I had hoped my last trip to Koh Kood would change everything. It was the first one I'd taken entirely on my own – the first was at the invitation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the second an excuse to mend a relationship – and I had high hopes.

Perhaps my experiences on site, after years of seeing rosy depictions of the island on social media, would correspond to those recorded by would-be influencers with their drones.

Unfortunately, it became clear to me almost immediately after my arrival that this probably wouldn't work out. That's the bad news. The good news? Whether you're looking for a detailed itinerary for Koh Kood or simply an honest opinion on whether it's worth visiting – I will definitely provide you with the information you need.

Accommodation in Koh Kood

The hotels on Koh Kood have never really impressed me. Well, not always – my first stay at Cham's House Resort during my trip in 2015 was simply fantastic. Unfortunately, after the pandemic, I found the hotel in a very run-down state, and it's still there four years later. Therefore, I now prefer simpler accommodations like the Siam Beach Resort on Bang Bao Beach.

No matter where you stay on Koh Kood, be prepared for what's becoming increasingly common on most Thai islands: dated and basic accommodations and surprisingly high prices—the scenery is what you pay for. It's not exorbitantly expensive—you don't need to play online casino games to afford it—but it's not cheap either. In fact, as you'll soon understand after reading my commentary on Koh Kood, the island's natural beauty depends on a number of factors beyond your control.

5 things that bother me about Koh Kood

The beaches

On my first few visits to Koh Kood, I was quite impressed by the island's beaches – back then, they simply weren't as popular. However, on my last visit, I was rather disappointed. This was partly due to the unusually bad weather, which turned the normally clear water a murky gray. The fact is, though, that even on a perfect day, Koh Kood's beaches simply can't compare to those of the Andaman Sea in Thailand and don't look anything like the drone videos you see online.

The other tourists

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be hateful or judgmental—I'm sure many of the interchangeable, white, heterosexual couples riding around Koh Kood on motorbikes were genuinely nice people. But they weren't nice to me, and their sheer numbers acted as an insurmountable social barrier, making my time on Koh Kood extremely lonely. I barely had a quiet moment in the busier parts of the island; I didn't have a single real conversation either.

The size of the island

Koh Kood is the second largest island in the Koh Chang archipelago, after Koh Chang itself. And, as with Koh Chang, this presents two major challenges. First, getting around is difficult (you either need your own vehicle or endless patience with songthaews and motorbike taxis). And second, similar to Koh Chang, most of Koh Kood's vast expanse is not particularly impressive.

The price of the accommodation

Even if you're comfortable getting around Koh Kood, you'll likely be disappointed with your accommodation. You almost always pay more for a room than it's worth: basic, air-conditioned bungalows often cost over 3,000 baht per night, and rooms in upscale resorts cost two or even three times that. The value for money is simply not there, especially considering how overrated Koh Kood's beaches are.

The effort required to get there

I'll describe the journey to the island in more detail below, but let me just say this: Koh Kood is quite remote. That wouldn't be a problem if – like Koh Lipe, for example – there were stunning beaches and beautiful surroundings everywhere. But Koh Kood simply can't compete with Lipe and many of its neighboring islands, which is why the effort of getting there isn't worth it for me.

Getting to (and getting around on) Koh Kood

As I mentioned above, Koh Kood is extremely difficult to reach. After a flight from Bangkok to Trat – there are only two or three (expensive) flights daily – or a bus ride that can take five to six hours on a good day, you have to take a songthaew to Laem Sok Pier and from there a speedboat or ferry. In both cases, this takes almost a whole day and costs at least 2,000 baht.

And that's just the route from Bangkok to Koh Kood. The island is far too big to walk, and although most foreigners rent motorbikes, that seems too risky to me. So, there are two options: rent a car (which is possible but problematic; there are only a few cars available, and most of them aren't in good condition); or take a motorbike taxi or songthaew each way. Not ideal, but then again, neither is Koh Kood.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Koh Kood

Is Koh Kood worth a visit?

Koh Kood isn't a bad island, but it's vastly overrated. I'd recommend a visit if you're already in Trat province (and then preferably on a nicer island like Koh Mak or Koh Wai), but making a special trip from Bangkok would be a mistake in my opinion. Koh Kood simply doesn't live up to the image portrayed on social media and is significantly inferior to the islands on the Andaman coast of Thailand.

How long should one spend on Koh Kood?

Koh Kood is a large island, but its most beautiful beaches are concentrated in the west and south. Therefore, most of it can be explored in a full day (plus travel time of two additional days). Nevertheless, it's advisable to plan one or two extra days to allow for potential bad weather.

Which part of Koh Kood is the best?

The most beautiful beach on Koh Kood is definitely Bang Bao Beach. Its shallow water is clear and stunning, and there are numerous hotels and resorts. I also love the beaches on the island's south coast, with Ao Jark Bay being one of my absolute favorites due to its beauty and tranquility.

Conclusion

Some of you will ignore the warnings in this post and simply follow my hidden Koh Kood itinerary without skepticism or reservations. And frankly, I understand—I wish I could see the island with unbiased eyes. Instead, I view Koh Kood, as well as its neighbor Koh Chang, primarily through the lens of how reliably it has met even my modest expectations, not to mention the unrealistically idyllic picture propagated by some influencers (mostly macho types) on social media. That's the (perhaps) bad news. The definitely good news? I can help you find the right island for you if you entrust me with planning your Thailand trip.