How to get from Koh Mak to Bangkok
Travel from Koh Mak to Bangkok is easy and straightforward. Your best bet is a ferry+van combo, though travelling first to Laem Sok Pier in Trat and then from Trat to Bangkok is also possible. The latter option gives you a great chance to hang out in Trat for a day or two savouring the atmosphere of a charming provincial capital unspoiled by mass tourism.
From Koh Mak to Bangkok by ferry and van
There is one departure a day from Koh Mak to Bangkok with Boonsiri High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd.. The ferry departs at 12.40pm and goes to Laem Sok Pier on the mainland, some 30 km south of Trat.Note that Boonsiri high speed ferries are large enough not to make you suffer seasickness too much, but they are still not as big and stable as car ferries plying the route between Trat and Koh Chang.
In Laem Sok you then board the van heading to Boonsiri’s ticket office in Bangkok in Thanion Tanee, in Khao San Road area. Combined tickets cost THB750, which is more or less the same amount you will pay if buying separate tickets from Koh Mak to Laem Sok and from Trat to Bangkok.
Vans arrive to Bangkok in the evening, about 8.30pm. The arrival time is highly dependent on traffic in Bangkok which can be tough during the evening rush hour. Ensure you have booked your accommodation in Bangkok in advance; otherwise check budget digs in Soi Rambuttri, Phra Athit Road, Khao San Road or, if you need some more peace and quiet, explore side sois off Samsen Road on the other side of the Khlong Banglamphu.
From Koh Mak to Trat and Bangkok
As already mentioned, it is much more convenient to opt for a combo ticket from Koh Mak to Bangkok, but if you have a day or two in your pocket, why not make a stopover in Trat, then? Enjoy a quiet charm of this underappreciated provincial capital. There is an absolutely amazing district filled with traditional wooden shophouses – with elaborate carving, flowers in flowerpots, small businesses selling very useful stuff and children playing in the streets – which oozes that nostalgic air of the times gone. There is a choice of very nice and moderately priced guesthouses, a couple of wats to explore and the riverfront to go for an evening stroll.If you want to see something special, check out swiftlets farms in Trat or take a motorbike to find your way to the narrowest part of Thailand and surprisingly good coastal beaches. There are massage shops around, too, and it is a good idea to pop in to experience it the way the locals do, without usual somewhat negligent attitude which has unfortunately become characteristic to many popular tourist destinations. Trat is famous for its yellow liquid balm which promises to cure pain in joints and muscles; even if it does not fulfill its promises to the fullest, it is still a good remedy for your legs and feet to relieve fatigue after a long day of sightseeing.
Instead of buying direct Koh Mak–Bangkok ticket with Boonsiri, board their ferry to Laem Sok at 12.40pm (THB450, one hour) and get to Trat by songthaew or taxi.
Note that ferries moor at Laem Sok Pier. Laem Sok is located about 30 km south of Trat. Songthaews from Laem Sok to Trat depart regularly and take from half an hour to one hour to arrive. Buses and vans for Bangkok leave throughout the day from Trat Transport Station.
Continue your journey to Bangkok the next day with T.T.T. vans which depart from Trat to Bangkok hourly, from 8am till 7pm. Vans take about 4½–5 hours to reach the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, Morchit. It is located in the northern part of the capital, far from the centre and accommodation options. Put in at least an hour to get from Morchit to Siam, or more for Khao San Road area. The best way is to take a taxi which will cost you insignificantly more than bus+BTS combo, but levies a lot of headache.
Other islands to visit from Koh Mak
There is an inter-island ferry which connects the islands of the archipelago: Koh Kood, Koh Rayang, Koh Mak, Koh Kham, Koh Wai and Koh Chang. From Koh Mak, tickets cost THB300 to Koh Wai (30 minutes), THB400 – to Koh Kood (one hour) and THB600 – to Koh Chang (one hour).
Boonsiri has one ferry a day at 2pm from Koh Mak to Koh Kood with travel time of about 40 minutes and tickets sold at THB300. There is also direct service to Trat, Bangkok (THB750) and Pattaya leaving Koh Mak at 12.30p