Friday, April 4, 2008

KOH MAK RESORT - NEW CATEGORIES AND ROOM UPGRADES

Koh Mak Resort is located on the western side of Koh Mak with white sand beach more than 2,000 meters long, clean and clear seawater with panorama scenery of Koh Kham and Koh Chang in distances.

The resort is gearing up for the coming high season with new rates and room types. Please see more below.

KOH MAK RESORT WEBSITE

Thursday, April 3, 2008

WELCOME TO KOH MAK

Lying between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, about 40 kms. from the mainland is a group of 9 islands called the Moo Koh Mak. Only 4 of these islands, including Koh Mak, Koh Kradad, Koh Kham and Koh Rayang Nok are occupied. Koh Mak, with an area of only 16 square kilometers and a 27 kms coastline, is the third largest island of the Marine Park. It has a flat terrain with plenty of coconut and rubber plantations. The main attractions are the long beaches and clear seawaters.

There are only a few hundred people living here, most of them related. There are about 10 resorts mostly situated at the northwest or southwest of the island. Almost all the resorts are sold on full board packages with sightseeing trips and transportation. A good example is the Koh Mak Cococape Resort which offers a 3,800 Baht package that include 2 nights accommodation plus snorkeling trips to Koh Rang, Koh Kra and Koh Yak by speedboat or 2,800 Baht by fishing boat.

The main pier to Laem Ngob is the Ao Nid Pier, east of the island. Infrastructure is limited but there is a road system that conveniently link up the island. Ao Suan Yai, to the northwest has the longest and most beautiful beach where you can view Koh Raet, Koh Phee, Koh Kham as well as the captivating sunset. The beach is lined with lazy coconut trees.

There are some fine restaurants here too. During low tide a sand dune appears between Koh Mak and Koh Kham allowing you to walk across. Ao Khao on the southwest is another spectacular site of fine beach with clear waters and great views of Koh Kood, Koh Rayang Nai, Koh Rayang Nok and the beautiful sunset. There are some reefs teening with plentiful of fishes and is a favourite site for the anglers.

KOH MAK TOURISM HISTORY

The first bungalows for tourists were built around 2517 B.E. (1974) at Ban Ao Nid on the east of the island.However, tourism was not yet flourishing in this area, and transport and telecommunications were difficult, which put a halt to developments for some time.

Later in 2530 B.E. (1987), part of the beach areas of the island were developed into tourist attractions. Bungalows and resorts were built to serve Thai and foreign tourists properly. Now Koh Mak has several interesting tourist places such as:

Koh Mak Resort: Located at Ao Suan Yai, this resort has a long white sand beach along the whole bay, and faces the small island of Koh Kham. Ao Suan Yai is on the west side of Koh Mak. You have a distant view of Koh Chang, Koh Wai and Koh Kum from this spot.

Fantasia Resort: Located at Ao Suan Yai next to KohMak Resort.
CocoCape Resort : Next from Fantasia in the far end of Ao SuanYai, still under construction

Sam Marine Resort: located on Koh Rayang Nork, on the south-east of Koh Mak opposite Ao Na Nork. There is a white sand beach and bungalows at the foot of a hill.

T.K. Hut: located on Koh Mak at 'Suan Ban Yai' in the Ao Na Nork area. T.K. Hut is on the south-west of the island. It has a long white sand beach connected to Ao Ka-toeng and Ao Khao.

Holiday Beach Resort: Next to T.K. Hut

Baan KohMak : Located between T.K. Hut and Ao Kao Resort, still under construction.

Ao Kao Resort: This is on the south of the island in the area of Ao Kao. You can see Koh Kood and Koh Rang from here.

Lazy Days Resort: this is on Ao Kao, connected to Ao Daeng on the south of the island.

Sunset Resort: Located in Laem Chan, next from Lazy Days Resort.
Sunshine Resort: Located on the hill, eastern side of the island.
KohMak Guesthouse: Located at Baan Ao Nid.

Koh Kradad Resort: this is on Koh Kradad and on the south of Koh Mak.
Koh Kham Resort: this is opposite Ao Suan Yai on Koh Mak, in similar landscape to Koh Rayang Nork. The clean, piled-up white sand beach with black stones is unlike other islands around here.

KOH MAK ACTIVITIES

Koh Mak is perfect for relaxing and soaking up the suns on one of the many beautiful, deserted, white sand beaches and swimming in the stunning clear blue water.


Because the island is small and flat its perfect for exploring and getting close to nature on one of the jungle walks or for the more adventurous there is a 3 hour cycle track through plantations, jungle tracks, villages and along the coastline.

Being on the edge of the Koh Rang natural park there are many beautiful places to snorkel and scuba dive. The best corals can be seen at Koh Kra and Koh Tong Lang. There are many deep sites at Koh Rang for scuba divers to explore, trips can be arranged at one of the islands dive shops.

GETTING TO KOH MAK

Location

Koh Mak is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 60 km from Trat and 20 km from Koh Chang. There are hourly busses from Ekamai and Morchit bus stations in Bangkok and daily minivans from Kao San Rd. taking approximately 5 hours. From Trat bus station you take a 20 minutes songtaew share taxi to the pier at Laem Ngob where you can choose between slow or speed boats.

Travel from Bangkok to Trat

By bus/coach:

- Air-conditioned coaches from Ekamai Eastern Bus Terminal Station direct to Laem Ngob, Trat, leaving twice a day in the morning at 7:45 am and 9:45 am. And returns from Laem Ngop leaving on 14:00 pm and 16:00 pm ( THB 250 ) For more information, call center 0-2576-5599, or go to www.transport.co.th/999_timebuseast48.asp

- Air-conditioned coaches from Ekamai Eastern Bus Terminal Station or Morchit Northern Bus Terminal Station to Trat and connect to the Laem Ngob pier by local taxi ( THB 60 - 80 ), daily leaving from 6:00 am 11:00 pm. For more information, call 0-2391-2331, 0-2936-2841-8, or go to www.transport.co.th Or call private bus companies at 0-2391-2237 or 0-2392-7680.

- Air-conditioned coaches from Suvarnabhumi Airport direct to Trat ( Laem Ngob ), leaving at 6:40, 10:10, 11:40, 13:10, 16:10, 18:10, 8:25, and 10:25.
And returns from Laem Ngop leaving on 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 11:30, 12:30 and 16:00 pm ( THB 250 ) For more information, call center 0-2576-5599, or go to www.transport.co.th/bussuwanapoom_3.asp

- Air-conditioned minivans from Khaosarn Road direct to Laem Ngob. For more information, call Khun Ball 081-925-6591 Email : ball@kohmak.com All trips take approximately 5 hours.

By car:

- Take highway route no. 3 (Bangna-Trad) via Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi to Trat. The total distance is 385 kilometres.

- Take highway route no. 3 (Bangna-Trad) and turn left to highway route no. 344 (Chonburi-Baan Bung-Klaeng). After reaching Klaeng, turn left to highway route 3 via Chanthaburi and to Trat. The total distance is 315 kilometres. Parking is available at the pier (Krom Luang), the fee is 50 Baht per vehicle per night.

By Private van:

- Pick up at your hotel or Airport direct to Laem Ngob trips take approximately 4 hours. For more information, contact ball@kohmak.com

By air:

There is only one airline flying from Bangkok to Trat, which is Bangkok Airways, from Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving daily 2 flights during low seasons and 3 flights during high seasons. For more information, call 0-2265-5555 - 6, or go to www.bangkokair.com


Travel from Laem Ngob (Krom Luang) pier to Koh Mak


By slow boat:

Daily depart at 3:00 pm and the boat returns from Koh Mak at 8:00 am. The journey time is 3 hours. ( THB 300. )

By speedboat:

Daily depart at 09:30 am, 10:00 am, 2.00 pm and 4:00 pm and return from Koh Mak at 07:45 am, 8:00 am, 11.00 am and 01:00 pm. The journey time is 45 minutes. ( THB 450. )


Travel from Laem Sok (Ao Chor) pier to Koh Mak

By speedboat:

Daily depart at 09:00 am and 1:00 pm and return from Koh Mak at 10:30 am and 13:20 pm. The journey time is 45 minutes. ( THB 400. )

More update information on travelling by boat is available by calling Khun Ball 081-925-6591 Email : ball@kohmak.com.



Travel from Koh Mak to Koh Kood

By speedboat:

Daily depart at Ao Nid pier 09:50 am and 13:50 pm The journey time is 30 minutes. ( THB 300. )


Travel from Koh Kood to Koh Mak

By speedboat:

Daily depart at 09:30 am and 13:00 pm and The journey time is 30 minutes. ( THB 300. )

HISTORY OF KOH MAK ISLAND

The History of Koh Mak

Koh Mak's history can be traced back to the year 1893.The King of Siam at that time (King Rama 5th,1868-1910) conceded territory to French Indo China in an attempt to avoid European colonisation. On February 1st 1903 in an attempt to stop the French progression towards Bangkok, an area stretching from Chantaburi to Koh Kood was given to the French. This included Koh Chang and the Koh Mak group of islands and reached as far as Batchantakiliket, now known as Koh Kong. On March 23rd 1906 King Rama 5th regained control of these provinces in exchange for the much larger regions of Patabong, Siem Reap and Srisophon now parts of Cambodia.
King Rama 5th visited Trat province 12 times including 2 visits to Koh Mak during his reign. The people of Koh Mak are very proud that the King chose their island as a place to relax.
Koh Mak has an area of 9,500 sq rai (16 sq km) of which 500 sq rai is public land. The remainder is made up of coconut and rubber plantations and is owned by 5 families. Three of these families can be traced back to the chinese ambassador.

There are 2 villages on Koh Mak 'Ban Ao Nid' on the Easthern coast is home to 50 families and has a population of 210 and 'Ban Laem Son' in the north of the island has 39 families with a population of 124. The total population of Koh Mak and the Koh Mak sub-district is nearly 900 this includes neighbouring islands Koh Rayang Nok, Koh Rayang Nai,Ko Pee, Koh Kham, and Koh Kradat. In total there are 21 islands, 9 habited and 12 uninhabited that make up the Koh Mak sub-district. Koh Mak is the 3rd largest after Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
Koh Mak is approximately 10 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west. The coastline is 26 km and has many beautiful white sand beaches. In particular the beaches of 'Ao Suan Yai' on the west side and 'Ao Kao' on the south side are long and deserted.

Most of the island is still covered by coconut and rubber plantations which is the island's main export products.
Many of the locals also make handicrafts from coconut shells, batik fabrics and furnitures. The oil extracted from coconuts can also be refined into a medical oil.
The majority of local people still work as farmers in the coconut and rubber plantations or as fisherman. There are 24 resorts on Koh Mak, this also generates employement for many of the local people.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

KOH MAK COCOCAPE RESORT - TROPICAL DREAM REDEFINED!

This is the story of two architects "Aea and Oui" who love to spend their lifes on the sea. It's all about coincidence in finding a fit place to be with surrounded by the activities they loves; seaside adventure. On the other hand, for them is's not a coincident, could it be called a miracle place ; no people, quited, nature and beauty.

At first, they found that around Koh Chang territory - 52 islands, Koh Rang and her surrounded is-land - 11 islands is the best place for their dream. But that area is a nation park, not allow people to stay over night and quite for away from mainland.

Finally, their dream come true. They found the place on their dream. It's KohMak which is in the middle of Koh Chang area. It is easy to go to KohChang, KohWai, KohKood, and surrounded islands of Koh Mak. Especially, it only takes 10 minutes to get to Koh Rang by speedboat or 25 minute by boat.

Not only its greatest way to get to other beautiful islands, but also its own natural environment with varies atmospheres counted to be the perfectly miracle place for them. The charming of white sand beach, black rock, cliff, and beautiful small islands all around, Koh Kham, Koh rayang Nok, Koh Pee, Koh Kradad, where can be travelled around by kayuk are entirely lovely. Besides, Kohmak is not too big that they can see things around easily.

Moreover, Aea found the land this is on the cape between Ao SuanYai and Ao Pra. Facing to the ocean with has the view of KohKham in front and panorama view of ocean with Koh Pee, Koh Wai, Koh LaoYo, and Koh chang etc.

They found that is a combination of varied bluetone of many islands infront of and sometimes with red color of sunset. "Fantastic!" This is the only word they can tell.

Although at first they found their beach is underwater, surprisingly they found the white sand beach which is next to their land, private with no resort long for 3 kms. As a result, they decided to buy this greates place where having hill, cape anc incredible panorama ocean view. Also, it has a lot of coral and fish around which Just go about 200 meters to the sea.

"How about we make it like a Thai village which has varities design of bungalows like real life. Some for luxury live, some for classical live, some for adventurer, some for big family, some for couple, some in the sea, some on the hill, some for normal and some for weird. It will absolutly be fun." Oui said.

KOH MAK COCOCAPE RESORT