Thought I should get round to writing a report of out trip in January to the island of Ko Kho Khao (herein known as KKK) in Thailand back in January. Its a bit rambling - I was in the pub at Cardiff airport when I wrote most of it.

This was part of a three centre trip starting with Siem Reap, Cambodia and ending in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

We chose Ko Kho Khao 1) because we'ed never been before and 2) the hotel was doing quite a good deal - especially as Jan is high season.

So where is KKK ( we had no idea where it was). Well fly to Phuket and take an hour and a halfs drive north through Khao Lak to the jetty at Nam Khem then take a short ferry or longtail boat to the Jetty at KKK.

KKK is a fairly large island seperated from the mainland by a narrow channel,which has so far escaped large scale tourist development. It was badly hit by the tsunami but is recovering.
Its a quiet resort, there are few hotels on the island (maybe six or seven and widely dispersed) and they are frequented mostly by Scandinavian and German tourists. In the high season the hotels are frequented by package tourists jetted straight to Phuket from Europe. I gather in the low season the place is very quiet with only one or two restaurants open for business.

You come to KKK for a quiet holiday. We'ed been busy seeing the sites of Siem Reap Angkor so KKK was the R & R element of our holiday.

Theres approx 20 kms of beach, with as mentioned earlier only a few hotels so you can have a beach to yourself. The beaches are fine but the sea kicks up the sand a bit so the sea does not look crystal clear, although it is clean.

Theres not much on the island. We went on an island trip on a samlor taxi. First stop was the local temple - except we didn't stop - rather wizzed through waving at a group of bemused monks as Islands in the Sun blared out over the samlors sound system - felt like an episode of Gavin and Stacey. Yes these are disco taxis complete with sound system and mood lighting. Great in the evening.
Other highlights of the trip included various beaches and a group of piglets crossing the road. Told you it was quiet.

Our favorite restaurant on the beach was the Siam Bar which had branched out from the bar they had near the jetty. Only open during the day, as it had no running water or electricity. Simple salas with tables and your feet in the sand. Run by the very helpful Anchavee who spoke good english and was able to give us a great insight into life on KKK. The food was simple Thai but well cooked and presented. In the evenings Anchavee would run the Siam Bar near the jetty, a rustic outdoor bar.

We stayed at the Andaman Princess probably the grandest hotel on the island. Beautiful pool and gardens and good rooms,a bit iffy re service and food though. Only 800 metres from the jetty area. Around the jetty area are a number of restaurants (maybe ten), two tailors a few shops and souvenier stalls, and simple bars. These are the brightlights of KKK. Augmented of course by the disco taxis.

Most evenings we would head to the jetty area for our evening meal. We tried about five of the restaurants, Taco Time being about the best we tried. We found the food OK at most restaurants but nothing overwhelming (we ate mostly Thai) perhaps down to the restricted choice of restaurants or maybe having come from Cambodia where the food was superb and maybe Thai pailed in comparison.
Mossies were quite a problem in the area - possibly because the island is not very developed.

KKK is well placed for trips to the Similan and Surin Islands. We took a full day trip to the Similan Islands by speedboat at the cost of 1900 baht each. Have to say the Similans were fantastic, superb coral to snorkel over. Powder beaches to sunbathe on - best I've been on in Thailand. They give Phi-Phi a run for its money.

The highlight for us were the local people...exceptionally friendly. Little kids would wave as you went past and run out and want to hold your hand. Everybody had a smile and a friendly wave.
We went into Khao Lak one evening and the contrast with our quiet little resort and the brashness of Nan Thong was too much. We hurried back. In fairness Khao Lak is regarded as a pretty quiet resort, however no where near as quiet as KKK.

In summary KKK. Nice place, nice people, not much to do, perfect to chill. Beaches OK but there are better in Thailand, but very undeveloped so you can have them to yourself.

KKK practicalities for those considering visiting (prices as at Jan 2010).
Flights into Phuket are the most convenient option.

Its an hour and a half transfer from Phuket airport. We got quoted 1500 baht for a taxi to the mainland ferry jetty, but opted for the hotel transfer service at 2000 baht for convenience as you have a ferry/longtaill transfer then hotel transfer as well.

Ferrys run during the day until the early evening and take vehicles and foot passengers. Foot passengers are charged 30baht a one way crossing. Longtails operate 24/7 and take foot passengers and motorbikes. The cost is 20 baht per passenger during day, doubling in price at night.

There is an ATM by the jetty for cash needs but it charges the 150 baht fee.