Koh Mak, Thailand

We bought a car! So, as we had a week off during the Easter holidays we did a road trip through Chantaburi and parked at the Long Ngop Pier in Trat. We then hopped on a speedboat to Koh Mak for a few days to brave the sandflies...and we weren't disappointed. The beaches aren't the stunning white powdery type that we got in Koh Lipe, but if you're after peace and quiet, this is the place for you. I found my new happy place. Families, this ones for you. Out of all the islands we've visited, this is the most untouched and unpolluted which is probably why they have some problems with sand flies. Don't fret: they're only about in the mornings and evenings, and if you put some Deet on before you apply your sun lotion you'll be fine. There are plenty resorts with pools if you don't want to brave it. Koh Mak is located just below the large island Koh Chang, off the Thai/Cambodian border. We stayed at Happy Days Bungalows on Ao Soun Yai, which is dominated by Koh Mak Resort. The latter have amazing white bungalows on the beach but were just out of our price range, so we stayed at the former which is a new place right at the other end. If you want a hut on the beach that overlooks the sea, this is your best bet. They don't have a website or anything, we just turned up. Anyway, you're sure to find somewhere to stay on this beach, which is arguably the best beach on Koh Mak. We took the motorbike out one day and went to every beach (the island is small) and although there were some nice little bays, this beach is the main draw. 

  

This was the view from our porch...

And here's the hut...

Suchanaree Bungalows, in between Koh Mak Resort and Happy Days Bungalows. We couldn't sleep due to the old mattresses, so moved on. The kitchen was hardly open. Shame, these digs have so much potential.

 Koh Mak has been added to the list of places titled "We'll be back".