Ko Kut

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.

Get in

To/From Trat

Boonsiri High Speed Ferry [15] or Koh Kood FantaseaCatamaran [16] . These two are the same, just different calling. (starting on 15 November 2013) 600 THB per person one way or 1200 baht per person incl. bus transfer from Bangkok. Pick up point in Bangkok is Khao Sarn Road, at 7-8am. Sailing time between 70-90 Minutes. Departures at 2pm. daily from Laem Sok to Koh Mak(Ao Nid Pier) and Koh Kood(Bang Bao Beach), also during low season. free taxi from Trat to the pier in Laem Sok and Koh Kood.

The connection to/from Bangkok via the pier at Laem Sok is seamless and easier than arranging your own transport. The return trip will also stop at the Lat Krabang airport link station, which is just one stop away from BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport. Beware of elastic time if you are trying to connect to a flight, the 12pm boat from Koh Kut has been known to leave up to 1.5 hours late.

However. do note that during 15 May-15 October which is considered monsoon season, Boonsiri's departure time is changed to 11.45 from Trat to Koh Kood, and 9.45 from Koh Kood back to Trat.

Updated 2018, the price for Bangkok-Ko Kut has changed to 850 baht. The bus is quite new and convenient with comfortable seats and usb ports for charging. You can bring lunch box on board to eat during the trip. The bus takes around 5:30-6:00 hrs to arrive at Laem Sok pier including taxi to/from accommodation

Ko Kut Express [17] 350 THB per person one way. 1h15m. The boat ticket includes a free taxi from Trat to the pier in Laem Sok and on Koh Kood from the pier to your resort. Taxi's in Trat depart from the Market near the big clock/thermometer or your accommodation. Leaves the market in Trat at 11:30 sharp! Departs from Laem Sok daily at 01:00pm. Departs from Koh Kood daily at 10am, also during low season. The free taxi from Trat will pick you up only when you made a reservation 48 hours prior to departure. The website offers a multilingual 24h chat to help you with that (although there might not be anyone awake if you decide to take the "24h" part literally). If you're lucky, you might be able to arrange a deal while you're on the way to Trat even if you didn't made a reservation. This heavily depends on the goodwill of the person you're chatting with though.

Koh Kood Princess [18] 350 THB per person one way. 1h15m. The boat ticket includes a free taxi from Trat to the pier in Laem Sok and on Koh Kood from the pier to your resort. Taxi's in Trat depart from the Market near the big clock/thermometer or your accommodation. Leaves the market in Trat at 11:30 sharp! You can also buy ticket at Trat Bus Station. Departs from Laem Sok daily at noon. Departs from Koh Kood daily at 10.30am, also during low season.

Update: Koh Kut Express now uses the same boat model as KK Princess! Old: Note that despite the same ticket price, same departure time, and same duration time, the difference between these two ferry companies is the boat. Koh Kut Express's Boat has only indoor seats with only one exit, though you can sometimes sit on the roof of the ferry with the cargo. While Koh Kood Princess's Boat is bigger, with both indoor and outdoor seats, and many exits.

The other difference is the arrival pier in Koh Kood. Koh Kut Express arrives at 'Nam Luek Pier' which is on the west coast, where virtually all of the resorts are located. And Koh Kood Princess arrives at 'Ao Salad Pier' which is on the east coast, and will involve a 30+ minute ride from the pier to your resort.

Siriwhite Speedboat / CP Laem Sok Group [19] 600 THB per person one way. 60-90 Minutes. Two speedboats depart daily from Laem Sok on the mainland near Trat. Stops are made on demand at most west coast piers on Ko Kut, finally terminating at Ko Kut's Bang Bao Bay. Boat departs from Laem Sok at 9am and depart from Ko Kut daily at 12pm. The speedboat tickets also include a free taxi from Trat to Laem Sok pier. The speedboats do not operate during low season due to the weather conditions.

Koh Kood Speed Boat / Ao Thai Marine Express [20] This service is only available for private charters.

Note that the boat fee (350 baht slow boat, 600 baht speedboat) includes transport to/from Trat, but only when using taxis that are assigned by the boat companies. If you take the speedboat, you will usually be dropped at or very close to your destination.

To/From Koh Chang

Kai Bae Hut Express [21] (speedboat) 900 THB per person one way. Daily from Kai Bae pier on Koh Chang at 9am.

Bang Bao Boat [22] (speedboat) 900 THB per person one way. Daily from Bang Bao pier on Koh Chang (9am & 12pm)

The trip can take 1-2 hours depending on conditions and the number of stops at the islands between Koh Chang and Koh Kut, (Ko Mak, Koh Wai, etc.) and the number of stops around Koh Kood. The boat ticket includes a pick up or drop off at most hotels on Koh Chang.

Get around

Public taxis are available. Rates & times are not quite standardized yet, but that should not be long. Siam Beach Resort (located in Bang Bao Bay) also runs a taxi service. Another fun way to travel around is by motorbike. Expect to pay around 300-350 baht per day, resorts often charge 400-450 THB but also rates about 200-250 are possible outside of main season. Road conditions vary between dirt roads and paved roads but since 2009 there is a small concrete road covering the Western coastline from North to South. Maps are available though a bit confusing. Bicycles can also be hired (around 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. For those that are not in a hurry: small fishing boats can be hired to tour around the island.

See

• Beaches The West coast has some breath-taking beaches, many of them bordered by undeveloped plots of land. Most resorts are along this coast. Bang Bao Bay is known for its calm water. The water is warm, and many beaches are essentially empty.

• Klong Chao Waterfall The largest, with a huge pool that you can swim in. About 20-30 minutes' walk from the turn-off, sometimes you can hitch. Organized tours usually visit the waterfall in the afternoon.

• Klong Yai Ki Waterfall In the North-West of Koh Kood. This waterfall is smaller, more quiet and also with a pool where you can swim. Follow the signs to Bann Makok.

• River estuary Near the turn-off to the Klong Chao Waterfall is a mangrove-lined estuary. Many places (hotels, restaurants, guest houses) 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 bird life. 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 be reached by motorbike. This is also the departure and arrival terminal for the Koh Kood Princess ferry. It has a few very good sea food restaurants (including a home-stay & souvenir shop) where you can choose your own seafood straight from the fishing-nets.

• Ao Yai A typical fishermen village (a real one!) at the extreme South-East of the island. The new concrete road brings you all the way to it. Good place to enjoy fresh seafood. Cheap snorkeling and fishing trips can be arranged here with local fishermen. Crowds of nice people will be happy to receive you there, even if they can only speak Cambodian or Vietnamese.

• The 300 year old Macca Trees Certainly worth a visit, on the way to the Secret Waterfall [23] surrounded by impressive jungle.

• 'Khao Rearub This is an old kind of cave in a remarkable shape and it's a religious place for the Thais. It's also part of a trekking path.

Do

Swimming in the crystal clear waters, sunbathing (there can be sand-flies depending on beaches and season), scuba-diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jungle trekking, trekking to the waterfall 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 (northeast 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.

Scuba diving

Scuba diving is a great way to discover the underwater world around Ko Kut. Diving off Ko Kut is easy, fun, and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish and sometimes sea horses.

Nearly any time of the year except from July till end of September is good diving weather in Ko Kut and visibility can exceed 30 m. Average visibility is around 15-20 m. From July till September visibility is reduced to 5 m and the seas are choppy.

It is possible and perfectly comfortable to swim and dive without a wet-suit year round. However, as with most diving, a wet-suit is recommended to help reduce risk of cuts or injury. Avoid contact with coral reefs.

Various dive locations around Ko Kut are:

• Ao Tum
• Bang Bao
• Clong Hin
• Hin Jedi
• Hin Loi
• Ko Reat
• Ko Rang National Marine Park

• BB Divers, (The main office is in Khlong Chao at Away Resort and within walking distance from Away Resort speedboat pier and Mark House Speedboat pier. The shop at Siam Beach Resort in Bang Bao is their latest addition.), ☎ +66 82 220 6002 ([email protected]), [1]. This dive school is a branch of 5 Star PADI IDC Center BB Divers on Ko Chang where it has been active since 2003. This Belgian-run shop has very nice staff and can provide all PADI courses from Open Water up to Divemaster and even beyond. Courses can be done in many European languages as well as in Thai. They also cater to the snorkelling crowd. With the privately-owned speedboat all local dive sites as well as Ko Rang National Park, Ko Mak and even Ko Chang are within easy reach. They also offer the new wreck dive on the HMS Chang at Ko Chang, the coolest wreck dive in Thailand!  edit

• Koh Kood Divers, (located at the left side of Bang Bao Bay in the south west of Ko Kood), ☎ +66 85 698 4122 ([email protected]), [2]. Small family-run dive shop with new equipment, flexible boat schedules, and friendly multilingual staff including German, Dutch, French, Spanish, and English. They teach all PADI diving courses from beginner to professional level in small groups in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Also they offer snorkelling trips as well.  edit

• Paradise Divers, (just opposite from S-Beach resort, easily accessible from both Bang Bao and Khlong Chao), ☎ +66 87 144 5945 ([email protected]), [3]. This german managed dive school was the first one on the island. The friendly and experienced staff teaches all PADI and CMAS courses from Open Water to Divemaster. Courses can be done in German, Dutch, French, Spanish, English, Thai and more. Besides the dive sites around Koh Kood they visit also the marine nationalpark Koh Rang and the shipwreck of the HTMS Chang.  edit

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. There are no chains like 7Eleven or FamilyMart around, but daily necessities can be bought in numerous small shops around the island. Note, however, that there is only a single ATM on the island which might very well be out of order. It is located near Koh Kood Wittayakhom School, the District Office and the Police Station.

Eat

Many of the resorts, but not all, have good restaurants. Outsiders are always welcomed . Now also a few restaurants are popping up including the rustic locally-run Chiang Mai Restaurant (by far the best food in koh kut. Big portions, amazing tastes and really cheap. Make sure you visit and try the sweet red curry) [24] and a Thai/Italian-run Italian pizza and pasta house [25]. But for the ultimate in ambience View Point Cafe is tops. Located on top of the waters of Klong Chao with great views across to the ocean. Prices on Koh Kood are slightly above mainland. The cheapest feed is roughly 60 baht for a bowl of noodles. Expect to pay 80-200 baht for a main course at non high-end places (usually 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 cream are available at a number of shops around the Khlong Chao.

• Big Dreams Resort (Dreams Bar), 42/5 M2 Ban Klong Chao, ☎ 0951466561, [4]. 24/7. Big Dreams is a chilled, smooth Resort with a fine restaurant, which offers genuine Thai and western food, original Italian homemade pasta, fresh fish and seafood. The cocktail bar with pool table serves amazing exotic drinks. (11°37'28.7N,102°32'47.9E) edit

Drink

• Sunset Bar [26] across the bridge (1 km) down the road from Klong Chao, just before you reach Away Resort. Admire the sunset there around 18:00 or just go later to enjoy the drinks in a cool atmosphere. Parties going on every Saturday until midnight..(local police regulations) and on special occasions.

• View Point Cafe [27] new location near Away Resort on the main road near the bridge. The new View Point Cafe is build directly above the water with magnificent views, sunsets, and ambience. Real fresh-ground Vietnamese-style coffee, fruit shakes, and interesting non-alcoholic cocktails. The Australian/Thai proprietors of the View Point Cafe are a great source of local and SE Asia information. Same owners, same great coffee, drinks, and snacks menu.

Sleep

For high season (November - February) it is recommended to book ahead, especially in weekends. Although there are many different places to stay, most of them can easily be fully booked during Thai holidays that Western tourists are usually unaware of. Also, apart from the Klong Chao area, Koh Kood is not an island where you can easily stroll from resort to resort.

About 40% of the resorts remain open during the rainy season (May-September). Expect services to be limited during that period. Some restaurants, bars & shops close, diving is not always possible etc...

Accommodation is widely spread out over the island with Klong Chao in the middle where most activity is. Low budget/backpacker accommodation can be found there. Most beach resorts are connected to the main concrete road by dirt tracks.

• Away Resort, Klong Chao, ☎ +66 81 835 4517, +66 84 466 5554, [5]. 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 in-flight 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.  edit

• The Beach Natural Resort, Bang Bao Bay, ☎ +66 86 999 9420. Neither a naturist resort nor particularly natural, but the deluxe bungalow is really nice, and the chairs at the end of their long pier is a perfect place to watch the sunset. 1800 THB (Low Season).  edit

• Cozy House (Former name = Baan Pai), Klong Chao, ☎ +66 85 101 4838, [6]. The cheapest place on Koh Kood. Aimed at backpackers. Shared shower/toilet facilities. Washing machine 50 THB/use. Easy walking distance to Klong Chao Beach. Backs on to the river estuary for kayaking visiting waterfall. Sand volleyball court. Weekend BBQs (every other day in high season) with fresh seafood (typical are 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 (150 baht/day) and motorbikes (250 baht/day) for hire. Visa and Mastercard accepted here. 600 THB.  edit

• Dusita Koh Kood, Ngamkho Bay, ☎ +66 81 420 4881. Cosy fan and air-conditioned bungalows. Really good food, and a beach you will never want to leave. 1290 THB.  edit

• Horizon Resort ((Former name = Hindard Resort)), Ngamkho Bay, ☎ +66 81 781 0308. A lovely resort right on the water. Sit on the veranda of your bungalow and enjoy the ocean views. Or enjoy a lovely meal in the restaurant with fantastic views that would make Pacific Islands views seem ordinary. Snorkelling on your doorstep, or rent a kayak or motorbike and go exploring. A great place to relax. A good reasonably-priced option for your Ko Kut stay. 1500 THB.  edit

• For Rest Boutique House, Ao Phrao Beach, ☎ +66 87 026 5515, [7]. New boutique-style guest house built on stilts in an estuary, next to mangroves, tiny fisher village, and an endless empty beach. 1200 THB.  edit

• Ngamkho Resort, Ngamkho Bay, ☎ +66 81 825 7076, [8]. The cheapest beach accommodation on Koh Kood. Laid-back resort on the west coast run by a guy called Uncle Joe and his family. Has basic bungalows only 20m from the beach for 500 THB during low season and 650 THB during peak season (sometimes includes breakfast in the rate), bungalows with toilets are 800 THB. Also offers tents for 200 THB. The resort is close to a beautiful strip of a white sand beach lined with coconut trees, but the beach in front of Ngamkho Resort has been heavily affected by wave erosion. Motorbikes and kayaks are available for rent on a daily/half-day basis (300 THB + 40 THB per liter of gasoline). The restaurant has ok prices for good quality meals. 500 THB.  edit

• Koh Kood Resort ((Former name = Holiday Cottage Koh Kood)), Bang Bao Bay, ☎ +66 87 026 5415, [9]. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Japanese-style bungalows in a botanical garden. Free use of kayaks, Free Wi-Fi for guests. 700 THB (Low Season).  edit

• Klong Chao Garden View ((Former name = Klong Chao Sea View)), Klong Chao, ☎ +66 87 988 3593. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Close to Klong Chao Beach (200m) and waterfall (3km). Family restaurant and motorbike rentals. 400 THB.  edit

• Neverland Beach Resort, Ao Jark Beach, ☎ +66 81 456 5486, +66 81 762 6254, [10]. Popular among Russian tour-groups. Features sweeping coconut groves with well-manicured lawns with a boules area and football pitch, backing on to a private beach. Hammocks and sun chairs on shoreline, with a beach-side bar in the high season. It is miles from anywhere so access to transport is needed. Snorkelling equipment available and a series of rocks on the south end of the beach allow the observation of some sea creatures. The owner speaks Russian and a Russian language menu and sign are visible in the restaurant, which offers a fair selection, although at island-inflated prices. Single kayak available with single-ended paddle.  edit

• P.D. Guesthouse, [11]. Located along the main road in the back of Klong Chao area (10 minutes walking) and on the way to Klong Chao Waterfall (20), the lovely owner Peh offer bungalow accommodation (300 bath), camping ground (100) and shared bathroom huts (150). No Wi-Fi but cool bar nearby with live music called Bartist.  edit
• Hin Suay, [12]. A very nice little bar and ice cream (home made) shop in the Klong Chao are. Some days open till late…  edit
• Bann Makok (Yai Ki Canal (Klong Yai Ki)), ☎ +66882300699, [13]. This small and quiet getaway located upon a canal in a mangrove area. It has only 8 rooms, each with unique design and decoration. Recommended to book in advance. 2800-3300 THB.  edit
• Sea Far Resort, 26/5 Moo 2, Ao Tapao beach, Koh Kood (about 150 meter south of the main pier. Access from the main road via the road next to the Koh Kood hospital), ☎ +66(0)8-007-007-64, [14]. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Deluxe couple and family rooms stand under giant coconut trees on the longest beach on Koh Kood while those looking for the perfect sea view will certainly enjoy the container beach front bungalows. 1900.  edit

Contact

Compared to neighbouring Ko Chang, infrastructure is much less developed. Electricity regularly cuts out, and many resorts do not have backup generators. Some resorts offer Internet access (such as Siam Beach Resort, Hindard, and Koh Kood Resort) while others do not. Internet appears to be offered via 3.5G UMTS (i.e., mobile, speed may depend on provider) and is prone to dropping out. Mobile phones with "Happy DTAC" SIMs work on 3G (decent speed) other networks unconfirmed.

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

NO BANKS! Take cash. Only one ATM on the island. 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.

Get out

• Ko Chang
• Ko Mak

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