Discover the authentic villages of Koh Jum

Koh Jum, also called Koh Pu, has two parts: Koh Pu in the north and Koh Jum in the south. People often call the whole island Koh Jum, but locals still use both names.

Koh Jum and Koh Pu

Koh Jum has three villages: two in the south, on Koh Jum, and one in the north, on Koh Pu. Each village has its own history and culture. Muslims and Buddhists live peacefully side by side on the island. They preserve their own traditions and faith, while together forming one close-knit community.

Since Koh Jum and Koh Pu are not large, you can easily explore both areas and all three villages in a single day if you rent a scooter.

Ban Ting Rai: best place to stay on Koh Jum

According to an old story, the name Ting Rai comes from Malay and roughly means “to leave behind.” A group of people once went into the forest to collect products. When it got dark, they could no longer find a man who had gotten lost. They had to leave him behind in the forest.

Ban Ting Rai has most of the island’s cafés, restaurants, and accommodations. The inhabitants of this village are mainly Buddhist, so alcohol is usually available here. In other parts of the island, it can be more difficult to obtain.

Nearby is the beautiful Golden Pearl Beach. Thanks to the combination of amenities and proximity to the beach, many tourists consider it the best place to stay on Koh Jum. Popular options include SeaSmile Beach Resort Koh Jum and Cha Cha Bungalow.

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Accommodations Koh Jum

Accommodations

2. Ban Koh Jum: a mix of cultures

Ban Koh Jum is located in the south of the island. The village was founded, among others, by people from Koh Jum Noi and by Chinese immigrants. Most of the inhabitants are Muslim, but there are also Buddhists living here. This is where most boats arrived and departed. For example, we arrived here by boat from Koh Lanta.

There are several accommodations and restaurants in and around the village. Nevertheless, it is still quiet and relatively small-scale here. There is a beach nearby, but personally, we think that Koh Jum has better and more beautiful beaches. We found Ban Koh Jum to be a perfect base for exploring the rest of the island by scooter.

Tip!

We stayed near Ban Koh Jum at COCOA HOME, a nice and affordable place set in a lush garden. Would you like to know more? Read about our experience here.

Wooden veranda with a hammock, table, and tropical garden in Thailand.

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3. Ban Koh Pu: peaceful and authentic village

Ban Koh Pu is located in the north of the island. It is the quietest and most authentic village. According to local stories, it has existed for more than 200 years. The first residents came from the surrounding area and from southern Thailand. The community is predominantly Muslim.

The name Koh Pu has a special story. According to the local population, the shape of the island resembles a crab. There are also said to have been many crabs living around the island in the past.

Ban Koh Pu does not have any real beaches for swimming. Instead, you will mainly find nature, peace and quiet, and the daily lives of the residents. By scooter, you can quickly reach places such as the beautiful Sunset Beach.

The Easy Way to Koh Jum?

You can easily book fast and affordable transfers and ferries to and from Koh Jum. Island hopping in Thailand is not as complicated as you might think! For traveling in Thailand, we usually use 12Go ourselves, because you find clear travel information, reliable transport providers, and a simple booking process. Through the link you can immediately see current prices and routes, not only to Koh Jum but also to many other destinations in and outside Thailand.