Discover Trat in 2025: Ko Chang, Ko Kut and Ko Mak with discounts and a free-flight raffle

If you think Thailand is only Phuket and Pattaya, there’s good news. The country has corners where the crowds thin out, the beaches are cleaner, and the vibe is quieter—and often cheaper. Authorities are putting fresh energy into the east, especially Trat province, and they’re inviting travelers to get to know it with a bundle of perks.

Free flights and smarter savings

In 2025, Thailand is running a special tourism push under the banner Amazing Thailand: Grand Year of Tourism and Sports. One part of it is the Discover Trat: Islands and More program, created with Bangkok Airways and more than 50 cafés, hotels, and shops.

What’s on offer: discounts at hotels, restaurants, and other venues on Ko Chang, Ko Mak, Ko Kut, and in the city of Chanthaburi. Travelers can also enter a drawing for free air tickets by spending from 200 baht (about 500 rubles) at participating places. In 2025 it’s possible to fly to Trat from Bangkok at a modest price: a return ticket with baggage is about 8.3 thousand rubles. The promotion runs until 20 August 2025, with winners to be announced on 1 September. A straightforward way to trim the bill before you even unpack.

Ko Chang: big and convenient

Ko Chang is the best-known island in this region. It’s Thailand’s third-largest, after Phuket and Samui. Expect long beaches, lush scenery, good roads, hotels for every budget, and an easygoing atmosphere. A solid pick if you want both comfort and calm.

Ko Kut: beauty and quiet

This island sits near the Cambodian border. You can get here by boat from Ko Chang (about an hour) or fly to Trat and continue to the pier from there.

Ko Kut is for anyone eager to step away from the noise. The sea is clear, the beaches are clean and gently shelving—handy for families with children. Think jungle, palms, hills, waterfalls, and temples. Accommodation runs from affordable stays to high-end villas. There are traditional villages, fishing communities, and plenty of fresh seafood.

Among the popular beaches:

Ao Phrao — scenic and peaceful, popular with travelers from Russia.

Klong Chao — the liveliest, with cafés and hotels.

Bang Bao — palm trees, swings, and striking sunsets.

Ao Tapao — a long beach near the pier and shops.

Indicative prices per night for two in June: budget from 3.6 thousand rubles; mid-range 5–9 thousand rubles; comfort and luxury from 14 to 102 thousand rubles per villa.

Ko Mak: when you just want the beach

Ko Mak is smaller and calmer. There are no nightclubs, but you do get white-sand beaches and snug hotels. The sea is clean, and the coastline stretches 27 km.

What to do: swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and kayak. Take a boat to the nearby island with deer—Ko Kradat. Learn to cook Thai dishes. Or simply enjoy the hush and the scenery.

Best beaches:

Ao Kao — the longest and most popular (5 km).

Ao Suan Yai — more secluded and very scenic.

Example prices per night for two: simple hotels from 2.5 thousand rubles; more comfortable options 4–7 thousand rubles.

Why Trat is worth the trip

This corner of Thailand is still less familiar to Russian travelers, but interest is growing. People come to step away from the crowds, see nature up close, and live a little differently for a while. Prices are lower than at the headline resorts, and the impressions are no smaller—perhaps even richer.

While these islands remain unhurried, there’s a chance to see Thailand from a new angle. Not just to take a break, but to genuinely reset.