Trat tourism set for revival as UK ends travel ban

The UK has lifted its travel advisory against nonessential trips to Trat, allowing tourism operators to receive more bookings, but they criticised a government move to subsidise tour groups in the provinces that border Cambodia.

- NARUMON KASEMSUK

Wichit Sukrasuyanon, president of the Trat Tourism Association, said European markets including the UK have helped to boost the average occupancy rate to 80-90% from November this year until March 2026.

He said European guests were unbothered by the border conflict after learning that Koh Chang, Koh Kut and Koh Mak were not affected.

Mr Wichit said roughly 60% of room nights booked in Trat were by foreign guests, mostly European markets, while Thai visitors comprised 40%.

In the past 10 months, the contribution from the Chinese market has plunged to 10%, from almost 50% before safety concerns emerged, with the Russian market also softening, he said.

“Fortunately domestic trips in Trat are picking up, largely driven by a revival in spending sentiment from the ‘Khon La Khrueng’ co-payment programme,” said Mr Wichit.