Ko Mak

Ko Mak lies 35 km from the Trat mainland in the eastern Gulf of Thailand and is administered as a sub-district of Ko Kut district. The island has approximately 27 km of coastline, encompassing several long beaches including Ao Suan Yai and Ao Kao, featured in the UK Sunday Times list of the world's ten most beautiful beaches in 2006. Historically the island was dominated by coconut plantations established by a Chinese affairs officer during the reign of King Rama V; descendants of the original landowner family still hold much of the island's land today. Around 400 permanent residents live on Ko Mak, supported by fishing, plantation agriculture, and roughly 15 small resorts. The island has no large vehicles, limiting traffic to motorcycles and bicycles, which contributes to its reputation as one of the most relaxed destinations in the Gulf of Thailand.