{"id":6892,"date":"2026-10-12T22:48:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T20:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2troubletravelers.com\/?p=6892"},"modified":"2026-10-12T22:50:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T20:50:43","slug":"koh-kood-thailand-as-it-was-20-years-ago-our-tips-for-beaches-hotels-and-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2troubletravelers.com\/en\/koh-kood-thailand-as-it-was-20-years-ago-our-tips-for-beaches-hotels-and-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Koh Kood: Thailand as It Was 20 Years Ago. Our Tips for Beaches, Hotels and Food"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Is there still an island in Thailand where you can have a white-sand beach almost all to yourself, wake up in the middle of the jungle in the morning, and watch the sunset in the evening without crowds of tourists? Yes. Koh Kood is one of the last places in Thailand that still retains the feel of a true tropical paradise. You won\u2019t find any bustling holiday resorts or nightlife here like you do in Phuket or Koh Samui.<\/p>\n

Instead, you\u2019ll find stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, waterfalls, jungle, delicious local food and an atmosphere that will make you never want to leave. In this article, you\u2019ll find our recommendations for the most beautiful beaches and spots on Koh Kood, as well as the best hotels and places to enjoy delicious Thai cuisine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Where is Koh Kood Island?<\/h2>\n

Koh Kood, also known as Koh Kut, is one of the easternmost Thai islands. It is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 300 kilometres south-east of Bangkok and just a few dozen kilometres from the Cambodian coast. It is part of Trat Province and, together with the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Mak, forms part of an archipelago situated not far from the border with Cambodia. It is precisely its location off the main tourist routes that is one of the reasons why Koh Kood has retained a more peaceful atmosphere to this day and feels far less touristy than many of the better-known Thai islands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

How to get to Koh Kood<\/h2>\n

There are several ways to get to Koh Kood, and your choice depends mainly on where you\u2019re travelling from.<\/p>\n

By plane via Trat<\/h3>\n

If you prefer to travel by air, the nearest airport is Trat. From there, you need to make your way to Laem Sok Pier, from where ferries run directly to the island. The cruise lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

By bus from Bangkok<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re travelling from Bangkok, the bus is an alternative to flying. Services depart, for example, from Suvarnabhumi Airport or from the Ekkamai, Khao San and Mo Chit bus terminals. The journey to the port itself will take you around 6 to 7 hours, after which you\u2019ll still have the ferry crossing ahead of you.<\/p>\n

From the island of Koh Chang<\/h3>\n

We travelled on to Koh Kood from nearby Koh Chang. We simply booked the whole transfer through 12Go Asia<\/a>, so we didn\u2019t have to organise each leg of the journey separately. The package included collection from the hotel, a transfer to the harbour, a ferry crossing lasting approximately an hour and a half, and, upon arrival on Koh Kood, a transfer directly to the hotel. The whole journey cost us around \u20ac27 per person.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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How to get around the island<\/h2>\n

Koh Kood is a bit of an unusual place, and you shouldn\u2019t expect to find Grab taxis or public transport here. To get around freely, you\u2019ll definitely need a scooter. The advantage is that the island isn\u2019t overcrowded, so you can enjoy driving along empty roads.<\/p>\n

However, if you don\u2019t have a scooter licence or don\u2019t feel confident riding a motorbike, you can still enjoy this island to the full. An alternative is the large tuk-tuks, which operate as a taxi service. However, this option is less flexible and also more expensive, so choosing a suitable location for your accommodation will be key to ensuring you don\u2019t have to use taxis for absolutely every journey.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

BONUS TIP: Always wear a helmet when riding a scooter, as there are often police checks on the island.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Where to stay on Koh Kood<\/h2>\n

Koh Kood is a relatively small island, and its main areas are about a 40-minute drive apart. If you have a scooter, you don\u2019t need to be quite as particular about the location when choosing accommodation as you would on the larger Thai islands. You can mainly choose from more upmarket resorts right on the beach, though there are also more affordable options starting from around \u20ac20 a night, which are, however, mostly concentrated in the central part of the island.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

The best places to stay<\/h3>\n

Klong Chao Beach<\/strong> is the most developed part of the island and will be particularly appreciated by those who want to be close to restaurants, shops and other amenities. It is therefore a practical choice for families with children or for those who do not own a scooter.<\/p>\n

We particularly recommend Bang Bao Beach<\/strong> to lovers of the underwater world. The beach offers excellent conditions for snorkelling, and there are also diving schools in the vicinity.<\/p>\n

Ao Phrao Beach<\/strong>, on the other hand, is quieter and less built-up. It is one of the island\u2019s most beautiful beaches and is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. From there, it takes about 25 minutes by scooter to reach the busier part of Koh Kood.<\/p>\n

If you already have an idea of where you\u2019d like to stay on Koh Kood, you can view the accommodation options via this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Where we stayed<\/h3>\n

During our stay, we tried out two resorts and we rate both very highly. The first was Hideout Koh Kood<\/a><\/strong>, where we had a private villa with a swimming pool. The second was the Rest Sea Resort<\/a><\/strong>, which is situated right on Ao Phrao Beach, as mentioned, so we were also able to enjoy the stunning sunsets on the beach.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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The most beautiful beaches on Koh Kood<\/h2>\n

One of the main reasons why people choose to visit Koh Kood, out of all the Thai islands, is its beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. In places, they are reminiscent of the Caribbean. We\u2019ve visited several well-known places in Thailand, such as Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Krabi and Phuket, but Koh Kood is definitely the winner when it comes to the beauty of its beaches. Another advantage is that they aren\u2019t overcrowded, so you can enjoy them without having to jostle for space with hundreds of other tourists or pay an entrance fee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Bang Bao Beach<\/h3>\n

Bang Bao Beach is one of the island\u2019s most famous beaches. It is shaped like a crescent moon, and at one end there is a very photogenic spot with a wooden bridge. There are several resorts around the beach. There are a number of activities you can try here, such as kayaking or snorkelling by the reefs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Klong Chao Beach<\/h3>\n

Klong Chao Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Koh Kood and offers everything you\u2019d expect from a tropical paradise: fine white sand, crystal-clear waters and palm trees. Thanks to its central location, it is easily accessible from most parts of the island. What\u2019s more, it faces west, so you can enjoy a magnificent sunset here. There are plenty of resorts and restaurants in the surrounding area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Ao Noi Beach<\/h3>\n

Ao Noi Beach is a small, secluded beach that feels like a private tropical paradise. You can get there via the Ao Noi Resort, where you\u2019ll also find a restaurant open to the public and bungalows with sea views. A popular spot for taking photos is the local pier, which overlooks the bay. The water is calm, although the slope into the sea is a little steeper. As the beach belongs to the resort, you are not allowed to bring your own food or drinks here. However, you can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant mentioned above.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Secret Sunset Beach<\/h3>\n

Secret Sunset Beach is a slightly more secluded beach, but that doesn\u2019t detract from its beauty in the slightest. You can look forward to crystal-clear water and stunning views of the island of Koh Raet, which lies opposite. There\u2019s also the iconic reclining palm tree here, where you can take some lovely photos. Seacret Koh Kood Resort is situated right on the beach and could be an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy an undisturbed atmosphere. There\u2019s also a beach bar on the beach where you can buy a chilled coconut, a drink or a quick bite to eat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Ao Jark Bay Beach<\/h3>\n

A lesser-known beach on the island is Ao Jark Bay Beach. It is ideal for those who enjoy natural beaches without resorts or beach bars and are looking for undisturbed relaxation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Ao Phrao Beach<\/h3>\n

On the very opposite side of the island lies the aforementioned Ao Phrao Beach, which is particularly popular at sunset, when there is a truly exceptional atmosphere. In the middle of it stands a wooden jetty, where you can take some lovely photos. You\u2019ll also find several restaurants on the beach serving excellent Thai specialities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Waterfalls on Koh Kood Island<\/h2>\n

As well as its beautiful beaches, Koh Kood also boasts a wealth of natural beauty. If you decide to stay for a longer period and don\u2019t want to spend every day just on the beach, we have a great alternative for you. How about exploring the countryside and cooling off under a waterfall?<\/p>\n

There are two beautiful waterfalls on the island: Klong Chao Waterfall<\/strong> and Klong Yai Kee Waterfall<\/strong>. You don\u2019t need to go on any strenuous hikes to get there; it\u2019s just a short five- to ten-minute walk from the car park. You can also go for a swim at both waterfalls.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Cuisine on Koh Kood<\/h2>\n

Although Koh Kood is a tiny local island where you won\u2019t find any large supermarket chains, international restaurants or nightclubs, there\u2019s no shortage of excellent food here. There are an incredible number of small local restaurants here, serving the very best Thai specialities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Our favourite restaurants<\/h3>\n

Our number one choice is definitely Chaiyo Restaurant.<\/strong> It\u2019s a small family-run restaurant with just a few tables. If you come in the evening when it\u2019s full, you\u2019ll probably have to wait a while, but it\u2019ll be worth it. Another excellent restaurant is Black Bananas.<\/strong> The prices here are a little higher than in other local restaurants, but the food and service are definitely worth it. If you fancy something other than Thai food, we recommend popping into Let\u2019s Meat<\/strong>, where you can enjoy grilled specialities and burgers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Breakfast, brunch and coffee<\/h3>\n

If you love breakfast, brunch and good coffee, you\u2019ll find a few places here that are definitely worth a visit. For breakfast, you could pop into the Mermaid Restaurant and Caf\u00e9<\/strong>, for example, where we recommend their refreshing smoothie bowls. If you\u2019re looking for excellent coffee, pop into Yak\u2019s Cafe Koh Kood<\/strong> or Kood Vibes Bakery & Restaurant<\/strong>, where they also serve delicious fresh pastries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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BONUS TIP: Although you won\u2019t find any clubs or bars on the island that stay open until the early hours, there is one place you simply must include in your itinerary. It\u2019s called the Tawan Eco Bar. This bar will literally take you back in time, and here you\u2019ll experience the sort of atmosphere we believe prevailed amongst travellers 30 to 40 years ago. You take your shoes off at the entrance; there\u2019s a live band playing \u2013 which includes the owners themselves \u2013 you serve yourself, and you simply enjoy the moment to the full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Travel Guide Thailand<\/h2>\n

Koh Chang is an island full of contrasts, experiences, and colors. A place where you can spend one day discovering hidden beaches, diving among coral reefs, strolling through night markets, and enjoying the sunset over the sea in the evening. These tips are just a small taste of what this island has to offer \u2013 and perhaps it is in those unexpected moments that you will find your most beautiful memories.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for more inspiration for other areas in Thailand, we recommend checking out our e-book, where you will find practical tips, proven itineraries, recommendations for food, accommodation, and lots of other useful advice from our own travels. It will help you plan your trip so that you can experience the best and completely stress-free. The e-book can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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In our e-book you will find everything in one place:<\/strong><\/p>\n