Trat was the first province in Thailand I ever visited (not counting the night I spent at Suvarnabhumi Airport – which I don't), so it seemed strange that 16 years later I still hadn't been to its capital. Therefore, after my last trip to Koh Chang and Koh Kood, I decided to make some time for it.

To be honest, I had virtually no expectations. And frankly, no point of comparison, apart from my visit to nearby Chanthaburi the previous September.

Below, I'll not only give you a practical overview of the activities in Trat Town, but also share my impressions from my short stay there. Spoiler alert: If you haven't been, you're missing out!

How to get to Trat Town

If you don't plan to visit any islands, you can travel directly from Bangkok to Trat bus station by bus or minibus. Your journey will begin at either Ekkamai bus station or Suvarhabhumi airport and will take approximately 5 to 6 hours each way. Trat is Thailand's easternmost province, so the distance is considerable.

Realistically, you'll probably only visit Trat Town after a stay on Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and/or Koh Wai. In that case, you can take a songthaew directly to Trat Town from the pier where your boat docks. Simply tell the driver you want to go to the bus station, and from there walk to your chosen attraction (for a day trip) or to your hotel (for an overnight stay). Another songthaew will take you to the airport if you're not flying back to Bangkok by bus.

How to spend your time in Trat Town

Go to the river... er, Khlong

Located directly south of Trat's city center, the Khlong Bang Phra is surprisingly clean by Thai standards and nowhere near as smelly as the canals in Bangkok. I find it an ideal starting point for explorations, as it is quiet and peaceful and invites relaxation.

Sightseeing should not be a priority.

The bad news? Although I had included several sights in my Trat Town itinerary, many were unfortunately inaccessible. In some cases, this limitation was a major issue; the Trat City Museum was closed indefinitely for renovations. In other cases, particularly with Wat Phai Lom, the attraction itself seemed less impressive than expected.

Talk to the locals

What's unusual here? The friendliness of the people. From the saleswoman at 7-Eleven who spoke to me in Thai, to the locally famous J'Saeng (who informed me that her legendary fried squid was only available for dinner – I visited her for lunch), the inhabitants of Trat are completely unpretentious, which makes perfect sense given that the town has been spared from mass tourism.

Eat, drink and be merry

Although I couldn't get my preferred dish for lunch, I made the wise decision to visit the relaxed restaurant Laan Yen Jid. There, I enjoyed bla muk (also known as squid) as part of a pad gapao (a spicy stir-fry with Thai basil). It was delicious and the atmosphere pleasant, although some of my tablemates seemed a little perplexed.

Arrange onward transport

When I arrived by songthaew from Laem Ngop Pier, the man on the corner recognized me even before I got out. Seventeen years ago, I would have felt like a potential victim, but this time it was a relief: I was able to arrange a (albeit expensive) ride to the airport at a specific time, thus having a defined timeframe for my sightseeing – and could rest easy.

Should you stay overnight in Trat Town?

I haven't yet spent the night in Trat, although I desperately want to. In fact, as I'll explain in the conclusion of this article, I regret not having done so sooner. Trat isn't a particularly exciting place, and certainly not touristy, but it's welcoming and friendly, and practically free of tourists. I can easily imagine how lovely it would be to spend the evening and morning there—like a smaller version of Chanthaburi, I suppose.

I've already looked into hotels in Trat. The Orchid Guest House, which is attached to a fantastic restaurant of the same name, was the one I seriously considered. I also looked into staying at the simple Baan Jaidee (whose name literally translates to "friendly house") and the slightly more upscale Rimklong Boutique Hotel.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting Trat Town

Is Trat Town worth a visit?

Trat Town is definitely worth a visit – I'm kicking myself for waiting so long! It's wonderfully untouristy, and whether you're strolling along the canal, exploring the market, or simply chatting with locals, you'll experience genuine, authentic Thai hospitality everywhere you go. A real hidden gem!

How do I get from Bangkok to Trat Town?

There are two ways to get from Bangkok to Trat Town. The first is to take a direct bus or minivan from Ekkamai Bus Station or Suvarnabhumi Airport. The journey takes 5–6 hours, depending on traffic. Alternatively, if you are flying with Bangkok Airways from BKK to TDX, you can take a songthaew (shared taxi) from the airport into town.

How do I get from Trat Airport to the city of Trat?

You can take a songthaew from Trat Airport to Trat Town or vice versa. The fare is usually around 500 THB per vehicle. This means you'll pay significantly less if many other passengers travel with you than if you were traveling alone.

Conclusion

As I boarded my songthaew to leave Trat Town for the airport, I noticed that the man who had made my departure so easy was limping. This saddened me, but also relieved that I hadn't tried to haggle—he clearly needed the money. As we sped away, I saw his friends, with whom he had been sitting, smiling and waving, and it wasn't a forced or fake greeting. Although I was completely exhausted after a busy week on Koh Samui, Koh Chang, and Koh Kood (and after more than six weeks in Thailand), I briefly considered turning back and spending the night there. Would you like to know if I can help you plan your trip? Learn more about the possibilities of working together.