TRAT
Location : Eastern, Thailand
Area : 2,885.794 sq. km
Population : 219,949
Distance from Bangkok : 315 Kilometers
Transportation
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn onto Highway No. 3 and proceed to Trat. The total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometers.
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. From Bangkok the buses to Trat cost 169 baht for 1st class air-conditioned buses (132 baht for 2nd class) and 197 baht for 24-seat VIP air-conditioned buses or 113 baht for regular buses. The trip takes five to six hours by air-conditioned bus or about eight hours by regular bus. For more information, contact Transport Co. Ltd
Several non air-conditioned buses leave daily, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m. Fare is 78B . Air-conditioned buses leave every 1.30 hours, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m.. Fare is 140B
More information : www.transportation.co.th
Getting to Ko Chang
A 5 hours bus trip from the Eastern Bus Terminal will take visitors to the Trat Bus Terminal (departures between 06.00 a.m. until 12.00 p.m.). From there continue by song taew transport to Laem Ngop, which is 17 kilometers from town, or the ferry landings at Ao Thammachat and Ko Chang Centre Point where services are operated all day.
Passenger boats usually leave from Laem Ngop to Ao Sapparot on Ko Chang every hour from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. The trip takes 45 minutes and the fare is 50 baht per person. Visitors can continue to Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae by local bus which charges 30 baht per person. The schedules and fares are subject to change without notice due to climate condition. For current information, please contact TAT Trat office,
Tel: 0-3959-7255, 0-3959-7259-60
Fax: 0-3959-7255.
Ferry Services
Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat or Ko Chang Center Point Landings between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. with a traveling time of 30 minutes. Private vehicles can be loaded onto the ferry. Please note that vehicles used on the island should be the 4-wheel drive types as road conditions are bumpy and there are steep slopes to be negotiated. From the landing on Ko Chang are song taew services to various points. Fares should be settled beforehand.
Naval Battle Monument Pier (Krom Luang Pier)
Wooden boats depart every hour from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The passenger fare for a round trip costs approximately 100 baht. Call tel. 039 538 084 for more details.
Center Point Pier
Ferries leave hourly from 6.00 a.m. until 7.00p.m. Call 039 538196 for more information.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicles, 60 baht/passenger
6-wheel vehicles, 250 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
10-wheel vehicles, 500 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
Ao Thammachat Pier
Ferries leave every hour from 6.30 a.m. to 7.15 p.m. Contact 039 528288-9 for more details.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicle, 60 baht/passenger, no charge for driver
6-wheel vehicle, 500 baht, no charge for driver but 60 baht fee is applied for any passenger
10-wheel vehicle, 1,000 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
Ko Chang Ferry
Ferries depart every 45 minutes from 6.30 a.m. until 7.15 p.m. For more information call tel. 039 597143.
Rates for round trip:
4-wheel vehicle 150 baht, no charge for driver, but a fee of 60 baht/passenger is applied
6-wheel vehicle, 500 baht, no charge for driver but 60 baht fee is applied for any passenger
10-wheel vehicle, 1,000 baht, no charge for driver and one passenger
For visitors planning to stay at Ko Wai there is a ferry service from Laem Ngob to Ko Wai at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare of 120 baht/person/one way.
For visitors planning to stay at Ko Kham there is a ferry service from Laem Ngob to Ko Kham at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare of 170 baht/person/one way.
For visitors planning to stay at Ko Mak there is a ferry service from Laem Ngob to Ko Mak at around 3:00 p.m. with a fare of 150 baht/person/one way.
Facilities on Ko Chang include mainly bungalow-type accommodations on most beaches and rental services for bicycles and boats.
Several smaller isles south of Ko Chang include Ko Wai, Ko Lao Ya and Ko Kradat. Noted for both deep-water and shallow-water corals are the Ko Kra group and Ko Rang which are to the west of Ko Mak.
Travel to other Islands
Most visitors come to Amphoe Laem Ngob where there are 2 piers namely Laem Ngob and Ko Chang Centre Point, offering daily boat services to islands such as Ko Mak, Ko Wai, and Ko Kham. Tourist spots in Ko Chang and other groups of islands.
About Trat
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 a group of islands particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsafe for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Ko Chang, anyway.
Place attraction
Amphoe Ko Chang
Ko Chang
A stretch of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree orchards is a common sight on Ko Chang the largest and busiest island in Trat and the second largest island in the country after Phuket.
Covering an area of 429 square kilometers, Ko Chang, boasts several amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional way of life such as 70 percent undisturbed island rainforest, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and notable wildlife, fine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. In addition, numerous fruit orchards dot the island.
Attraction place in Koh Chang
Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)
One of the longest beaches on Ko Chang, this beach provides the most magnificent seascape. The beach, which is 2 kilometers long, is dotted with reasonably priced bungalows and resorts. Embracing the beach to the rear are orchards of coconut trees and forests.
Hat Khlong Phrao and Laem Chat Chet
Laem Chai Chet is along the sea adjacent to Kai Bae Beach, which is rather steep but offers possibilities for swimming. Standard bungalows with facilities are available. The northernmost area of Klong Phrao Beach is adjacent to Chai Chet Bay and Beach where visitors can take in the beautiful landscape while enjoying the superb relaxation and tranquil retreat.
Kai Bae Beach
This beach is close to Khlong Phrao Beach and is similar to Khlong Phrao in that the beach is steep but safe for swimming with quite a few inexpensively priced bungalows in the area.
Activities in Ko Chang
The main thing to do when in Ko Chang is to relax. Other than that, there are numerous activities for visitors such as fishing, snorkeling and visiting nearby islands. In addition, many resorts rent out kayaks and arrange jungle treks as well as provide all day boat tours to the nearby islands. Moreover, scooters can be rented in most places, which make the island easier to explore independently, however the driver should have some two-wheel experience as the roads have a tendency to fade away to nothing more than tracks.
Furthermore, there are diving schools at all of the 4 largest beaches on the west coast, where tours can be booked or various diving licenses can be obtained and sailing-tours can also be booked in many resorts and travel agencies.
Accommodations on Ko Chang
There are many resorts and bungalows on Ko Chang thus visitors purchasing boat/ferry tickets from any of the piers should inform the staff of the desired beach and resort accommodations reserved to prevent misunderstandings on the destination. Facilities on Ko Chang include mainly bungalow-type accommodations on most beaches which generally rent out bicycles and boats. Budget and high-end accommodations are also available with prices ranging from 100 baht (bungalow) to 6,500 baht for superior/deluxe rooms in boutique hotels and internationally accredited resorts.
Best time to visit Ko Chang and other islands
The season is from October to May as from mid May to mid October most of the resorts are closed, but visitors will still be able to find a few open, as some of the owners actually live there and are open all year round.
Dining delights in Ko Chang
Ko Chang is still virtually an untouched gastronomic paradise as the islanders have made a living fishing in the beautiful blue seas for centuries. There are plenty of seafood restaurants dotted around the island and with the recent addition of a number of resorts, visitors can now enjoy a wide range of local and international cuisines.
As the island only has a single road and most restaurants are located on the road or in resort compounds, they are easy to find. It just takes a little looking around to find a place that suits your fancy. Reservations are not normally required but if you want to dine further up the scale it is best to book in advance.
Ko Kham
This island is located near Ko Mak and is endowed with natural wonders such as crystal clear seas, chie sandy beaches, coral reefs and most importantly, tranquility and privacy. Ideal for swimming and diving, the trip to Ko Kham from Laem Ngob takes 2.5 hours.
Ko Laoya
This wonderful island which is less than 1 kilometer long and 300 meters wide with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and colorful corals lies about 3 kilometers west of the southeastern end of Ko Chang. Ko Laoya forms an island group with Ko Laoya Klang and Ko Laoya Nok and is connected to Ko Laoya Klang by a wooden bridge. Travel time from Laem Ngob to the island takes about 2.5 hours and only chartered boats can reach the island. Accommodation is available but must be reserved well in advance.
Ko Mak
This is a large island to the south of Ko Chang that is blessed with several beautiful bays and beaches and coral reefs nearby that are still in perfect condition. The islanders make their living by growing rubber and coconut trees. The best time to visit is from November until late April. There are a number of accommodations and tourist facilities available. A passenger boat departs Laem Ngob daily at 3.00 p.m. and returns from Ko Mak at 7.00 a.m., traveling time is 3.5 hours.
Ko Ngam
This island is situated southeast of Ko Chang and is comprised of twin mountains linked by huge rocks with a huge sand knoll at the middle. The little bay formed by the lines of the mountain stretching into the sea makes the island a splendid and serene site worth visiting. Accommodations are available.
Ko Phrao
This island situated in front of Salak Petch Bay has clean and calm seas, and is cool and shady with coconut trees. Travel time from Laem Ngob is two hours. Accommodations are available on the island.
Ko Wai
This big island, which a part of Ko Chang National Park and is situated next to Ko Laoya, has stone laden beaches. However, Ko Wai is famous for its coral and is also the best place for fishing and swimming. As for accommodations, Ko Wai Pakarung Resort is ready to serve tourists.
Amphoe Ko Kut
Ko Kut
This island is the farthest island from the coast of Trat. Its size ranks it as the fourth largest island in Thailand or the second largest island next to Ko Chang in Trat. The island, which is 25 kilometers long and 12 kilometers wide covers an area of approximately 105 square kilometers or 65,625 rai. Its natural features include mountains and plains where many streams originate and become waterfalls. One famous waterfall is Nam Tok Khlong Chao, which flows throughout the year and is an ideal place for swimming as it is comprised of 3 tiers; of which the upper two tiers are running streams and the lower one is a large pond. In 1911, King Rama VI paid a royal visit to this waterfall and named it 'Nam Tok Anam Kok' to commemorate Ong Chiang Su. In addition; there are beaches with crystal-clear seas which are popular among visitors such as Taphao Beach, Khlong Chao Beach, Khlong Hin Beach, Phrao Beach, etc. Accommodations with a private atmosphere is available for visitors at the inner sea of Ko Kut, and the other two islands, Ko Rat and Ko Mai Si, opposite to Ko Kut.
Getting to Ko Kut
There are boats from Ko Chang to Ko Kut three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). Please ask for the departure times of the ferries from Laem-Ngop Pier to Ko Kut at the pier.
Infrastructure on Ko Kut
The island is rather flat compared to Ko Chang with the highest mountain on the island, Khao Phaenth, measuring 315 metres. It has a good number of wonderful beaches with crystal clear water (Ta Pho Beach, Khlong Chao Beach, Thakian Beach, Phrao Beach etc.). Inland, the island is very wild with a lot of coconut and rubber tree plantations located in the plains.
The best time for a visit to Ko Kut is between beginning of November and the end of February. At this time it is relatively cool, dry and mostly sunny. But until the end of May, when it is hotter than the cool season, a visit is still convenient. Even during monsoon season, Ko Kut is worth visiting for it doesn’t rain every day and all day long.
More information : www.tourismthailand.org
Map Of Trat provinces
