Tourists Ignore Crisis, Fill Trat’s Island Resorts
The islands of Thailand’s Trat province are buzzing. Despite martial law and tense relations with Cambodia, European tourists are rushing in. Resorts on Koh Kood are almost fully booked for the last quarter of 2025. The border crisis? It doesn’t seem to bother them at all.
Pichaya Thachaiaditrap, president of the Trat Hotel and Resort Association, can hardly believe the numbers. “These territorial problems aren’t new—they’ve been around for years and never affected foreign tourists,” he says. It’s a strange scene: soldiers patrol the border, while Europeans sip cocktails on white sand beaches.
The figures speak for themselves. Koh Kood is nearly sold out. Koh Mak? Not a single room left. Even on Koh Chang, the last few rooms are vanishing fast. Hoteliers are bracing for a record-breaking quarter.
Martial Law Sparks Insurance Fears
But not everything is perfect in paradise. Wararat Chotiwanun, who owns the Trat City Hotel, reveals a serious snag. “With martial law, some foreign tourists worry their travel insurance won’t cover incidents,” she explains. The result? Nervous travellers are cancelling—especially the cautious ones.
Thai authorities have declared the entire Trat province a martial law zone. Now, the local tourism industry is fighting to lift this status—at least for the main tourist hotspots. It’s a tricky balancing act between safety and economic survival.
Nature’s Spectacle: Rain Turns Islands Lush
This year’s heavy rain brings unexpected blessings. Neramit Songsaeng, head of Mu Ko Chang National Park, is thrilled. “The waterfalls are spectacular right now—there’s more water than ever,” he says. Hikers are discovering a lush, green wonderland teeming with wildlife.
Even sports events are booming. The Koh Chang Trail Running competition drew over 1,600 participants this year—triple last year’s turnout. Adventure tourism in Trat is clearly thriving.
Sustainability: Trat’s Secret Weapon
There’s another ace up Trat’s sleeve. Koh Chang is being considered for the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations worldwide. This prestigious badge would reassure eco-conscious European guests, who are increasingly seeking green travel options.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand keeps pushing Trat as a safe, must-see destination. Their message is clear: the islands aren’t in a war zone and remain safe for visitors. Judging by the bookings, Europeans are listening.
High-Quality Tourism Defies Political Turmoil
The ongoing popularity of Trat’s islands proves one thing: quality tourism can outshine political drama. European holidaymakers seem to trust Thailand’s overall safety, brushing off local border disputes.
While diplomats wrangle over the crisis, tourists are already living the island dream—and keeping Trat’s tills ringing.