Last visited Feb 2012
Dad together with junior await on every bit mum contemplates jump into refreshingly cool puddle at Klong Yai Kee falls, northern Ko Kood.
Ko Kut (Kud, Kood) is a fairly big, hilly isle inwards the far eastern Gulf to the southward of Ko Chang together with Ko Mak. Trat is the nearest mainland regional city.
Like Chang, it has a string of beaches along its westward coast, most with ane or a few tourist operations. In full general these beaches are much ameliorate than Chang together with the H2O agency clearer.
Unlike Chang, Kut is largely undeveloped away from these beaches - nosotros are talking to a greater extent than oftentimes than non deserted roads through hilly rainforests with the really occasional modest hamlet or gathering of a few huts - together with really set back, both on together with off the beaches. In fact, from the western request of persuasion it has been form of a novel frontier - western tourism has non been a large deal until the yesteryear few years, most of the resorts relying on Thai middle together with upper course of report bundle groups.
However things seem to direct hold picked upward with farang tourism together with at that topographic point are several places suited to both budget, midrange together with higher-end western travellers.
I kickoff visited inwards 2008. The notable changes I saw on my latest see were:
*the improvement inwards the roads - at that topographic point were alone a few km of sealed route before whereas yesteryear 2012 all of the primary route arrangement had been paved (except for a ane km department exactly southward of Baan Klong Chao which seems dependent champaign to wash-aways inwards the moisture season) summation the access roads to the 2 primary waterfalls together with many of the resorts.
*more resorts together with tourists (particularly western mid-rangers) although Kood is yet good underdone inwards this respect.
*an extensive novel Russian daytrip together with overnight-stay merchandise which certainly adds some color to the people-watching.
Roads, beaches with accommodation, waterfalls together with towns.
Beaches:
... 1-Ao Maphut/Ao Bon - resort Laguna
... 2-Ta Tin Bay - Coral Beach Resort
... 3-Ao Soneva - Soneva Six Senses
... 4-Ao Yai Kee (Ki) - Captain Hook & Baan Makok resorts
... five - Ao Ban Mad - Ko Kood Beach Resort & Suanya
... 6-Ao Taphoa (Tapow) - Shantaa & Cabana
... 7-Ao Noi - Ao Noi Resort
... 8-Ao Klong Chao (Jao) - Peter Pan & Tinkerbell resorts; upward the Klong (river) - Cozy House, Klongchao Res, & several walk-in budget places
... 9-Ao Ngam Kho - Hindard Resort, Analay, Dusita & S Beach Resort
... 10-Ao Bang Bao - Siam Beach, The Beach Natural/aka Ko Kod Resort & Holiday Cottage.
... 11-Ao Klong Hin - Klong Hin Beach & In Love resorts
... 12-Ao Jark - Neverland
... 13- Ao Phrao - Phrao Beach Resort, Ao Phrao Sunshine & For Rest Boutique House
... 14-Ao Yai Koet (Kroad) - Koh Kood Island Resort
More details of each beach are below.
THE BEACHES (from the south)
SOUTHERN BEACHES - many Kood regulars tell the southen beaches are the most attractive on the island. Certainly inter-access is piece of cake with proficient paved headland paths linking the 3 beaches - 10 minutes walk for the shorter, twenty the other, both easily traversed yesteryear motorcycle.
Southern-most Ao Prao (Phrao) looking due north from inwards front end of Phrao Beach Resort. Similar length of fine beach behind photographic idiot box camera extends to Ao Phrao Sunshine at the far southern end. Very tranquillity inwards this shot - exactly before five speedboats arrived with Russian daytrippers. Anna Kournikova-clone bikini babes/g-string girrrls together with beefy beer-bellied blokes inwards budgie-smugglers (Speedos) sure added some life.
Ao Phrao Resort looks a prissy midrange house but had beer prices lower than most budget bungalow joints. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 afterward tiffin at Sunshine was pretty reasonable too.
Signs of the times exterior Ao Phrao Sunshine. That aint Thai script, baby.
Not so good. Beach litter towards the northern cease of Ao Phrao. Resorts create a proficient chore of cleaning their department of beach, but away from at that topographic point things tin hold out less pristine. Besides unsightly, beach litter tends to hold out a haven for sand flies inwards these eastern Gulf islands - I forgot to coat my legs with kokosnoot crude oil on this walk together with had the itches for the next week.
At the far cease of shot is a modest line-fishing hamlet at the entrance to a klong - it is possible to rent kayaks from the resorts together with paddle a km or so upward the river, see a temple etc.
The hamlet is the location of For Rest Boutique House, a nifty looking articulation on stilts beside the klong with really reasonable prices on booking sites similar Agoda. They had a modest department of cleaned beach nearby with Sun lounges etc. The hamlet has a locals' restaurant.
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Ao Jark is next due north - a twenty minutes leisurely stoll around the motorcycle-capable headland path.
This is the department inwards front end of Neverland Resort's beach bar (Neverland is the alone house running on this beach with a backpacker type house farther southward closed down). I stayed at Neverland latest trip - to a greater extent than details downwards page.
Like all the beaches I visited the H2O hither was really clear. And in all likelihood a fleck ameliorate than the 2 beaches each side which direct hold klongs emptying into them. Jark's klong was blocked off yesteryear sand at the fourth dimension of my visit.
Falling tide exposes to a greater extent than beach - H2O offshore looks shallow although an piece of cake wade to swimmable depth. Neverland's beach guy was genuinely conscientious - kept busy cleaning beach of debris every bit the tide dropped throughout the 24-hour interval at the fourth dimension of our visit. Beach both due north together with southward of this department really littered.
Far headland (click to expand) has a fleck of hard coral together with some okay fish towards its seaward end, but non every bit proficient every bit northern headland behind photographic idiot box camera which although lacking hard corals had to a greater extent than soft flowery stuff, swaying weed together with fish. Easy snorkelling access yesteryear wading out to start of rocks both ends fifty-fifty at higher tide levels. Note snorkelling hither non slap-up yesteryear fifty-fifty Thailand standards but interesting plenty to delight the less fussy.
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Ao Klong Hin is less than 10 minutes walk due north around a really proficient paved headland path from Ao Jark. This is shot from the far cease - the department of beach hither is widest. In the middle, inwards front end of Klong Hin Beach Resort it has been eroded together with pretty skinny fifty-fifty at lowest tide. Widens a fleck at far cease of shot.
Buildings far right background are component division of the other resort on this beach, In Love Resort which is on the other side of a modest klong at beach end. Just out of shot to right is a modest headland budget restaurant.
Behind photographic idiot box camera is a bigger klong with a modest line-fishing hamlet together with tie-up berths for the daytripping/overnight speedboats.
We heard slight thumpa-thumpa of amplified music bass ane black from our Ao Jark resort - a swain invitee told us that Klong Hin Beach Resort runs a disco 3 nights a calendar week for overnighting Russians. She also told us the Reggae Bar on Ao Phrao has a some music belatedly afternoons together with at night. So much for user websites proverb at that topographic point is no nightlife inwards this area. At the same fourth dimension the disco powerfulness hold out a turn-off for tranquillity lovers considering a remain on Klong Hin.
Lady Tezza hams it upward inwards surface area inwards front end of Beach Resort's rather prissy bungalows. Snorkellers volition observe the fairly interesting rocks surface area around to Ao Jark starts approx where the wavefront is touching the headland.-----
Central Beaches - apart from Ao Noi, these are the busiest beaches on the island. But in ane lawsuit once again non overdone - together with non unattractive.
Ao Bang Bao - the department of beach inwards front end of Siam Beach Resort. The rickety pier inwards this 2008 shot (I stayed hither that see - to a greater extent than information downwards page) has since been lengthened together with rebuilt. Kids were having a ball latest vist hurling themselves off the cease into the crystal clear water. Beach hither is really prissy - ane of the few which doesn't disappear at highest tide. Seems to hold out kept construct clean total length - I've had no sandfly problems here.
A picayune farther due north on Bang Bao Bay is The Beach Natural Resort aka Koh Kood Resort. When I visited inwards Feb 2012 at that topographic point was virtually no beach - a modest department would hold out exposed every bit the tides gets low. However it is alone a small rock-hop right of frame to the prissy beach inwards front end of Siam Beach Resort. Holiday Cottage a small distance to the left had a modest department of beach at higher tide levels. Kids were also enjoying the crystal clear H2O off the pier above. Note this house gets genuinely proficient reviews inwards the user forums.
Deja vu all over again. Similar pier of Holiday Cottage alone 150m or so farther north.
There is no shortage of Bang Bao eating options with 3 resorts to pick from. In 2006 at that topographic point was also a modest eating topographic point across the creek behind Siam Resort - I forgot to cheque latest visit. Up on the primary route (about a km), exactly southward of Siam's access route is a restaurant, full general store together with postal service office. There was a dive outfit sign on a bungalow on the southern headland of Bang Bao non far from the beach.
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Ao Ngam Kho is next beach north, except inwards 2012 at that topographic point isn't also much beach inwards this mid-tide shot. Looks similar moving ridge erosion was pretty heavy inwards the yesteryear span of moisture seasons; 2008 saw much to a greater extent than sand here. The other large modify is inwards the divulge of resorts - alone ane budget articulation dorsum so compared to Hindard Resort, Analay, Dusita & S Beach Resort now.
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Ao Baan Chao (Ja0) is tourist fundamental on Kood. This is shot from the Viewpoint Cafe on the southern headland which has proficient java together with snacks at reasonable prices. The fine beach runs upward to a major klong entrance at the far cease - the klong bends around the dorsum of the beach so that one-half the beach is on a spit betwixt bounding main together with river - Peter Pan Resort is built on this department of spit with both beachfront together with riverfront rooms. I also stayed at Peter Pan this latest trip - to a greater extent than details downwards page. The associated Tinkerbell Resort is behind the nigh cease of the beach. Along the far headland on the other side of the klong entrance is Away Resort - this house has sand dumped inwards a higher house the rocks but guests demand to kayak or swim the klong for a existent beach experience.
Beach marking shot from the go out of the rainforest rails to Viewpoint Cafe. The primary coast route passes directly behind the beach here. If y'all are downwards closer to the klong span best access is thru Peter Pan's driveway. There are no safety guys or hassles. If y'all click to expand y'all may hold out able to encounter Tinkerbell's beachfront bungalows nestling behind the palms non far yesteryear kayaks. This beach seems to hold out kept construct clean its total length - no sandfly problems experienced.
I shot this from Peter Pan's landing platform every bit ane of the mainland-island speedboats moves towards the oral fissure of the klong. About 200m behind photographic idiot box camera is a span where the primary route crosses - clustered both sides of this span is a bunch of restaurants, modest stores, tourist operations, internet, bicycle together with cycle hire, dive/trip booking joints etc.
The klong runs for some other km or so inland of the span - the kickoff 500m stretch on the southern side has a string of budget/flashpacker resorts with appealing restaurants on stilts over the water. Klong Jao Resort, Crazy House together with Mark House are some. Look on travelfish.org fro details of these together with others.
Kayaking seems to hold out the most pop vogue of accessing the beach. In the contrary management it is possible to kayak to within most 1km of Klong Chao waterfall from where a rainforest path continues.
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Ao Noi is next due north - the rather long access route (dirt for the kickoff few hundred meters, so sealed) leaves the primary isle route most 2 km from Klong Chao. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 really attractive beach - a shorter department lies on the other side of the pier. Equally attractive Ao Noi Resort runs the behind the total length of the beach together with onwards behind the rocks to right of frame.
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The Northern Beaches. In full general nosotros seem to hold out stepping upward a course of report into the upper midrange hither - but Thai upper midrange which is yet a deal yesteryear western standards. Although Soneva Kiri yesteryear Six Senses (anyone for pretentious handles?) is really top attain inwards western coin terms.
The isle provincial centre is inwards this surface area at Baan Hin Dam - has a hospital, law station etc, fifty-fifty a service station instead of roadside joints with petrol inwards litre bottles.
Way over on the north-east coast is the fishing/pier hamlet of Baan Ao Salad - y'all tin grab the slowboat dorsum to Laem Sok on the mainland coast abt 40km southward of Trat from here.
The E coast has non a lot of beaches together with most are tidal flats - the alone resort is at Ao Yai Koet (Koed etc) southward of Baan Ao Salad.
Ao Taphoa (Tapow) at its due north cease has this modest department side yesteryear side the high speed ferry pier. Behind is some other attractive resort - Shantaa. Those rocks nigh beach await a probable snorkelling surface area to me together with the pier is so long that the span of boats moored at the cease offering picayune threat to the rather proficient H2O clarity. If Shantaa guests desire a longer stretch of beach they exactly walk nether the pier to .......
.... the balance of Ao Taphoa. Cabana Resort is maybe 400m downwards this beach - if y'all click to expand y'all may exactly hold out able to brand out its pier.
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Ao Klong Mad is a few kim farther north. This beach has Suanya Resort directly behind together with Koh Kood Beach Resort built on the slopes of the far headland. The latter has no beachfront but access to this beach is a small rock-hop. Plus it has a pretty prissy pool. Pretty prissy looking resort really. Suanya is non bad either.
Klong Mad is directly side yesteryear side beach - speedboats unload incoming guests onto this pier. The Klong may direct hold some comport upon on H2O clarity at the beach but it seemed reasonable. There is a modest line-fishing hamlet inwards background of shot. Klong Yai Kee waterfall is relatively closed to this surface area - maybe a 2km walk.
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Ao Klong Yai Kee (Ki) bottom of shot together with Ao Soneva exactly inwards a higher house it both demand carry to attain - guests at Captain Hook Resort together with Baan Makok kayak the klong to Ao Klong Yai Kee. Soneva's guests are transported yesteryear electrical buggy from the exclusive cliffside/bayside chalets to the due north downwards to the southern stretch of beach. I didn't direct hold a kayak for Ao Klong Kee together with exclusive Soneva's front end gate safety goons were non keen on me checking out Ao Soneva, therefore this Google public oblique shot.
This is a slap-up shot of Klong Yai Kee showing Baan Makok mid-klong left banking enterprise together with Captain Hook at the oral fissure right bank. Baan Makok has an access rails although my speedboat brought incoming guests upward to a landing phase at the resort (it was raining so hard I didn't deal whatever pix). Captain Hook also lands guests at its landing phase but has no access route - I noticed a modest boat province some people into a waiting pickup truck at that modest pier inwards the foreground when I afterward motorcycled upward here, which is in all likelihood ane agency Hook guests access the balance of the island. There was also a Captain Hook speedboat tied upward downwards southward at associated Peter Pan on Klong Chao for a proficient component division of ane 24-hour interval - maybe an alternative agency of accessing other beaches for guests. (image from captainkit - panoramio who I figure must direct hold been flight into Soneva's modest airfield on the offshore isle a picayune farther north.
Ao Soneva (my name) also shot yesteryear captainkit.
Ao Klong Yai Kee ((Ki) shot from Captain Hook Resort's headland dining area. Shown is midbeach - seems to direct hold a lot of log debris, no incertitude washed out of the klong after moisture flavor downpours. The sand spit contrary the oral fissure of the Klong was much wider, startling white together with clear of debris when my speedboat passed by. (image RDM - panoramio)
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Ao Yai Koet is the alone resort beach on the to a greater extent than oftentimes than non undeveloped E coast. I couldn't observe whatever decent beach pix so I modified this Google map section. Typical of the E coast - tidal sand flats with modest sections of above-tide beach. Those steep hillsides sure give a spectacular backdrop. No route access - demand speedboat from mainland or longtail from Baan Ao Salad to larn to the alone resort, Kood Island Resort. All the user comments on Agoda were inwards Thai script which gives the impression that this is mainly used yesteryear weekending together with holiday-package locals.
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The Far North Beaches are really isolated - at that topographic point are no roads into them, access is yesteryear boat. Once in ane lawsuit again I got the impression that these resorts are mainly the finish of Thai weekenders/package deal groups.
Part of Soneeva is at the bottom left of pix - notice its airfield on the modest isle far left.
Ta Tin Bay. Once in ane lawsuit again I couldn't observe whatever beach pix. When passing inwards the Express Ferry to the mainland I couldn't go out whether Coral Beach Resort shares this bay with a line-fishing hamlet - nosotros were some distance offshore together with the thick tabular array salt encrusted windows were non conducive to photography.
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Ao Maphut aka Ao Bon. First a correction - I retrieve my location map 2 upward has the incorrect beach - it should hold out the ane to the north, exactly nether the 4km scale line. But it takes me so long to modify a map so it stays every bit is.
As tin hold out seen from that Google map together with this pic, the beach looks largely tidal, although some of the other beach shots together with Koh Kood Laguna resort itself here await pretty nice. (image www.ikochang.com)
SO WHICH BEACH IS THE BEST?
That's agency also difficult. I could honestly tell I would hold out perfectly happy staying at whatever of the beaches I visited with maybe the exception of Ngam Kho because of the lack of sand (but every bit I tell elsewhere on this site, beaches tin recover genuinely speedily given fine conditions - together with Ngam Kho has some proficient value resorts which larn positive reviews).
But if pushed I direct hold to tell Bang Bao seemed nicest to me. I don't retrieve whatever beach I visited was cleaner, the H2O to a greater extent than pristine together with the 3 resorts at Bang Bao are really nice.
Ao Baan Chao comes closed together with would certainly suit people wanting a proficient multifariousness of services nearby - together with is the standout for budget acccommodation.
Having said that, I've stayed at both the inwards a higher house so next see I'm aiming for Ban Makok upward on Klong Yai Kee. That house together with the full general surface area looked so sweetness when our speedboat dropped guests on arrival at Kood. If alone I tin convince Lady Tezza most my kayaking skills.
When I move without The Bride I larn budget - hell those backpacker places upward the amongst the river at Klong Chao await the down-price equivalent of Baan Makok. That's where I was heading my kickoff see to Kood inwards '06 - yet haven't stayed there.
Furiously paddling tezza is closed downwards yesteryear twin-inboard powered kayak every bit backpackers pose the pedal to the metallic inwards dash to distant klongside eating topographic point for a few cool Changs after exhausting 24-hour interval on Baan Klong Chao beach.
AROUND THE ISLAND.
Ko Kood is an fantabulous isle to explore if y'all direct hold basic motorcycling skills. An auto moped volition cost y'all 300 to 400 baht a 24-hour interval (2012) together with the at nowadays paved route system, proficient signage together with full general lack of traffic brand touring around pretty easy. Bicycles are also available but at that topographic point are some decent hills to climb so y'all demand to hold out tally if y'all aim to comprehend whatever slap-up distance. Songthaew taxis are scarce although most resorts tin organise a pickup or SUV to convey y'all sight-seeing.
This is the primary route really closed to the access roads to Bang Bao's Holiday Cottages together with The Beach Natural. Surface typical of good paved isle roads but unlike inwards that much of these are backed yesteryear dense rainforest together with steep hills.
These businesses are partly to serve guests from the resorts, but at that topographic point are also some pretty prissy garden bungalows out of shot.
Some of the tertiary routes are non bad. If y'all click to expand y'all volition ameliorate notice Ao Klong Hin inwards the background. You tin motorbike inwards on its access route from the primary route non also far southward of Bang Bao, so perish along around the headland background right behind the yacht to Ao Jark together with so around the headland from which this is shot to Ao Phrao (both headland tracks paved apart from the terminal 200m into Ao Phrao) together with so go out to the primary route on Ao Phroa's access road.
The Waterfalls
NAMTOK KHLONG CHAO.
Waterfall-freaks looking for Niagara on any Thai isle are gonna hold out existent disappointed but Namtok Khlong Chao is prissy enough, involving parallel 15m drops into a large 50m puddle together with accessed yesteryear a existent prissy rainforest track. And access is complimentary - non the rip-off 200baht to similar falls on nearby large Chang.
I was a fleck lucky on both my 2008 together with 2012 visits. It looks similar from this shot (image Panoramio-apaecezalt).....
…that the falls don’t run also good inwards dry out season. But unusually it rained EVERY black (and briefly on 2 days) inwards my dry out flavor Feb 2008 fortnight inwards the eastern Gulf together with so a proficient flow was going over, every bit tin hold out seen here…
This shot from inwards a higher house is of the smaller of 2 parallel drops into the large puddle at the base of operations of Khlong Chao falls
I didn’t larn a 2008 shot from the immediate lower falls surface area on draw concern human relationship the approach required a fair fleck of stone hopping. After surfing point-breaks most of my life I’m sick of going arse over turkey on moisture rocks so I gave it the large miss. However most 100m upward the primary rails from the lower access side-track are other small side-tracks which larn y'all to the top of the falls. There are some prissy pools upward hither to cool downwards in, although they are non specially deep for proficient swimming similar the lower one.
In 2012 it was fairly moisture in ane lawsuit again together with so the falls were running inwards usually dry out February. I was amazed on how the approach to the lower puddle had changed - the slippery jumble of large together with modest rocks had vanished. Wet flavor flows must direct hold been pretty vehement to launder them downstream. However when I lined upward my photographic idiot box camera the BATTERY EMPTY! sign gave me the large message so I still don't direct hold a film of these falls inwards flow. (I idea I did on my onetime Kood page from ane I poached off Thorn Tree regular tools for fools but I at nowadays realise it was of the amazingly similar Klong Kee falls - encounter below).
I accessed the falls yesteryear turning my hire Honda upward the good sign-posted paved side route heading inland on the southern side of the primary route span crossing the river at Klong Baan Chao. This passes those budget/flash-packer joints mentioned before together with abt 2km afterward ends around 600m from the falls. The walking rails is thru prissy rainforest.
I saw some people walking upward from the beach/bridge - it would convey maybe 40minutes. You tin also kayak or hire long tails to larn most of the agency - the navigable component division ends at the start of a slightly longer creekside walking track.
NAMTOK KLONG KEE (KI)
These falls are towards the due north of the isle - alone a few km from Ko Kood Beach & Suanya resorts at Ao Baan Mad together with non also far from Ban Matok and Captain Kook on the lower Klong Kee estuary.
Access is really piece of cake - a small signposted paved 200m access route off the primary route due north of Baan Mad followed yesteryear a 100m rainforest track, steep steps downwards to the current at the end. I had a existent prissy cooling swim inwards the puddle together with several visitors were jumping from higher rocks (see opening shot).
UPDATE JAN 213 - at that topographic point is a third waterfall that tin hold out accessed. Check the messages from Brano Gege together with fotogratasmantaspro at the pes of the page for info.
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Baan Ao Yai is the alone house y'all tin access yesteryear route on the southern one-half of the E coast. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 modest line-fishing village, y'all volition mainly come upward hither for a seafood feed.
Baan Ao Salad inwards the north-east is the alone other E coast house accessible yesteryear road. Another line-fishing hamlet with some proficient seafood restaurants, y'all may also come upward hither to grab the deadening boat to Laem Sok on the mainland southward of Trat. This rather impressive Buddha icon is on the sea-ward side of the soccer champaign inwards a higher house the route to the pier. There is an associated modest temple.
PETER PAN RESORT - AO BAAN CHAO.
This was the kickoff house nosotros stayed at inwards 2012. The speedboat from Ko Maak dropped us at the landing phase on Klong Chao (as mentioned before, the resort is on a sandspit betwixt klong together with beach) together with nosotros were shown to our to the lowest degree expensive fan hut.
Our Moken (Andaman Sea Gypsy) vogue fan/cold H2O hut at Peter Pan, ane of most one-half a dozen over on the far southern side. Very proficient value inwards what is a pretty ritzy resort (has puddle villas etc). Spacious, clean, Rex sized bed with theatre mattress together with ok net, neat bricked indoor outdoor bathroom. Very quiet. Main deficits lack of storage areas, dim lights (go to the reception surface area to read) summation no seating within or on porch.
Peter Pan beachfront on Ao Baan Chao from ane of the hire kayaks.
View inwards the contrary direction
Peter Pan was proficient value with complimentary internet, complimentary tea together with java all day, beach towels, a large multi-channel idiot box with volume dvds inwards reception for guests from cheaper rooms without it, complimentary H2O ice cream from a self-serve cannister inwards the afternoons together with complimentary transfers to other resorts together with whatever of the piers for the non-speedboats. The inclusive buffet breakfast was pretty impressive but pastry freaks (only toast) together with egg nerds (only fried) volition hold out disappointed. Staff were friendly together with efficient together with English linguistic communication at reception really good. Credit cards accepted with a 3% surcharge.
Food prices inwards the eating topographic point were maybe 20-40% dearer than budget restaurants but at that topographic point is a proficient choice of inexpensive restaurants 200m away around the primary route span over the klong, at the backpacker articulation restaurants farther upward the klong together with at the Viewpoint Cafe high inwards a higher house the southward cease of the beach.
Our favourite exterior eating topographic point was the closest - Mark House directly across the route from Peter Pan's driveway together with amongst the southern span approach. Thai nutrient together with beer prices were really reasonable although western materials no bargain. This house has a proficient full general store together with some budget/flashpacker accommodation, the latter unfortunately non klongside (image Panoramio-Bonazera)
I didn't notice whatever Russian tour groups at Peter Pan, but this was ane of several Thai outfits. These people seemed component division of some corporate thing, arrived on a Mon with copious amounts of boxed beer, stayed inwards the ultra expensive poolside villas together with spent much of their fourth dimension inwards hilarity playing diverse bonding games. Thai groups on vacation are ever proficient value - they know how to bask themselves.
NEVERLAND RESORT AO KLONG JARK
The 2nd house nosotros stayed at inwards 2012 was Neverland Resort downwards southward on Klong Jark beach. We got a complimentary transfer downwards inwards Peter Pan's SUV - taking most twenty minutes. Note that Peter Pan, Tinkerbell together with Captain Hook resorts all seem corporately linked but despite the name, Neverland appears a mom together with pop operation. Nice people. Credit bill of fare facilities non available Feb 2012.
Our Riverside Bungalow at Neverland - aircon, TV, fan, hot H2O but no frigerator despite spec on Agoda. In a pretty garden setting most 25m from the klongside. Comfy queen size bed summation unmarried with plenty room for 3 summation gear. Screens instead of mesh which was non every bit efficient given a few gaps inwards the boards. Aircon non existent efficient, specially during the 24-hour interval despite manager's servicing. TV has 3 Thai linguistic communication channels only. Quiet except for ane of our 3 nights when some inebriated Russian overnighters returned from the disco on the next beach.
Cheaper Garden Bungalows seem identical but are 2nd rowers. Most expensive Beachfront Bungalows await far to a greater extent than spiffy, include a refrigerator. Joint also has tents for busy periods - camping ground bath block doubled for restaurant, was spotless.
Klong side yesteryear side our bungalow. Nice grassed surface area a slap-up spot for a belatedly arvo beer or three.
Klongside tabular array at Neverland restaurant. Food good, prices at normal budget eating topographic point levels (and eating options at side yesteryear side beaches - nearest most a 10 infinitesimal walk due north to Ao Klong Hin's southern headland), service good, self serve tea together with java all day.
Beachfront at Neverland. That's the beach bar inwards centre - although most people strolled the 150m to the eating topographic point on draw concern human relationship the beach guy was kept pretty busy cleaning the debris every bit the tide dropped. That tide draw of leafage litter, weed etc didn't terminal long with this guy around. But beach pretty misfortunate within 100m due north together with south.
Cool merry-go-round behind the beach bar.That's the Beachfront Bungalows inwards background - genuinely most 100m thru the manicured kokosnoot plantation from the beach. Bungalows looked pretty prissy together with seemed worth the extra inquire over our Riversider. Signs exhort guests to stick to primary path nether mesh to avoid beingness concertinaed yesteryear a falling kokosnoot although non-netted paths similar ane inwards film worn yesteryear staff were pretty rubber too.
The graduate of an underprivileged childhood, Lady Tezza is undisputed World Champion at Finding Money together with Valuables inwards the Surf/On the Ground on draw concern human relationship she is ever intensely checking the likelihood. Even better, she constitute this picayune alive sea Equus caballus at Ao Klong Jark.
SIAM BEACH RESORT AO BANG BAO
I stayed hither on my 2008 visit. I’d originally intended to remain with the backpackers on Khlong Chao, but when my speedboat from Ko Chang swept into the narrow but deep-set bay at Bang Bao together with I spotted the nifty looking traditional vogue huts of Siam Beach Kohkood Resort behind the rather fantabulous looking beach I though Whoa -This is the house for me! together with bailed out at the rickety pier.
Siam Beach Resort's trad bungalows together with prissy beach await pretty sweetness from the cease of the pier.
Had been refurbished yesteryear 2012 - neat but non so traditional.
Hur hur hur.... for the 2nd fourth dimension inwards 2 islands, all the huts inwards my chosen house were taken. But the director pose me inwards ane of the large rooms inwards the household unit of measurement unit inwards “Siberia“. I telephone phone it Siberia because it was waaay over the southern side of the resort most 400m from the eating topographic point together with 100m from the beach. It’s genuinely a block of five rooms built on piers over a modest lagoon which looks pretty spiffy at higher tide levels, but they direct hold taken no wages of this - the balcony out dorsum to convey wages of the lagoon persuasion must direct hold slipped the architect’s mind.
But this surface area is proficient word for families together with bigger groups of friends. Most of the five rooms are most 10m yesteryear 4m, with either four or five beds, plenty of infinite for all those people’s gear together with with large bathrooms. My room was slightly narrower at 3.5m together with had alone 2 beds - large soft ensemble jobs, ditto pillows. Shiny tiled floors but wooden walls non specially soundproof. Quiet fan, lights a fleck dim. Bedside tabular array but otherwise storage on huge flooring area. Huge tiled together with concrete bathroom, basin, bidet gun, proficient H2O pressure. Towels, lavatory paper, soap, comp water. No screens or mozzie mesh but non also hot at black despite closed windows. It was basically construct clean but looked to hold out non occupied for some fourth dimension so needed a 3 infinitesimal sweep to clear dust etc. Pretty proficient value at 500b.
Siberia inwards 2012. I'm non sure if these rooms are yet used for guests.
Mind you, Siam's fan bungalows at the same cost (they also direct hold aircon bungalows at around 800 inwards 2008) were real nice, had screens + mozzie mesh together with most bungalows are front end row closed to the beach.
The eating topographic point at Siam Beach Resort is the usual open-sided beachside job. Food was proficient to me - but so all Thai nutrient is, prices seemed to hold out pretty normal together with the service was quick, although English linguistic communication was non existent potent away from the super busy manager. The Thai-Chinese possessor was a fleck brusque, but I direct hold to tell he’s a pretty proficient BBQ chef - every black I was at that topographic point they pose on a BBQ. I was a fleck bucks-down together with couldn’t afford the seafood, but for 130baht I had myself some fantabulous marinated pork+salad+huge potato-in-foil which goes downwards every bit my novel best repast ever inwards Thailand.
Whoa! Somebody's large 2012 day. Part of the beachfront eating topographic point tin hold out seen inwards background - seems to direct hold been extended beachwards since 2008. Please excuse the blurry shot - I was shaking with emotion (another ane bites the dust).
Note a local guy had gear upward a modest eating topographic point on the inland side of the lagoon - he also had a span of rooms. His house is on the other side of the modest span on Siam's access road.
There were 2 other bungalow resorts to the due north of Siam on Bang Bao, The Beach Natural Resort together with Ko Kood Resort & Spa every bit it was called then. There was also a choice of huts along the southern headland exactly across the modest river estaury the other side of Siam, but these looked to direct hold been closed for some fourth dimension (I noticed a dive outfit seemed to direct hold gear upward store at that topographic point on my 2012 revisit).
Siam Resort claims to direct hold the best beach on Kut together with from what I saw when checking the other bays this is truthful mainly because at that topographic point is yet a strip of sand at highest tide together with no other house has clearer water.
Bang Bao beach at Siam looking due north inwards 2008 - the beachfront bungalows at nowadays extend closer to camera. The modest entrance to the lagoon is exactly behind the camera.
Newer to a greater extent than southern beachfront bungalows 2012
I constitute swimming laps at lowest tide on Bang Bao no work - it’s exactly a affair of going out a fleck further.
By the way, the deep reasonably narrow bay is proficient shelter together with was a pop overnight anchorage for a modest divulge of yachts. One or 2 Thai line-fishing boats used it every bit a daytime anchorage before chugging off for some million-candlepower line-fishing each black - so don’t larn completely naked on the beach Miss Sweden, the line-fishing guys deserve some sleep.
The long protective headlands brand Bang Bao a proficient spot inwards the moisture flavor according to Ko Kood Resort's website. (image Ko Kood Resort). Interestingly this shot shows a modest spell of proficient sand at Ko Kood Resort aka The Beach Natural's surface area (second spell from top). As I direct hold said, beaches wax together with wane according to sea conditions.
WHEN TO COME
Dry flavor is definitely best - all these beaches except all Yai Koet confront westward together with would larn large swell inwards stormier moisture flavor south-west monsoon blows. The trip out may hold out a fleck unpleasant together with agency fewer boats volition run.
Dry flavor inwards the eastern Gulf tends to start before than other beach areas. You should hold out rubber from early on Nov together with some frequent visitors tell belatedly Oct is usually okay. It usually starts to larn moisture in ane lawsuit again sometime inwards mid-late Apr into May. Note that pelting inwards dry out flavor is non uncommon - usually a small tempest or shower.
In moisture flavor these Trat islands are on average the wettest inwards Thailand every bit the south-west monsoon lifts over the nearby Cambodian coastal range, but I direct hold yet seen plenty of posts from the Trat islands proverb people had plenty plenty sunshine betwixt showers/storms for a proficient beach holiday.
Fabulous wet-season shot from Bang Bao beach (image Ko Kood Resort)
HOW TO GET THERE
The limited boat from/to Laem Sok at Kood's Taphao pier. This infant runs almost every bit fast every bit a speedboat, is agency to a greater extent than comfortable with aircon together with aircraft type seats nether comprehend summation video entertainment.
Refer to ane of the many Ko Kood websites for latest times together with starting places for the diverse boats. The websites tend to maintain upward to appointment with changes. I'll exactly give an outline:
-Direct boats (at to the lowest degree ane speedboat, an limited boat together with a deadening boat) leave of absence from the mainland coast at Leam Sok most 40km southward of Trat. This pier is agency closer to Kood than the piers used for Ko Chang together with the other islands. The boat operators tend to direct hold complimentary songthaew shuttles betwixt Trat together with pier together with from around Ko Kood to the boats.
-From the neighbouring islands of Maak, Wai together with Chang several speedboat outfits run to Kood. They tend to drib y'all off at your resort every bit far southward every bit Bang Bao (relax Russian overnighters - y'all larn delivered to your beach southward of this yesteryear the chartered speedboats).
On speedboat trips seek to avoid sitting upward nigh the bow inwards whatever assort of choppy conditions - the ride tin hold out cruel together with wet.
-Bang Bao Boat also runs a deadening boat from Ko Chang every bit far every bit Ko Maak where y'all demand to modify to ane of their speedboats.
-In moisture flavor fewer boats run, but the Laem Sok deadening boat which is the locals' favoured vogue volition ever cross unless the conditions is dire. Websites volition direct hold details of moisture flavor access.
Bang Bao Boat's speedboat heads towards overnight tie-up on Klong Chao. This outfit runs from Ko Chang's Bang Bao pier together with calls inwards at Wai together with Maak - has a complimentary pick upward service on Chang.
MONEY.
I didn't encounter whatever ATM's on Kood although at that topographic point may hold out ane at the banking enterprise upward at Baan Hin Dam. Most resorts tin modify coin but the rates may non hold out slap-up - together with most convey credit cards.
Readers of other pages may suspect I'm a sucker for closing with a sunset shot. What the hell, every bit Smokey Yunik in ane lawsuit said: IF Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 BIT'S GOOD, Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 LOT'S BETTER (he was talking most engine ability but it's my credo for most things) - so here's three:
I scrounged this beauty off tools4fools' Ko Kut pix
And Google Earth's pix povided this fabulous sunset shot yesteryear Michael Braun-Panoramio of the Klong Chao river surface area looking dorsum towards the oral fissure from the primary route bridge.
Well my humble endeavor at Kong Jark can't compare, but the excuse is my elcheapo 74 bucks point-and-shoot in all likelihood has a lens made from recycled Coke bottles.
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If y'all are visiting Kut, maybe y'all volition hold out interested inwards nearby:
KO WAI
KO MAK
KO CHANG
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NOTE - IF YOU HAVE EXTRA INFO ON KUT, PLEASE POST information technology BELOW. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE POST THEM IN THE FORUM WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED FROM THE INDEX - I DON'T GET Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 CHANCE TO CHECK EACH THREAD EVERY DAY.
BACK TO MAIN INDEX Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
Dad together with junior await on every bit mum contemplates jump into refreshingly cool puddle at Klong Yai Kee falls, northern Ko Kood.
Ko Kut (Kud, Kood) is a fairly big, hilly isle inwards the far eastern Gulf to the southward of Ko Chang together with Ko Mak. Trat is the nearest mainland regional city.Like Chang, it has a string of beaches along its westward coast, most with ane or a few tourist operations. In full general these beaches are much ameliorate than Chang together with the H2O agency clearer.
Unlike Chang, Kut is largely undeveloped away from these beaches - nosotros are talking to a greater extent than oftentimes than non deserted roads through hilly rainforests with the really occasional modest hamlet or gathering of a few huts - together with really set back, both on together with off the beaches. In fact, from the western request of persuasion it has been form of a novel frontier - western tourism has non been a large deal until the yesteryear few years, most of the resorts relying on Thai middle together with upper course of report bundle groups.
However things seem to direct hold picked upward with farang tourism together with at that topographic point are several places suited to both budget, midrange together with higher-end western travellers.
I kickoff visited inwards 2008. The notable changes I saw on my latest see were:
*the improvement inwards the roads - at that topographic point were alone a few km of sealed route before whereas yesteryear 2012 all of the primary route arrangement had been paved (except for a ane km department exactly southward of Baan Klong Chao which seems dependent champaign to wash-aways inwards the moisture season) summation the access roads to the 2 primary waterfalls together with many of the resorts.
*more resorts together with tourists (particularly western mid-rangers) although Kood is yet good underdone inwards this respect.
*an extensive novel Russian daytrip together with overnight-stay merchandise which certainly adds some color to the people-watching.
Roads, beaches with accommodation, waterfalls together with towns. Beaches:
... 1-Ao Maphut/Ao Bon - resort Laguna
... 2-Ta Tin Bay - Coral Beach Resort
... 3-Ao Soneva - Soneva Six Senses
... 4-Ao Yai Kee (Ki) - Captain Hook & Baan Makok resorts
... five - Ao Ban Mad - Ko Kood Beach Resort & Suanya
... 6-Ao Taphoa (Tapow) - Shantaa & Cabana
... 7-Ao Noi - Ao Noi Resort
... 8-Ao Klong Chao (Jao) - Peter Pan & Tinkerbell resorts; upward the Klong (river) - Cozy House, Klongchao Res, & several walk-in budget places
... 9-Ao Ngam Kho - Hindard Resort, Analay, Dusita & S Beach Resort
... 10-Ao Bang Bao - Siam Beach, The Beach Natural/aka Ko Kod Resort & Holiday Cottage.
... 11-Ao Klong Hin - Klong Hin Beach & In Love resorts
... 12-Ao Jark - Neverland
... 13- Ao Phrao - Phrao Beach Resort, Ao Phrao Sunshine & For Rest Boutique House
... 14-Ao Yai Koet (Kroad) - Koh Kood Island Resort
More details of each beach are below.
THE BEACHES (from the south)
SOUTHERN BEACHES - many Kood regulars tell the southen beaches are the most attractive on the island. Certainly inter-access is piece of cake with proficient paved headland paths linking the 3 beaches - 10 minutes walk for the shorter, twenty the other, both easily traversed yesteryear motorcycle.
Southern-most Ao Prao (Phrao) looking due north from inwards front end of Phrao Beach Resort. Similar length of fine beach behind photographic idiot box camera extends to Ao Phrao Sunshine at the far southern end. Very tranquillity inwards this shot - exactly before five speedboats arrived with Russian daytrippers. Anna Kournikova-clone bikini babes/g-string girrrls together with beefy beer-bellied blokes inwards budgie-smugglers (Speedos) sure added some life.Ao Phrao Resort looks a prissy midrange house but had beer prices lower than most budget bungalow joints. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 afterward tiffin at Sunshine was pretty reasonable too.
Signs of the times exterior Ao Phrao Sunshine. That aint Thai script, baby.
Not so good. Beach litter towards the northern cease of Ao Phrao. Resorts create a proficient chore of cleaning their department of beach, but away from at that topographic point things tin hold out less pristine. Besides unsightly, beach litter tends to hold out a haven for sand flies inwards these eastern Gulf islands - I forgot to coat my legs with kokosnoot crude oil on this walk together with had the itches for the next week.At the far cease of shot is a modest line-fishing hamlet at the entrance to a klong - it is possible to rent kayaks from the resorts together with paddle a km or so upward the river, see a temple etc.
The hamlet is the location of For Rest Boutique House, a nifty looking articulation on stilts beside the klong with really reasonable prices on booking sites similar Agoda. They had a modest department of cleaned beach nearby with Sun lounges etc. The hamlet has a locals' restaurant.
***
Ao Jark is next due north - a twenty minutes leisurely stoll around the motorcycle-capable headland path.This is the department inwards front end of Neverland Resort's beach bar (Neverland is the alone house running on this beach with a backpacker type house farther southward closed down). I stayed at Neverland latest trip - to a greater extent than details downwards page.
Like all the beaches I visited the H2O hither was really clear. And in all likelihood a fleck ameliorate than the 2 beaches each side which direct hold klongs emptying into them. Jark's klong was blocked off yesteryear sand at the fourth dimension of my visit.
Falling tide exposes to a greater extent than beach - H2O offshore looks shallow although an piece of cake wade to swimmable depth. Neverland's beach guy was genuinely conscientious - kept busy cleaning beach of debris every bit the tide dropped throughout the 24-hour interval at the fourth dimension of our visit. Beach both due north together with southward of this department really littered.Far headland (click to expand) has a fleck of hard coral together with some okay fish towards its seaward end, but non every bit proficient every bit northern headland behind photographic idiot box camera which although lacking hard corals had to a greater extent than soft flowery stuff, swaying weed together with fish. Easy snorkelling access yesteryear wading out to start of rocks both ends fifty-fifty at higher tide levels. Note snorkelling hither non slap-up yesteryear fifty-fifty Thailand standards but interesting plenty to delight the less fussy.
***
Ao Klong Hin is less than 10 minutes walk due north around a really proficient paved headland path from Ao Jark. This is shot from the far cease - the department of beach hither is widest. In the middle, inwards front end of Klong Hin Beach Resort it has been eroded together with pretty skinny fifty-fifty at lowest tide. Widens a fleck at far cease of shot.Buildings far right background are component division of the other resort on this beach, In Love Resort which is on the other side of a modest klong at beach end. Just out of shot to right is a modest headland budget restaurant.
Behind photographic idiot box camera is a bigger klong with a modest line-fishing hamlet together with tie-up berths for the daytripping/overnight speedboats.
We heard slight thumpa-thumpa of amplified music bass ane black from our Ao Jark resort - a swain invitee told us that Klong Hin Beach Resort runs a disco 3 nights a calendar week for overnighting Russians. She also told us the Reggae Bar on Ao Phrao has a some music belatedly afternoons together with at night. So much for user websites proverb at that topographic point is no nightlife inwards this area. At the same fourth dimension the disco powerfulness hold out a turn-off for tranquillity lovers considering a remain on Klong Hin.
Lady Tezza hams it upward inwards surface area inwards front end of Beach Resort's rather prissy bungalows. Snorkellers volition observe the fairly interesting rocks surface area around to Ao Jark starts approx where the wavefront is touching the headland.-----Central Beaches - apart from Ao Noi, these are the busiest beaches on the island. But in ane lawsuit once again non overdone - together with non unattractive.
Ao Bang Bao - the department of beach inwards front end of Siam Beach Resort. The rickety pier inwards this 2008 shot (I stayed hither that see - to a greater extent than information downwards page) has since been lengthened together with rebuilt. Kids were having a ball latest vist hurling themselves off the cease into the crystal clear water. Beach hither is really prissy - ane of the few which doesn't disappear at highest tide. Seems to hold out kept construct clean total length - I've had no sandfly problems here.
A picayune farther due north on Bang Bao Bay is The Beach Natural Resort aka Koh Kood Resort. When I visited inwards Feb 2012 at that topographic point was virtually no beach - a modest department would hold out exposed every bit the tides gets low. However it is alone a small rock-hop right of frame to the prissy beach inwards front end of Siam Beach Resort. Holiday Cottage a small distance to the left had a modest department of beach at higher tide levels. Kids were also enjoying the crystal clear H2O off the pier above. Note this house gets genuinely proficient reviews inwards the user forums.
Deja vu all over again. Similar pier of Holiday Cottage alone 150m or so farther north. There is no shortage of Bang Bao eating options with 3 resorts to pick from. In 2006 at that topographic point was also a modest eating topographic point across the creek behind Siam Resort - I forgot to cheque latest visit. Up on the primary route (about a km), exactly southward of Siam's access route is a restaurant, full general store together with postal service office. There was a dive outfit sign on a bungalow on the southern headland of Bang Bao non far from the beach.
***
Ao Ngam Kho is next beach north, except inwards 2012 at that topographic point isn't also much beach inwards this mid-tide shot. Looks similar moving ridge erosion was pretty heavy inwards the yesteryear span of moisture seasons; 2008 saw much to a greater extent than sand here. The other large modify is inwards the divulge of resorts - alone ane budget articulation dorsum so compared to Hindard Resort, Analay, Dusita & S Beach Resort now.***
Ao Baan Chao (Ja0) is tourist fundamental on Kood. This is shot from the Viewpoint Cafe on the southern headland which has proficient java together with snacks at reasonable prices. The fine beach runs upward to a major klong entrance at the far cease - the klong bends around the dorsum of the beach so that one-half the beach is on a spit betwixt bounding main together with river - Peter Pan Resort is built on this department of spit with both beachfront together with riverfront rooms. I also stayed at Peter Pan this latest trip - to a greater extent than details downwards page. The associated Tinkerbell Resort is behind the nigh cease of the beach. Along the far headland on the other side of the klong entrance is Away Resort - this house has sand dumped inwards a higher house the rocks but guests demand to kayak or swim the klong for a existent beach experience.
Beach marking shot from the go out of the rainforest rails to Viewpoint Cafe. The primary coast route passes directly behind the beach here. If y'all are downwards closer to the klong span best access is thru Peter Pan's driveway. There are no safety guys or hassles. If y'all click to expand y'all may hold out able to encounter Tinkerbell's beachfront bungalows nestling behind the palms non far yesteryear kayaks. This beach seems to hold out kept construct clean its total length - no sandfly problems experienced.
I shot this from Peter Pan's landing platform every bit ane of the mainland-island speedboats moves towards the oral fissure of the klong. About 200m behind photographic idiot box camera is a span where the primary route crosses - clustered both sides of this span is a bunch of restaurants, modest stores, tourist operations, internet, bicycle together with cycle hire, dive/trip booking joints etc.
The klong runs for some other km or so inland of the span - the kickoff 500m stretch on the southern side has a string of budget/flashpacker resorts with appealing restaurants on stilts over the water. Klong Jao Resort, Crazy House together with Mark House are some. Look on travelfish.org fro details of these together with others.Kayaking seems to hold out the most pop vogue of accessing the beach. In the contrary management it is possible to kayak to within most 1km of Klong Chao waterfall from where a rainforest path continues.
* * *
Ao Noi is next due north - the rather long access route (dirt for the kickoff few hundred meters, so sealed) leaves the primary isle route most 2 km from Klong Chao. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 really attractive beach - a shorter department lies on the other side of the pier. Equally attractive Ao Noi Resort runs the behind the total length of the beach together with onwards behind the rocks to right of frame.**************
The Northern Beaches. In full general nosotros seem to hold out stepping upward a course of report into the upper midrange hither - but Thai upper midrange which is yet a deal yesteryear western standards. Although Soneva Kiri yesteryear Six Senses (anyone for pretentious handles?) is really top attain inwards western coin terms.The isle provincial centre is inwards this surface area at Baan Hin Dam - has a hospital, law station etc, fifty-fifty a service station instead of roadside joints with petrol inwards litre bottles.
Way over on the north-east coast is the fishing/pier hamlet of Baan Ao Salad - y'all tin grab the slowboat dorsum to Laem Sok on the mainland coast abt 40km southward of Trat from here.
The E coast has non a lot of beaches together with most are tidal flats - the alone resort is at Ao Yai Koet (Koed etc) southward of Baan Ao Salad.
Ao Taphoa (Tapow) at its due north cease has this modest department side yesteryear side the high speed ferry pier. Behind is some other attractive resort - Shantaa. Those rocks nigh beach await a probable snorkelling surface area to me together with the pier is so long that the span of boats moored at the cease offering picayune threat to the rather proficient H2O clarity. If Shantaa guests desire a longer stretch of beach they exactly walk nether the pier to .......
.... the balance of Ao Taphoa. Cabana Resort is maybe 400m downwards this beach - if y'all click to expand y'all may exactly hold out able to brand out its pier.***
Ao Klong Mad is a few kim farther north. This beach has Suanya Resort directly behind together with Koh Kood Beach Resort built on the slopes of the far headland. The latter has no beachfront but access to this beach is a small rock-hop. Plus it has a pretty prissy pool. Pretty prissy looking resort really. Suanya is non bad either.
Klong Mad is directly side yesteryear side beach - speedboats unload incoming guests onto this pier. The Klong may direct hold some comport upon on H2O clarity at the beach but it seemed reasonable. There is a modest line-fishing hamlet inwards background of shot. Klong Yai Kee waterfall is relatively closed to this surface area - maybe a 2km walk.***
Ao Klong Yai Kee (Ki) bottom of shot together with Ao Soneva exactly inwards a higher house it both demand carry to attain - guests at Captain Hook Resort together with Baan Makok kayak the klong to Ao Klong Yai Kee. Soneva's guests are transported yesteryear electrical buggy from the exclusive cliffside/bayside chalets to the due north downwards to the southern stretch of beach. I didn't direct hold a kayak for Ao Klong Kee together with exclusive Soneva's front end gate safety goons were non keen on me checking out Ao Soneva, therefore this Google public oblique shot.
This is a slap-up shot of Klong Yai Kee showing Baan Makok mid-klong left banking enterprise together with Captain Hook at the oral fissure right bank. Baan Makok has an access rails although my speedboat brought incoming guests upward to a landing phase at the resort (it was raining so hard I didn't deal whatever pix). Captain Hook also lands guests at its landing phase but has no access route - I noticed a modest boat province some people into a waiting pickup truck at that modest pier inwards the foreground when I afterward motorcycled upward here, which is in all likelihood ane agency Hook guests access the balance of the island. There was also a Captain Hook speedboat tied upward downwards southward at associated Peter Pan on Klong Chao for a proficient component division of ane 24-hour interval - maybe an alternative agency of accessing other beaches for guests. (image from captainkit - panoramio who I figure must direct hold been flight into Soneva's modest airfield on the offshore isle a picayune farther north.
Ao Soneva (my name) also shot yesteryear captainkit.
Ao Klong Yai Kee ((Ki) shot from Captain Hook Resort's headland dining area. Shown is midbeach - seems to direct hold a lot of log debris, no incertitude washed out of the klong after moisture flavor downpours. The sand spit contrary the oral fissure of the Klong was much wider, startling white together with clear of debris when my speedboat passed by. (image RDM - panoramio)***
Ao Yai Koet is the alone resort beach on the to a greater extent than oftentimes than non undeveloped E coast. I couldn't observe whatever decent beach pix so I modified this Google map section. Typical of the E coast - tidal sand flats with modest sections of above-tide beach. Those steep hillsides sure give a spectacular backdrop. No route access - demand speedboat from mainland or longtail from Baan Ao Salad to larn to the alone resort, Kood Island Resort. All the user comments on Agoda were inwards Thai script which gives the impression that this is mainly used yesteryear weekending together with holiday-package locals.************
The Far North Beaches are really isolated - at that topographic point are no roads into them, access is yesteryear boat. Once in ane lawsuit again I got the impression that these resorts are mainly the finish of Thai weekenders/package deal groups.
Part of Soneeva is at the bottom left of pix - notice its airfield on the modest isle far left.
Ta Tin Bay. Once in ane lawsuit again I couldn't observe whatever beach pix. When passing inwards the Express Ferry to the mainland I couldn't go out whether Coral Beach Resort shares this bay with a line-fishing hamlet - nosotros were some distance offshore together with the thick tabular array salt encrusted windows were non conducive to photography.***
Ao Maphut aka Ao Bon. First a correction - I retrieve my location map 2 upward has the incorrect beach - it should hold out the ane to the north, exactly nether the 4km scale line. But it takes me so long to modify a map so it stays every bit is.As tin hold out seen from that Google map together with this pic, the beach looks largely tidal, although some of the other beach shots together with Koh Kood Laguna resort itself here await pretty nice. (image www.ikochang.com)
SO WHICH BEACH IS THE BEST?
That's agency also difficult. I could honestly tell I would hold out perfectly happy staying at whatever of the beaches I visited with maybe the exception of Ngam Kho because of the lack of sand (but every bit I tell elsewhere on this site, beaches tin recover genuinely speedily given fine conditions - together with Ngam Kho has some proficient value resorts which larn positive reviews).
But if pushed I direct hold to tell Bang Bao seemed nicest to me. I don't retrieve whatever beach I visited was cleaner, the H2O to a greater extent than pristine together with the 3 resorts at Bang Bao are really nice.
Ao Baan Chao comes closed together with would certainly suit people wanting a proficient multifariousness of services nearby - together with is the standout for budget acccommodation.
Having said that, I've stayed at both the inwards a higher house so next see I'm aiming for Ban Makok upward on Klong Yai Kee. That house together with the full general surface area looked so sweetness when our speedboat dropped guests on arrival at Kood. If alone I tin convince Lady Tezza most my kayaking skills.
When I move without The Bride I larn budget - hell those backpacker places upward the amongst the river at Klong Chao await the down-price equivalent of Baan Makok. That's where I was heading my kickoff see to Kood inwards '06 - yet haven't stayed there.
Furiously paddling tezza is closed downwards yesteryear twin-inboard powered kayak every bit backpackers pose the pedal to the metallic inwards dash to distant klongside eating topographic point for a few cool Changs after exhausting 24-hour interval on Baan Klong Chao beach.AROUND THE ISLAND.
Ko Kood is an fantabulous isle to explore if y'all direct hold basic motorcycling skills. An auto moped volition cost y'all 300 to 400 baht a 24-hour interval (2012) together with the at nowadays paved route system, proficient signage together with full general lack of traffic brand touring around pretty easy. Bicycles are also available but at that topographic point are some decent hills to climb so y'all demand to hold out tally if y'all aim to comprehend whatever slap-up distance. Songthaew taxis are scarce although most resorts tin organise a pickup or SUV to convey y'all sight-seeing.
This is the primary route really closed to the access roads to Bang Bao's Holiday Cottages together with The Beach Natural. Surface typical of good paved isle roads but unlike inwards that much of these are backed yesteryear dense rainforest together with steep hills.These businesses are partly to serve guests from the resorts, but at that topographic point are also some pretty prissy garden bungalows out of shot.
Some of the tertiary routes are non bad. If y'all click to expand y'all volition ameliorate notice Ao Klong Hin inwards the background. You tin motorbike inwards on its access route from the primary route non also far southward of Bang Bao, so perish along around the headland background right behind the yacht to Ao Jark together with so around the headland from which this is shot to Ao Phrao (both headland tracks paved apart from the terminal 200m into Ao Phrao) together with so go out to the primary route on Ao Phroa's access road.The Waterfalls
NAMTOK KHLONG CHAO.
Waterfall-freaks looking for Niagara on any Thai isle are gonna hold out existent disappointed but Namtok Khlong Chao is prissy enough, involving parallel 15m drops into a large 50m puddle together with accessed yesteryear a existent prissy rainforest track. And access is complimentary - non the rip-off 200baht to similar falls on nearby large Chang.
I was a fleck lucky on both my 2008 together with 2012 visits. It looks similar from this shot (image Panoramio-apaecezalt).....
…that the falls don’t run also good inwards dry out season. But unusually it rained EVERY black (and briefly on 2 days) inwards my dry out flavor Feb 2008 fortnight inwards the eastern Gulf together with so a proficient flow was going over, every bit tin hold out seen here…This shot from inwards a higher house is of the smaller of 2 parallel drops into the large puddle at the base of operations of Khlong Chao fallsI didn’t larn a 2008 shot from the immediate lower falls surface area on draw concern human relationship the approach required a fair fleck of stone hopping. After surfing point-breaks most of my life I’m sick of going arse over turkey on moisture rocks so I gave it the large miss. However most 100m upward the primary rails from the lower access side-track are other small side-tracks which larn y'all to the top of the falls. There are some prissy pools upward hither to cool downwards in, although they are non specially deep for proficient swimming similar the lower one.
In 2012 it was fairly moisture in ane lawsuit again together with so the falls were running inwards usually dry out February. I was amazed on how the approach to the lower puddle had changed - the slippery jumble of large together with modest rocks had vanished. Wet flavor flows must direct hold been pretty vehement to launder them downstream. However when I lined upward my photographic idiot box camera the BATTERY EMPTY! sign gave me the large message so I still don't direct hold a film of these falls inwards flow. (I idea I did on my onetime Kood page from ane I poached off Thorn Tree regular tools for fools but I at nowadays realise it was of the amazingly similar Klong Kee falls - encounter below).
I accessed the falls yesteryear turning my hire Honda upward the good sign-posted paved side route heading inland on the southern side of the primary route span crossing the river at Klong Baan Chao. This passes those budget/flash-packer joints mentioned before together with abt 2km afterward ends around 600m from the falls. The walking rails is thru prissy rainforest.
I saw some people walking upward from the beach/bridge - it would convey maybe 40minutes. You tin also kayak or hire long tails to larn most of the agency - the navigable component division ends at the start of a slightly longer creekside walking track.
NAMTOK KLONG KEE (KI)
These falls are towards the due north of the isle - alone a few km from Ko Kood Beach & Suanya resorts at Ao Baan Mad together with non also far from Ban Matok and Captain Kook on the lower Klong Kee estuary.Access is really piece of cake - a small signposted paved 200m access route off the primary route due north of Baan Mad followed yesteryear a 100m rainforest track, steep steps downwards to the current at the end. I had a existent prissy cooling swim inwards the puddle together with several visitors were jumping from higher rocks (see opening shot).
UPDATE JAN 213 - at that topographic point is a third waterfall that tin hold out accessed. Check the messages from Brano Gege together with fotogratasmantaspro at the pes of the page for info.
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Baan Ao Yai is the alone house y'all tin access yesteryear route on the southern one-half of the E coast. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 modest line-fishing village, y'all volition mainly come upward hither for a seafood feed.
Baan Ao Salad inwards the north-east is the alone other E coast house accessible yesteryear road. Another line-fishing hamlet with some proficient seafood restaurants, y'all may also come upward hither to grab the deadening boat to Laem Sok on the mainland southward of Trat. This rather impressive Buddha icon is on the sea-ward side of the soccer champaign inwards a higher house the route to the pier. There is an associated modest temple.PETER PAN RESORT - AO BAAN CHAO.
This was the kickoff house nosotros stayed at inwards 2012. The speedboat from Ko Maak dropped us at the landing phase on Klong Chao (as mentioned before, the resort is on a sandspit betwixt klong together with beach) together with nosotros were shown to our to the lowest degree expensive fan hut.
Our Moken (Andaman Sea Gypsy) vogue fan/cold H2O hut at Peter Pan, ane of most one-half a dozen over on the far southern side. Very proficient value inwards what is a pretty ritzy resort (has puddle villas etc). Spacious, clean, Rex sized bed with theatre mattress together with ok net, neat bricked indoor outdoor bathroom. Very quiet. Main deficits lack of storage areas, dim lights (go to the reception surface area to read) summation no seating within or on porch.
Peter Pan beachfront on Ao Baan Chao from ane of the hire kayaks.
View inwards the contrary directionPeter Pan was proficient value with complimentary internet, complimentary tea together with java all day, beach towels, a large multi-channel idiot box with volume dvds inwards reception for guests from cheaper rooms without it, complimentary H2O ice cream from a self-serve cannister inwards the afternoons together with complimentary transfers to other resorts together with whatever of the piers for the non-speedboats. The inclusive buffet breakfast was pretty impressive but pastry freaks (only toast) together with egg nerds (only fried) volition hold out disappointed. Staff were friendly together with efficient together with English linguistic communication at reception really good. Credit cards accepted with a 3% surcharge.
Food prices inwards the eating topographic point were maybe 20-40% dearer than budget restaurants but at that topographic point is a proficient choice of inexpensive restaurants 200m away around the primary route span over the klong, at the backpacker articulation restaurants farther upward the klong together with at the Viewpoint Cafe high inwards a higher house the southward cease of the beach.
Our favourite exterior eating topographic point was the closest - Mark House directly across the route from Peter Pan's driveway together with amongst the southern span approach. Thai nutrient together with beer prices were really reasonable although western materials no bargain. This house has a proficient full general store together with some budget/flashpacker accommodation, the latter unfortunately non klongside (image Panoramio-Bonazera)
I didn't notice whatever Russian tour groups at Peter Pan, but this was ane of several Thai outfits. These people seemed component division of some corporate thing, arrived on a Mon with copious amounts of boxed beer, stayed inwards the ultra expensive poolside villas together with spent much of their fourth dimension inwards hilarity playing diverse bonding games. Thai groups on vacation are ever proficient value - they know how to bask themselves.NEVERLAND RESORT AO KLONG JARK
The 2nd house nosotros stayed at inwards 2012 was Neverland Resort downwards southward on Klong Jark beach. We got a complimentary transfer downwards inwards Peter Pan's SUV - taking most twenty minutes. Note that Peter Pan, Tinkerbell together with Captain Hook resorts all seem corporately linked but despite the name, Neverland appears a mom together with pop operation. Nice people. Credit bill of fare facilities non available Feb 2012.
Our Riverside Bungalow at Neverland - aircon, TV, fan, hot H2O but no frigerator despite spec on Agoda. In a pretty garden setting most 25m from the klongside. Comfy queen size bed summation unmarried with plenty room for 3 summation gear. Screens instead of mesh which was non every bit efficient given a few gaps inwards the boards. Aircon non existent efficient, specially during the 24-hour interval despite manager's servicing. TV has 3 Thai linguistic communication channels only. Quiet except for ane of our 3 nights when some inebriated Russian overnighters returned from the disco on the next beach.Cheaper Garden Bungalows seem identical but are 2nd rowers. Most expensive Beachfront Bungalows await far to a greater extent than spiffy, include a refrigerator. Joint also has tents for busy periods - camping ground bath block doubled for restaurant, was spotless.
Klong side yesteryear side our bungalow. Nice grassed surface area a slap-up spot for a belatedly arvo beer or three.
Klongside tabular array at Neverland restaurant. Food good, prices at normal budget eating topographic point levels (and eating options at side yesteryear side beaches - nearest most a 10 infinitesimal walk due north to Ao Klong Hin's southern headland), service good, self serve tea together with java all day.
Beachfront at Neverland. That's the beach bar inwards centre - although most people strolled the 150m to the eating topographic point on draw concern human relationship the beach guy was kept pretty busy cleaning the debris every bit the tide dropped. That tide draw of leafage litter, weed etc didn't terminal long with this guy around. But beach pretty misfortunate within 100m due north together with south.
Cool merry-go-round behind the beach bar.That's the Beachfront Bungalows inwards background - genuinely most 100m thru the manicured kokosnoot plantation from the beach. Bungalows looked pretty prissy together with seemed worth the extra inquire over our Riversider. Signs exhort guests to stick to primary path nether mesh to avoid beingness concertinaed yesteryear a falling kokosnoot although non-netted paths similar ane inwards film worn yesteryear staff were pretty rubber too.
The graduate of an underprivileged childhood, Lady Tezza is undisputed World Champion at Finding Money together with Valuables inwards the Surf/On the Ground on draw concern human relationship she is ever intensely checking the likelihood. Even better, she constitute this picayune alive sea Equus caballus at Ao Klong Jark.SIAM BEACH RESORT AO BANG BAO
I stayed hither on my 2008 visit. I’d originally intended to remain with the backpackers on Khlong Chao, but when my speedboat from Ko Chang swept into the narrow but deep-set bay at Bang Bao together with I spotted the nifty looking traditional vogue huts of Siam Beach Kohkood Resort behind the rather fantabulous looking beach I though Whoa -This is the house for me! together with bailed out at the rickety pier.
Siam Beach Resort's trad bungalows together with prissy beach await pretty sweetness from the cease of the pier.
Had been refurbished yesteryear 2012 - neat but non so traditional.Hur hur hur.... for the 2nd fourth dimension inwards 2 islands, all the huts inwards my chosen house were taken. But the director pose me inwards ane of the large rooms inwards the household unit of measurement unit inwards “Siberia“. I telephone phone it Siberia because it was waaay over the southern side of the resort most 400m from the eating topographic point together with 100m from the beach. It’s genuinely a block of five rooms built on piers over a modest lagoon which looks pretty spiffy at higher tide levels, but they direct hold taken no wages of this - the balcony out dorsum to convey wages of the lagoon persuasion must direct hold slipped the architect’s mind.
But this surface area is proficient word for families together with bigger groups of friends. Most of the five rooms are most 10m yesteryear 4m, with either four or five beds, plenty of infinite for all those people’s gear together with with large bathrooms. My room was slightly narrower at 3.5m together with had alone 2 beds - large soft ensemble jobs, ditto pillows. Shiny tiled floors but wooden walls non specially soundproof. Quiet fan, lights a fleck dim. Bedside tabular array but otherwise storage on huge flooring area. Huge tiled together with concrete bathroom, basin, bidet gun, proficient H2O pressure. Towels, lavatory paper, soap, comp water. No screens or mozzie mesh but non also hot at black despite closed windows. It was basically construct clean but looked to hold out non occupied for some fourth dimension so needed a 3 infinitesimal sweep to clear dust etc. Pretty proficient value at 500b.
Siberia inwards 2012. I'm non sure if these rooms are yet used for guests.Mind you, Siam's fan bungalows at the same cost (they also direct hold aircon bungalows at around 800 inwards 2008) were real nice, had screens + mozzie mesh together with most bungalows are front end row closed to the beach.
The eating topographic point at Siam Beach Resort is the usual open-sided beachside job. Food was proficient to me - but so all Thai nutrient is, prices seemed to hold out pretty normal together with the service was quick, although English linguistic communication was non existent potent away from the super busy manager. The Thai-Chinese possessor was a fleck brusque, but I direct hold to tell he’s a pretty proficient BBQ chef - every black I was at that topographic point they pose on a BBQ. I was a fleck bucks-down together with couldn’t afford the seafood, but for 130baht I had myself some fantabulous marinated pork+salad+huge potato-in-foil which goes downwards every bit my novel best repast ever inwards Thailand.
Whoa! Somebody's large 2012 day. Part of the beachfront eating topographic point tin hold out seen inwards background - seems to direct hold been extended beachwards since 2008. Please excuse the blurry shot - I was shaking with emotion (another ane bites the dust).Note a local guy had gear upward a modest eating topographic point on the inland side of the lagoon - he also had a span of rooms. His house is on the other side of the modest span on Siam's access road.
There were 2 other bungalow resorts to the due north of Siam on Bang Bao, The Beach Natural Resort together with Ko Kood Resort & Spa every bit it was called then. There was also a choice of huts along the southern headland exactly across the modest river estaury the other side of Siam, but these looked to direct hold been closed for some fourth dimension (I noticed a dive outfit seemed to direct hold gear upward store at that topographic point on my 2012 revisit).
Siam Resort claims to direct hold the best beach on Kut together with from what I saw when checking the other bays this is truthful mainly because at that topographic point is yet a strip of sand at highest tide together with no other house has clearer water.
Bang Bao beach at Siam looking due north inwards 2008 - the beachfront bungalows at nowadays extend closer to camera. The modest entrance to the lagoon is exactly behind the camera.
Newer to a greater extent than southern beachfront bungalows 2012I constitute swimming laps at lowest tide on Bang Bao no work - it’s exactly a affair of going out a fleck further.
By the way, the deep reasonably narrow bay is proficient shelter together with was a pop overnight anchorage for a modest divulge of yachts. One or 2 Thai line-fishing boats used it every bit a daytime anchorage before chugging off for some million-candlepower line-fishing each black - so don’t larn completely naked on the beach Miss Sweden, the line-fishing guys deserve some sleep.
The long protective headlands brand Bang Bao a proficient spot inwards the moisture flavor according to Ko Kood Resort's website. (image Ko Kood Resort). Interestingly this shot shows a modest spell of proficient sand at Ko Kood Resort aka The Beach Natural's surface area (second spell from top). As I direct hold said, beaches wax together with wane according to sea conditions.WHEN TO COME
Dry flavor is definitely best - all these beaches except all Yai Koet confront westward together with would larn large swell inwards stormier moisture flavor south-west monsoon blows. The trip out may hold out a fleck unpleasant together with agency fewer boats volition run.
Dry flavor inwards the eastern Gulf tends to start before than other beach areas. You should hold out rubber from early on Nov together with some frequent visitors tell belatedly Oct is usually okay. It usually starts to larn moisture in ane lawsuit again sometime inwards mid-late Apr into May. Note that pelting inwards dry out flavor is non uncommon - usually a small tempest or shower.
In moisture flavor these Trat islands are on average the wettest inwards Thailand every bit the south-west monsoon lifts over the nearby Cambodian coastal range, but I direct hold yet seen plenty of posts from the Trat islands proverb people had plenty plenty sunshine betwixt showers/storms for a proficient beach holiday.
Fabulous wet-season shot from Bang Bao beach (image Ko Kood Resort)HOW TO GET THERE
The limited boat from/to Laem Sok at Kood's Taphao pier. This infant runs almost every bit fast every bit a speedboat, is agency to a greater extent than comfortable with aircon together with aircraft type seats nether comprehend summation video entertainment.Refer to ane of the many Ko Kood websites for latest times together with starting places for the diverse boats. The websites tend to maintain upward to appointment with changes. I'll exactly give an outline:
-Direct boats (at to the lowest degree ane speedboat, an limited boat together with a deadening boat) leave of absence from the mainland coast at Leam Sok most 40km southward of Trat. This pier is agency closer to Kood than the piers used for Ko Chang together with the other islands. The boat operators tend to direct hold complimentary songthaew shuttles betwixt Trat together with pier together with from around Ko Kood to the boats.
-From the neighbouring islands of Maak, Wai together with Chang several speedboat outfits run to Kood. They tend to drib y'all off at your resort every bit far southward every bit Bang Bao (relax Russian overnighters - y'all larn delivered to your beach southward of this yesteryear the chartered speedboats).
On speedboat trips seek to avoid sitting upward nigh the bow inwards whatever assort of choppy conditions - the ride tin hold out cruel together with wet.
-Bang Bao Boat also runs a deadening boat from Ko Chang every bit far every bit Ko Maak where y'all demand to modify to ane of their speedboats.
-In moisture flavor fewer boats run, but the Laem Sok deadening boat which is the locals' favoured vogue volition ever cross unless the conditions is dire. Websites volition direct hold details of moisture flavor access.
Bang Bao Boat's speedboat heads towards overnight tie-up on Klong Chao. This outfit runs from Ko Chang's Bang Bao pier together with calls inwards at Wai together with Maak - has a complimentary pick upward service on Chang. MONEY.
I didn't encounter whatever ATM's on Kood although at that topographic point may hold out ane at the banking enterprise upward at Baan Hin Dam. Most resorts tin modify coin but the rates may non hold out slap-up - together with most convey credit cards.
Readers of other pages may suspect I'm a sucker for closing with a sunset shot. What the hell, every bit Smokey Yunik in ane lawsuit said: IF Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 BIT'S GOOD, Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 LOT'S BETTER (he was talking most engine ability but it's my credo for most things) - so here's three:
I scrounged this beauty off tools4fools' Ko Kut pixAnd Google Earth's pix povided this fabulous sunset shot yesteryear Michael Braun-Panoramio of the Klong Chao river surface area looking dorsum towards the oral fissure from the primary route bridge.
Well my humble endeavor at Kong Jark can't compare, but the excuse is my elcheapo 74 bucks point-and-shoot in all likelihood has a lens made from recycled Coke bottles.--------------------------------------------
If y'all are visiting Kut, maybe y'all volition hold out interested inwards nearby:
KO WAI
KO MAK
KO CHANG
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