Trat (ตราด) is the capital of Trat Province, Eastern Thailand.
Trat is on the Cambodian border in southeastern Thailand. Some travellers will use Trat as an access point to Ko Chang, but most will use buses or vans that will deliver them directly to Ko Chang, bypassing Trat. Trat, formerly a vibrant traveler scene when all transport passed through town, has sunk into the doldrums according to most residents.
Trat is at the southeast end of Sukhumvit Road, which connects it with Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chonburi, and Bangkok.
Trat town is the main centre for road travellers to the eastern islands of Thailand including Ko Chang, Ko Mak, and Ko Kood. There is regular bus service, taking 5–6 hours, to Bangkok's Ekamai Station for downtown Bangkok and Bangkok Mo Chit for other destinations in Thailand. Many tourists stop over in Trat before going to the islands from Laem Ngop or Leam Sok (15–20 km from Trat. There are ferry and speedboat services to the eastern islands, Ko Chang and Ko Kood.
Trat is a transit point for people travelling to Cambodia, as it is a 90 kilometer minibus ride to the border at Hat Lek. After crossing the border there is a short journey to Koh Kong and bus service to Sihanoukville.
- City Pillar Shrine. Different from other city pillar shrines because of its form as a Chinese pavilion. Every year on the sixth night of the waxing moon period of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration called Phli Mueang Day (วันงานพลีเมือง), known among the Chinese as Xia Gong Sae Yit (วันเซี่ยกงแซยิด), which means "birthday of the city pillar God".
- Wat Buppharam, Moo 3 Ban Plai Khlong, Wang Krachae Subdistrict. An ancient temple dating back to the w: Ayutthaya era (mid-17th century), recognized as the oldest and most beautiful temple of Trat. The architecture here is early Rattanakosin and the ordination hall interior features murals in Ayutthaya and Chinese styles. Its name means 'temple full of fragrant flowers'.
- Wat Khiri Wihan. A temple which features fine architecture with a blend of modern art. Principal buildings inside the temple's precincts include a large Phra Ubosot or ordination hall, Phra Chedi, reception pavilion for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, monk's residence, preaching hall, and Chinese pavilion enshrining Phra Phuttha Udom Sombun, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and Phra Sangkatchai.
- Wat Phai Lom. Used to be a resident of Trat's Father of Education, Than Chaokhun Phra Wimonmethachan Worayannurak. The temple also houses a Buddhist garden for public meditation and chedi museum of three much revered monks of Trat.
- Wat Saphan Hin. It is assumed to be more than a hundred years old, although its exact date of building is not known. There is an old Buddhist ordination hall in the water, approximately 1 km from the temple.
- Wat Yotha Nimit. The only royal temple in Trat. The temple was once used as a place to hold the oath of allegiance ceremony. There is an old ordination hall of Ayutthayan art serving as a wihan called Wihan Yotha Nimit for storing many antiques.
- Old shophouses. Classic beauties in the old commercial area of the district. In this area, some walls will have murals in the form of street art that tells stories of the old town in the old section of Khlong Bang Phra.
- Tha Sadet. An old pier where w:King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited Khlong Bang Phra to disembark and continue to w:Sanam Luang.
- Residanggamport Residence. A colonial building used by French troops when Trat was a colonial town.
- Trat National Museum. A large Makha (w:Afzelia xylocarpa) wooden house exhibits the stories of Mueang Trat in various perspectives.
- Soi Rai Rang Market. A night market, the centre of street food and local food in the heart of the district, offers old style sweets at Khanom Thai Pa Nom.
City Pillar Shrine. Different from other city pillar shrines because of its form as a Chinese pavilion. Every year on the sixth night of the waxing moon period of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration called Phli Mueang Day (วันงานพลีเมือง), known among the Chinese as Xia Gong Sae Yit (วันเซี่ยกงแซยิด), which means "birthday of the city pillar God".
Wat Buppharam, Moo 3 Ban Plai Khlong, Wang Krachae Subdistrict. An ancient temple dating back to the [[w: Ayutthaya era]] (mid-17th century), recognized as the oldest and most beautiful temple of Trat. The architecture here is early Rattanakosin and the [[ubosot|ordination hall]] interior features murals in Ayutthaya and Chinese styles. Its name means 'temple full of fragrant flowers'.
Wat Khiri Wihan. A temple which features fine architecture with a blend of modern art. Principal buildings inside the temple's precincts include a large Phra Ubosot or ordination hall, Phra Chedi, reception pavilion for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, monk's residence, preaching hall, and Chinese pavilion enshrining Phra Phuttha Udom Sombun, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and Phra Sangkatchai.
Wat Phai Lom. Used to be a resident of Trat's Father of Education, Than Chaokhun Phra Wimonmethachan Worayannurak. The temple also houses a Buddhist garden for public meditation and chedi museum of three much revered monks of Trat.
Wat Saphan Hin. It is assumed to be more than a hundred years old, although its exact date of building is not known. There is an old Buddhist ordination hall in the water, approximately 1 km from the temple.
Wat Yotha Nimit. The only royal temple in Trat. The temple was once used as a place to hold the oath of allegiance ceremony. There is an old ordination hall of Ayutthayan art serving as a wihan called Wihan Yotha Nimit for storing many antiques.
Old shophouses. Classic beauties in the old commercial area of the district. In this area, some walls will have murals in the form of street art that tells stories of the old town in the old section of Khlong Bang Phra.
Tha Sadet. An old pier where [[w:King Chulalongkorn]] (Rama V) visited Khlong Bang Phra to disembark and continue to [[w:Sanam Luang]].
Residanggamport Residence. A colonial building used by French troops when Trat was a colonial town.
Trat National Museum. A large Makha ([[w:Afzelia xylocarpa]]) wooden house exhibits the stories of Mueang Trat in various perspectives.
Soi Rai Rang Market. A night market, the centre of street food and local food in the heart of the district, offers old style sweets at Khanom Thai Pa Nom.
Trat can be a starting point for a motorcycle trip to Ko Chang. Rentals of Honda and Yamaha motorbikes, in good condition, can be hired at the shop on Sukhumvit south of the market area (~200 baht per day). Drive south along Sukhumvit for about 45 minutes, and follow signs for the ferry quay. Be sure to top up with petrol before taking the ferry, as fuel prices on the island are rather high. Also, caution is required when driving on the island as the roads, although in excellent condition, are steep and winding, extremely so in some instances. (Furthermore, if taking your motorbike on the ferry you have no choice but to immediately go over the most dangerous hill, since it lies between the ferry piers and all the beaches. Carrying maps of Ko Chang and Trat province is advisable, as the routes are not always clear.
Cycle around the scenic lake which is just a few minutes cycle away from Trat town centre. Its about 10 km around the lake and is scenic the whole way around. There are a few places to eat and drink as well. Hire a bicycle from Tattoo Guesthouse opposite Pop Guesthouse for 50 baht for all day. Use the bike also to go shopping at the huge Tesco Lotus supermarket on the edge of town. It has an excellent pharmacy.
Have a 2 hour kick boxing lesson in the ring, at Tattoo Guesthouse.
- Resident expats have set up a few used bookshops which provide English and German books at fair prices. They can be found in the small streets south of the central market.
- Rubies (พลอยแดง) - Trat is renowned for its precious red gemstone known as the "Siamese ruby". As gemstones in the province are depleted, the Siamese ruby is now becoming rare.
- Ngop Nam Chiao (งอบน้ำเชี่ยว) is a folk-style hand-made palm leaf hat identified with the Nam Chiao community. The hat is made into a distinct shape looking like an overturned frying pan or soldier's hat in former times.
- Rakam Wan (ระกำหวาน) is a sweet variety of w:salacca, the most famous of the province's vast array of fruit produce.
- Trat Si Thong pineapple (สับปะรดตราดสีทอง) is a sweet and crispy variety of Trat's juicy pineapple with yellowish skin.
- Namman Lueang (yellow oil) (น้ำมันเหลือง) is an herbal rubbing oil produced out of folk wisdom since ancient times. The aromatic vapourizing oil helps to relieve muscular pain, stiffness, dizziness, congested nose and cold.
Rubies (พลอยแดง) - Trat is renowned for its precious red gemstone known as the "Siamese ruby". As gemstones in the province are depleted, the Siamese ruby is now becoming rare.
Ngop Nam Chiao (งอบน้ำเชี่ยว) is a folk-style hand-made palm leaf hat identified with the Nam Chiao community. The hat is made into a distinct shape looking like an overturned frying pan or soldier's hat in former times.
Rakam Wan (ระกำหวาน) is a sweet variety of [[w:salacca]], the most famous of the province's vast array of fruit produce.
Trat Si Thong pineapple (สับปะรดตราดสีทอง) is a sweet and crispy variety of Trat's juicy pineapple with yellowish skin.
Namman Lueang (yellow oil) (น้ำมันเหลือง) is an herbal rubbing oil produced out of folk wisdom since ancient times. The aromatic vapourizing oil helps to relieve muscular pain, stiffness, dizziness, congested nose and cold.
- Across from the KFC in central Trat, and very close to the main bus terminal, there is a large indoor market with plenty of restaurants.
- A lively night market gets underway around 18:00 just north of the main market. Just north of that is a smaller market open all day offering snacks and local produce.
- Oscar Bar, Thana Charoen Rd. Roughly 17:00 to midnight. One of the only places for the few expats to hang out. Run by the accommodating owner, Sao. Her opening time is variable. She will stay open as long as she has customers. No food, only beer and full bar. Also does laundry on the premises. She has a dryer, often required to dry clothing in Trat's damp climate.
Oscar Bar, Thana Charoen Rd. Roughly 17:00 to midnight. One of the only places for the few expats to hang out. Run by the accommodating owner, Sao. Her opening time is variable. She will stay open as long as she has customers. No food, only beer and full bar. Also does laundry on the premises. She has a dryer, often required to dry clothing in Trat's damp climate.