Trat

[Braveheart]

Trat is the provincial capital of Trat Province.

 

Understand

 

Trat is the capital of Trat province, located on the Cambodian border in Southeastern Thailand. Most travellers will use Trat as an access point to Ko Chang island.

 

Get In

 

By Plane

 

Tiny Trat Airport (TDX) is served only by Bangkok Airways from Bangkok. Alternatively (and much more cheaply), a 1st class bus service connects Trat directly with Suvarnabhumi Airport (the new BKK)

 

By Bus

 

Buses to Trat depart from Bangkok's Eastern (Ekamai) and Northern (Moh Chit) Bus Terminals (5 hours). Regular connections from Chanthaburi and other provincial capitals are also available.

 

By Share-Taxi

 

On the east side of the main market building is the local share-taxi departure area, you can't miss the blue cars and pick-ups. Departures toward most provincial villages leave when the vehicle is full, including those to Haad Lek. Connections from there are available onward to the Cambodian border and Koh Kong.

 

Get Around

 

The town is sufficiently small to make walking the best mode of transport, although there is little to do besides explore the small streets and relax.

 

Do

 

The ambitious traveller will use Trat as a starting point for a motorcycle trip to Ko Chang. Rentals of step-thru Honda and Yamaha automatics, in good condition, can be had at the shop on Sukhumvit south of the market area (~200B). Drive south along Sukhumvit for about 45 minutes, and follow signs for the ferry quay. Be sure to top up with petrol before taking the ferry, as fuel prices on the island are rather high. Also, caution is required when driving on the island as the roads, although in excellent condition, are steep and winding--in the extreme in some instances. Carrying maps of Ko Chang and Trat province would be advisable, as the routes are not always clear.

 

Buy

 

Resident ex-pats have set up a few used bookshops which provide English and German books at fair prices. They can be found in the small streets south of the central market.

 

Eat

 

Across from the KFC in downtown Trat and very close to the main bus terminal, there's a large indoor market with plenty of eateries to choose from.

 

A lively night market gets underway around 6 PM just north of the main market. Just north of that is a smaller market open all day offering snacks and local produce.

 

Sleep

 

Trat offers some of the best value guesthouses in Thailand.

 

Dream Guesthouse located on a small road left off Sukhumvit, just south of the market, offers simple, clean rooms at fabulous rates (~100 baht for twin room with fan). Friendly advice is available in English from the resident owner.

 

Guy Guesthouse located in the guesthouse area left off Sukhumvit, has simple rooms starting from 80 baht.

 

Extracted from Wikipedia: Trat