Ko Mak – Island History and Life on Songkhla Lake

Ko Mak is an island on Songkhla Lake where natural experiences, local traditions, and a long history come together. As you kayak around the island, you can observe local life and numerous waterbirds. If you would rather experience Ko Mak from a boat, you can take a boat trip and get a close-up look at the local fishing culture on Songkhla Lake. The island offers both opportunities to observe things along the way and insights into life on the water.

The Island and Its Connection to the District Centre

Ko Mak lies northeast of the centre of Pak Phayun District. The approximately 500-metre-long Ko Mak–Pak Phayun Bridge connects the island to the district centre. This geographical context gives you a specific point of reference when choosing where to stay: you can think of Ko Mak as an island in the lake while also taking its connection to the district centre into account when planning your trip. If you are looking for a holiday rental, it is worth first considering which experiences you want to shape your stay—kayaking around the island, a trip on Songkhla Lake, or exploring its history and local traditions.

Traces of Early Settlement

Archaeological evidence suggests that Ko Mak was already inhabited during the Stone Age. More than 100 ancient stone axes have been found on the island. The former settlement of Seng Chi adds another historical dimension: around the 6th Buddhist century (B.E. 501–600), Ko Mak was once an urban settlement of that name. Seng Chi is considered a flourishing trading centre and hub for maritime transport. This past gives the island’s history a distinctive dimension: in addition to its location on Songkhla Lake, Stone Age finds and its former role as a trading and transport centre are also part of Ko Mak’s character.

On the Water and in the Community

For an active exploration, you can kayak around Ko Mak and observe waterbirds and local life along the way. The community tourism group also offers boat routes that visit islands on Songkhla Lake. A boat trip is also a way to experience the local fishing culture on the lake at close range. These activities offer different experiences: kayaking centres on circling Ko Mak, while the boat routes take in other islands in the lake, and a boat trip offers a closer look at fishing culture.

The community tourism group also offers hands-on activities, including making sand sculptures and a learning activity on how to make shrimp traps. If you are particularly interested in local traditions, you can consider these practical activities alongside boat trips and observations on the water. As part of responsible tourism, the group also operates a water bank to conserve aquatic resources.

Khai Nai Hin Salted Eggs from Ban Khao Chan

A distinctive local speciality is Khai Nai Hin salted eggs. The Khai Nai Hin group in Ban Khao Chan on Ko Mak makes them using a natural recipe without chemicals. The eggs are coated with washed brown and grey gravel and sand. If you are interested in how they are made, you can contact the group to buy eggs or learn about the method. The Ko Mak community tourism group also offers a learning station on making these salted eggs. This gives you both the opportunity to learn more about the production process and to get in touch directly with the group in Ban Khao Chan.

More destinations at this level: Nong Thong, Khuan Khanun, Khuha Sawan.

Go to the higher-level travel overview: Phatthalung.