Practical Info
Money, signal, health and the small habits that keep Koh Mak the quiet island it is.
Money & Payments
Koh Mak runs on cash. The single most useful thing you can do before arrival is take out enough baht on the mainland.
- ATM
- One ATM near the centre — often empty or out of service.
- Cards
- Accepted at larger resorts only. Small restaurants, bars and operators are cash only.
- Cash advances
- Some resorts will advance cash for a fee if you're stuck.
- Daily budget
- ฿4,500–7,000 typical (non-diving). Bungalow ฿2,800–4,500 · lunch ฿150–300 · seafood ฿400–800 · drinks ฿70–150 · scooter ฿250–300.
Communication & Internet
Connectivity is good enough for work email and messaging, patchy for streaming. Pick up a SIM before you board the boat.
- SIM cards
- Buy on the mainland. True Move H and AIS have the best Koh Mak coverage. Top-ups at minimarts.
- Mobile signal
- Solid 3G/4G on the main beaches. Weaker on the south and east coast and inland.
- WiFi
- Most resorts have it; quality varies. Don't plan on 4K streaming.
- Power
- Short power blips are normal. Pack a power bank.
Health & Medical
There's no hospital on the island — the nearest is in Trat on the mainland. Travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
- On-island care
- A small village pharmacy/clinic covers the basics. Your resort can point you to it.
- Sun
- Very intense. Reef-safe SPF 50+, reapply every two hours.
- Sand flies & mosquitoes
- A nuisance at dusk and dawn on some beaches. Repellent and long sleeves help.
- Box jellyfish
- Non-fatal stings documented since 2007. Ask locally about conditions — vinegar neutralises stings.
- Water
- Drink bottled or filtered only. Ice at proper restaurants is generally fine.
Shopping & Supplies
There is no 7-Eleven on Koh Mak — the community voted to keep it that way. Small minimarts cover daily needs.
- Minimarts
- Along the Ao Kao back road. Snacks, drinks, sunscreen, repellent, toiletries, water, beer, SIM top-ups.
- Pharmacies
- Small, with basic medications — paracetamol, antihistamines, antidiarrheal.
- Dive shops
- Sell and rent snorkel gear, rash guards and fins.
- Laundry
- Available everywhere and cheap — ฿40–60 per kilo.
- Fresh produce
- Best selection near Ao Nid and the back-road market area.
Environment & Etiquette
Koh Mak's calm is the work of locals who decided what kind of island this would be. A few small habits keep it that way.
- Water
- Fresh water is precious. Short showers, taps off, go easy on towel changes.
- Coral
- Never stand on reefs. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Don't anchor on seagrass.
- Drones
- Ask permission before flying — some resort and natural areas restrict drone use.
- Music
- Keep it personal. Bluetooth speakers on the beach are generally frowned upon.
- Dress
- Cover shoulders and knees for temple and village visits. Beachwear stays on the beach.
- Plastic
- Avoid single-use. Many resorts have refillable water stations.
Safety
Koh Mak is one of the safest islands in Thailand. The risks here are sun, sea and scooters — all manageable with a little care.
- Crime
- Very low. Koh Mak is peaceful and trusting — keep it that way.
- Swimming
- No lifeguards. Swim in front of resorts when possible. Water is calmest Nov–Apr.
- Scooters
- Ride slow, especially at night on unlit roads. Always wear a helmet.
- Emergency
- Call your resort first — fastest path to help. Thai numbers: 191 police · 1669 medical.
Thailand visa guide — 2026 update
Visa-free entry is now 30 days, the TDAC is mandatory, and there are new long-stay options like the DTV. Read the full breakdown.
Best time to visit
Koh Mak has a sharp wet/dry rhythm. The sweet spot is December through March — sparkling water, full boat schedules and a calm, uncrowded island.
Nov–Feb
High- Weather
- Dry, cooler (25–30°C)
- Boats
- Full schedule
- Vibe
- Peak season — busy but never crowded
Mar–Apr
High- Weather
- Hot and dry
- Boats
- Full schedule
- Vibe
- Excellent diving and snorkel visibility
May
Shoulder- Weather
- Transition, some rain
- Boats
- Services wind down
- Vibe
- Last weeks before low season
Jun–Sep
Low- Weather
- Rainy season
- Boats
- Boonsiri only
- Vibe
- Very quiet, lush and cheap
Oct
Shoulder- Weather
- Transition
- Boats
- Services resume
- Vibe
- Quiet, good value
Dec
High- Weather
- Sparkling days, cool nights
- Boats
- Full
- Vibe
- Best month for families & first-timers
Best overall months · December, January, February and March.