Ko Muk

Ko Muk (also referred to as "Koh Mook") is an island in the Southern Andaman Coast region of Southern Thailand. Muk is the Thai word for pearl, so Ko Muk means Pearl Island.

Understand

Paradise found

The island is home to a majority Thai-Muslim population, with tourism being the main and almost sole industry.

Nearly half of the island is National Park. Cliffs and mountains form the centre and northern parts of the islands with a large double sided beach to the far East point. A further beach lies to the west of the island inside the national park area. However, this beach is now home to a deserted hotel resort which was built without the correct permission from authorities. It is now closed but the beach still accessable.

The island has one small mosque, a school, a small hospital clinic, and police box. All shops are locally owned and run and none of the large franchises exist here. (No 7-11, McDonalds etc)

Rubbish disposal is a huge problem for the island. There is no garbage disposal or recycling facilities on the island. Rubbish is simply burned. Large amounts of rubbish can be seen on beaches, on the road sides, and general dumped in open places.

Get in

By Boat

Combined minibus and boat tickets can be booked from any Trang 'tourist information' shop. A minibus to the nearest jetty and a longtail boat to Farang Beach will cost 300 baht. The 11:00 minibus to the nearest jetty and aboard the only ferry, departing once a day, costs 250 baht. The driver of boat and minivan is the same person. If you take the latter option it's recommended to arrange accommodation and a pick-up from the Ko Muk pier, otherwise you may have a 3 km walk, depending on the location of your hotel, or 50 baht motorbike taxi ride to get anywhere on arrival. However, many hotels are within easy walking distance of the pier.

The return trip is easier and cheaper, with the same ferry departing at 08.00. With no booking fees or middleman it is possible to get the ferry for 50 baht and minivan to Trang for 100 baht, although 200 baht is the more likely combined fare. All in tickets can be purchased for 250 baht from the many travel agent shops located in Trang Town. A second ferry departs at 9.30 with an increased cost of 350 baht per person.

By Plane

The closest airport is Trang. Which has daily flights from Bangkok via Nok, Thai Lion and Air Asia. Nok Air offers a package from Bangkok to Ko Muk including flight, transfer, and boat.

Get Around

• A tuktuk to the other side of the island will cost you 50 baht per person.

• Renting a motorbike at one of the resorts near Farang Beach will be around 400 baht, while renting one on the other side of the island (in the fishermans village) will be only 250 baht.

• The island is relatively small though, to get from the pier on the east coast to Farang Beach will take you about 30-45 minutes of walking.

See

• Farang Beach. The more popular of the two beaches.  edit

• Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave). Accessible from Farang Beach by boat or kayak. Expect tour rates to start at 600 baht before haggling and kayaks at 150 baht per hour. Kayak rates of 200 baht for two hours may be possible. The cave is accessible only at low tide, and takes about 30 minutes to reach by kayak. Bringing a light source is recommended, as the cave is 30 m long and has some sharp turns. Beyond the cave is a attractive, small, completely enclosed beach formed by a sinkhole.  edit

Buy

In the main village there is an ATM charging the usual fee of 220 THB for a withdrawal.

Eat

• Hilltop Restaurant: Cheap and friendly staff.

Sleep

Budget

Mookies has "tentalows" for 250 baht and huts for 300 baht. Hot showers and a bar area available. The huts are dingy, with nothing but draughts, a light, a mattress and a fan. Intermittent electricity.

Mid-range

Mountain View:

Probably the best place to stay on the entire island Bungalows 1300 high season 400 low season for standard 1700 and 500 low season deluxe, most have fridge and hot shower. 5 minute walk to Farang Beach It is very cool on a night due to the mountain breeze.

Had Farang Bungalow (+66878844785 or +66815844648, [email protected]) Had Farang have clean, well maintained bungalows. 400 baht with shared bathrooms and fan, 500 baht with private bathrooms and fan. Up to 800 baht for air-conditioned bungalows.

Splurge

Resort accommodation is available fronting onto Farang Beach.

Stay safe

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