Koh Mak


The dream island of Koh Mak is located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand, not far from the Cambodian border. Koh Mak is about 40 km away from the mainland in Trat. From the south coast of Koh Chang island is only about 20 km. The island belongs to the province of Trat and has a total area of approximately 16 km². The center of the island is covered with tropical forests and palm trees. The beaches are beautiful and very quiet. The island offers a natural flair with a very relaxed atmosphere. Part of the island is used by the residents agricultural, especially with rubber and coconut plantations. Koh Mak is the perfect island for all peace seekers and nature lovers. Kayak tours can be made along the beaches, and the crystal clear waters of the sea are great for swimming, snorkeling and diving. At low tide you can walk from Koh Mak (Ao Suon Yai Beach) over a sandbank to Koh Kham.

Koh Mak Sportsbar                      (new owner)


 

On the idyllic island of Koh Mak there are different accommodation options for every budget.

The Koh Mak Bed & Breakfast on Suan Sook Road offers budget accommodation and two dormitories (dorms, 1 x mixed, 1 x women only). The bed & breakfast costs 390 THB per night, and the slogan is "Rent a bed - not a room: per bed you pay only 250 THB !!! Also there are accommodations at the Ao Nid Pier. During the high season there are 3 rooms starting from 1,300, - THB including breakfast.

The Bed & Breakfast and the rooms as well as the Koh Mak Sportsbar with a German bakery and a German Steakhouse right on the Ao Nid Pier were managed Gebhard (Geppi) Meyer until the end of the year2020  (Geppi started a new project in Hua Hin at the end of 2022: Meyers Hua Hin [Restaurant, Snooker bar and accommodation facilities].
Bicycles or scooters can be rented on the island. 
You can do boat tours by a solar catamaran around Koh Mak. With transparent acrylic Kayaks, you can explore the underwater world around the island.  scooters 

getting there


Koh Mak has no connection to an international airport, the nearest airport is in Trat. Directly in the airport building at the ticket counter, the onward trips to various islands can be booked. Frequently, the journey is also via Bangkok. From there you can take the bus along the coast via Pattaya in the direction of Trat. From Laem Ngop Pier and Laem Sok Pier, the island can be reached by speedboat or catamaran in around 40 minutes.

From Bangkok onward journey by bus or plane to Trat.

From Trat by bus or taxi to the ferry "Laem Ngop Pier" or "Laem Sok Pier" in Trat.

Transfer to the hotel on Koh Mak:
Taxis and mini buses are available at the ferry terminal, taking guests to the hotels and beaches.

You can also rent a car at the airport in Bangkok. Here are the usual lenders to choose from (Thai Rent a car, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). In Trat at the airport itself there are no rental cars. Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already in your homecountry. It's possible to drive by car to the piers in Trat or to Koh Chang.

Arrival from Trat:
The journey with all public buses takes place to the bus station in Trat (except the two buses of the line 999). From Trat Bus Station, take a private chartered taxi or one of the blue shared taxis (Songthaeos) to one of the piers in the port city of Laem Ngop. The harbor is about 17 km away and the ride takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. The shared taxis (Songthaeos) start only with a minimum of 10 passengers! The ride on the speedboat takes about 40 minutes.
The boats arrive in the rainy season all at Ao Nid Pier. In the main season (1st November - 31st May), various beaches and the Ao Nid Pier are approached:

  • The Boonsiri Catamaran goes to Ao Nid Pier (Departure from Laem Sok Pier, Trat at 10.45 am and 2.20 pm, 400 THB per person)
  • Speedboat Leelawadee arrives at the pier of Makathanee Resort. (Departure from Laem Ngop Pier, Trat at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm, 450 THB per person)
  • The Panan Speedboat arrives at Koh Mak Resort Pier. (Departure from Laem Ngop Pier, Trat at 13.00 and 16.00, 450 THB per person)
  • The Seatales Speedboat goes to Ao Nid Pier (Departure from Laem Ngop Pier, Trat at 11.30 and 2.30pm per person 450 THB)
  • The Suansuk Speedboat goes to the Ao Nid Pier between the 1st of November and the 31st of May (departure from Laem Ngop Pier / "Krom Luang Chumphon Pier", Trat at 11.30am and 15.00h per person 450 THB, journey time approx 40min .) Suansuk also leaves from Laem Sok Pier in Trat at 11.00. Price also 450 THB per person. Driving time approx. 30 minutes.

Arrival from Bangkok:

  • The arrival from Bangkok by plane to Trat is possible with either Bangkok Airways or another airline (PB Air, Thai AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Airways, etc.). In Bangkok there are 2 airports to choose from (Don Muang, where only domestic flights depart and land and Suvarnabhumi Intl.)
  • The journey by land is e.g. Possible from Bangkok with the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" and takes depending on the traffic between 6 and 8 hours. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. At the Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus Terminal in Samut Prakan (Bangkok) the buses for Pattaya, Koh Chang / Trat & Hua Hin depart:
  1. Mini buses with about 15 seats (about 340-650 THB), driving time between 5.5 and 7 hours to Trat.
  2. Express bus number 392 goes directly (non stop) from Suvarnabhumi airport to Koh Chang, Klon Son area (600 THB). From Koh Chang there are several boat connections to Kah Mak.
  3. From Khao San Road (Boonsiri Office) there are bus & ferry services to the Ao Nid Pier on Koh Mak. The tickets cost between 650-750 THB (about 16.50 € per person). The journey takes about 7.5 hours. The crossing to Koh Mak takes place in the Boonsiri Fantasea catamaran. You can also book the Boonsiri tickets here: http://www.boonsiriferry.com/

Trat and Koh Mak are not connected to Thailand's rail network. But you can go by train to Bangkok, and from there by bus to Trat and from here by ferry to Koh Mak.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (or from Koh Tao to Chumphon). From the pier, VIP buses continue via Bangkok and Pattaya to Trat. From Trat, take the ferry to Koh Mak.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the next big bus station and from there with the VIP bus up to the "bus station" at the pier in Trat. From there it goes by boat / ferry to Koh Mak. From the pier it goes with taxis or Songthaeos / shared taxis to the hotels and beaches.

Arrival from Phuket:
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. The mini bus continues to the "Bus Station" in Phuket Town and from there by VIP bus to the "Bus Station" at the pier in Trat. From there it goes by boat / ferry to Koh Mak. From the pier it goes with taxis or Songthaeos / shared taxis to the hotels and beaches.

Boat connections important info


Generally applies to all boat connections that time information is without guarantee. Especially in the off-season, there may be deviations in the departure times.

sightseeing and attractions


Above all, the island offers some beautiful beaches and an enchanting underwater world. With acrylic kayaks or a solar catamaran you can make tours to neighboring islands. The tours are offered by Geppi Meyer. He runs a bed and breakfast, a sports bar and a steakhouse on the island.

In the village of Ao Nid there is a small temple. From here you can gain a nice overview of the bay of Ao Nid. Here is also the main pier of the island. Located directly on the pier you will find a great German Steakhouse.

In addition to a German bakery with rolls, bread and cakes, Koh Mak Sportsbar also offers changing food options such as All You Can Eat Pizza & Pasta. In the sports bar there are 3 different TV screens for live broadcasts of all sports events. In addition, the bar is equipped with a darts machine, Steeldart, kicker and pool billiards. Here is no boredom guaranteed!

Beaches


The Ao Suon Yai Beach in the northwest of the island offers a long, powdery fine sandy beach. At low tide you can walk from here over a sandbank to Koh Kham. The bay is divided in the middle by a jetty. However, there are only a few boats here (including Koh Kham). The eastern part of the bay is almost undeveloped.

In the west of the island there is the Ao Khao Beach. The narrow sandy beach is alternately lined with trees and palm trees. From here you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.

At the Ao Kra Tueng Beach, especially the western part is only partially developed. Here you can enjoy the beach atmosphere in the shallow, calm waters. Directly at the Makthanee Resort is a jetty, from which tours to the neighboring island of Koh Rayang (Nai & Nok) can be undertaken.

From Laem Son Beach in the east of the island you can look up to Koh Kradat. Here you will find a golden bathing beach, which is well suited for swimming.

In Ao Nid you will not find a beach. Here is the pier as well as some shops, restaurants and a temple.

Underwater Worlds


BB Divers has been based in Koh Mak since 2013 with 2 diving schools. Diving schools offer PADI dive courses as well as freedive courses, fun dives and snorkelling trips. From Koh Mak you can visit Koh Rang Island and other local dive sites.

More about BB Divers Koh Mak and information about excursions and special diving courses can be found here:

Koh Mak: Tel +66 (0) 9.260.22.260
email: kohmak@bbdivers.com

Impressions