Trat Province Guide: History, Towns and Local Products
Trat is the last stop on Thailand's eastern coast before Cambodia. Most visitors pass through on their way to Ko Chang, the country's third-largest island, but the small provincial town, its markets and its history of French rule and gem mining are worth a stop too.
In this guide: how Trat was traded to France and returned, the sea battle fought off Ko Chang in 1941, the districts from the islands to the border, the seasons that decide a trip, and what the province produces. Producers will also find how to sell their work to buyers across Thailand and abroad.
Trat
Islands at the Edge of Thailand
Thailand's easternmost coast: Ko Chang and dozens of islands, a border with Cambodia and a history of gems and sea battles.
By the SnapSellGo Thailand Desk · Updated September 2026 · 8 min read
Made in Trat
The province's signature products, while local sellers come online.
Cards marked "Known for" describe local specialities, not live listings. Real products appear here automatically once Trat producers publish them.
Why Trat is more than the road to Ko Chang
Trat was French for three years. A treaty signed on 13 February 1904 handed it to France in exchange for the return of Chanthaburi, and France gave it back on 23 March 1907, a date still celebrated as Trat Day. On 17 January 1941, Vichy French warships attacked the Thai navy off Ko Chang.
The province also shaped the world's gem trade: by 1982 an estimated 70% of the world's high-quality rubies came from Thailand, most of them from the Chanthaburi–Trat region and the mines of Bo Rai. Today its wealth is its islands, protected in the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park.
Ko Chang
Thailand's third-largest island, after Phuket and Ko Samui.
A French interlude
Trat was French from 1904 to 1907; its return is celebrated on 23 March.
Rubies of Bo Rai
The Chanthaburi–Trat region supplied most of Thailand's rubies.
One of the wettest places
Trat receives more than 4,500 mm of rain a year.
Key dates in Trat's history
Trat's modern history is one of borders: traded between Siam and France, and fought over at sea in the Second World War.
- 13 Feb 1904A treaty hands Trat to France in exchange for the return of Chanthaburi.
- 23 Mar 1907France returns Trat to Siam, a date celebrated today as Trat Day.
- 17 Jan 1941Vichy French warships attack the Thai navy in the Battle of Ko Chang.
- 1982An estimated 70% of the world's high-quality rubies come from Thailand, mostly from the Chanthaburi–Trat region.
- 1990sGem mining moves largely from Bo Rai to Cambodia.
The seven districts, and what each one is for
Trat has seven districts and about 227,000 residents (2024), one of the smallest populations in Thailand.
| District | What you find there |
|---|---|
| Mueang Trat | The provincial town, its markets and old wooden houses. |
| Laem Ngop | The ferry piers for Ko Chang and the Battle of Ko Chang memorial. |
| Ko Chang | The big island: beaches, jungle and waterfalls. |
| Ko Kut | A quieter island of clear water and small resorts. |
| Khlong Yai | A long, narrow strip down to the Cambodian border at Hat Lek. |
| Bo Rai | The old gem-mining district in the hills. |
Festivals, seasons and the best time to visit
In Trat, the monsoon decides everything. Here is what to know before you go.
Local specialities and the OTOP programme
The OTOP scheme gives every product a home sub-district, and Trat's list follows its islands and orchards. Coconut products and coconut oil come from Ko Chang and the coast, and the hills grow fruit and pepper.
Bo Rai's gem history lives on in local jewellery, and the fishing villages dry and preserve seafood for the markets.
As Trat producers join SnapSellGo, their products show up in the carousel above. There is no commission to pay, just an annual fee for the shop.
Short on time? Ferry from Laem Ngop and a day on Ko Chang. Want calm? Ko Kut in the dry season. Into history? The Battle of Ko Chang memorial. Buying local? Coconut oil and pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Ko Chang?
Ferries leave from the piers of Laem Ngop district in Trat province and take less than an hour.
Why was Trat French?
A treaty of 13 February 1904 handed Trat to France in exchange for the return of Chanthaburi. France gave it back on 23 March 1907.
What was the Battle of Ko Chang?
A naval battle on 17 January 1941, when Vichy French warships attacked the Thai navy off Ko Chang.
When is the best time to visit Trat?
From November to April, when the sea is calm. From May to October the monsoon brings heavy rain.
Sources: Wikipedia entries for Trat province, Ko Chang and the Battle of Ko Chang. Population: 2024 registration data. Confirm dates with the local tourism office, as lunar festivals move every year. Cover photo: Ko Chang by gbuschner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.