Ko Mak brings together archaeological traces, Khai-Nai-Hin salted eggs and experiences on Songkhla Lake. The island lies in Songkhla Lake, northeast of the centre of Pak Phayun District. The approximately 500-metre-long Ko Mak–Pak Phayun Bridge connects it to the district centre. This geographical context can help you get your bearings and decide which interests you want to shape your stay.
Island History from the Stone Age to Seng Chi
Archaeological evidence suggests that Ko Mak was inhabited during the Stone Age; more than 100 ancient stone axes have been found on the island. Around the 6th Buddhist century (B.E. 501–600), Ko Mak was an urban settlement called “Seng Chi”. Seng Chi is regarded as a thriving trading centre and hub of maritime transport. Two distinct historical perspectives therefore sit side by side: evidence of early settlement and Seng Chi’s later urban role. If you are interested in the island’s history, the archaeological finds link a tangible discovery with this historical picture.
Khai-Nai-Hin Salted Eggs and Community Learning Activities
In Ban Khao Chan on Ko Mak, the Khai-Nai-Hin group makes salted eggs using a natural recipe without chemicals. The eggs are coated with washed brown and grey gravel and sand. If you would like to buy the eggs or learn about the production method, you can contact the group; check availability and current arrangements in advance. The Ko Mak Community Tourism Group also offers a learning station on making Khai-Nai-Hin salted eggs. For planning purposes, buying the product focuses on the eggs themselves, while the learning station centres on how they are made.
Water Activities and Local Fishing Culture
You can kayak around Ko Mak, observing local life and numerous waterbirds along the way. The Community Tourism Group also offers boat routes for visiting islands in Songkhla Lake. A boat trip can also give you a close-up experience of the local fishing culture on the lake. These offer different ways to spend your time: a trip around Ko Mak with wildlife observations along the way, or a boat experience focused on islands and fishing culture. Check in advance which boat trips are currently available.
Other activities offered by the Community Tourism Group include making sand sculptures and shrimp traps. As part of responsible tourism, the group also runs a water bank to conserve aquatic resources. If you are interested in this initiative, check its current status in advance before planning to take part.
Phatthalung as the Wider Destination Context
The wider destination of Phatthalung includes other distinct cultural and landscape attractions. Khao Ok Thalu is in Tambon Khuha Sawan, Amphoe Mueang Phatthalung, is about 250 metres high and has an opening near the summit that you can look through. A staircase leads to the summit, from where visitors can look out over Phatthalung city.
Wat Wang is in Tambon Lam Pam, Amphoe Mueang Phatthalung, six kilometres from Phatthalung city. The temple was built by Phraya Phatthalung (Thong Khao) during the reign of Rama III and was formerly a venue for the ceremony of the oath of allegiance in the Rattanakosin Kingdom. The ubosot contains tempera murals depicting Buddhist stories, as well as a principal Buddha image; 108 stucco Buddha figures stand in the surrounding walkway.
Discover more destinations: Khuha Sawan, Khuan Khanun, Nong Thong.
View the wider travel guide: Phatthalung.
