Business
- 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
Food and Drink
- 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)
- 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)
Culture and Attractions
- 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
- 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
- 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
Essentials
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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