Where to stay in Trat – Ko Chang, Ko Kut and Ko Mak
Ko Chang's beaches, Ko Kut, Ko Mak and Trat town compared. A guide to the island province on the Cambodian border.
Trat is Thailand’s easternmost coastal province, bordering Cambodia. Its main attraction is a group of more than 50 islands, most of them within Mu Ko Chang National Park. The islands are greener and less developed than those in the south, and easy to combine with a trip from Bangkok.
Choosing an island
- Ko Chang is the largest and most developed, with one coastal road along the west and south. White Sand Beach is the busiest; Klong Prao and Kai Bae suit families; Lonely Beach is popular with backpackers; Bang Bao is a fishing village on a pier, and Long Beach in the south-east is the most remote.
- Ko Kut is quiet and beautiful, with clear water, waterfalls and resorts that range from simple to luxurious. Some resorts close in the monsoon.
- Ko Mak is small and flat, with no large-scale development and a relaxed, eco-minded feel.
- Trat town is a pleasant provincial capital with an old wooden riverside quarter and markets, useful for overnight stops.
When to go
The best season is November to April. From about May to October the monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, and some boat services to Ko Kut and Ko Mak are reduced or suspended.
Getting there
Trat Airport has flights from Bangkok. By road, the trip from Bangkok takes about five to six hours. Car ferries cross to Ko Chang from Ao Thammachat and Center Point piers, a 30–45 minute crossing. Speedboats and ferries run to Ko Kut and Ko Mak from Laem Sok pier and from Ko Chang in season.
Where to stay
Ko ChangWhite Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach and Bang Bao compared. Where to stay on Ko Chang, how to get there and when to go.
