Klong Yai Region, Eastern Seabord

Thap Thim

Ban Chuen

Klong Yai

PLACE
The Klong Yai Region is located in the south-eastern part of Thailand, bordering Cambodia. The region is known for its lush green hills and small fishing villages and is still largely undiscovered by tourists. Looking for a place where you can truly experience Thailand, rather than just snap the perfect Instagram shot? This region might be exactly what you’re searching for. The beaches here aren’t among Thailand’s most famous: fewer palm trees, no crystal-clear waters. But that’s what makes them special. The beaches are usually empty, even on weekends.

Step off the beaten track and you’ll find peace, simplicity, and a touch of authenticity that’s hard to come by in tourist hotspots. Our favorite hideaway? Thap Thim Beach, a hidden gem where we often go to completely unwind. No crowds, no endless rows of beach chairs, just the gentle sound of waves and a horizon that clears your mind. Bring a book, and let yourself be surprised by the charm of the unknown.

WHAT TO DO
A nice excursion in the Klong Yai Region is a visit to the Ban Mai Rut fishing community. It is a good place to witness the daily life of the villagers. Here, many houses are built on stilts above the river. We found it an experience riding our scooter on the wooden paths above the river, especially when an oncoming scooter passes by. Take a boat ride on the river in the dark and hopefully you will spot the fireflies and fluorescent plankton.

The capital of this region is also called Klong Yai, a small town with a pleasant harbor and a daily market. When we are in the area, we will definitely visit the night market and enjoy the tasty dishes.

Trat is an alternative excursion with a more varied night market. There are dozens of stalls on the site with all kinds of delicious food. Trat has several beautiful wooden residential buildings. The Trat History Museum is located in one of those buildings; the texts are in English and in Thai. A beautiful pagoda is Wat Phai Lom, about 1 kilometer from the center.

TRANSPORT
We recommend renting a car if you plan to visit this region. It saves time and it’s much easier to get around. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Bangkok. It is difficult to rent scooters at the resorts. We ended up renting one from employees.

By public transport, the journey from Bangkok to Trat takes about 5 to 6 hours. From Bangkok are several good bus and minibus connections to Trat, In Trat, you can take a minibus or pick-up truck to Klong Yai and Hat Lek, where you will be dropped off near your hotel. Depending on the beach, the walk from the drop-off point to your hotel can range from 100 meter to 2 kilometers. Make sure to arrange a final pick up with your hotel!

The best option is to rent a scooter in Trat or arrange a scooter over the phone before booking your hotel.