After many trips to Thailand, I've never been to Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. So, I was quite excited to experience this less traveled visit Thailand itinerary.
Time to step out ๐
We flew from Singapore to Bangkok, fly to Trat, ferry to Koh Chang (Elephant Island), back to Trat, drive through Chanthaburi and Rayong back to Bangkok, then fly back to Singapore. Six day fly and drive holiday ๐
Day 01 3 July (Thu) Singapore – Bangkok
TG 404 1225 - 1345
1225 hrs Flight departs for Suvarnabhumi International Airport
1345 hrs Flight touches down in Bangkok.
I always enjoy flying with Thai Airways. The planes are well kept, food is Thai (I mean delicious), beer and wine available, crew are friendly and professional, check-in counter staff are helpful. Both our flights were on schedule.
1530 hrs Afternoon tea at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok
"Memoirs of Lanna" afternoon tea - bringing Northern Thai charm to the heart of the city.
Eight elegant traditional small bites, four savoury and four sweet. Each lovingly hand crafted, every piece with a story of Lanna, of old Chiang Mai. Paired with specially curated Monsoon teas.
1700 hrs Check in the Canalis Bangkok.
Accommodation: Canalis Suvarnbhumi Airport Bangkok
Address: 1599, 1 Lat Krabang Rd, Lat Krabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Tel no. +66 2 327 1555
A simple but comfortable stay conveniently 15 minutes by car to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
1830 hrs Dinner at Canalis Suvarnbhumi Airport Bangkok.
I like this succulent tender sweet savoury chicken confit on a bed of mashed potato and a savoury spicy sauce with quite sharp kick.
After dinner, stroll and explore the local neighbourhood outside Canalis hotel.
There's a popular mookata (Mu kratha) and many street side stalls just across the road from the hotel, if you like to warm up for your coming adventure ๐
Day 02 4 July (Fri) Bangkok – Trat – Koh Chang
Trat Province is in the southeast of Thailand. Just 315 km from Bangkok, Trat faces the Gulf of Thailand and to its east, the border with Cambodia.
0830 hrs Breakfast at Canalis hotel & check out.
1140 hrs Bangkok Airways flight departs for Trat Airport which is 315 km from Bangkok.
1300 hrs We were whisked straight off to the pier for the ferry to Koh Chang
Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand after Phuket. (Koh Chang is about ⅓ the size of Singapore.) Most of the island is forested and blessed with sandy beaches, surf, scenic lookouts. Population about 3,000, Koh Chang is popular with tourists for its dive spots, water sports, and eco-tourism activities like elephant bathing, forest bathing, etc. The tourism activities and infrastructure are on the western shore of the island facing the Gulf of Thailand.
1345 hrs Leave for Koh Chang on a passenger and car ferry.
Ferry ride took about 40 minutes. Comfortable. A little hot as we took the large open cabin. A little sea breeze helped but you might want to consider one of those handheld portable electric fans.
1430 hrs Arrive Koh Chang transfer to Klong Son Elephant Camp Koh Chang.
1500 hrs Experience Ethical Elephant Bathing in Klong Son. From their demeanour, even the look in their eyes, I could feel the gentle giants were really enjoying the pleasure of soaking in the cool river and being pampered with all the attention and tender caressing / brushing / scrubbing.
Meanwhile, we had fun and a memorable experience of a lifetime.
Getting close to the elephants
Mini forest bathing, introduction to a trending concept of enjoying nature. Actually, it seemed like how I always sought to enjoy my nature walks.
An immersive experience engaging the forests with all our senses - look attentively, listen carefully, feel, and smell the forest. It's alive - it's teeming with life and energy. Remembering that we are part of nature - that's why it is called Mother Nature. Am inspired by this introduction to find out more about forest bathing and where I can go for this recharging pleasure ๐ณ
1900 hrs Dinner at Khao Kwan restaurant
The food at Khao Kwan was special, stunning, exquisite, mind blowing delicious. This little restaurant is amazing in quality and taste of the dishes.
If you missed a date with chef-owner Ya's Khao Kwan - The Magic Table, your visit to Koh Chang is incomplete. Khao Kwan is part of Koh Chang being special.
Accommodation: Dinso Resort & Villas Ko Chang
Address: Klong Phao Beach, Tambon Ko Chang, Ko Chang District,
Trat 23170, Thailand
Tel no. +66 39 552 000
Luxurious eco-friendly resort. The beautiful buildings and furnishings were made with recycled and renewable materials.
Day 03 5 July (Sat) Koh Chang
0830 hrs Breakfast at Dinso Resort & Villas Ko Chang. Good buffet spread of Western, Asian and Thai breakfasts including egg, sandwich, noodle, and juice live stations. Comfortable indoor and al fresco sections which are breezy but no air conditioning.
0830 hrs Short stop at Kai Bae Viewpoint for scenic views. Looking west at the Gulf of Thailand with Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Nok, Koh Pli and Koh Yuak islands in the foreground.
1000 hrs Chill out at award winning spa at Rainforest Spa, The Sylvan Koh Chang.
1215 hrs Lunch at Le Jaojom. Can't resist a photo first at the beautiful beach and surf at the restaurant.
Le Jaojom is a fusion cuisine restaurant blending Japanese, French, and Thai cultures into creative, delicious dishes.
1415 hrs Explore the Salak Khok mangrove forest on a private gondola boat.
1530 hrs Visit Altitude 79 cafรฉ and enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand.
1800 hrs Dinner at Baan Ta Klua.
2030 hrs Chill out at Vanilla Sky bar at Anna Beach
2230 hrs Good Night at Dinso Resort
Day 04 6 July (Sun) Koh Chang - Trat – Chanthaburi
0800 hrs Breakfast & check-out Dinso Resort. Wide range of breakfast styles from Western to Asian and Thai. So many things to like, and I went for omelette and egg noodles on both days ๐คญ Dry (with sauce) or soupy, I like the tender crunchiness of the angel hair slender egg noodles.
0945 hrs Leave Koh Chang on the ferry to Trat.
From Trat, we proceeded to Bangkok via Chanthaburi and Rayong by road for our flight home (to Singapore).
Chanthaburi province is rich in natural beauty, renowned for its waterfalls, fruits (capital of Thai durian!), pepper, jewels, Chanthaboon mats, etc.
We are going to catch them all during this short visit!
1045 hrs Depart Trat for Chanthaburi city by car.
The provincial capital is a transportation hub and trade centre since the time of King Narai (1632 - 1688) during the Kingdom of Ayutthaya period.
1200 hrs Visit Nong Bua Walking Street (Dessert Market)
Streets of restored, lovingly kept quaint old shophouses lined with little stalls selling traditional sweets and snacks made on the spot.
Some like cheekily named khanom khuai ling or "monkey dick" ๐ is only found here in Chanthaburi.
It's a century old snack of glutinous rice paste with caramelised sugar, cooked by boiling in water, then rolled in shredded coconut pulp. Chewy gummy sweet treat.
1300 hrs Lunch at เธเธฃัเธงเธัเธงเธเธฒเธง เธญเธฒเธซเธฒเธฃเธิ่เธเธซเธเธญเธเธัเธง เธัเธเธเธุเธฃี Nong Bua, Mueang Chanthaburi District, Chanthaburi 22000.
Home cooked style, homely Thai dishes in a village type ambiance which made the dishes doubly enjoyable.
Visit Chanthaburi Gem Market
1330 hrs Jewellery Workshop at Mejai Jewellery Studio. No better way to pick up the basics of the craft than to do-it-yourself under the guidance of one of Thailand's up and coming jewellery designers.
1800 hrs Dinner at Chui, a local restaurant. Large casual place popular with local families. Thai cuisine, wide ranging menu, fresh ingredients, robust flavours, competitive pricing.
Check-in at Motifs Eco Hotel Chanthaburi.
Accommodation: Motifs Eco Hotel Chanthaburi
Address: 15 Soi Thachalab 1, Tambon Talad,
Mueang Chanthaburi District, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
Tel no: +66 93 465 5353
Day 05 7 July (Mon) Chanthaburi
0800 hrs Breakfast at hotel We dashed out for chicken rice เธ้เธฒเธงเธกัเธเนเธ่เธเธญเธเธ่เธฒเธ้เธฒเธ เธัเธเธเธุเธฃี Khao Man Kai Ton Tha Chang, Chanthaburi
This is quite similar to Singapore style Hainanese chicken rice. Poached, cold water bathed, air dried, chopped and served with oiled rice and sauces. The main difference is in the sauces. In Singapore it is ginger, chili and dark soy sauce. Here, it is a blended sauce of taucheo (fermented soy bean), soy sauce, chili padi, and lime.
Chanthaburi is famous for its Chathaboon handwoven mats, or suea Chantaboon เนเธชื่เธญเธัเธเธเธูเธฃ. Reed mats, bags, and other hand crafted products made from reeds since ancient times.
We were shown the whole production process from harvesting the reed, to bleaching by boiling, dyeing, drying to hand weaving the beautiful reed mats.
0900 hrs Visit Wat Pak Nam Khaem Nu or the Blue Temple
Wat Paknam Khaem Nu, thirty minutes by car south of Chanthaburi city was built in 1946. When the original materials corroded due to the sea air, they were replaced by more resilient ceramic blue tile cladding which gave the Blue Wat its stunning appearance which attracted many devotees and visitors for far and wide.
1200 hrs Lunch at เนเธิเธ เธฃิเธกเธ้เธณเธัเธเธเธูเธฃ By Have A Seat restaurant. Spicy fried rice is the signature here. Full robust flavours from spices, sauce and aromatics. Topped with crab, shrimp, mantis prawn, chicken or beef of your choice.
Visit Phlio Waterfall National Park เธญุเธเธขเธฒเธเนเธซ่เธเธเธฒเธิเธ้เธณเธเธเธเธฅิ้เธง
Just a 500 metre walk from the entrance to the waterfall.
The stream is rocky and sandy. Waters are shallow, clear with fish.
@johorkaki This video was made by Luna AI from a still photo taken at Phlio Waterfall National Park in Trat Province of Thailand เธญุเธเธขเธฒเธเนเธซ่เธเธเธฒเธิเธ้เธณเธเธเธเธฅิ้เธง Full itinerary of our 6 day trip ๐https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2025/07/thailand-fly-drive-itinerary-trat-koh.html #tourismthailandsg #meaningfulthailand #tatsingapore ♬ 30 Minutes of Silence - Silenzio
1500 hrs Visit Suan Saw Sudjai Fruit Farm (durian plantation)
Monthong or Golden Pillow, one of Thailand's best durian. Huge, meaty, creamy, moist, some fibre, small seed. Sweet with a trace of bitter. Not overly pungent and the smell does not linger in our fingers.
1800 hrs Dinner at Somboon restaurant (night market).
It's a hyperlocal kind of place with outdoor cooking, al fresco dining with motorcycles whisking past while you eat. Enjoy your food with all your senses with an environment full of colour, sound and cooking smells.
It's a kind of porridge with many side dishes. We ordered more than 15, with prices from less than Baht 100 to Baht 200. Generally on the salty side with spicy and sour flavours but perfectly balanced when eaten with watery sweetish rice gruel. We finished everything ๐
@johorkaki Chilling in Chanthaburi city after a long day of eating, shopping and sightseeing. They say everyone has to request a song, so I asked for the only Thai song that I know the name Lots of memories and creating new ones. We were on a 6 day fly and drive holiday from Singapore - Trat - Koh Chang - Chanthaburi - Rayong - Bangkok #tatsingapore #meaningfulthailand #thailandtourism #thailandtravel ♬ original sound - Tony Boey
Chill and relax. They say unker has to request a song ๐คญ Ah... I love good voices, saxophone, electric guitar and drums.
Accommodation at Motifs Eco Hotel Chanthaburi.
Day 06 8 July (Tue) Chanthaburi – Rayong – Bangkok - Singapore
0800 hrs Breakfast at hotel & check-out. Again we dashed out for local breakfast ๐คญ
เธเธฒเธขเนเธช่เธข เธ้เธกเนเธฅืเธญเธเธซเธกู-เธืเธญเธฎเธงเธ pork soup well liked by locals. Meat slices, meat balls, offal (kidney, liver, intestine), pork blood curd, etc in pork soup. They also have stewed pork leg. Flavours on the mild savoury porcine sweet side.
Rayong Province is known for its succulent fruits, exquisite fish sauce, manufacturing industries and beautiful islands such as the luxurious Ko Samet.
1100 hrs Visit Miracle of Nature Rayong (Tulips)
This is like a mini version of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. Vividly colourful tulips, roses, daisies, jasmine, etc in full bloom in an air conditioned glass house at 14°C (slightly chilly ❄ ).
1230 hrs Lunch at Jea Pheung Seafood เนเธ๊เธึ้เธเธีเธู้เธ เธซเธฒเธเธชุเธเธฒเธเธฒ เธฃเธฐเธขเธญเธ
1600 hrs Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport check-in for departure formalities. Now, there are e-gates for departure passport clearance which is very convenient - just scan and go.
TG 401 1915 - 2230
1915 hrs Flight departs for Singapore Changi Airport on schdeule
2230 hrs Flight touches down in Singapore followed by arrival formalities (short less than 2 hour flight)
END OF PROGRAMME but start of another romance with Amazing Thailand ๐น๐ญ
Definitely want to do this again.
Hopefully there could be direct flights from Singapore to Trat soon, so people can visit Trat for a weekend escape. Meanwhile, a short fly and drive holiday from Singapore to Bangkok, Trat, Rayong and Chanthaburi is fun and off the beaten track. Just needs a little more time but certainly worth it.
This article is just the itinerary / summary of our trip.
Look out for detailed articles on specific itinerary items which I will publish over time, here ๐
Magical Khao Kwan restaurant in Koh Chang - one of my best memories from this fly & drive trip
Memoirs of Lanna High Tea in Bangkok
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There are 77 provinces in Thailand. How many have you done?....I still have 60 to go...
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