Home button

Trat

Trat is a transportation hub for those heading to Koh Chang or crossing the border to Cambodia. There are a couple of Wats that are worth visiting as well as the City Pillar. Near the canal running through the southwest part of town are some small Sois with guest houses and private residences. The main river, Maenam Trat, is on the other side of town.

The town has quite a few markets for a town of its size selling fish, fruit, clothing, products from Cambodia and virtually anything else you could think of.

If you have had enough of the Night Market just to the east of the bus terminals, Trat has a number of restaurants to eat at. Mostly it will be very reasonably priced Thai food with lots of fresh seafood.

Islands: There are over 50 Islands off the Trat coast and many of them can be reached on a day trip from Trat Town. Koh Chang, the largest and best equipped Island is too big for a day trip and should be considered as a destination of its own. Koh Phrao Nok is a small island with a surplus of sand in Ao Salak Phet that has only one resort but no bungalows. Koh Rung is too small for resorts and is mainly used to collect bird nests for soup. Koh Ngam has twin lagoons that are great for swimming and snorkelling. There is one resort here and little else but sand, sea, palms and a hammock. Koh Mai See Yai and Koh Mai See Lek are good places to go with a rented boat. You can kick back on their nice beaches or check out the nearby a pearl farm. South of Koh Chang you will find Koh Kut, the farthest island from the mainland and the second biggest in the area. There are a bunch of resorts, great beaches, a good waterfall and some fishing villages scattered across the Island. It is better visited for a few days rather than on a day trip. Koh Mak is between Koh Chang and Koh Kut and is filled with coconut and rubber plantations, long sandy beaches and a few resorts.

Baan Hat Lek: Located 80 km south of Trat Town along a tiny strip of land that runs down the coast bordering Cambodia, Ban Hat Lek is the town at the end just before crossing the border. It is a popular spot for travellers to stop and do a little shopping for Cambodian goods at the local market before hitting the nearby beach. The drive alone is worth the trip.

Ao Tan Khu: 30 km west of Trat Town is this bay with fine sandy beaches. It is a local favourite and a good place to catch some rays. It is a bit tricky to find so get directions from your hotel before you go.

Trat Independence Day: On March 23 Trat Town celebrates it's independence from the French and re-unification with Thailand. The festivities are centered around City Hall and include cultural performances, music and of course, food and drinks.

Ko Chang Yutthanavy Day: This yearly event, located in Laem Ngop, commemorates the bravery of the Royal Thai Navy in it's action against the French on January 17, 1941 when it lost 2 ships driving the French away

Trat Fruit Festival: In late May or early June, Trat has an annual festival to celebrate the harvest and to enjoy all of the fruit grown in the region. Pomelo, Rambutans and Durians are but a few of what is on display. There are contests, music, exhibitions and lots of fruit.

Leam Ngob: located 17 km south of the city is the town of Leam Ngop where a number of ferries provide service to the Islands and boats can be hired to go explore the area. The town also has restaurants, shops and some accommodations.

Books: Need a book to read? Tratosphere is the place to go and get one. The owners are nice and friendly so stop by for a book and a chat.