Trat Travel Guide
Trat is a small, unpretentious provincial capital that most travellers use as a stepping stone to Koh Chang and the other eastern islands. The town itself is low-key and authentic — markets, local food, and a genuine Thai small-town feel rather than a polished tourist resort. If you’re heading to the islands, you’ll almost certainly pass through. Spending a night here can be a pleasant, low-pressure way to break the journey from Bangkok and get a sense of everyday eastern Thailand.
How to Get There
From Bangkok
The most common way is by bus or minivan from Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) or Mo Chit. The journey takes around 5–6 hours and costs a few hundred baht. Services run throughout the day and into the evening. Private transfers take about 4–5 hours.
Bangkok Airways also operates flights between Suvarnabhumi and Trat Airport (about 1 hour). From the airport you’ll need a transfer into town or to the ferry piers (around 30–40 minutes).
Once in Trat, songthaews and motorbike taxis can take you to the main piers for Koh Chang (Ao Thammachat or Laem Ngop). Combined bus-and-ferry tickets are often available if you’re continuing straight to the island.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Trat has a tropical climate with a distinct rainy season.
Best time: November to February
These months are the driest and most comfortable for both the mainland and the islands. Seas are calmer and ferry schedules more reliable. This is peak season for Koh Chang.
Hot season: March to May
Hot and humid. Still usable, but the heat can be intense.
Rainy season: May/June to October
Heavy rain is common, especially July–September. Island ferries can be affected by rough seas, and some smaller island services reduce frequency. The mainland town is still accessible, but outdoor plans need more flexibility.
What You’ll Love Doing Here
Trat is primarily a transit and practical base. The town centre has a lively local market area, good street food, and a few simple temples and Chinese-style shrines. The night market and food stalls are the best places to soak up the everyday atmosphere and eat well for very little money.
Most visitors use Trat as the jumping-off point for Koh Chang, Thailand’s second-largest island. Ferries from Ao Thammachat and other nearby piers take 30–45 minutes. Trat is also the gateway for the quieter islands of Koh Mak and Koh Kood, which appeal to travellers looking for a more peaceful experience than Koh Chang.
If you have extra time, you can explore the surrounding countryside, visit nearby beaches on the mainland, or cycle around the small lake on the edge of town. Trat is also close to the Cambodian border at Had Lek / Koh Kong, which some travellers use when continuing into Cambodia.
Evenings in Trat are quiet. Good food, a cold drink, and an early night before the ferry the next morning is the usual rhythm.
Pros and Cons
What people love
- Genuine small-town Thai atmosphere with few tourists
- Excellent and inexpensive local food and markets
- Convenient gateway to Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood
- Easy overnight stop on the way to or from the islands
- Low prices and relaxed pace
What can frustrate people
- Limited major sights or “must-see” attractions in the town itself
- It can feel like pure transit if you’re only passing through
- Hot and rainy seasons make the surrounding area less appealing
- Public transport options beyond the main routes are basic
- Not much nightlife or entertainment
Why Go
Trat is useful rather than spectacular. Come if you’re heading to Koh Chang or the other eastern islands and want a simple, authentic overnight stop. Walk the market, eat well, sleep early, and catch the morning ferry. It’s an honest little town that does exactly what you need it to do — and sometimes that’s the most valuable kind of place on a trip.