Readme before you journey
The end of May marks the final stretch of the high season for seaside getaways.
For a summer trip, there's nothing better than a relaxing vacation on an island.
This trip goes to...Koh Kood, Trat Province... the Andaman of the eastern sea.
Koh Kood, the fourth largest island in Thailand and the second largest in Trat province after Koh Chang, is renowned for its stunning beauty. With pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a tranquil atmosphere, it is a perfect getaway destination, earning it the nickname "Andaman of the East Coast." Despite its remote location in the southernmost part of the Trat Sea, the island's allure makes the journey worthwhile.
Day 1: May 27, 2018
The First Day of the Journey
We started our journey at 5:00 AM. Our first destination was Boonsiri Speed Boat Company, located on Khao San Road. This was the second time we had used Boonsiri's services. It was a convenient way to travel, as we booked a car and then took a boat. We didn't have to waste time finding a connecting car or boat, and the price was more affordable than finding our own transportation. We had previously used Boonsiri's services when we visited Koh Mak. We had already visited almost all the islands in the Trat Sea, except for Koh Kood. This time was a good opportunity to review it for our friends to read.
Boonsiri Company is located on Khao San Road, in the area of Tani Road, in front of The Street Hostel. During the low season, there is only one ferry to Koh Kood from Bangkok, departing at 7:00 AM and arriving at Koh Kood around 2:30 PM. (After October 15, there will be 2 rounds) .. When you arrive at the company, bring the voucher you booked to check-in to receive the boat tickets for both the outbound and return trips. Keep it safe, because we have to check-in again before boarding the boat.
The type of vehicle used, either a van or a bus, will depend on the number of passengers traveling in that particular round.
Map of Boonsiri Company (Bangkok)
Coordinates: 13.7604281, 100.4977219
We arrived at the Boonsiri office in Laem Sok around 12:30 PM. To check in, simply present both your outbound and return tickets at the Boonsiri Laem Sok office counter. The company offers car parking services for 50 baht per night. If you are driving yourself, you can park your car here.
The tram that will take us from the company to the port looks like this.
Before boarding the ship, the Boonsiri staff will check our tickets again. The ship has two floors, passengers can choose whichever floor they prefer. The interior is an air-conditioned room with a total of 200 seats. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel by boat to Koh Kood. However, today the boat departed from Koh Mak later than our scheduled departure time of 1:00 PM. Our boat left the pier at 2:00 PM, which was a 1-hour delay.
We stayed at Siam Beach Resort Koh Kood (bungalow with sea view). We booked it through booking.com, and during our stay, which was during the low season, the room rate was 1,100 baht per night (excluding breakfast). It is located at Bang Bao Beach.
The Monkey Bar offers a relaxing atmosphere where you can sip cocktails by the sea, accompanied by the gentle sound of waves.
The access road to the hotel is somewhat challenging, but there are other roads that are even more difficult. Some sections are paved with concrete, while others are gravel, but the overall journey is not too arduous.
The resort offers massage services to both Thai and international guests.
And this is the first view from our own room.
We arrived at the accommodation late after a long journey, leaving us feeling a bit tired. We decided to refuel at the hotel's restaurant. Food prices started at 170 baht, and our first meal of the day cost us 880 baht. On the island, there are local convenience stores and an ATM from the Government Savings Bank. It's recommended to bring enough cash with you.
This is the evening atmosphere of the beach near our accommodation.
Our resort offers stunning sunset views. While dining, guests can set up their cameras to capture the breathtaking spectacle. However, today the weather was not on our side. The sky was filled with clouds, obscuring the sunset and preventing us from capturing any photos.
Day 2: Exploring Koh Kood
This concludes the first day of our journey. Join us as we explore the sights and attractions of Koh Kood on the second day of our adventure.
May 28, 2018
Day Two of the Trip
Note: This translation focuses solely on the provided text and does not engage in any further analysis or evaluation.
Good morning! For this trip, waking up early to catch the sunrise wasn't necessary, as we were staying on the west side of the island. (However, out of habit, I still woke up at 6 am.) This trip was planned with minimal planning, allowing for flexibility and ample relaxation.
Before breakfast, the sun was not too strong, so we went for a walk along the beach and on the bridge in front of our hotel. There will be a lot of pictures, haha.
The original text describes the beauty of seawater under sunlight, particularly during the hours of 8:00-10:00 AM on sunny days. The author, an experienced island traveler, recommends this time frame for capturing stunning photographs of the sea.
Here is a more formal and academic translation:
The aesthetic qualities of seawater are enhanced by sunlight, particularly during the morning hours. The reflection of sunlight on the water's surface creates a visually appealing effect, characterized by clarity and brilliance. Experienced island travelers recommend capturing photographs of seawater between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM on sunny days to maximize the aesthetic impact.
Let's check out our first breakfast here! This morning, we opted for breakfast at the hotel (breakfast is included if you book during certain seasons). However, breakfast was not included during our stay, so we had to pay for it ourselves. This morning, we spent 340 baht on a light breakfast, which consisted of three items: pork congee, pancakes, and French toast. Overall, the food was delicious and not too bad.
After eating, we will transform into "เด็กแว๊นซ์" (young motorcycle riders) and explore the island. Renting a motorbike is essential for this adventure, and luckily, rentals are readily available throughout the island. Prices range from 200-300 baht per day, but for convenience, we booked through our hotel for 300 baht per day (24 hours). No need to worry about fuel, as there are stations along the way selling 1-liter bottles for 40 baht.
Motorcycles on the island typically lack license plates, and unless it's a festive period, there won't be any police presence. Helmets are not mandatory, but be cautious of local drivers who tend to speed and overtake on curves.
Let's continue our journey… Our first destination today is Khlong Chao Waterfall, the highlight of our visit here. After visiting Nam Kem, we must also stop by to play in the fresh water. When playing in the water, it is recommended to wear a life jacket as the water is quite deep. The waterfall here flows all year round. The best time to play in the water is from August to May. There is no entrance fee, but there is a donation box to support the island, according to your faith.
The journey to Khlong Chao Waterfall is very easy. You can drive and park your car at the entrance. There are restrooms available. Then, you need to walk for about 400 meters. The walking path is very easy.
This historical waterfall was visited by King Rama VI. In front of the waterfall, there is a large stone inscribed with the King's initials, "วปร". The King named the waterfall "Namtok Anamkok" in memory of King Ong Chieu of Vietnam.
After leaving the waterfall, we intended to go to Good view cafe, but we couldn't find the shop. In the end, we ended up at the Som Tum restaurant at the entrance of the waterfall. The damage for this meal was 350 baht. The taste was quite spicy.
Excluding the beaches, Koh Kood offers few notable tourist attractions. During this trip, we skipped visiting the giant fig and kapok trees due to their distance from our accommodation. Instead, after visiting the waterfall, we returned towards our accommodation and stopped by the beach near the Tinger Bell Resort.
The beach here is incredibly beautiful. It's the most stunning beach we've seen while driving by. This beach offers a different vibe compared to the resort beaches. It provides more privacy, and people from other resorts can walk and take pictures on the beach.
After capturing several stunning photos, we started our car and drove to **Khao Reur Rorb**, a natural phenomenon that has shaped two groups of rocky mountains to resemble two warships parked side by side, hence the name "Khao Reur Rorb" (Warship Mountain). On top of the rocks, the Koh Kood islanders and the Royal Thai Navy have jointly built a royal monument to His Royal Highness Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, for tourists like us to pay our respects for good fortune.
After visiting the warship, we headed straight back to the resort as rain clouds began to gather. As soon as we arrived, the sun came out, so we quickly changed into our swimsuits. We rented snorkeling equipment, including a mask and fins, for 200 baht. Kayaks were free to use, but we had to leave a 200 baht deposit, which we received back when we returned the kayak.
In the late afternoon, around 3-4 pm, we went out for a walk and took some photos in the nearby area. (There will be quite a few photos, I mean selfies, haha) The resorts near us are 'To The Sea', which is currently being recommended by many travel bloggers, and 'Koh Kood Resort', which was the first resort on Koh Kood.
The iconic 'swing' at To The Sea is currently inaccessible due to high tide.
This part is also the accommodation of To The Sea. It looks so comfortable to sleep in. It would be nice to sleep here for a night.
The To The Sea resort also features a wooden bridge, with a unique touch of a coin-operated telephone booth.
On the other side, there is a mesh for lounging. While lying down, I was secretly afraid that the mesh would break. I don't really trust my own weight. > "<
After a quick bite to eat, our next destination was a seafood dinner at the Ao Yai fishing village. To get the most out of our visit, we decided to explore the area on motorbikes. The ride was exhilarating, taking us to the southernmost tip of the island. Along the way, we stopped at a scenic viewpoint that offered panoramic views of the Ao Yai fishing village.
The local community actively protects the island's environment. For instance, they prohibit motorized water sports like jet skis and banana boats, preserving the pristine natural beauty and marine life. The welcoming and friendly locals embrace tourists with open arms, leading simple, peaceful lives that create a tranquil atmosphere for visitors.
Arriving at the fishing community, we couldn't resist indulging in some fresh seafood. We opted for dinner at Noochy Seafood Restaurant.
The dishes we ordered were not very many, including grilled shrimp, shrimp in fish sauce, and chicken in galangal soup. The price for this meal was 650 baht. The taste was good, the seafood was fresh, and the dipping sauce was delicious. It was worth the drive. If you are tired of hotel food, try driving to the fishing community to eat. ^^
We rode our motorcycles in the late afternoon, and on the way back, the sun had already set. If you come during this time, please drive carefully. Some sections of the road will only have our headlights. Choosing to eat here made us miss the sunset today. It's a pity. So I'm bringing you pictures of the night instead. At night, the sea looked like the aurora borealis, but it was just the lights used for squid fishing. If I have the chance, I'd like to try squid fishing at night.
During our trip, we were fortunate to avoid rain during the day. Rain and thunder typically occurred before dawn. Fortunately, there was always something exciting to look forward to when visiting the sea during the rainy season. Tomorrow is our last day of travel. See you on the final day of our journey! ^^
:: DAY 3 ::
May 29, 2018
The last day of the trip
Today's Schedule: Departure Preparations
The day's schedule involved preparing for our departure. A shared taxi would pick us up at the hotel reception at 8:00 AM to take us to the port. This meant an early wake-up to shower, dress, and have breakfast.
For breakfast, we opted for filling options to sustain us during the long journey. We ordered fried rice with pork and rice porridge with pork, which cost 180 baht.
After finishing our meal, we quickly gathered our belongings and rushed to the reception area, where two vans from the Van Van service were already waiting for us.
The songthaew dropped us off at Ao Salad village, a small fishing village. In the past, this bay was a haven for pirates who plundered the waters nearby. They would offload their stolen goods here, hence the name "Ao Salad" (Pirate Bay).
If you have time, don't forget to visit the Ao Salad Temple near the pier and pay respects to His Royal Highness Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak. The temple houses the "Phra Phutthapatip Si Sathorn" statue.
After checking in with our return ferry tickets at the designated area, we boarded the vessel and secured our seats. The journey back to Laem Sok Pier took approximately 1.30 hours, mirroring the duration of our earlier trip. Subsequently, we embarked on a 5-6 hour return journey to Bangkok via a vehicle provided by Boonsiri Speed Boat Co., Ltd.
It's time to wave goodbye to Koh Kood, the final island in the Trat Sea that In My Eye has visited.
Koh Kood is a great option for those who love the sea and want to relax, whether with family, friends, or a partner. It's a must-visit for beach lovers, and you won't be disappointed. For those looking to start backpacking, this is a great place to consider. Remember, responsible tourism is key. Let's work together to preserve the beauty of the Thai seas for sustainable enjoyment.
Thanks to SONY A6000 + Lens kit 16-50 / 50 F1.8 and Gopro HERO5
for capturing beautiful photos throughout this trip.
Edited with Lr program.
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.. See you on the next trip ..
Total Trip Expenses (for 2 people)
The cost of the car and ferry (round trip) is 3,400 baht.
Accommodation fee (2 nights) 2,200 baht
Motorcycle rental fee (1 day): 300 baht.
Refill oil 40 baht.
The cost of dinner at the hotel is 880 baht.
The cost of breakfast at the hotel is 340 baht.
The cost of papaya salad is 350 baht.
Dinner at Noochy restaurant cost 650 baht.
The cost of breakfast at the hotel is 180 baht.
A total of 8,540 baht (an average of 4,270 baht per person).
In My Eye
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6:29 PM
