Koh Kood — also spelled Koh Kut — is the most remote and least-developed of Thailand's major eastern Gulf islands, sitting close to the Cambodian border. The reward for the extra effort of getting there is obvious: wide beaches, clear rivers and almost none of the infrastructure crowds of Samui or even Koh Chang. The main ferry to Koh Kood departs from Laem Sok pier south of Trat, and the crossing takes a little over an hour.
Laem Sok pier: the main departure point
Ferries to Koh Kood depart from Laem Sok pier, around 25–30 km south of Trat town on the Rayong–Trat coastal road. Laem Sok is a small fishing village — there is little to do there other than board a boat, so most travellers pass through rather than stop. From Trat bus station, songthaews and minibuses run to Laem Sok; journey time is 30–40 minutes. Taxis are also available. If you are coming directly from Bangkok or Trat Airport, some operators pick up en route to the pier, so check when buying your ticket whether a transfer is included.
Boonsiri High Speed Ferry
Boonsiri is the leading catamaran operator on the Trat–Koh Kood route and the one most travellers use. Their high-speed ferry departs Laem Sok in the morning and takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Koh Kood's main pier at Ao Salad (also called Ao Salat) in the north of the island. In high season, Boonsiri may run additional afternoon sailings and also extends the route further to Koh Mak and Koh Chang — useful if you are island-hopping. Their vessels are modern catamarans with air-conditioned interiors and small luggage racks. Combined Bangkok-to-Koh Kood packages through Boonsiri are available and popular.
Koh Kut Express
Koh Kut Express (the name varies in different spellings online) operates a similar high-speed catamaran service from Laem Sok to Koh Kood, also taking around 1 hour 15–1 hour 30 minutes. This is a smaller operator with typically one morning departure. Tickets can be bought at the pier or arranged through guesthouses in Trat. If Boonsiri is sold out or not running that day, Koh Kut Express is the practical alternative.
Speedboats
Speedboat charters are available from Laem Sok and can reach Koh Kood in around 45–55 minutes. They are faster but considerably more expensive than the catamaran services, and they are noisy and wet in any kind of swell. Charter speedboats are most useful for groups with flexible timing, or in low season when scheduled services are reduced. Make sure any boat you charter has life jackets and a licensed operator.
Arriving on Koh Kood
Boonsiri arrivals typically dock at Ao Salad pier in the north-east of the island. From there, longtail boats and pickup taxis take passengers to their resorts. The island has no public transport to speak of — your resort will usually arrange a transfer if you tell them your arrival time and boat. If you have not pre-arranged a pickup, taxis and longtails are available at the pier, though the island is quiet enough that you should confirm your resort's location and the transfer cost before you get off the boat.
Koh Kood's roads are relatively good on the west and north coasts, where most resorts are located, and rougher in the south. A motorbike is the ideal way to explore the island independently, and rentals are available near the main resorts. The waterfalls inland — particularly Nam Tok Khlong Chao — are one of the highlights and easily reached by bike.
Low-season closures and reduced services (May–October)
Koh Kood is genuinely seasonal in a way that Samui and Koh Chang are not. From roughly May to October, the island quietens considerably: many resorts close entirely, and ferry frequency is substantially reduced. During the worst of the rainy season (June–October), Boonsiri may cut to a single weekly departure or suspend their Koh Kood service altogether, leaving only the occasional charter speedboat as an option. Key practical points:
- If you are considering visiting between May and October, check Boonsiri's current schedule well in advance — it changes year to year.
- Confirm with your resort that they will be open during your planned dates. Many Koh Kood resorts close from May or June and reopen in November.
- Even in shoulder months (May, October), services run but the island is quiet — which suits some travellers perfectly.
- High season runs from roughly November to April, when ferries run daily or multiple times per week and the weather is reliably fine.
Low-season warning: Do not assume the Koh Kood ferry runs daily year-round. Between May and October, scheduled services may be reduced to a few days per week or less. Verify before booking accommodation.
Getting from Bangkok to Koh Kood
The total journey from Bangkok by public transport takes most of a day: a bus from Ekkamai or the Eastern Bus Terminal to Trat (around 5–6 hours), a transfer to Laem Sok pier, and the ferry. Through-packages from Bangkok — bus to Trat plus pier transfer plus ferry — are sold by Boonsiri and by travel agencies in Khao San Road. Flying to Trat Airport (TDX) on Bangkok Airways and taking a taxi to Laem Sok cuts the road time significantly. If you are combining Koh Kood with Koh Chang, Centrepoint Ferry on the Koh Chang route connects to Koh Kood on certain services — see Trat to Koh Chang for detail on that route.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry journey from Laem Sok to Koh Kood?
Boonsiri's high-speed catamaran takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Koh Kut Express runs a similar time of roughly 1 hour 15–30 minutes. Charter speedboats can do it in under an hour but at a higher cost.
Is Koh Kood worth the extra effort compared to Koh Chang?
For travellers who value emptier beaches, cleaner water and a quieter pace, yes emphatically. Koh Kood has almost no mass tourism, some of Thailand's clearest rivers and waterfalls, and a fraction of the crowds of Koh Chang. The trade-off is fewer services, limited nightlife and a seasonal nature that means some months the island is essentially closed.
Can I visit Koh Kood and Koh Mak in the same trip?
Yes. Boonsiri's high-season route from Laem Sok calls at both Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Island hopping between the two is straightforward on the same service. Both islands have limited accommodation and a similar low-key character.
What is the best time to visit Koh Kood?
November to April is the reliable high season, with clear water, calm seas and all resorts open. December to February is the most popular period. May sees the rains begin and many resorts close. October is sometimes possible with the right timing but services are limited.
Sources and further reading:
- Boonsiri High Speed Ferry (boonsirigroup.com) — timetables, Laem Sok to Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
- Koh Kut Express — check locally in Trat or through booking platforms for current schedules.
- Bangkok Airways (bangkokair.com) — Trat Airport (TDX) flights.
- Thai Meteorological Department (tmd.go.th) — seasonal weather forecasts.