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KnockOut Travel Experience

Curating amazing experiences for an amazing life.

Be prepared to experience a unique itineraries that are catered to you, coupled with amazing customer service. No matter the price point. 

As your independent travel agent, we're happy to work with you to find the best vacation experience for you and your family or group that works within your budget and preferences. We'll do the research, compile the best options to choose from, and book everything so you don't have to. We'll also be with you all the way through the process for any questions, concerns, or changes until you return from your trip and long after.

We're affiliated with Travel Leaders Network & Inteletravel and all of our suppliers have been fully qualified and provide offerings that cannot be found on consumer travel booking sites.

Our main goal is to create lasting relationships with our clients through amazing travel experiences, so that we are their first call when any trip (big or small) comes to mind.

Custom Travel Inquiries

Specializing in custom travel packages as well as multiple types of group travel, KO Travel is here to make sure all of your must-haves and even some experiences that you didn't know you wanted are a part of your trip. I love working with families from everything to a Disney trip to a family reunion somewhere exotic and even a cruise hitting up lots of locations. Or maybe organizing your gap year in Europe with friends is more what you are looking for? 

In any case, these sorts of custom travel packages are what we live for! Nothing is out of bounds. We also love working with companies and organizations to help them show employee appreciation or even training and conference accommodations.

If all of this is still overwhelming, consider purchasing a gift card to cover the travel planning fees and we can follow up with you or the recipient to work through all of the details directly.

Please fill out the Client Questionnaire or book an appointment on our Facebook page or Google Calendar to discuss over the phone.

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Self Booking Option

Maybe you just need a hotel or personally prefer to retain control of the booking process? 

If so then our self-booking option is for you! 

Please use the Booking.com search below or register at my affiliate website in the button below and you'll be able to see all the hotel, car rental, flights, etc. as well as some of the best travel deals on the market today!

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*By clicking on partner marketing (affiliate) links within any of the pages on kotravelexperience.com, we may receive a commission. Thank you for your support.*

Maya Bay News !

Maya Bay is closed for preservation in August and September 2023 - All tours are still running. Maya Bay will reopen on October 1st 2023

Phi Phi Travel and Tours

We are the Original Phi Phi Travel Online Agency Since 2010

Only the best of phi phi.

We have selected for you and only offer to you the best Phi Phi Islands trips running since 2010. You won't miss anything of Phi Phi Island with us !

Customers satisfaction for a perfect trip !

We are ranked 4.4/5 on Google Maps with currently more than 200 reviews ! We value our customers and we are here to make your trip to Phi Phi Islands unforgettable !

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We care about Phi Phi's environment and we care about our little island's beauty. We are working in favor of a more sustainable tourism and we do regular beach cleanups. We try to make our trips the most sustainable possible.

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The original online travel agency in phi phi since 2010 , the best of phi phi .

Here at Phi Phi Travel And Tours we offer a selection of the best tours running in Phi Phi Island in Thailand since 2010. Our company can offer you the best of Phi Phi Island : best island hopping tours, snorkeling tours, swimming with the glowing plankton, trekking, cruise, private longtail boat booking, private speedboat booking, private events, wedding proposal, honeymoon, romantic dinner... Feel free to CONTACT US for more information, we are here to help you ! Book our tours NOW !

At Phi Phi Travel And Tours we offers a variety of full or half day tours around Phi Phi Island in Thailand. Snorkel with loads of colourful fish, or explore Maya Bay, PiLeh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Nui Bay, Viking Cave and much more ! You will enjoy every moment of your Phi Phi island stay with us ! We go out of our way to meet each customer’s expectations to have a fun and memorable experience ! SEE ALL OUR TOURS Book our tours NOW !

Phi Phi Travel and Tours are here to help you and make your stay in Phi Phi Islands unforgettable !

You can contact us through our email, phone or WhatsApp number ! Feel free to contact us if you need more information about any tour, or a private trip you would like to organise !

Send a message and we'll reply in no time!

We don't take bookings by phone, thank you From Thailand : 09 37 32 48 04 From abroad : +66937324804

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Koh Samui - Paradise Island in the Gulf of Thailand

Easy Day Samui Tour & Travel - Tailor made for everyone: Families, Friends, Couples or Singles. Let us know and tell us what sort of things you like to do and we will organize and book it for you. Below our Top Easy Day Samui Tours. Email Us now: [email protected] or Call Us +66 62 245 1224. We have made a commitment to our guests & ourselves never to sacrifice Quality & Safety over Price! We are not the Cheapest, but the Best!

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  STUDENT TRAVEL At Koch Travel, we help educators plan and execute flawless, budget-friendly student experiences. Scroll down to learn more!

VACATION TRAVEL We help you plan a worry free trip that you will remember forever. 

About Koch Travel

Koch Travel was founded in 1971 by Ron Koch in Kenmore, New York. In 1992, Koch Travel was purchased by Brian and Sandy Berkman of Clarence, New York, who have owned the business ever since. With over 45 years experience in the travel industry, it is no surprise that Koch Travel is one of the premier travel agencies in Western New York. If you love to travel, click on the Contact Us tab on the top right hand side of this page and complete the form, so that we may help you plan your next trip.

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At Koch Travel, we will walk you through all of your options step by step to ensure your honeymoon is a dream come true. 

From budget friendly properties to secluded paradises, contact Koch Travel to plan your perfect honeymoon today! 

With over 45 years in business, the experienced travel agents at Koch Travel have sent thousands of travelers to almost every destination in the world. Contact us today to plan your trip to any of the following destinations:

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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The Ultimate Koh Mak Island Travel Guide

By Author Roxanne & Maartje

Posted on Last updated: August 25, 2021

Koh Mak is a small tropical island in the eastern Gulf of Thailand, close to Cambodia. The island is a well-kept secret for most travelers.

It’s (still) a quiet place with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s located south of ‘big brother’ Koh Chang, and north of Koh Kood – they all are completely different! Koh Mak is a relatively undeveloped island, it feels like Thailand from 20 years ago.

That’s slowly changing though, the island is developing. Nowadays, you might be able to get cash at a resort or at the only ATM on the island – but no guarantees – and there are still no 7-elevens anywhere on the island.

It’s a great island to visit if you don’t want to follow the big crowds. Koh Mak is a great island for couples and families, there aren’t many parties going on, though there are a few bars.

The best part of Koh Mak though: gorgeous, empty beaches!  We’ve visited many more Thai island and Koh Mak still is one of our favorites to visit. Continue reading for all our best Koh Mak tips!

Koh Mak Weather & When to Visit

It’s possible to visit Koh Mak all year round but the best time to visit Koh Mak is between December to March.

• Best season From December to March. It’s dry and sunny in Koh Mak. It’s peak season, yet it’s the best moment to enjoy a relaxing sunny holiday.
• OK season April and November. These are ‘in-between’ months.
• Meh season From May to October. The rainy season starts in May and heavy rains continue all through October. So it rains a lot, it’s less sunny, and some shops/restaurants/resorts close during these months. Fewer boats drive to Koh Mak, so it can also be more difficult to get to and leave the island. Usually, we’re fans of traveling in the low season, but we don’t recommend it for Koh Mak!

The temperatures in Koh Mak are almost the same (hot & humid) the whole year-round!

How to Get to Koh Mak

Koh Mak is located about 40 kilometers from mainland Thailand (Trat-Laem Ngop) and 300 kilometers from Bangkok.

From mainland Thailand, speedboats travel between the Krom Luang Pier in Laem Ngop (close to Trat), to Koh Mak and back. One way tickets are 450 baht and the ride takes about 45 minutes.

Boats usually leave from 10.30 AM till 4 PM every day in high season, depending on the weather. There are different boat companies that travel between mainland Thailand and Koh Mak.

They use different piers on Koh Mak. For more information about the boats and to which pier they go to, click here .

It’s also possible to travel between Koh Chang, Koh Wai, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak. Wooden boats, speed boats, and catamarans travel between Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak.

They often stop in Koh Wai too. It’s easy to book boat tickets with your accommodation or at a travel agency on the islands.

Fewer boats drive from and to Koh Mak during the rainy season, from May till October!

Bangkok to Koh Mak

There are 4 ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Mak: by plane, public transport, shared minivan, or private car/van. With every option, you need to go by boat from Laem Ngop.

The fastest way to get to Koh Mak is to fly to Trat. Bangkok Airways has daily flights from Bangkok to Trat.

From Trat Airport you need to take a taxi to the pier in Laem Ngop and from there you can take the boat to Koh Mak.

The cheapest, yet the slowest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Mak is by public transport. From Ekamai Bus Station in Bangkok, there’s a bus that goes to the pier in Laem Ngop.

For shared minivans or private cars/minivans, we recommend going to a travel agency, your hotel in Bangkok or to the website 12go.asia . The drive from Bangkok to the pier takes at least 4.5 hours.

Looking for the most magical festival ever?! Head to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival .

How to Get Around the Island

Koh Mak is a small island, so it’s easy to get around. If you want to explore the whole island, we recommend renting a bicycle or motorbike.

The island is pretty flat, so it’s easy to drive around. Most of the time you can rent a bicycle or motorbike at your accommodation.

A motorbike costs around 250 baht per day. There’s not much traffic, there are many empty roads on Koh Mak. A taxi is 50 baht per person, but they don’t drive around everywhere.

There are taxis at the piers, and you can always ask your accommodation to arrange one for you. There’s no public transport on the island.

Koh Mak Things to Do

What to do in Koh Mak? Koh Mak is the perfect island to relax, but besides laying in a hammock or swinging on a swing there are more things to do!

Something we really like to do is kayaking. At the Steakhouse & German Bakery, you can rent glass bottom kayaks. That is awesome, but there’s a catch: you can only kayak on the east side of the island.

We wanted to kayak on the west side – to the island Koh Kham. So we rented a kayak at the Koh Mak resort, on the west side of the island.

Koh Kham is a pretty, small island. To enter the island you need to pay an entrance fee. Nobody had told us before, so we didn’t bring any money. But upon asking nicely and explaining, we were allowed to enter.

If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, do the same as we did, or enter the island from the west side.

The water at Koh Kham is amazing! People say you can walk to Koh Kham from Koh Mak during low tide, but we didn’t see people doing that.  It’s also possible to kayak to other small islands in the area, like Koh Phi.

Our other favorite activity on Koh Mak is beach hopping. It’s amazing to drive around the island on a motorbike or bicycle and finding the best beaches. Later on, we’ll tell you about the best Koh Mak beaches !

Eating is also a great activity in Thailand. But how about learning to cook Thai? We have had a great experience with our Smile Cooking class in Chiang Mai, so we’d recommend trying the one on Koh Mak !

Koh Mak Diving

Thailand is a great country for exploring the underwater world. And it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to learn how to dive!

If you like to dive, there are two dive schools on Koh Mak-  BB divers & Koh Mak divers . Both are great dive schools that organize dive and snorkel trips. At both dive schools, it’s possible to take lessons and get certified.

Koh Mak Snorkeling

You can also go on a snorkel trip, we didn’t do a tour but we snorkeled ourselves. If you go to the Koh Mak Cocoscape pier you find a great snorkel spot.

Also, there’s a bar on the pier, which is pretty cool! The pier at the Cinnamon Art resort is even cooler, it’s super long & has a great spot for drinks.

Koh Phi is a great little island for exploring the underwater world. So if you hop in a kayak, don’t forget to bring a snorkel set.

You can’t go to Thailand without exploring Bangkok! Read all about our best tips . 

Koh Mak Beaches

Koh Mak has many beautiful beaches. Most of them are very quiet, or completely empty! But what’s Koh Mak’s best beach? It depends on what you want!

Ao Kao is the most popular beach on the island. So if you are looking for restaurants, cafes and a lively atmosphere, this is the beach to go to. There are also some very cool hammocks and swings on Ao Kao and at the resorts.

We really like the Lazy Days resort side of the beach. Ao Suan Yai is also a popular beach with a beautiful view of Koh Kham.

Laem Son is a wonderful beach to go to but our absolute favorite beach on Koh Mak is Ao Phra! Beach hopping on Koh Mak is amazing, you can find the most amazing beaches.

Best Sunset Spots

The Banana Sunset Bar is a great place to see the sunset and to have a drink and some food. Be on time to claim the best spot! It’s a laid back place with views over the sea.

The atmosphere here is the best. There are tables with Thai-style mattresses to fully relax while the sun goes down. The best beach to see the sunset from is Ao Suan Yai.

Koh Mak Hotels

Koh Mak has around 40 accommodation options, varying from basic bungalows to luxurious resorts. It’s possible to find accommodation when you arrive at the island, though during high season it’s recommended to book in advance.

Especially if you want to stay in one of the popular places. If you are looking for more bustle, then it’s best to stay in the Ao Kao area. Below, we will tell you all about the best places to stay on Koh Mak, for every budget!

• Bamboo Hideaway Bamboo Hideaway has great authentic bamboo bungalows, perfect for backpackers. Its location is not at the beach and not in the busy area of the island. So it’s best to rent a motorbike or bicycle to get around. Bamboo Hideaway is the perfect spot to see stars at night and there’s a swimming pool to relax. The staff is very friendly and can help you with everything you need.
• Ao Pong Ao Pong Resort is a very quiet place to stay at. The resort has a private beach and is located in the South East, far away from the busy area of the island. There are multiple bungalows, from basic to more luxurious.
• Islanda Resort Hotel Islanda offers stunning views over the beaches Ao Suan Yai and Ao Kai, and the island Koh Kham. Its location is on top of a hill, so it’s a bit secluded. A motorbike or bicycle is handy to get around and to go to the beach. The infinity pool of Islanda Resort Hotel is the best!
• Banana Sunset You remember this great spot to go to and watch the sunset? That’s Banana Sunset Bar. They not only have a restaurant and bar, but they also have bungalows. The bungalows are quite basic, though some have great views on the ocean. It’s a fantastic spot to meet people and to enjoy the laidback vibes of the island. There’s often live music in the restaurant. To go to other spots on the island, like beaches and restaurants, you need to organize transportation.
• Monkey Island Resort Koh Mak Monkey Island Resort is a resort with basic bungalows perfect for backpackers. Its location is perfect, right at the beach and close to restaurants and a mini-market. The resort has a relaxed atmosphere and a nice garden. Every bungalow has a little balcony with a sea view.
• Lazy Day The Resort The Lazy Day resort is a peaceful resort with great bungalows, some located right at the beach. It’s located at the end of the Ao Khao Beach, and therefore very quiet. The resort offers a free shuttle from and to the pier and the staff is super friendly and helpful. This resort is perfect for families and couples.

Koh Mak Resorts

Koh Mak has the most beautiful luxurious resorts for the ultimate relaxing holiday.

• Seavana Koh Mak Beach resort One of the most luxurious places on the island to stay is at Seavana Koh Mak Beach resort. It’s the best beachfront resort you can find on Koh Mak. This resort has everything you need, a beach, a beautiful swimming pool, great food at its restaurant, massages, kayaks and so much more. As it’s a peaceful resort, it’s the perfect place to relax.
• Koh Mak Ao Kao White Sand Beach Ao Koa White Sand Beach Resort is a beautiful resort on the quieter side of Ao Kao beach. The resort is right on the beach and has beautiful luxurious bungalows with great views of the ocean. Also great, they are very environment-friendly and do clean-ups on the island! The resort is great for couples and families.
• Mira Montra Resort Koh Mak Private beach, beautiful villas with views on the sea, fantastic pool, green nature: Mira Montra Resort Koh Mak has it all. The resort is a bit secluded, so we recommend staying here if you want to relax and enjoy the peace. Mira Montra isn’t far from the bustle of the island, but you need to get transportation to go there.
• Koh Mak Cococape Resort Koh Mak Cococape Resort is a great resort to stay at if you are looking for activities. Snorkeling near their pier is great and they have bicycle and kayak rental. The Ao Soun Yai Beach is a 200-meter walk away, but the resort itself is overlooking the ocean.
• Koh Mak resort Koh Mak is a big resort right next to the pier on Ao Soun Yai Beach. The resort has a swimming pool, there are some swings and hammocks and the beach bar has great drinks. It’s located right on the beach, and it’s a great resort if you are looking to relax but also for some bustle.

The Red Lotus Lake in Thailand is one of the most romantic lakes ever!

Good to Know

There’s an ATM on the island, but don’t rely on it! It’s often out of cash or it doesn’t take your card. So make sure to bring enough cash.

In case of emergency, you might be able to get money from one of the bigger resorts with your credit card, but that’s also not guaranteed.

Some resorts do offer money exchange. Also: there are no 7-elevens or big supermarkets on the island. There are some small shops that sell basic things like sunblock, mosquito repellant, toothpaste, some snacks, etc.

But if you really want some specific things – bring it with you!

Sandflies can be a big problem on the beaches, though we haven’t experienced any problems with sand flies. So maybe it depends on the season. We heard there are more sandflies during and just after the rainy season.

Sandflies tips: don’t sunbath directly on the sand. And if you are bitten, tiger balm should help!

Also, there can be jellyfishes in the waters of Koh Mak, also the dangerous box jellyfish, so be careful and just to be sure: bring vinegar with you.

Wounds are rare, but if you pour vinegar on the sting immediately, it’ll give you a lot more time to seek medical help. Lastly: download Maps.me ! It shows all the roads offline – also the narrow ones!

Map of Koh Mak

Enjoy this amazing Thai island.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. If you liked this article don’t forget to share! Want to follow our travels? Check out our Instagram ,  Facebook , and  YouTube .

PIN THIS ARTICLE

Monday 12th of December 2022

Thank you for your wonderful report, that sounds absolutely marvelous!

Just out of curiosity, are snakes an issue at Koh Mak? :)

Roxanne & Maartje

Thursday 15th of December 2022

Hi Markus! We have no idea, sorry!

Saturday 27th of July 2019

looks lovely!

Monday 29th of July 2019

It totally is!

Friday 26th of July 2019

I didn't hear about Koh Mak, looks like really great island to visit

It is really amazing!!!

Friday 17th of August 2018

Sweet!!! I love the little map too :)

Saturday 18th of August 2018

Thank you!!

Friday 10th of August 2018

The water sure looks amazing! I love your photos and the little map, it's so adorable. Such a nice guide, it makes me want to pack and go!

Monday 13th of August 2018

Thank you!! Hope you get to see it :D

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US restricts travel of embassy workers in Israel as Iran retaliation looms

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Thursday, April 11. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our story for Friday, April 12 .

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Thursday for its personnel and their families in Israel, limiting where they can go amid increased concerns of an Iranian attack.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,’’ the alert says. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.’’

There’s no reference in the alert to an impending Iranian strike, but Tehran has signaled it will retaliate for the April 1 assault on its consulate in Damascus, which killed seven senior Iranian military officers. Israel is widely believed to have launched that attack, although it has not claimed responsibility.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out in the last day to the foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey “to make clear that escalation is not in anyone’s interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday.

With the Israel-Hamas war still raging past the six-month mark, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is also urging American citizens to be mindful of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, warning against visiting the embattled Palestinian territory.

“The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,’’ the alert says.

Israel to 'flood Gaza with aid': War of words with Iran also heats up

Developments:

∎ Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated near a Jerusalem enlistment office, protesting a recent court ruling that means "Haredim" men will be drafted for the first time since Israel was founded in 1948.

∎ Israel is prepared for military confrontations beyond Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, amid concern that Iran was getting ready to strike Israel. "Whoever harms us, we will harm them," he said.

∎ The Israel Defense Forces said it began a "precise, intelligence-based operation to strike terrorist infrastructure and eliminate operatives in central Gaza'' overnight into Thursday.

∎ Russia urged countries in the Middle East to show restraint to avoid "complete destabilization" of the region. Russia also warned its citizens against traveling to the Middle East.

Iran says it must punish Israel because UN didn't condemn embassy attack

Tehran must retaliate for the deadly attack on its consular compound in Damascus last week because the U.N. Security Council failed to condemn the strike or take any action against Israel, Iran’s U.N. mission said in a statement posted Thursday on the X platform.

“Had the U.N. Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated,” the statement said.

Despite its threats, Iran has indicated to the U.S. through an intermediary that it will respond in a manner that avoids an escalation of hostilities with Israel and wouldn’t rush into it, Reuters reported. The U.S. has maintained it was not involved in or given advance notice of the attack.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 attack on an Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Syria that killed seven high-ranking Iranian military officers, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the elite Quds Force. Tensions between the nations have increased, and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that “the evil regime made a mistake and must be punished.”

The top U.S. commander for the Middle East reportedly arrived in Israel on Thursday for meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior defense officials to discuss an anticipated military response from Iran,  Haaretz.com  reported. Gen. Erik Kurilla’s trip comes a day after Blinken spoke with Gallant and “reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and made clear that the U.S. will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies,” the State Department said in a statement.

U.S. Central Command, in an email to USA TODAY, declined to confirm Kurilla’s trip: “We do not discuss flag officer travel for operational security.”

Hamas official says cease-fire needed to account for hostages

A senior Hamas official on Thursday deflected questions from journalists concerning fears that many hostages could be dead. The possibility gained traction after Hamas said it was not sure it could provide 40 living Israeli civilian captives as part of a cease-fire proposal. Dr. Basem Naim, a member of political bureau of Hamas, said a cease-fire agreement is needed to provide time and safety to collect information on the captured Israelis. They are held in different places by different militant groups − and some are "under the rubble, killed with our own people" and heavy equipment is required to find them, he said.

No one is asking about the thousands of Palestinians kidnapped by Israel since the Hamas-led attack Oct. 7 that ignited the war, he said.

"The most outrageous is the repeated questions regarding the hostages in Gaza, how many alive or dead, does Hamas rejected the proposal because it can’t release 40 hostages in the first phase, etc ..." he said in a statement posted on Telegram. "The lives of their people aren’t more precious than ours."

UNICEF aid convoy hit with gunfire, turned back from Gaza

A UNICEF convoy was hit by gunfire Wednesday as it tried to deliver aid to northern Gaza, the latest in a series of violent obstructions faced by aid workers in the enclave.

"The incident has been raised with relevant Israeli authorities," UNICEF said in a statement. "Sadly, humanitarians continue to face risks in delivering lifesaving aid."

The incident occurred nine days after a World Central Kitchen aid convoy was attacked by Israeli rockets, killing seven workers − and the same day Israel promised to greatly increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment on the incident.

UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told Al Jazeera she was in one of the vehicles at a “holding point” area at a checkpoint. She said three rounds hit the car where she was sitting. The mission had been authorized and the Israeli authorities knew about the convoy, Ingram said. After the shooting, Israeli authorities continued to delay the convoy and it eventually was forced to return to Rafah.

“So those life-saving supplies never made it to the children in northern Gaza,” Ingram said.

Israeli commander pitches aid plan to Red Cross, other agencies

Israel's Southern Command chief, Major General Yaron Finkelman, met with representatives of U.N. agencies, the Red Cross, IMC, USAID and the American Humanitarian Coordinator as part of "increasing coordination and cooperation on the issue of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military announced.

The meeting comes as Israel announced plans to greatly increase access to humanitarian aid for Gaza residents. Plans include a new border crossing designed make it easier to bring humanitarian supplies from overseas and from Jordan to the east.

“These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid – we plan to flood Gaza with aid," Gallant said. "It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.”

Contributing: Reuters

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Iran launches missiles, drones at Israel, marking unprecedented escalation of regional tensions

( JTA ) — Iran launched missiles and more than 100 drones at Israel late Saturday, in an attack that marks the first time that Israel’s most powerful enemy has directed weapons directly toward Israeli territory.

Israelis in the north, the center and south were told to head to bomb shelters, and sirens and explosions were heard in much of the country, including in Jerusalem, as Israel and its allies worked to shoot down the drones. At least one person, a child from a Bedouin Arab town, was seriously injured by falling shrapnel.

The United States and Britain reportedly shot down some of the drones, and Israeli media reported that Jordan , which has heavily criticized Israel’s war in Gaza, had shot down drones over its territory as well.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Israel time on Sunday, Iran said it had concluded its volley. But shortly thereafter Israel’s army spokesman said the army had identified surface-to-surface missiles fired from Iranian territory.

“A short while ago, Iran fired surface-to-surface missiles at Israel,” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said. “There are multiple Israeli Air Force planes in the air and ready for every threat. You may hear explosions from interceptions.”

After the drones were launched, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was ready to strike back, portending an escalation in a growing regional conflict surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

“We are watching the threat. It will take hours to arrive,” Hagari said in a televised announcement of the launch of the drones from Iran and from territories controlled by actors allied with the regime.

Israeli media said the drones could take six to eight hours to arrive. It was not immediately clear what threat the drones posed, but experts speaking on Israeli media said that the drones could overwhelm Israeli air defenses, allowing entry to more lethal missiles timed to enter Israeli airspace at the same time.

In a brief address to the nation, Netanyahu said Israel was ready for the threat and thanked the United States, France and Britain, suggesting that those countries would assist in Israel’s self-defense.

“We appreciate the U.S. standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries,” he said. “We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”

Israel closed its airspace, keeping scheduled flights from landing or taking off.

Iran was retaliating for an assumed Israeli strike on an Iranian embassy building in Syria last week that killed a number of Iranian officials. “The malicious Zionist regime will be punished,” the Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the launch.

Just after 1 a.m., Israel time, Iran’s U.N. mission said the mission was completed, suggesting there would be no further escalation.

“Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” the mission said on X . “The matter can be deemed concluded.”

U.S. and Israeli analysts have said their assessment is that Iran does not want a major regional war but must demonstrate that it will not tolerate attacks like the one in Syria. Still, the launch of the drones could escalate the war that began Oct. 7 when Hamas terrorists massacred hundreds of people in Israel.

The drone attack already seemed to have the unintended consequence of bridging differences between President Joe Biden and Netanyahu over Israel’s conduct in the war, which has cost tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.

Before he left for his home in Delaware on Friday, Biden said he had a one-word warning for Iran: “Don’t.”

“We are devoted to the defense of Israel,” Biden said. “We will support Israel. We will defend — help defend Israel. And Iran will not succeed.”

Biden interrupted his weekend at his home in return to the White House on Saturday to be apprised of the threat by his national security team, the National Security spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson, said in a statement.

“This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours,” she said.  “President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad.  The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

Weaponized drones have become more common in warfare, particularly in Russia’s war against Ukraine .

Hagari warned Israelis to heed any alerts to enter their secured rooms and to remain there at least 10 minutes. Israel’s government ordered schools closed for the coming days. On Thursday, the United States barred government personnel and their families in Israel from traveling outside several major urban areas .

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice. U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel,” the alert said.

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From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

April 12, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Snowbird Association are encouraging Canadians who have spent the winter abroad to plan ahead for a smooth return to Canada this spring.

These are the top travel tips to know before arriving at the border:

Have your travel documents handy.  Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by coming prepared with your travel documents.

Driving home? Plan ahead and check  border wait times . You can avoid waiting in line by planning your drive to cross the border during non-peak hours such as early morning.

Flying home? Save time with Advance Declaration .  Download the application on your smart phone to make your customs declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.

Be prepared to declare your goods upon entry into Canada.  Gather your receipts for goods purchased or received while away before you travel and keep them readily available. Visit I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada and use the  CBSA duty and taxes estimator  to help calculate your monies owed. You should be aware of everything that is inside your vehicle as you are responsible for its contents.

Know your exemptions from duties and taxes .  If you have been outside of Canada seven days or more, you can import goods worth up to CAN$800, duty-and tax-free. Within this personal exemption, you are allowed to bring back duty and tax free: 

• Two bottles of wine (1.5 litres total), or one large standard bottle of liquor (1.14 litres),  or  approximately 24 cans or bottles (355 ml each) of beer (8.5 litres total); and,
• 200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco,  and  200 tobacco sticks. The packages must be stamped “duty paid,” as you would find them at a duty-free store. 

Travelling with medication?  If you have a prescription for a narcotic or controlled drug, you must declare it and ensure its in properly labelled container. Learn more about your responsibilities .

Travelling with firearms? If you are travelling with a firearm be sure to check the  rules on importing firearms  and other  restricted and prohibited goods before your departure. Better yet, consider leaving the firearm at home.

Importing a vehicle ?   If you are a resident of Canada you can  temporarily import a vehicle  that is licensed and registered in the United States, however, the duty and tax implications, the length of time the vehicle can remain in Canada, and how the vehicle can be used in Canada may differ. If you are permanently importing a vehicle from the U.S. or Mexico, visit Canada’s  Registrar of Imported Vehicles  website prior to arriving at the border for details about vehicle eligibility and the overall process, including the necessary duties and taxes.

Bringing poultry across the border?  Any poultry products you wish to bring into Canada must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a "Product of the USA." Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest  Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States  before bringing these products across the border.

Travelling with a pet or importing an animal into Canada? You will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

Not sure? Ask a border officer.  The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. Be sure to follow all instructions they provide to you. If you are not sure about what to declare, don't hesitate to ask. Our officers are here to help!

Quick facts

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) supports national security and public safety priorities by facilitating the free flow of persons and goods, including animals and plants.

The Canadian Snowbird Association is a not-for-profit advocacy organization for travelling Canadians, representing more than 115,000 members.

Associated links

• Plan your trip across the border
• Duties and taxes estimator
• I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada
• Border reminder checklist
• Advance Declaration video
• The CBSA and U.S. CBP provide an update on the NEXUS program

For more information about CBSA programs, services and initiatives, please visit the  CBSA website  or contact:

Border Information Services Canada Border Services Agency 1-800-461-9999 Contact us online Live agents are available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm local time

For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact:

Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency [email protected] 1-877-761-5945

Communications Canadian Snowbird Association [email protected]

For more travel tips for Canadian snowbirds, join the Canada Border Services Agency on  Facebook  and  YouTube  and visit the  Canadian Snowbird Association website .

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Pope Francis to travel to Indonesia, Singapore, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea

By Courtney Mares

Vatican City, Apr 12, 2024 / 06:45 am

Pope Francis will travel to the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore later this year, the Vatican announced Friday.

The 11-day multi-country voyage from Sept. 2–13 will be the longest international trip of Francis’ papacy.

The trip announcement comes after the 87-year-old pope has slowed down his travel schedule in recent months as health issues have forced him to cancel some public appearances. Francis, who often uses a wheelchair, has not traveled internationally since September 2023.

Pope Francis’ first stop will be Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population in the world. The country’s 229 million Muslims make up more than 12% of the global Muslim population. Nearly all of Indonesia’s Muslims are Sunni.

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta welcomed the news that the pope will visit Indonesia from Sept. 3–6.

“Catholics throughout Indonesia want to shake hands with the pope one by one, but we all know that is impossible,” Suharyo said in a video message announcing the visit.

More than 29 million Christians live in Indonesia, 7 million of whom are Catholic. Pope Paul VI visited the country in 1970 and Pope John Paul II traveled there in 1989.

“Hopefully, with this visit, Indonesian Catholics will become more courageous in voicing the truth and become an example for people of other religions in terms of truly religious life, namely love above all, as the pope always emphasizes,” the Indonesian cardinal told UCA News.

Papua New Guinea

Pope Francis will be the second pope to visit Singapore, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea after John Paul II.

The pope will visit the cities of Port Moresby and Vanimo in Papua New Guinea from Sept. 6–9.

Papua New Guinea is a country of nearly 9 million people on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea. The other side of the island consists of two Indonesian provinces. Papua New Guinea is a nation of considerable cultural diversity, comprised of hundreds of ethnic groups indigenous to the island with 851 Indigenous languages spoken in the country.

Nearly all Papua New Guinea citizens are Christians, and 26% of the population is Catholic.

The pope’s next stop on his Southeast Asia tour will be Dili, the capital city of East Timor, from Sept. 9–11.

East Timor is a small country on the island of Timor. It gained independence from Indonesia in 1999, following decades of bloody conflict as the region vied for national sovereignty.

More in Vatican

Pope Francis decries how ‘the unborn with disabilities are aborted’ in throwaway culture

More than 97% of East Timor’s population of 1 million people is Catholic. It is one of only a few Catholic-majority countries in Southeast Asia.

A Catholic bishop from East Timor, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, received the Nobel Peace Prize together with the country’s second president, Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta, in 1996 for their efforts to reach a peaceful and just end to fighting in the country.

The Vatican confirmed in 2022 that Belo has been under disciplinary restrictions since September 2020 due to accusations of sexual abuse of minors.

Pope Francis will conclude his trip with a visit to the island country of Singapore from Sept. 11–13.

Singapore has the highest GDP per capita in Asia and the second-highest population density of any country in the world. The Archdiocese of Singapore has a diverse population of 395,000 Catholics, offering Masses predominantly in English, Chinese, Tamil, as well as other languages from Southeast Asia.

Nearly 75% of Singapore’s population is ethnic Chinese, according to the 2020 census, which also lists 13% of the population as ethnic Malay and 9% ethnic Indian.

(Story continues below)

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The U.S. Report on International Religious Freedom states that among ethnic Indians in Singapore, 57.3% are Hindu, 23.4% Muslim, and 12.6% Christian. The ethnic Chinese population includes Buddhists (40.4%), Christians (21.6%), Taoists (11.6%), and 25.7% with no religion.

Pope Francis has long expressed interest in visiting Indonesia and other neighboring island nations in Southeast Asia. A papal trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the pope’s full schedule for this apostolic journey will be published at a later date.

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• International

April 12, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Chris Lau, Sana Noor Haq, Adrienne Vogt , Matt Meyer and Tori B. Powell , CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

USAID worker killed in Israel, agency says

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

A staff member with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) died Friday in the Israeli port city of Jaffa, the agency announced.

The male staffer was with USAID’s West Bank and Gaza mission, the agency said in a brief statement.

USAID did not provide details on the circumstances around his death or his identity or citizenship.

“He was a dedicated member of our team for more than two decades, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues,” USAID said.

USAID is working with the US Embassy to work out details about the fatal incident and its follow-up investigation, it said.

US expects Iran to carry out direct strikes against targets inside Israel, sources say

From CNN's MJ Lee and Natasha Bertrand

The United States currently expects Iran will carry out strikes against multiple targets inside Israel and that Iranian proxies could also be involved in carrying out the attacks, according to a senior administration official and a source familiar with the intelligence.  

The targets would likely be both inside Israel and around the region.

The beginning of a state-on-state conflict between Iran and Israel would mark a serious escalation in the region that the US has hoped to avoid.

US sees Iran moving military assets including drones and cruise missiles, sources say

From Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann

The US observed Iran moving military assets around internally, including drones and cruise missiles, signaling that it is possibly preparing to attack Israeli targets from inside its own territory, according to two people familiar with US intelligence. 

It is not clear whether Iran is preparing to strike from its soil as part of an initial attack, or if it is posturing to try to deter Israel or the US from conducting a possible counter strike on its territory. 

One of the people said the US had observed Iran readying as many as 100 cruise missiles.

Some context: The Iranians want their retaliatory strike on Israel — a response to the Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate last week in Damascus — to be "significant," one of the people familiar with the intelligence said. But they also want to avoid getting embroiled in a direct war with Israel and the US, CNN has reported, which is why US intelligence has assessed that Iran may use its proxy forces to launch the first attack.

Israeli settlers storm village in West Bank and kill at least 1 Palestinian. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to several homes and cars — and leaving at least one Palestinian dead — in one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, according to Palestinian officials. 

The settlers attacked Al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, raided homes and fired gunshots at residents, according to Amin Abu-Alia, the head of the village council. Videos obtained by CNN show parts of the village burning, with smoke billowing over several buildings and settlers lobbing rocks. Houses and cars are seen completely burnt up, with sounds of gunfire and clashes heard in the background.

Here are other headlines you should know:

• More Israeli attacks: An Israeli airstrike early Friday killed at least 29 people and injured dozens more after troops targeted a house belonging to the well-known Al-Tabatibi family in eastern Gaza City, according to a local health official. Israeli forces also surrounded and attacked the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, wounding several journalists and at least one other person. And in the occupied West Bank, troops killed two Hamas members in a raid on the city of Tubas, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.
• Hezbollah-Israel clashes: Around 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon on Friday evening, according to the Israeli military. Some were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. Israeli warplanes also carried out several airstrikes on Friday, targeting "military buildings" used by Hezbollah fighters in parts of southern Lebanon, the IDF said.
• Iranian threats: US President Joe Biden told reporters Friday he expects an attack from Iran will happen “sooner than later," with the White House adding that there is a "very credible" threat of Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel. Additionally, the US Defense Department is moving additional assets to the Middle East region, a defense official told CNN, as the US and Israel brace for the potential attack . Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Central Command Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla on Friday discussed preparations for the  potential attack .
• Warnings amid Iranian threats: France , Germany, Canada and the United States are among countries that are warning their citizens not to travel to the region due to the threat of an Iranian attack against Israel.
• Humanitarian aid: The Israeli military does not understand how humanitarian operations work, a top United Nations official said Friday, maintaining there is a "degree of mistrust" that needs to be resolved between the IDF and nongovernmental organizations on the ground in Gaza.
• Sanctions: The European Council has  adopted sanctions  against three Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad entities , in light of "their responsibilities in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks" that occurred across Israel on October 7. The US is also sanctioning four leaders of Hamas’ cyber and drone operations based in Gaza and Lebanon, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced on Friday. 

US will attempt to intercept launches at Israel if feasible, US officials say

From CNN's Oren Liebermann and Natasha Bertrand

The US will attempt to intercept any weapons launched at Israel if it’s feasible to do so, two US officials told CNN, in an indication of the level of ongoing cooperation between the two militaries before an anticipated Iranian attack .

US Navy forces in the Red Sea have previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel. US forces in Iraq and Syria could also potentially intercept drones and rockets targeting northern Israel, depending on the location from which they’re launched.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command, has been in Israel meeting with the country’s security leadership. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, met with Kurilla.

There have been a number of conversations where US officials have urged Israel not to escalate the situation in retaliating against Iran, according to one of the US officials. 

Remember: An Iranian attack is expected in response to Israel’s deadly strike of Tehran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, last week.

The Damascus attack was the latest incident to stoke fears of a wider regional conflict breaking out in the Middle East during Israel's campaign in Gaza.

Diplomatic efforts: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a slew of calls to foreign counterparts aimed at pressuring Iran not to attack Israel.

The top US diplomat spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday, according to a readout from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken also spoke with the Turkish, Chinese and Saudi foreign ministers in recent days, Miller said.

Israeli settlers kill at least 1 Palestinian while storming West Bank village

From CNN’s Kareem Khadder and Zeena Saifi in Jerusalem and CNN’s Benjamin Brown in London

Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to several homes and cars in one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, according to Palestinian officials. 

At least one Palestinian man was killed when shots were fired by Israeli settlers in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, according to the head of the village council Amin Abu-Alia. He said he identified the killed Palestinian as his 26-year-old relative named Jihad Abu-Alia, who was meant to get married this summer.

At least 25 others were injured in the rampage, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, the scale of which has not been seen since hundreds of settlers stormed through the villages of  Turmusayya  and  Huwara  in two separate incidents last year. 

Between 1,000 and 1,200 settlers surrounded the village, and around 500 stormed it just after midday local time on Friday, blocking all the roads in the area, Abu-Alia told CNN.

He added that Israeli security forces informed Palestinian officials that the settlers were looking for a 14-year-old Israeli boy who had gone missing earlier in the day.

They attacked the village, raided homes and fired gunshots at residents, Abu-Alia said. Videos obtained by CNN show parts of the village burning, with smoke billowing over several buildings and settlers lobbing rocks. Houses and cars are seen completely burnt up, with sounds of gunfire and clashes heard in the background.

According to Abu-Alia, the Israeli military arrived at the scene at around 3 p.m. and didn’t stop the settlers from attacking the village. Israeli soldiers allowed them to raid homes, prevented Palestinian residents from moving around and blocked ambulances from reaching the injured, he added.  

Abu-Alia told CNN settlers stole approximately 70 sheep from the Palestinian village.

In response to a question by CNN, the IDF said “violent riots were instigated in multiple locations in the area” following the search for the boy.

Israel says airstrikes targeted Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Friday, targeting "military buildings" used by Hezbollah fighters in parts of southern Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The areas include the Aita al-Shaab and the Taybeh in southern Lebanon, said Avichay Adraee, I DF spokesperson for Arab media,  in a post on X.

"During the day, several shells were fired from Lebanon towards the Upper Galilee region, without causing any casualties. IDF forces attacked the sources of fire," Adraee added. 

The Israeli airstrikes were before the 40 rockets that were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel Friday evening and claimed by Hezbollah.

Biden expects an attack from Iran will happen "sooner than later"

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg

US President Joe Biden expects an attack from Iran will happen “sooner than later," he told reporters at the White House Friday.

“I don’t want to get into secure information but my expectation is sooner than later,” Biden said when asked how imminent an attack on Israel was.

Asked what his message to Tehran is right now, the president said “Don’t.”

In response to more shouted questions from reporters asking if American troops were at risk, Biden returned to the podium and said that the United States is "devoted” to the defense of Israel. 

“We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden said.

Remember: The United States says it is on high alert for a significant Iranian retaliatory attack following Israel's deadly strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus last week, raising fears of a wider regional war. There remains a “real,” “credible” and “viable” threat of Iran launching strikes, the White House said earlier Friday, following Israel’s attack on  a diplomatic compound in Syria that killed three Iranian generals.

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