You’re looking at a map of Koh Kood Thailand and thinking it looks like a simple weekend hop from Bangkok. Honestly, it’s not. Most people glance at the Trat province coastline and assume Koh Kood (or Ko Kut) is just another Koh Chang. It isn't. This island is massive—Thailand’s fourth largest—but it feels like a secret because the map is basically a lie of omission.
What the maps don't tell you is that the "roads" are often steep, winding concrete ribbons through jungle that could swallow a minivan. You’ve got about 2,000 residents living in a space that’s 25 kilometers long. That's a lot of empty space. If you’re used to the neon chaos of Phuket or the backpacker bustle of Koh Tao, Koh Kood is going to feel like you’ve accidentally trespassed on a private estate.
Navigating the West Coast Bias
When you pull up a digital map of Koh Kood Thailand, you’ll notice something weird. Almost everything is on the west. There’s a reason for that. The eastern side of the island is dominated by rugged mountains and thick, old-growth rainforest. It’s largely inaccessible by road, reserved for the naval base and the deep-water fishing villages.
The Pier Situation
Everything starts at the piers. Most travelers arrive at Ao Salad in the northeast. It’s a stilted fishing village that looks like a movie set. If you’re taking the Boonsiri High Speed Catamaran or the Koh Kood Princess, this is your gateway.
- Ao Salad: The main arrival point. Home to a massive, glittering Buddha statue that watches over the bay.
- Ao Yai: Tucked away in the far southeast. It’s the "other" major fishing village. You go here for the best seafood on the island, period.
The "main" road—if you can call it that—cuts across the island's neck from Ao Salad and then snakes down the western coastline. This is where the magic happens.
The Beach Blueprint
If you're scanning the map of Koh Kood Thailand for a place to sleep, you're looking at the western bays. Each one has a totally different vibe. It's not just "beach is beach."
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Klong Chao is the heart of the island. It’s where the river meets the sea. You’ve got high-end resorts like Peter Pan and Wendy The Pool (yes, the names are quirky) sitting right next to the mangrove estuary. It’s the most "developed" area, which means you might actually find a second ATM here if you're lucky.
Further south, the terrain gets wilder. Bang Bao Bay is a nearly perfect horseshoe. The water here is so still it feels like a swimming pool. It's the kind of place where you can kayak across the bay and see nothing but coconut trees and the occasional wooden pier.
Then you hit Ao Phrao. This is the southernmost beach on the west coast. It’s long, white, and feels incredibly isolated. If you’re looking at a map and see "Rest Sea" or "Sunshine Resort," you’re in the right place for total disconnection.
Waterfalls and the Interior Jungle
Forget the beaches for a second. The interior of Koh Kood is where people get lost—literally and figuratively.
- Klong Chao Waterfall: This is the big one. It’s accessible via a short hike from the road. In the 1900s, King Rama VI actually visited and carved his name into the rocks. It’s got a massive pool at the bottom that’s deep enough for a proper dive.
- Klong Yai Kee: Smaller, quieter, and further north. It’s often overlooked on the map, which makes it perfect if you want to avoid the three other people also visiting the island that day.
- The Secret Waterfall (Huang Num Keaw): For a long time, this wasn't even on the tourist maps. It’s deep in the center. You have to pass the "Big Trees"—ancient Macca trees that are over 500 years old. These things are giants. They make the surrounding jungle look like a garden.
Why Your GPS Might Fail You
Google Maps is decent on Koh Kood, but it’s not perfect. There are dirt tracks that look like roads on a screen but turn into mud pits during the monsoon (May to October).
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Pro tip: Don't trust the travel times. A 5km trip on a map looks like five minutes. On a 125cc scooter with two people on the back, navigating a 30-degree incline through a palm plantation? That’s a 15-minute white-knuckle ride.
The island doesn't have a single 7-Eleven. Read that again. No 24-hour convenience stores. No flashing neon signs. If you need supplies, you find the small "mom and pop" shops in Klong Chao or near the Klong Mad area. Most of these close by 8:00 PM.
Getting There: The Logistics Puzzle
You can’t fly to Koh Kood. The nearest airport is in Trat (TDX), owned by Bangkok Airways. From there, you’ve got to grab a van to Laem Sok Pier.
The ferry companies are the real gatekeepers. Boonsiri is the most popular because they offer a combined bus-and-boat ticket from Bangkok. It’s a long day—expect about 6 to 8 hours from Khao San Road to your resort's pier.
- Speedboats: Faster, but they'll bounce your teeth out if the Gulf of Thailand is feeling moody. They often drop you right at your resort's private pier, which is a total boss move.
- Express Boats: More stable and air-conditioned. They usually dock at Ao Salad, and then you hop in a songthaew (pick-up truck taxi) to reach your hotel. The ride is included in your ticket, so don't let anyone charge you extra.
The Cambodian Border Context
Look at a regional map of Koh Kood Thailand and you’ll see how close it is to Cambodia. It’s right on the maritime border. In fact, there have been long-standing sovereignty discussions over the waters surrounding the island because of potential oil and gas reserves.
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However, for a traveler, this doesn't change much. You might see a Thai Navy vessel anchored in the distance, but the vibe remains peaceful. It’s actually because of this proximity that the island stayed "underdeveloped" for so long; it was a sensitive military zone. Now, that lack of development is exactly why people pay 500 dollars a night to stay at places like Soneva Kiri.
Practical Strategy for Your Visit
Don't just arrive and wing it. Koh Kood rewards the prepared.
First, rent a scooter. Unless you want to be stuck at your resort (which, honestly, isn't the worst fate), you need wheels. Taxis are rare and expensive—they operate more like private charters than city cabs. Expect to pay 300 to 500 Baht just to go a few kilometers. A scooter rental is usually 250 Baht a day. Just wear a helmet; those hills don't care about your holiday tan.
Second, bring cash. While more resorts are starting to take cards or Thai QR payments, the few ATMs on the island are notoriously finicky. They run out of cash or just decide they don't like your specific bank.
Third, check the season. From November to February, the weather is perfect. Clear skies, flat seas. By May, the winds shift. Many resorts on the west coast actually close down or reduce staff because the waves get too big for the piers. If you visit in the "green season," you'll get a great deal, but you might be eating dinner while a tropical deluge pounds the tin roof of your bungalow.
Actionable Next Steps:
Start by booking your ferry from Laem Sok Pier at least a week in advance if you're traveling during the peak months of December or January. Once you have your boat ticket, download an offline version of the island map on your phone. Focus your search for accommodation on Klong Chao if you want social options, or Ao Phrao if you want to forget the rest of the world exists. When you arrive, head straight to the Big Trees in the island's center—it’s the best way to understand the scale and age of this place before you hit the beach.