Koh Kood, also spelled Koh Kut, is an island in Trat Province near Thailand’s eastern maritime border with Cambodia. It is the fourth-largest island in Thailand and the southernmost major island in the Koh Chang group. Much of its landscape consists of forested hills, coconut and fruit plantations, streams, and sandy beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike larger Thai resort islands, Koh Kood has relatively limited urban development, with small communities and fishing villages spread across the island. Its quieter setting and extensive natural areas are central to its identity.

Local life on Koh Kood remains closely connected to fishing and small-scale agriculture. Coconut, rubber, and fruit cultivation are important traditional livelihoods, while villages such as Ao Salat and Ao Yai retain working fishing communities. Ao Salat, on the island’s northeastern coast, is particularly known for its wooden houses, fishing boats, and seafood restaurants. The island’s cultural landscape is also reflected in small Buddhist temples and community roads that pass through plantations and forest. These settlements provide a different perspective on Koh Kood beyond its beaches and resort areas.

Koh Kood’s main attractions include Khlong Chao Waterfall, where fresh water flows through forested terrain, and Khlong Yai Ki Waterfall in the island’s northern area. Khlong Chao also has a mangrove-lined waterway that can be explored by kayak. Beaches such as Khlong Chao, Bang Bao, and Ao Phrao have sandy shores and shallow coastal waters, while offshore areas provide opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The island’s interior contains dense vegetation and small streams, creating a landscape quite different from the developed beach districts found on some larger Thai islands.

Seafood is an important part of Koh Kood’s food culture, particularly around the fishing villages where locally caught fish and shellfish are served in simple restaurants. Ao Salat is noted by Thailand’s tourism authorities for inexpensive local seafood and traditional island cooking. Dried shrimp, dried squid, and salted fish are among the island’s characteristic food products. Coconut is also widely grown and used locally. Another distinctive feature is the island’s limited public transport infrastructure, with motorcycles, bicycles, and locally operated songthaews commonly used to travel between beaches, villages, waterfalls, and forested areas.