Bangkok to Koh Kood — Bus or Minivan to Laem Sok Pier in Trat, the Speedboat Timetable, and Combining It with Koh Chang and Koh Mak
The quietest of the eastern islands is also the one with the most rigid boat schedule. How to reach Laem Sok pier from Bangkok in time for the boats, what the island is like without ATMs or nightlife, and the island-hopping links to Koh Mak and Koh Chang.
Koh Kood (Koh Kut) is the far eastern island near the Cambodian border, known for clear water, empty beaches and very little else. The catch is the boat schedule: speedboats leave Laem Sok pier only a few times a day, mostly around midday, so the whole journey from Bangkok is built around catching them.
Step 1: Bangkok → Laem Sok pier (Trat)
| Option | Time | Departs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct minivan to Laem Sok | About 5–6 hours | Ekkamai / Mo Chit 2, early morning | Timed to meet the midday boats; the simplest option |
| Bus to Trat + songthaew | About 5 hours + 30 minutes | Ekkamai | Cheaper; Laem Sok is 30 km south of Trat town |
| Fly to Trat + transfer | 1 hour + 30 minutes | Suvarnabhumi | One airline; flights are timed for the boats |
| Overnight in Trat | – | – | Arrive the evening before and take a morning boat without stress |
- Combined bus + boat tickets Bangkok–Koh Kood: open 12Go
Step 2: Laem Sok → Koh Kood
Speedboats take about 1–1.5 hours and most resorts are reached directly or by resort pick-up from the arrival pier. There are typically only two or three departures a day, concentrated around late morning and early afternoon, and they are reduced in the rainy season. Buy a combined ticket so the van waits for the boat, or book the boat company's own van from Bangkok.
On the island
- No ATMs (or unreliable ones), few shops, limited mobile signal in places: bring cash for the whole stay.
- Resorts are spread along the west coast beaches (Klong Chao, Ao Noi, Bang Bao, Ao Tapao); most have their own restaurants and rent scooters.
- Roads are quiet and paved on the main routes, making a scooter the easy way to reach the waterfalls and the other beaches.
- Nightlife is a beach bar or two. Come for quiet.
Island hopping: Koh Mak and Koh Chang
Speedboats link Koh Kood with Koh Mak (about 30–45 minutes) and on to Koh Chang in high season, so the three eastern islands can be visited in a chain: Koh Chang for activity and nightlife, Koh Mak for cycling and calm, Koh Kood for the best water.
- Inter-island boats Koh Chang–Koh Kood: open 12Go
Seasons
The eastern islands are wettest from roughly May to October; many Koh Kood resorts close for part of that period and boats are cut back. November to April is the season to go.
Common mistakes
- Leaving Bangkok late morning. You will reach Laem Sok after the last boat.
- Arriving without cash. There is nowhere reliable to get it.
- Expecting the buzz of Koh Chang. Koh Kood is deliberately quiet.
Summary
Take an early minivan or a combined ticket from Bangkok to Laem Sok, catch the midday speedboat, and bring cash. Go between November and April, and if you have time, chain Koh Kood with Koh Mak and Koh Chang.