Koh Mak Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Not applicable; land is mostly private family-owned. Leasehold approx. 1,500,000 THB |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Leasehold bungalows approx. 1,000,000 - 1,200,000 THB |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Leasehold villa approx. 3,500,000 THB |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Leasehold villa approx. 2,800,000 THB |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Leasehold villa approx. 5,500,000 THB |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Leasehold villa approx. 4,500,000 THB |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
20% in Thailand |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
10% |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Residence-based; foreign income is taxed if remitted to Thailand in the same year |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
35% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
None currently in effect |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Land and Building Tax (0.02% - 0.1% for residential) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Transfer fee 2%, Stamp duty 0.5% |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident) offers 17% personal income tax |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Koh Mak, Trat Province, Thailand |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 800 - 1,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
30-50 Mbps; Starlink is increasingly common at resorts like Seavana |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 USD ≈ 36 THB. No ATMs on the island; bring cash or exchange at Trat mainland |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Not drinkable; 20L jugs available for 50-70 THB |
| 🔌 Power |
220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C sockets. Occasional outages during storms |
| 📶 SIM Card |
AIS has the best coverage; 30-day unlimited data approx. 600 THB |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Mostly cash-only; larger resorts like Mira Montra accept cards with 3% fee |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Boutique resorts and bungalows; monthly rates 15,000 - 45,000 THB |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Low; Thai QR/PromptPay accepted at some cafes, but cash is king |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Resorts like Lazy Day The Resort or Airbnb beach houses |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Koh Mak HomeStay or Sleepy Owl (approx. 600-900 THB/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Ao Kao Beach for sunsets and the most restaurant options |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Ao Suan Yai for quieter vibes and better resort Wi-Fi |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
No dedicated coworking space; Seavana Resort offers a work-friendly lobby |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Ball Cafe (Good Wi-Fi and strong coffee) or Head in the Clouds |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Informal; Friday nights at Monkeys Bar or organic farm meetups |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Koh Mak Community Facebook Group and beach clean-up events |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No apps; local Songthaews (pickup trucks) charge flat 50 THB per person |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Scooter rental 200-300 THB/day; Electric golf carts 1,000 THB/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Ao Kao White Sand Beach; crystal clear water and palm trees |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Bangkok Airways (Flying to Trat Airport - TDX) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Thai Airways (via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
None (Island); access via Route 3156 on mainland to Krom Luang Jetty |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Trat Bus Station (Mainland) then 45-min speedboat (450-550 THB) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
None; pay per ride to the taxi drivers |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Speadboats to Koh Kood (approx. 500 THB) or Koh Chang (600 THB) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Koh Mak Clinic for basics; Trat Hospital on mainland for emergencies |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Good Time Sports Resort (Yoga classes and Muay Thai) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Good Time Sports Resort (Full gym access approx. 200 THB/day) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Local shops near Ao Kao; 40-60 THB per kg |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
None available; most restaurants allow phone-in pickup orders |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Massaman Curry at Koh Mak Seafood (approx. 180 THB) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Food Art Hut (excellent veggie options and salads) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Sweet Cake Koh Mak (Homemade cakes and brownies) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Local 'Mom & Pop' minimarts along the main inland road |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Lazada and Shopee (deliveries arrive via boat, takes 5-7 days) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Not available; residents shop at the small local markets |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Ao Kao Beach bars; Banana Sunset (cocktails and chill music) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
No local brewery; Thai beers (Leo/Singha) available everywhere |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Chill Bar (Small selection of imported wines) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Small cluster near the Ao Kao market area (Pad Thai/Meat skewers) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Pizzeria @ Koh Mak (Authentic wood-fired pizza) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
The Cinnamon Terrace (long wooden pier over the water) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Koh Mak Museum (Small wooden house detailing island history) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Ancient Thai House (near the museum) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Koh Mak Temple (Wat Koh Mak) - quiet Buddhist temple |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Koh Mak Trash Hero cleanups (weekly); Thai New Year (Songkran) in April |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
The fishing village area near the Koh Mak Seafood pier |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
None; occasional fire shows at beach resorts |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Small weekly market at the organic farm |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Acoustic live music at Blue Pearl Bar |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Minimal; some beach-themed murals at local cafes |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Smile Koh Mak Thai Cooking School (approx. 1,200 THB per person) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Food Art Hut features rotating local photography |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Sutta Mansion (Oldest colonial-style building on the island) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Low-carbon destination initiative (Eco-friendly focus) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Koh Kham (Small island with white sand reachable by kayak) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The island is flat; paved roads through rubber plantations are perfect for biking |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Sunset Viewpoint near the temple |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Central rubber plantations (Home to hornbills) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Ao Kao Beach (Organized by bars like Monkey Bar) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Kerry Express or Thai Post (office located near the museum) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
None; must go to Trat City on the mainland |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Seavana Resort has tables for guests |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Informal Thai lessons via long-stay expats/staff |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
None; most work from resort terraces |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
The Koh Mak Organic Farm acts as a social hub |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
None |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Illegal in Thailand |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING KOH MAK