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Trat


Trat is Thailands 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.


Trat is Thailands eastern-most province, bordering Cambodia along the Khao Banthat mountain range. The city of Trat serves as a launching point for visitors to the provinces 52 large and small islands, including those of Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park, whose long, white, sandy beaches have made Koh Chang one of Thailands top get away from it all island destinations. Neighboring islands feature unspoiled coral reefs, and mainland Trat offers delightful scenery and a number of natural attractions for lovers of the outdoors. Trat is also a transit point for people traveling to Cambodia, as it is only a 90 minute minibus ride to the border at Hat Lek. Air services to Trat via Bangkok Airways makes travel to Trat and Koh Chang extremely convenient for those not on a restrictive budget.

Transport

Trat and its island destinations can be reached via private car, public bus, or airplane from Bangkok. Once there, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaews, motorbike taxis, tuk tuks, and public busses, and rental cars and motorbikes are easy to procure both on the mainland and on Koh Chang. Numerous ferry services and private boat charters service Koh Chang and some of the larger islands surrounding it.

Getting to and from Trat

  • By Car:
    From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or the Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) to Klaeng, where you must turn onto Highway No. 3 which leads to Trat. The total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometers.
  • By Bus:
    Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned busses depart from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. From Bangkok the busses to Trat cost 197 baht for 24-seat VIP air-conditioned service, 169 baht for 1st class air-conditioned service (132 baht for 2nd class), or 113 baht for regular bus service. The trip takes five to six hours by air-conditioned bus and about eight hours by regular bus.
    From Bangkok there are also direct bus and minibus services to the boat pier for Koh Chang that depart regularly from Ekkamai bus station (BTS Ekkamai) and Khao San Road. Simply make it clear you with to travel to Koh Chang rather than Trat.

    For more information contact the Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2391-4164, Choet Chai Tour Tel: 0-2391-2237, Chok Anukun Tour Tel: 0-2392-7680 and Suppharat Tour Tel: 0-2391-2331.

    To travel from Chanthaburi to Trat, the regular bus takes about 30 minutes. If one goes by taxi from Chanthaburi to Trat, it takes around 45 minutes.
  • By Air:
    Bangkok Airways has daily air services between Bangkok and Trat. From the Trat airport (not far from the ferry pier in Laem Ngop) there are numerous transportation options for transferring to Koh Chang, including minibus and rental car. Visit www.bangkokair.com for more information.

Getting Around Trat

Car rent in Muang Trat:

Suppharat, opposite Choet Chai Tour: Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 0-3931-2011, 0-3951-2236

Getting around the city:

Samlors/tuk tuks around town should cost about 10 baht per person. Small songtaews cost about 5 baht per person on a share basis or 20 baht to 40 baht for the whole vehicle.

Getting to Islands:

Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat Pier or Koh Chang Centre Point Landings between 07.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., with travel times of approximately 30 minutes depending on weather and boat capacity. Private vehicles can be loaded onto the ferry. Please note that vehicles used on the island should be 4 wheel drive vehicles as road conditions are bumpy and there are steep slopes to be negotiated. From the landing on Koh Chang there are songtaew services to various points. Fares should be settled beforehand.


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