Attraction in Thailand : Trat



Ang Thong
Ayutthaya
Bangkok & Neighboring city
Chachoengsao
Chai Nat
Hua Hin
Kanchanaburi
Lop Buri
Nakorn Nayok
Pattaya
Phetchaburi - Cha Am
Ratchaburi
Rayong & Chanthaburi
Saraburi
Sing Buri
Suphan Buri
Trat
 
TRAT

Trat borders Cambodia, and is the easternmost Thai province edging the Gulf of Thailand. Trat province covers some 2,819 square kilometers. The provincial capital is 315 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. The inhabitants of Trat are largely farmers and fishermen, and the province's biggest tourism attraction is the Ko Chang Marine National Park, an archipelago of some 50 islands named after Thailand's second largest island. The word Trat is believed to be a corruption of Krat, which is a tree plentiful in Trat province, and which is used in broom production. During the 1868-1910 reign of King Chulalongkorn, Trat was ceded to the French in order that France would withdraw its forces from neighboring Chanthaburi province. On March 23, 1906, Trat once more became a part of Thailand in exchange for other Thai provinces ceded to the French in Cambodia. Trat residents celebrate March 23 as 'Trat Independence Day' and honor the King Chulalongkorn monument at the provincial city hall in thanks for his efforts to ensure that Trat remained part of Thailand. Open conflict with the French occurred on January 17, 1941, during the Indochina War, when a French naval squadron encroached upon Thai territorial waters, incurring the attention of a Thai flotilla. The conflict became known as the Ko Chang Naval Battle. The Thais prevailed, with the loss of three warships and several lives. January 17 is celebrated every year to commemorate the naval heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect their country.

Attractions - in the city

Wat Buppharam

Also known as Wat Plai Khlong (Temple at the End of the Canal), and some 2 kilometers from the provincial capital center, this temple dates from the 1650s.

Wat Yothanimitr

Also known as Wat Bot, this is believed to have been the site of the Thue Nam Phra Phiphat ceremony, the official swearing of allegiance by military officers and state officials to the monarch, specifically King Taksin the Great, when he formed a Thai army to expel Burmese invaders after the 1767 destruction of Ayutthaya, the former Siamese capital. The temple murals are particularly noteworthy.

Attractions (Marine) - out of the city

Trat's major attractions are the islands of the Ko Chang Marine National Park, which range in size from the monumental Ko Chang itself, Thailand's second largest island, to islets barely large enough to supply anchorage to the traditional fishing boats harvesting surrounding seas. The islands generally lack commercial development, and therein lay their attraction. They are the perfect venues for savoring the simple pleasures of 'sea, sun 'n' sand', comprise the perfect environment for unwinding, for leading a contemplative life, or writing a novel. The area is conveniently accessible from the Laem Ngop Pier, which is 17 kilometers south of the provincial capital on Route 3184.

Major attractions within the Marine National Park include:

Ko Chang

The 429-square-kilometre island is characterized by long; oftentimes palm fringed beaches and a forested, mountainous interior. The highest point is Salak Peak, which rises 744 meters above sea level. Generally, the finest palm-fringed beaches, and resorts, are on the western shore facing open Gulf waters, and include White Sand Beach, Khlong Phrao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. The Than Mayom Waterfall near the park headquarters on the east coast is the major island cascade. Southern waters near Salak Petch Bay mark the Ko Chang Naval Battle area.

Satellite Islands

Ko Chang's coastal waters contain several lesser islands, some contained within the 650- square-kilometer national marine park, some not. Major satellite islands include:

Ko Chang Noi

Situated off Ko Chang's northern Laem Chang headland, this petite island is ringed by clear waters where coral can be seen in abundance and invites detailed snorkeling.

Ko Man Nok-Man Nai

This small island faces Kai Bae Beach. The island beach is visible at low tide. Shallow coastal waters reveal and abundance of coral.

Ko Phrao

Located in Salak Petch Bay, south of Ko Chang, this island is cool and shady thanks to plentiful coconut palms.

Ko Lao Ya

This island group, namely Ko Lao Ya Nai, Ko Lao Ya Klang and Ko Lao Ya Nok, is located south of the Ko Chang Naval Batttle area. The islands have beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and colorful corals.

Ko Ngam

Located east of Ko Lao Ya, the island is two landmasses united by a sand bar. The serene area comprises a welcome hideaway.

Ko Wai

South of Ko Lao Ya, this island is noteworthy for its rocky coves and sandy beaches and several unspoiled coral reefs.

Ko Rang

This is the southernmost island in the marine national park. The island is a place of birds' nest concessions. Magnificent underwater scenery includes stone knolls and deep-water coral.

Major islands to the south of Ko Chang Marine National Park include:

Ko Kut

This is the second largest island to Ko Chang in the area. Some 4 hours by ferry from Laem Ngop, the island's major tourism attraction is the Khlong Chao or Than Sanuk Waterfall, and a local resort.

Ko Mak

Located northwest of Ko Kut, this large island is noted for its extensive coconut palm orchards and beautiful beaches and bays.

Ko Kradat

Located northeast of Ko Kut, and some 2 to 3 hours from Laem Ngop Pier, this island is particularly noteworthy for the long white beach encircling the island, and beautiful coral formations in coastal waters.

Attractions (Mainland)

Trat's proximity to Cambodia attracts several visitors to the Thai-Cambodian border, conveniently accessible via Highway 318, which largely parallels the coast on its way to the Khlong Yai fishing district. A great deal of coastal land is devoted to commercial shrimp and fish farming. Beaches, offering little but palm trees, sand and sea can be reached from Highway 318. Each entail side journeys of 200 meters to 5 kilometers, and include Sai Kaeo Beach (Km. 41-42), Sai Ngam Beach (Km. 42), Samran Beach (Km. 57-58) and Ban Chuen Beach (Km. 59-60).

Local Products

Rubies

Trat is famous for its rubies. Gemstones can be purchased in Talat Phloi or gem markets in Hua Tung and Song Ya in Bo Rai district. The early morning markets conduct business until 10.00 AM.

Ngop

The local name for the distinctive bamboo and palm leaf headgear worn by local agricultural workers, Ngop comes in many sizes and shapes. Ngop can be purchased from Ban Ngop Chiao, a community 8 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 3184 to Laem Ngop Pier. Their villagers create a special form of Ngop. The village is also a good place to purchase local marine produce, including dried shrimps, shrimp paste and fish sauce.

Annual Events

Ko Chang Naval Battle Remembrance Day

Celebrated every January 17-23 at the Laem Ngop Krom Luang Chumphonkhet Udomsak monument, a terrestrial enclave built in the shape of a warship's superstructure, and Ko Chang, to celebrate a Thai naval victory over the French in 1941, the event includes merit-making and popular folk entertainment and cultural shows.

Trat Independence Day

Celebrated each March 23-27, at the Provincial City Hall, this event commemorates March 23, 1906 when Trat was liberated from French dominance. Celebrants participate in a King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) Commemorative Parade. There are contests featuring the indigenous Lang An dog, local produce stalls and various cultural shows and folk entertainment.

Sweet Rakam & Red Ruby Day

Celebrated during late May and early June, at the Provincial City Hall, this event celebrates Trat's most famous fruit, Rakam, a kind of palm fruit with a sweetly acidic taste which is extremely sweet when ripe, and the province's best-known gemstone. Celebrations customarily feature exhibitions, fruit competitions, agricultural produce sales and folk entertainment.