Koh Kood and Koh Mak islands are witnessing an overwhelming influx of tourists during the long weekend from May 9 to May 12, with more than 10,000 visitors flocking to these popular destinations. The sharp rise in tourism coincides with the Royal Plowing Ceremony and Visakha Bucha holidays, which have provided a rare four-day vacation window for both Thai and international tourists.
At Laem Sok Pier in Ao Yai Subdistrict, the primary departure point for the islands, the scene on May 9 was bustling with activity from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. To accommodate the surge in passengers, ferry operators—including Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Seudamgo Company, and Koh Kood Express—scheduled more than 10 trips during the morning hours, with three additional afternoon sailings. Speedboat services from at least three other companies contributed over 20 additional trips to meet the growing demand.
Atthaphon Klinthap, manager of Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, stated that domestic tourism has significantly increased in April and early May, surpassing levels seen in 2024. While international arrivals have slowed, local visitors have flocked to the islands in large numbers, especially over this holiday period. In response, Boonsiri High Speed Ferries had to add extra trips, including three additional sailings on May 10, to keep up with the demand.
Koh Kood District Chief Phairat Sroisaeng confirmed that over 1,000 hotel rooms on Koh Kood are fully booked, leaving only a handful of homestays available. Similarly, Koh Mak’s 400–500 available rooms are at capacity. Although visitors are rotating in and out, officials estimate that the total number of tourists visiting the islands this weekend will exceed 10,000.
Lieutenant Kornkot Opas, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Trat Office, revealed that Koh Kood has emerged as the top trending search term across various platforms, including Google. On TikTok alone, videos about Koh Kood have accumulated nearly one million views. Koh Mak also ranks in the top ten. This surge in online interest is a testament to the growing appeal of these islands and aligns with the ongoing tourism development strategy for Trat Province.
Recent promotional efforts, such as international sailing regattas, fruit festivals, and cultural events, are playing a pivotal role in positioning Trat as a premier tourism destination. The continued popularity of Koh Kood and Koh Mak reflects broader regional efforts to attract both domestic and international travelers to the area.