Trat,
Trat,
Thailand
Monday, May 19, 2008
We arrived in Trat simply enough from Koh Chang, still with the intention of going direct to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see the legendary Angkor Wat temples. The purpose of stopping here was to break up what was a nightmareish journey of up to 14 hours across the border at Poipet. This border crossing is legendary for the hassle and hardship in crossing over, with innumerable scams along the way. The road from there to Siem Reap is also legendary in its awfulness so we were having serious doubts on arrival in Trat. (Rumour has it that the airline with a monopoly on Bangkok-Siem Reap flights bribes the local officials to keep it in a terrible state!!!) Having spent most of the day wandering the market here and visiting the local sights we finally sat down over a drink and had a good read of the options. Just like that a complete change of plan....Pnomh Penh here we come. Different border crossing just 90 mins from Trat and then about 5 hours to the capital? Nice. This meant that our Cambodia plans have also changed, with a loop now ahead north via Battambang to Siem Reap and then south to the capital again.
Trat in itself is a really nice town with an interesting market, some lovely temples and a few restaurants and guesthouses in the mix too. We only spent a night there but enjoyed it greatly, and as it's turned out we had the chance to make the right onward transport choice for Cambodia, thank god we didn't book the through trip from Koh Chang to Siem Reap.
So having enjoyed yet another great feed at a local market stall we set off the next morning for the border.
