Koh Kood

• It is best to rent a scooter (mostly Yamaha automatics and 125cc Honda motors are available) since there aren’t many public transport facilities around Koh Kood and the public taxis are usually only for people going for day tours. Having a scooter will make it easy for you to maneuver your way through the island and make the most out of your trip. The rent charges are somewhere between 250 to 500 THB (depending on the condition and age of the scooter). Also, note that it is cheaper to get fuel from the gas station (located north to the hospital) than to buy bottles from the stalls on the roadside.

• The island has limited shops; therefore if there is something that you think you would definitely need during your stay at the island, it is best to carry it with you than to rely on shops from the island. This will prevent you from getting annoyed and frustrated if the item ends up not being available at Koh Kood.

• Visitors should definitely bring in cash with them in advance when they visit the island as there is only one bank and three ATMs here and ones not carrying cash may be forced to go out of their way to get it. That being said, one of these ATMs along with the Bank is situated adjacent to the Koh Kood Hospital, the second ATM is located on the roadside on Klong Chao Beach, just south of the High Season Resort. The third ATM is located on the roadside of a minimart which is situated near the Fisherman’s Hut restaurant and falls in the middle of the other two ATMs. Also, while some resorts do offer cash advances to their non-guests at a 5 percent commission rate and people can get GBP, USD, and EUR exchanged at some shops and resorts, the exchange rate is not that great.

• There is a lack of proper street lighting in Koh Kood so you should bring some flashlights or head torches with you if the idea of manoeuvring the streets in the darkness doesn’t sound appealing to you. Also, though some people do make do with the flashlights on their mobile phones, carrying an extra torch might be a good idea to be on the safe side in case your mobile runs out of battery.

• Sandflies may be seen in abundance around the quieter beaches in Koh Kood; therefore it is a good idea to pack some hydrocortisone cream or coconut oil or buy some local ‘Yellow oil’ from the shops and the resort on the island to be safe. This locally made oil helps to reduce swelling and stop the itchiness that often occurs due to an insect bite.

Itinerary for a 2-day trip to Koh Kood

• Start your journey to Koh Kood by taking the PG301 flight from Bangkok Airport so that you can reach Trat Airport by 9:20 AM.
• Then, take a taxi (it is a good idea to book a taxi in advance) from Trat Airport to reach the Laem Sok Pier, which would take roughly 45 minutes.
• The first Boonsiri Ferry, which is a high-speed catamaran, of the day leaves the Laem Sok Pier at 10:45 AM and costs about 500 THB per person.
• Keep your luggage in the resort and grab something to eat and then venture out to one of the many beaches of Koh Kood to enjoy some water activities such as snorkelling, diving or fish watching.
• Relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of the beach. Head to any of the small restaurants that are closest to the beach and maybe give a try to the local Thai cuisine.
• After lunch, head over to visit the Klong Chao waterfall by kayaking and then walk the rest of the way by following the short jungle trail. Enjoy a peaceful swim at the large pool and maybe swing the rope if you are in the mood.
• After that head towards Huang Nam Kaew waterfall and follow the road signs to see the two ancient big trees - a banyan tree and the Makka tree that has been there on the island for an astounding 200 and 500 years.
• End your day by grabbing some delicious snacks and evening drinks while enjoying the live music at Bartist.

• Start your second day in Koh Kood by grabbing breakfast from your resort or from a nearby restaurant.
• Then, rent a motorbike, which you should be able to get for about 300-350 Baht, and head over to Ao Yai fishing village. On the way, don’t forget to capture the enchanting view of the village from the Ao Yai viewpoint.
• Upon reaching the village, you’ll get to witness the traditional lifestyle of the locals and a number of colourful wooden houses built on stilt above the sea. Visit one of the many seafood restaurants here to have a delicious meal and then maybe try to arrange for a fishing or snorkelling tour with the locals if you can.
• Next, head over to Bang Bao beach and buy yourself a bottle of wine and some snacks and enjoy the sunset at the beach with an evening drink.
  
• After that visit the Fisherman Hut Music Station nearby that has new live bands playing over almost every night of the week.

• Koh Kood lacks a bit when it comes to places to go shopping. One will find local stores with basic items and certain minimarkets around the Klong Chao beach, but otherwise, there are a lot of items that tourists generally have to carry from the mainland when they visit Koh Kood.
• There are also not many public transport facilities in Koh Kood and the public taxis that are there only benefit people on day tours. Therefore, visitors who do not resort to renting scooters often have difficulty in getting around the island.

• The Fisherman Hut: This upbeat and popular steak, barbeque and seafood restaurant is a great place for some good seafood, and great drinks, and live music during the night time.

• View Point Cafe: An awesome place to enjoy cake, coffee, and drinks with a breathtaking view of the bay.

• Pizza & Pasta: If you are missing Western food, then this Italian food-joint is a great place to go and have some delicious pizza, and wine at reasonable prices.

• Noochy Seafood: One of the best seafood restaurants at the Ao Yai fishing village that is known for its friendly and attentive staff and delicious seafood dishes including shrimp, scallops, flathead lobster, squid, and crab.

• Chiang Mai Restaurant: An excellent place to try large portions of Thai cuisine items at fair prices.

• Tawan Eco Bar: A chill place to enjoy great food, drinks, and live music in the evening. If you want, you can even whip up a drink for yourself here but don’t forget to leave a tip in their ‘honesty jar’ if you liked the place.