Koh Kham is a tiny private island off the coast of Koh Mak, known for its abandoned luxury resort and unusual black volcanic rocks. We spent a day there during our four-day stay on Koh Mak, and it became one of the highlights of our trip. We sunbathed, swam, took photos, and explored the unfinished resort, but the time flew by. For the first few hours, we had the entire island to ourselves: no tourists, no boats, just a few friendly dogs romping around.

If you're planning a trip to Koh Mak, we highly recommend a day trip to Koh Kham. You can either take a longtail boat from Koh Mak Resort or rent a kayak and paddle there from anywhere along the northwest coast. Koh Kham's two main beaches are undoubtedly beautiful – with powdery white sand, shallow turquoise water, and swaying palm trees – but the real highlight is the abandoned resort, which lends the island a mysterious atmosphere.

Abandoned resort on Koh Kham

Where is Koh Kham located?

Koh Kham lies just off the coast of Koh Mak in eastern Thailand. The island is so close that its white sand and black rocks are clearly visible from several viewpoints on Koh Mak. These islands belong to the Trat island group, also known as the Koh Chang islands, which also includes Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Wai. Together, they form a fantastic island-hopping route and are a great alternative to the popular Gulf islands or the remote Trang islands.

Why should you visit Koh Kham?

A visit to Koh Kham is like walking through an art installation. Everything seems perfectly arranged and maintained: from the pristine white sand to the photogenic black rocks and sandbanks, right down to the abandoned resorts slowly being reclaimed by nature. We've visited many Thai islands, but none can compare to the aesthetics of Koh Kham.

Koh Kham does feel a bit artificial, though. Rumor has it the white sand was specially imported from the UAE and spread by the resort's developers. To be honest, it doesn't feel as wild as some of the other islands in the area, like the tropical Koh Kood. Nevertheless, Koh Kham has something special about it; you feel like you're on a movie set. We took way too many photos here – no wonder, because the island is just too photogenic!

History of the abandoned resort

The abandoned resort on Koh Kham was to be called Ananya Hideaway – an ambitious project featuring luxury villas, infinity pools, and large glass facades. However, construction stalled when the developer encountered permitting and legal issues. The situation escalated to such an extent that the site was searched by Thai marines and national park officials, forcing the permanent halt of all work.

The property fell into oblivion and was eventually put up for sale for the staggering sum of 1.8 billion baht (over 50 million US dollars). Since construction was halted in 2014, the jungle has slowly reclaimed the site, overgrowing the scaffolding with vines and leaves. Had the project been completed, it would have become one of the world's most extraordinary island resorts.

Things to see and do on Koh Kham

Picture-perfect white sandy beaches

Anyone traveling to Koh Kham to discover Thailand's most beautiful beaches will certainly not be disappointed. The sand, although likely imported, is among the whitest and softest we've encountered anywhere in Thailand. Upon our early morning arrival, the water was perfectly still, and we had the beach entirely to ourselves. We dropped our backpacks, jumped straight into the water, and spent the next few hours swimming, floating, and relaxing – completely undisturbed. Later in the day, at low tide, the black volcanic rocks emerged from the water, providing a captivating photo opportunity.

Perfect white sandy beaches

Dramatic black volcanic rocks

Aside from the Ananya Hideaway, the black volcanic rocks scattered along one of Koh Kham's main beaches were our absolute highlight. These black boulders stand out majestically against the white sand and turquoise water – a paradise for Instagrammers! Unlike the imported white sand, the rocks are a completely natural product of the region, formed from an ancient volcanic crater that existed millions of years ago.

Unique volcanic rock formations of Koh Kham

Ananya Hideaway: Abandoned Luxury Resort

The abandoned resort on Koh Kham is the epitome of "ruin aesthetics" and a popular destination for travel photography. The bleached white concrete structures, winding paths, and unfinished staircases give the resort an eerie, ghostly atmosphere. A stroll through Ananya Hideaway reveals:

  • Stairs that lead nowhere
  • Empty pool structures in unusual shapes
  • Minimalist concrete shells that have now been reclaimed by nature.
  • Trees, vines and foliage twine around the various ruins.
  • Viewpoints overlooking the beach and Koh Mak in the distance

    • We spent several hours exploring the buildings and taking photos, with Kat starring in what looked like a "forgotten film set." After our visit to Koh Kham, we also researched the architect, Duangrit Bunnag, who designed the buildings to blend harmoniously into the island's contours. It's a real shame his vision wasn't fully realized, but in many ways, the abandoned resort has become a bigger tourist attraction than he probably imagined.

    Large swing in the abandoned holiday resort

    The beach hut with surfboards

    One particularly lovely spot we enjoyed in Koh Kham was the beach bar/kiosk. It was empty when we visited, but we still managed to take some great photos. Just so you know: you can't rent surfboards or take surf lessons there; it's purely for decoration.

    Beach hut with surfboards

    Swimming, sunbathing & total relaxation

    Even if not everyone values ​​aesthetics, Koh Kham still offers plenty of natural beauty. The beaches are perfect for relaxing, whether you want to lie in the sun all day or wade through the shallow water. We spent hours sunbathing, listening to music, taking the occasional dip, and finding shady spots to read.

    The magic of arriving early

    On our journey of discovery to Thailand's most beautiful destinations, we've noticed that due to the large number of tourists who visit each year, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find beaches entirely to yourself. However, we believe this is still possible on Koh Kham. If you depart early in the morning by boat, like we did at 9:30 am, you have the chance to have not just one beach, but the entire island to yourself for a few hours. Koh Mak is a tranquil island, so most tourists don't cross over until around midday. This gives you a short window of time to enjoy Koh Kham undisturbed.

    Go by boat early in the morning

    Crystal-clear water of Koh Kham

    How to get to Koh Kham

    The best way to reach Koh Kham is by longtail boat from the Koh Mak Resort on Ao Suan Yai Beach. The short trip takes a maximum of 10 minutes. The price usually includes the entrance fee of 200–300 THB per person, which contributes to maintenance. A major advantage of Koh Mak is that you can cross the island in just 15–20 minutes. So, no matter where you're staying, it's not a long scooter ride to the Koh Mak Resort. During the dry season, boats generally run hourly from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

    Arrival at Koh Kham from Koh Mak

    Accommodation: Little Moon Villa

    A stay on Koh Mak is highly recommended. Getting there from Koh Kood or Koh Chang is more complicated and expensive. As for accommodation, we can wholeheartedly recommend Little Moon Villa. We spent four nights there and it's one of our favorite hotels in all of Thailand. This boutique resort offers beautiful villas with balconies and sea views, spacious rooms with comfortable beds and a large bathtub, and a fantastic restaurant serving delicious Thai dishes and pastries.

    Read more: Koh Mak: How to spend 3 days on this dream island

    Tips for visiting Koh Kham

  • Spend the whole day on Koh Kham: The last boat back to Koh Mak departs at 4:00 PM. It's therefore advisable to leave early and spend 5-6 hours on Koh Kham. Although the island is small, there's more to discover than you might think. We were surprised how quickly time passed on Koh Kham – a sure sign that we were having a great time.
  • Bring your own food and water: There is only one small kiosk on Koh Kham where you can buy snacks and water. Experience has shown that it is not always open. Therefore, it is essential to bring your own lunch and enough water for the day.
  • Bring a good camera: Koh Kham is perfect for travel photography. A good smartphone will suffice, but to capture the island's beauty, you should bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera if you have one. Your photos will look fantastic.

    • Read more: 50 Thailand travel tips: What you should know before your trip

    Packed bag full of lunch and snacks