A few nights in Trat will do the trick if you need to save cash: a room at one of the old-style guesthouses, plus three meals, can cost less than 300 baht per day. Daring tongues will enjoy grazing markets that bustle in the heart of town. You’ll also find some charm down a couple of “old town” lanes, where ghostly murals join Chinese lanterns to decorate the heritage houses. Otherwise Trat town is unremarkable—we’d opt for nearby Chanthaburi if seeking an eastern Thai town for cultural and culinary travel.

Those wanting to skip the town will find that hitting the islands can be as easy as transferring from bus to songthaew to ferry. Though Ko Chang, Ko Mak and Ko Kut are Trat province’s most popular islands, smaller isles like Ko Wai and Ko Rang are also worth a look. Sailors, divers and beach bums watch months slide away in the province’s 52-island strong ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 1,000 words.)