Koh Kut-The Hidden Gem of Thailand

by Dishari Palit (India)

A leap into the unknown Thailand

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For all those who are hearing about Koh Kut for the first time, it is located on the Eastern Part of Thailand close to Cambodia. There are limited options to travel to Koh Kut and we took the Bangkok-Trat-Koh Kood route. Travel Only a handful of ferries provides to and fro trips to Koh Kut from Suvarnabhumi Airport. One needs to reach LaemSok Pier and at the pier, you board a catamaran that drops you till Koh Kut. The return is similar and is advisable to book your to and fro tickets in advance. The Island The entrance of the island is marked by a huge statue of Lord Buddha which is not only picturesque but makes you wonder if the island is greeting you on your arrival and wishing you a safe stay. Koh Kut is spread across 162 sq.km with a population of around 2000 people. The best way to travel around the island is by hiring a scooter which is easily available at 250-500 Baht. The island is hilly and don’t be surprised with the sharp slopes and not so modest inclines (like a roller coaster ride!) We visited the 3 popular beaches, Ao Tapao at the north, Klong Chao somewhere in the middle and Bang Bao comparatively at the south of the island. The Beaches If you think you have seen white sand beaches with clear blue water, you might want to give it a second thought. The sand and water at Koh Kut is so clean that you can see the sea bed loud and clear even at 1-3 meters above the sea-bed. Almost all their beaches are perfect for snorkeling. In fact, there is a great spot at Ao Tapao beach for snorkelers which is around 100 meters away from Seafar Resort. It’s an ideal spot for families with kids to snorkel particularly during low tide when the water is not even 5-foot high. I filmed a Manta Ray and an Octopus at the very same spot! Please make it a point to not dump trash on the beach. Accommodation There is plenty of resort by the beach and if you are a backpacker, there are many options available as well. We were staying at the Ao Tapao Beach, home to a couple of piers where you can watch the sunset while sipping beer. Local Culture Development brings along many pros and cons. While at times, the pros might outnumber the cons, it’s a shame when your little paradise loses its originality and authenticity to development and turns into another city with traffic, crowd, crime etc. You are in luck with Koh Kut here since it’s yet to receive the tourist overflow. Thus, don’t be surprised if you are served fresh sea food (right off the ocean) at the fishing villages. At the evening, most restaurants serve barbecue fish, prawns, oyster, squid and so on. Also, hope the almost zero nightlife does not surprise you. Here the localities believe in “early to bed, early to rise” mantra Worth Mentioning There are three waterfalls in the island the biggest being Klong Chao Waterfall near Klong Chao Beach. The waterfall is beautiful with a small natural pool for you/kids to swim in. There’s also a swing to jump into the natural pool for that insta worthy video! Also, do visit the fisherman’s village at Ao Yai (South-East of the island) for mouthwatering sea food. This will bring a cultural touch to your trip and you also get to see the villagers serve you their fresh catch of the day. There is a view point on your way which is worth a stop but we recommend you visit the spot only after you have visited the village. This will enable you to truly appreciate the village’s cultural richness and simplicity. So, if you are planning a trip to Thailand anytime soon, take out a week or two to visit this hidden gem and be rest assured, you won’t be disappointed but overwhelmed with what nature has to offer. It’s a perfect destination for travelers who would ditch the midnight parties and instead gaze at the countless stars while falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves.