TRAT, Thailand – More than 1,000 Thai and foreign tourists headed to Koh Kood and Koh Mak on October 10 as a three-day holiday brought an early high-season rush to Laem Sok Pier, with operators adding speedboat services to meet demand. About 400 to 500 passengers gathered at Ban Laem Sok Pier in Trat province by 9.30 a.m. to board the first departures operated by Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Seudam Go and Koh Kood Express.
Speedboats began carrying passengers to Koh Kood at 9.45 a.m. By 10.45 a.m., another 600 or more tourists were travelling to Koh Kood and Koh Mak. A further 300 to 400 passengers were waiting for Boonsiri services scheduled between noon and 3 p.m. Boonsiri High Speed Ferries manager Atthaphon Klinthap said the October 11–13 holiday was the first long weekend of the 2026 high season. His company added an extra departure to accommodate the increased demand.
Operators estimate that 3,000 to 4,000 tourists will visit Koh Kood and Koh Mak over the three-day holiday, with Thai visitors making up the majority. The increase offers an encouraging start to the season after some island businesses closed during the green season and are now reopening. The school holidays have also given more Thai families an opportunity to travel.
Bookings for the year-end and New Year period are beginning to build, with operators expecting visitor numbers to rise further from late October. More weekday return trips from the islands also suggest that travel is spreading beyond weekends.
Koh Chang, however, has been quieter than expected. Thawisak Wongwilas, owner of Sangkan Koh Chang Hotel and Restaurant and vice-president of the Trat Tourism Association, said recent flooding in eastern Thailand and concerns about flooded roads had unsettled some visitors, even though the situation has since improved. Some travellers had already changed their plans to visit other provinces.
Foreign visitors, particularly Russians, continue to travel to Koh Chang. Thawisak expects arrivals to increase after Loy Krathong and anticipates strong accommodation bookings toward the end of the year. Local tourism businesses have also prepared activities to attract visitors. Trat tourism operators hope the improving outlook will benefit all three islands, bringing more income to hotels, restaurants, boat services and local communities.
