Is Koh Kood really better than Koh Chang?

Many travellers find Koh Kood more beautiful than Koh Chang — the water is clearer, the forest denser, the beaches less developed. The trade-off is significantly less infrastructure: fewer restaurants, less nightlife, higher accommodation prices. It suits those seeking natural beauty over convenience.

Can I cross into Cambodia from Trat?

Yes — the Hat Lek border crossing connects to Cham Yeam in Cambodia. From there, boats cross to Koh Kong city and onward transport reaches Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. Cambodian visas are available on arrival at the border. This is a legitimate but less-used crossing.

When should I visit the Trat islands?

November to April is the dry season in the Gulf of Thailand. May to October brings rain and occasional rough seas. Unlike the Andaman coast, Koh Chang and the Trat islands are often accessible year-round, though outer islands like Koh Kood may have ferry suspensions during heavy monsoon weather.

Trat Province Guide — Koh Kood, Koh Mak & Eastern Thailand Islands

About Trat Province

Trat is Thailand's easternmost coastal province, bordering Cambodia and containing the Koh Chang archipelago — one of the country's largest island groups and the gateway to the less-visited but increasingly popular islands of Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Wai. Koh Chang (covered as a separate destination) is the anchor, but Koh Kood — the fourth-largest island in Thailand — is widely considered one of the country's most beautiful, with near-pristine rainforest, waterfalls, and some of the clearest water in the Gulf. Trat city itself is a quiet, characterful market town serving as a transit point.

Key facts

Population: 228,536 (2020)
Area: 2,819 km²
Density: 81 / km²
Districts: 7
Capital: Trat
ISO code: TH-23
Airport: Trat Airport (TDX)

All 7 districts

Bo Rai · Khao Saming · Khlong Yai · Ko Chang · Ko Kut · Laem Ngop · Mueang Trat

Top Highlights

Koh Kood
fourth-largest Thai island, largely undeveloped with crystal-clear water and waterfalls
Koh Mak
car-free island ideal for cycling, kayaking, and low-key beach life
Koh Wai
tiny island with excellent snorkelling reefs, day-trippable from Koh Chang
Hat Lek border crossing
overland border to Cambodia's Koh Kong for Phnom Penh overland route

Getting There

Trat Airport (TDX) has Bangkok Airways flights (Bangkok to Trat in 1 hour). Buses from Bangkok's Eastern Terminal take 5–6 hours to Trat city or Laem Ngop pier. From Laem Ngop/Centerpoint pier, ferries run to Koh Chang (45 minutes), Koh Mak (2.5 hours), and Koh Kood (4 hours by speedboat).

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more Thai provinces

Browse all 76 province guides

All Provinces

Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

1.Q241884 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026

Was this page helpful?

ThailandKnowledge Editorial Team

Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.

Our editorial standards

About Trat Province

Top Highlights

Koh Kood

fourth-largest Thai island, largely undeveloped with crystal-clear water and waterfalls

Koh Mak

car-free island ideal for cycling, kayaking, and low-key beach life

Koh Wai

tiny island with excellent snorkelling reefs, day-trippable from Koh Chang

Hat Lek border crossing

overland border to Cambodia's Koh Kong for Phnom Penh overland route

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

1.Q241884 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026

2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.

3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026