Trat City
A provincial port and market town, Trat is the jumping‑off point for Koh Chang and Koh Kood. Travelers linger for fresh seafood at the night market, teak shophouses, and short ferry rides to jungleed islands and white‑sand coves.
Why Visit Trat?#
A provincial riverside hub, Trat is valued as the jumping-off point to Koh Chang and the white-sand islands of Koh Kood, but the town itself rewards lingering. Stroll the wooden shophouses along the riverfront, browse the lively Trat night market, and sample freshly grilled seafood at riverfront stalls. Its border-town energy and access to island boat trips give visitors a mix of market life and maritime escape.
Best Things to Do in Trat#
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Trat Bucket List#
Trat Night Market - Taste local seafood and desserts at Trat Night Market along the main thoroughfare.
Trat Museum - Explore Trat Museum for provincial history, Sino-Thai artifacts and World War relics.
Wat Buppharam (Trat) - Visit Wat Buppharam’s ornate Buddhist shrine for local religious architecture and murals.
Laem Sok Pier - Laem Sok Pier offers quieter coastal views and ferries to Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
Trat riverside promenade - Stroll the Trat riverside promenade for local cafés, boat traffic, and sunset light.
Local seafood shacks - Try small seafood shacks near the pier for freshly prepared regional dishes and snacks.
Ko Chang - Take a day trip to Ko Chang for waterfalls, jungle trails, and white-sand beaches.
Koh Kood - Catch a ferry to Koh Kood for quieter beaches, snorkeling, and chilled island vibes.
Best Time to Visit Trat#
Trat has a tropical monsoon climate: hot, humid pre-monsoon months, a wet southwest monsoon and a drier cool season from November to February. Plan for island time in the cool, drier months.
March - May
28 - 35°C (82 - 95°F)
Long, hot days with rising humidity; inland trips feel stifling but islands and beaches are lively and sunny.
June - October
25 - 32°C (77 - 90°F)
Afternoon and evening storms are frequent, making island hopping wetter but often cheaper and lush green.
November - February
24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)
Drier, breezier weather and calmer seas - the most pleasant period for beaches, snorkeling and boat trips.
How to Get to Trat#
Trat is served by a small regional airport (TDX) and by regular bus/minivan services from Bangkok; there is no direct train service. The town is the mainland gateway for nearby islands (Koh Chang) via Laem Ngop ferry terminal.
Trat Airport (TDX): A small regional airport serving Trat province with short flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi). From Trat Airport to Trat town or Laem Ngop (ferry point for Koh Chang) it’s a 20-40 minute drive; taxis and hotel transfers are common and typically cost about 200-400 THB.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): The main international hub for eastern Thailand. From BKK you can either take a 1‑hour flight to Trat (when scheduled) or use land connections: buses and minivans depart from Suvarnabhumi and from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Trat/Laem Ngop (3.5-5 hours by road).
Train: There is no direct train service to Trat; the rail network stops well west of the province.
Bus / Minivan: Buses and minivans run from Bangkok (Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal and Suvarnabhumi) to Trat and Laem Ngop. Journey time is typically 3.5-5 hours depending on traffic, with fares commonly in the 179-350 THB range for standard buses and 200-350 THB for minivans. Local songthaews and taxis handle short transfers from Laem Ngop to Trat town and the ferry piers.
How to Get Around Trat#
Trat is most practically reached by flight (when available) or by bus/minivan from Bangkok. Once in town the centre and ferry piers are compact and easy to reach by short taxi or songthaew rides.
- Flights (Bangkok-Trat) (Varies (airline fares)) - When scheduled, short flights from Suvarnabhumi to Trat take about 1 hour and are the fastest option, useful if you want to save time. Flights are seasonal and limited; book ahead during high season.
- Coach / Long‑distance Bus (THB 179-350) - Regular buses depart Ekkamai (Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal) and Suvarnabhumi for Trat/Laem Ngop. Buses are comfortable and affordable; allow 3.5-5 hours for the trip. Buy tickets at terminals or via reputable online agents in high season.
- Minivan / Shuttle (THB 200-350) - Minivans from Bangkok offer more frequent departures and drop‑off closer to Trat town or Laem Ngop piers. They are faster than some buses but can be cramped with luggage. Book at reputable counters to avoid overloading.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (THB 2,500+ (long‑haul)) - Private taxis from Bangkok or the airport are door‑to‑door and much faster but considerably more expensive; useful for groups or heavy luggage. Arrange a fixed price in advance through a licensed operator.
- Walking - Trat town itself is small and walkable - main markets, piers and guesthouses are easily reached on foot. Walking is the easiest way to explore the compact centre.
Where to Stay in Trat#
Near bus terminal/market - $10-35/night
Trat town has a number of budget guesthouses and family-run hotels near the bus terminal. Rooms are basic but practical for island transfers.
Town centre - $35-90/night
Several comfortable mid-range hotels and guesthouses offer private rooms and breakfast. Good choice if you need a night before ferry or boat transfers.
No luxury in town - islands nearby
Luxury resorts are scarce in Trat town itself; most high-end options are on nearby islands (Koh Chang, Koh Kood) where full-service resorts operate.
Where to Eat in Trat#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Trat’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Trat#
Shopping is centered on the municipal market and small streetside shops where you’ll find fresh seafood, fruit, everyday goods and some tourist souvenirs. Trat is a working border/province town rather than a shopping destination, so expect practical markets rather than boutiques. For specialty items or larger malls you’ll need to travel to bigger provincial centres.
Nightlife in Trat#
Nightlife in Trat is modest: evening markets and a few bars and seafood restaurants attract locals and travellers. The scene is relaxed and generally quiet after midnight, with most activity focused around the central market and main roads. If you want more bars or nightlife energy, island resorts in Trat province offer more evening options.
