Trat’s tourism industry is facing a 700-million-baht loss as a United Kingdom travel warning over martial law has prompted widespread cancellations from European visitors, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Acting Sub Lt Korakot Opas, director of the TAT’s Trat office, said a surge of cancellations followed the UK Foreign Office’s advisory against non-essential travel to the province, including Koh Chang.
The advisory, stricter than those from other European nations, has led insurers to refuse coverage, disrupting travel plans.
He said one British traveller, Thomas Robinson, contacted TAT London and the Thai embassy, explaining his insurer declined to cover his trip to Koh Chang despite existing bookings. He requested official confirmation that the island remains safe, hoping it would reverse the insurer’s decision.
Acting Sub Lt Korakot said that Trat is not a conflict zone and remains peaceful. Koh Chang, Koh Kut, and Koh Mak continue to welcome tourists daily.
However, the martial law designation across the entire province – active since 2012 – has raised concerns among European travellers and insurers, who associate it with elevated risk.
He said local tourism operators are urging security authorities to reconsider the blanket status, especially in non-border areas, to restore confidence during peak season. The financial impact is estimated at 700 million baht.
Taweesak Wongwilas, Vice President of Trat’s Tourism Association, noted that Koh Chang remains unaffected by border tensions and continues to attract visitors.