8 Things To Do In Trat, Thailand

things to do in trat
Barry
Barry 
Published
| 5 min read

Trat is an archipelago that sits on the southeastern corner of Thailand. Made up of pristine beaches and coral reefs, it owes its coast line to the Gulf of Thailand. Trat province’s crowning jewel is the series of islands that offer a stunning view of the ocean waters on one side and exquisite jungles on the other. Sandwiched between these two features are white sandy beaches that glisten under the warm Thai sunlight. For those who venture into the jungles, an epic adventure awaits. It’s an adventure that reveals waterfalls, well hidden within the depths of the forests. Trat is a city with promise. It’s the promise of fun and excitement. It’s the promise of rest and relaxation. It’s the promise of enchantment. To put all this into perspective, here’s a list of the things to do in Trat.

1. Relax on Kai Bae Beach

Ko Chang Long Beach Road
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Khaosaming used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Give in to the allure of a relaxing day at the beach. One of the most popular beaches in Trat is Kai Bae, a small island that is made up of a series of bars, restaurants, guesthouses and, of course, the chief attraction, white sand adjacent to the deep blue waters. However, Kai Bae also holds a series of cliffs which offer visitors a breathtaking view of the waters and the islands that lie beyond.

If you choose to explore the southern side of Kai Bae, you’ll discover a jungle paradise that boasts of the majestic Kai Bae waterfall. Finding a place to stay on this island isn’t a problem. There are numerous resorts and guesthouses from the low-cost backpackers’ accommodations to the high-end resorts. Most of these are within staggering distance to the beach giving you full access to its pleasures.

Kai Bae Beach

Address: Mam Kai Bae Beach 10/17 Moo 4, Ko Chang, Koh Chang Trat 23170, Thailand

Website: Kai Bae Beach

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2. Visit Koh Wai Island

Bacardifeeling-Koh Chang
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mattes used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

A 30-minute speed boat ride from the mainland delivers you to this small island known as Koh Wai. Life here is one that is undefiled by modernity. It’s a life that’s immaculate in every sense. There are no roads whatsoever. There are no vehicles and very limited electricity. Accommodations are simple wooden cottages or thatched huts.

Koh Wai stretches its arms out to welcome all who seek time away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. The island takes you back to a time of simplicity. A time when human interaction took precedence over interaction with technology. What Koh Wai offers in abundance is natural beauty. The pristine beaches are enchanting while the thick jungle ensnares with its allure. And all these are just within a few kilometers square of island real estate.

Koh Wai

Website: Koh Wai

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3. Trek in Khlong Plu Rainforest

Rainforest Railay bay
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user kallerna used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Trat’s largest island, Koh Chang, takes pride in possessing a number of spectacular features. One of these is the Khlong Plu Rainforest, a dense cluster of dark green trees. Within this rainforest is Khlong Plu’s crown, a waterfall that also bears the name Khlong Plu. This is the star attraction and it is here that most visitors troop, seeking to catch a glimpse of the spectacular cascade of water. Leading up to it is a winding path that takes you through the heart of nature. On your way, you’ll see various bird species that call the forest home. The trek is easy for all to manage with appropriate steps and ropes conveniently set up to ensure safe descent to the plunge pool underneath the waterfalls.

Khlong Plu

Address: Ko Chang, Trat, Thailand

Website: Khlong Plu

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4. Tour Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park

Moo Koh Chang5
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Toey19863 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A tour of the Mu Ko Chang Marine Park will take you through 52 islands, one of which is Trat’s largest, Koh Chang. Spanning a total area of 650 square kilometers (250 square miles) this marine park was started to preserve the natural beauty of the islands. And preserve it has, with most of the islands flora and fauna kept pristine and untouched by human activity. With beautiful coral reefs dotting the clear sea waters, marine life thrives within the park. Your tour will also bring you to caves that promise an exciting exploration experience. These are accessible by boat from Koh Chang Island. Also within the park is a museum which holds a wealth of information on the flora and fauna on the island.

Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park

Website: Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park

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5. Swim with elephants at Ban Kwan Chang Elephant Camp

Ban Kwan - Repas
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Éclusette used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Enjoy a day out with the land’s biggest mammals, the elephants. At the Ban Kwan Chang Elephant Camp, you’ll have a chance to not only pet the elephants but to also ride on them. These majestic creatures possess a very affable mien, one that allows visitors to enjoy their company. This particular elephant camp is the custodian of 10 elephants. On these, you get an option to trek for 45 minutes on the backs of the friendly mammals and spend 30 minutes swimming alongside them. And if you have children, the staff will take great care of them, allowing you to enjoy your time without worry.

Ban Kwan Chang Elephant Camp

Address: Ko Chang, Ko Chang District, Trat 23170, Thailand

Website: Ban Kwan Chang Elephant Camp

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6. Visit Wat Salak Phet Temple

Ko Kut, Ban-Aosalad - panoramio (2)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user josef knecht used under CC BY 3.0

Known for the deeply rooted culture, a visit to Thailand must always include a tour of one of the temples. Trat boasts one of the most colorful temples in the region, found on Koh Chang Island. The Wat Salak Phet Temple is an eye catching piece of architecture whose major attraction is the assortment of colors used on the statues and buildings. The perimeter fence is a work of art, holding a sculpture of a mythological serpent that encompasses the wall’s top section. A tour transports visitors to the mythological world of Southeast Asia’s creatures. This is underscored by a statue of a giant mythical bird standing at the entrance and an elephant statue, a representation of the north of the God of heaven, also at the main entrance.

Wat Salak Phet Temple

Address: Koh Chang Tai, Ko Chang District, Trat 23170, Thailand

Website: Wat Salak Phet Temple

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7. Go elephant trekking at Klong Prao Beach

Prop50 KohChang
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user de:Benutzer:Prope... used under COPYRIGHTED FREE USE

Klong Prao Beach is home to some of the best accommodations on the island. It is a beautiful carpet of white sand that’s split in two by the Klong Prao river estuary. Forming a unique feature, the estuary is a beautiful haven of tranquility. However, Klong Prao is known for its elephant population and more so for the experience of riding on them and enjoying a trek. These gigantic mammals are a friendly lot, always happy to grant visitors an enjoyable ride. Take advantage of the 45 minute trek on their backs with an expert guide in tow.

Klong Prao Beach

Address: Klong Prao Beach, Trat, Thailand

Website: Klong Prao Beach

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8. Enjoy snorkeling at Ko Kham Island

Ko Mak
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user fi:Keskustelu käy... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

A true, undefiled paradise Koh Kham Island is a breathtaking beach that’s surrounded by stunning natural scenery. On one side you’ll enjoy a view of the lovely coral reefs and on the other is the long, spectacular beach. The waters, on the other hand, bear life in abundance; lots of fish species. And one of the most enjoyable activities to take part in here is snorkeling. You’ll enjoy a close view of these fish species while snorkeling. Many companies offer snorkeling trips with some conducting full day trips while others giving shorter expeditions.

Ko Kham Island

Address: Ko Kham, Ko Mak, Ko Kut District, Trat, Thailand

Website: Ko Kham Island

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Guaranteed excitement...

Trat is a beautiful archipelago with pristine beaches, stunning forests and majestic waterfalls. A tour of this province is guaranteed to yield loads of excitement, an experience that will last you a lifetime. When visiting Thailand, do make a point of spending a few days in Trat.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Barry, a seasoned freelance writer, has accumulated years of experience, enabling him to produce entertaining and educational content. His pride lies in being a valued member of the Trip 101 team,...Read more

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