Koh Nok

Ko Nok is an uninhabited mangrove island at the mouth of the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao, formed from river sediment where fresh water meets the sea. It’s known locally by several names — Ko Don, Ko Klang, and its official designation, the Tha Kham Natural Island — and it exists as a managed conservation area rather than a fishing settlement: nobody lives here.

Tha Kham Subdistrict Municipality maintains the roughly 120-rai (about 19-hectare) mangrove forest as an eco-tourism site, with elevated wooden boardwalks running through the trees and two bird observation towers for looking out over the surrounding water and canopy. The mix of fresh and salt water at the river mouth supports a wide range of mangrove species and makes the island one of the region’s better birdwatching spots — wide-billed flycatchers are the most commonly reported sighting, alongside herons, egrets, cormorants and bitterns. Long-tailed macaques and flying foxes also live in the forest canopy.

Insider Tip: Early morning gives the best chance of active bird activity before the heat sets in, and boat crossings from Bang Pakong pier tend to be quieter before the weekend crowds arrive.

Watch out: There’s no village, no restaurants and limited shade once you’re off the boardwalk — bring water and sun protection, and don’t expect the stilted-house river community some older write-ups describe. That’s not what’s on the island today.

Boats from Bang Pakong pier make the crossing in around 15 minutes; service can be irregular on weekdays, so it’s worth checking locally before heading out. The island pairs naturally with a wider look at Bang Pakong’s waterway, including Bang Pa Kong Dyke back on the mainland.