastercard are accepted here. High season from 250B, low season (begins June) is cheaper.  edit

• Neverland Resort, Ban Ao Jak (or very close) (Down the dirt road to the village, then you can't miss it!), ☎ +66 8 1456 5486, +66 8 1762 6254, [8]. Family-oriented resort mostly by Thais. Features sweeping coconut groves with well manicured lawns with a boules and soccer setup, backing on to what is essentially a private beach. A series of hammocks and sunchairs liberally inhabit the threshold of the shoreline, as does a beach-side bar (apparently high season only). Many a pleasant hour can be had sleeping to the sound of the waves with a cold beer. The downside is that it's miles from anywhere, so your 'stuff to do' list is going to run short without access to transport. Motivated individuals could conceivably walk to the main road (~20min down the dirt road) and hitch, so one could conceivably make day trips this way to the Khlong Chao waterfall and other locations. Paid access to taxis advertised at the resort seems expensive at 800 baht per trip (though perhaps this is two-way, and waits for you eg: if swimming). Snorkelling equipment is offered and a series of rocks on the southern end of the beach allow the observation of some minimal sea life. The owner (absent at my visit) seems to speak Russian and a Russian language menu and sign are visible in the restaurant, which offers a fair selection, though island-inflated prices top some cheaper venues. Single kayak available with single-ended paddle.  edit

• Hindard Resort, Bangbao Area. (All speed boats will drop you of at their pier or tell the truck bus driver Hindard and he will understand), ☎ 0817818308. A lovely small family run resort right on the water. Sit on the veranda of your bungalo and enjoy the ocean views. Or enjoy a lovely meal in the restaurant with fantastic views that would make Pacific Islands views seem ordinary. Snorkeling on your doorstep- or rent a kayak or motorbike and go exploring. A great place to relax. A good reasonably priced option for your Koh Kood stay. 1200bht up.  edit

[edit] Contact

Compared to neibourhing Ko Chang infrastructure is generally thin. Some resorts offer internet access (such as Siam Beach Resort and Koh Kood Resort) while others do not. Internet appears to be offered via 3.5G UMTS (ie: mobile, quite slow) and is prone to dropping out.

Local tourist information is hard to come by, but internet searches will reveal maps of the island.

NO ATMs OR BANKS!!!! Take cash. Only higher end resorts take credit cards. If you run out of money, second hand sources report that credit card cash advances are possible at the larger resorts for a 5% fee. (Information current as of May 2011)

[edit] Get out

• Ko Chang
• Ko Mak

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