Trat is Thailand’s eastern-most province, located about 315 kilometers from Bangkok. This small province borders Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural boundary between the two countries. With 52 large and small islands featuring long, white, sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs, Trat offers delightful scenery and a number of tranquil hideouts for beach and nature-lovers. The province also serves as a major fruit-growing, fishing, and gem mining region.
The city of Trat is the primary launching point for trips to the popular Koh Chang island group as well as for forays to visit both gem markets and Cambodian border markets. Like Chanthaburi, Trat is a very important ruby-mining province, with the most famous gem market located in Bo Rai District, some 50 kilometers north of the Cambodian border. Those enthralled by shopping will be delighted as Trat has more markets for its size than almost any other town in Thailand due to bustling Cambodian and coastal trade.
The weather in and around Trat is very comfortable, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds, which sometimes limit sea transport to only the most visited islands, particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsuitable for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, Koh Chang is popular year round and visitors can still easily and safely visit the island via the normal ferry routes.
The province is divided into 7 districts; Mueang Trat, Khlong Yai, Laem Ngop, Ko Kut, Ko Chang, etc.
How to get to Trat?
There are a variety of ways to get to Trat including by car from Bangkok (approximately 315 Kilometers by Motorway route), by bus from Bangkok (Ekkamai) bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road and Bangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, by commuter van service from Victory Monument (Pong Lee Restaurant Side) and the Bangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road and by plane: The Bangkok Aviation Public Company Limited offer daily flights between Bangkok and Trat.
What is there to see and do?
Trat offers travelers quite a variety of attractions, natural attractions, historical attractions, cultural attractions and local way of life. Some of interesting places are Ko Chang, Ko Kut, Ko Mak, Trat’s City Pillar Shrine, Huang Nam Khao Agro Tourism Center, Laem Sok, Residang Kampot, Laem Ngop, Ko Chang Naval Battle Memorial, Hat Banchuen, Hat Sai Kaeo, etc.
Additional areas to visit include:
- Ko Chang or Elephant Island is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and is Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket. There are more than 50 large and small islands nearby.
- Ko Kut is Thailand’s easternmost island. Due to its relatively remote location in the waters, the clarity of the sea water around Ko Kut is very crystal clear. Visit this link for m0re details: https://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Ko-Kut
- Ko Mak is situated between Ko Chang and Ko Kut. Ko Mak is another tourist destination because of its white sandy beaches and calm crystal clear water. Ko Kham, a nearby island, is only a short kayak paddle from Ko Mak. Other nearby islands include Ko Rayang Nai, Ko Rayang Nok, Ko Kradat
- Wat Yotha Nimit (Wat Bot) is an ancient temple that offers you some historical knowledge. There is an old ordination hall of Ayutthaya art serving as a wihan with the magnificent painting murals on the wall.
- Trat’s City Pillar Shrine is different from other city pillar shrines because of its Chinese-style building
- Namtok Khao Salatdai is great for your peaceful camping. The waterfall, with water running all year round, is surrounded by dense forests and beautiful plants.
- Khao Rakam Reservoir is nearby to Khao Rakam, Khao Mai Chi and Khao Mapring. It was built to store rainfall for agriculture and prevent flooding and also serves as raw water sources for water production to the municipality of Trat and Laem Ngop district.
- Baan Pred Nai mangrove forest is Thailand’s second largest mangrove forest. With it rich in nature, it is a wonderful site to explore and study mangrove ecology. You can choose whether to enjoy the walk along the path or to cruise along the river to see more of the nature of this forest.
- Ban Nam Chiao is noted for Ngop Nam Chiao, a native handmade hat that is woven with local palm leaves.
- Saphan Hin Waterfall is a large waterfall with water running all year round.
- Laem Ngop is where there is a big pier where tourists can get ferry service to popular islands of Trat.
- Ko Chang Naval Battle Memorial is located at Laem Ngop
- Ao Tan Khu is a charming little beach on the mainland with clear and calm water.
- Hat Banchuen (Hat Maro) is a beach with powdery sand and clear sea water where it is possible to swim. There are some beach resorts in the area.
- Ban Hat Lek Border Market, located on the far end of Highway No. 318, is a village on the Thai-Cambodian border. It is an intermediate marketplace for grain trading between farmers in Cambodia and traders in Koh Kong. Tourists can find some cheap goods from Cambodia such as electrical appliances, sunglasses, perfumes. From this point, tourists can cross border to Koh Kong, Cambodia by taxi.
Accommodations:
Trat offers some of the best value hotels, resorts and guesthouses. There is an extensive range of accommodation available to suit every need and budget from luxury hotels to affordable place to stay for families and budget travelers. Travelers can easily find accommodations in Mueang Trat, Khlong Yai, Laem Ngop, Ko Chang, Ko Kut and Ko Mak. Trat has 2 national parks; Mu Ko Chang National Park and Namtok Khlong Kaeo National Park. There are camping sites with cabins and tents available for rent.
Some of our favorite accommodations are below:
https://www.soneva.com/soneva-kiri/
+66 (0) 82 208 8888
The Dewa Koh Chang
http://www.thedewakohchang.com/
+66 (0) 2 254 8650 – 5
Peninsula Beach Resort Koh Chang
http://www.peninsula-beach-resort.com/
info@peninsula-beach-resort.com
+66 (0) 39 510 640, +66 (0) 39 555 143
The Emerald Cove Koh Chang
reservations@emeraldcovekohchang.com
+66 (0) 3955 2000
In conclusion
Still not convinced about Trat, let these videos inspire your travels:
7 Must Sees in Trat, Thailand:
7 Must Dos in Trat, Thailand:
7 Must Eats in Trat, Thailand:
