| Trat Information |
| General Information |
| A small province at the eastern-most frontier
bordering on Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural
demarcation, Trat is a resort town with over fifty large and small off-shore
islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral ranges. It is also
a major fruit-growing and fishing area. About 315 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 2,819 square kilometres, the province is administratively divided into the districts of Meuang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Ko Chang and Ko Kut. Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts : Khao Saming 16 kilometres Laem Ngop 17 kilometres Bo Rai 59 kilometres Khlong Yai 74 kilometres Ko Chang 27 kilometres Ko Kut 82 kilometres Distances from Trat to Neighbouring Provinces : Chanthaburi 70 kilometres Rayong 179 kilometres Chon Buri 234 kilometres Useful Telephone Numbers : - TAT Central Region Office: Region 5 (Trat) Tel: 0-3959-7255, 0- 3959-7259-60 - Trat Provincial Office Tel: 0-3951-1282 - Bus Terminal Tel: 0-3951-1986 - Police Station, Amphoe Mueang Tel: 0-3951-1239 - Police Station, Amphoe Khlong Yai Tel: 0-3958-1115 - Police Station, Amphoe Laem Ngop Tel: 0-3959-7033 - Police Station, Ko Chang Tel: 0-3958-6191, 0-3958-6250 - Trat Hospital Tel: 0-3951-1040-1 - Khlong Yai Hospital Tel: 0-3958-1044 - Laem Ngop Hospital Tel: 0-3959-7040 - Bangkok-Trat Hospital Tel: 0-3953-2735 - Ko Chang Hospital Tel: 0-3958-6130 - Laem Ngop Immigration Checkpoint Tel: 0-3959-7261 - Khlong Yai Immigration Checkpoint Tel: 0-3958-8108 - Ban Hat Lek Immigration Checkpoint Tel: 0-3958-8084 |
| Attractions |
| The Ko Chang Islands National Park covers
the Chang island and other smaller isles within Trat territorial waters.
All these lovely places have an abundant and thriving coral reef and underwater
marine environment. Ko Chang the largest among the 52 islands of Trat, is also the nation's second largest island, after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 sq. kms., it features fine beaches, coral reefs, and plentiful marine life. It is also rich in natural resources, teeming with hills, forests, waterfalls and streams, the latter being an important source of freshwater. Dotting the island are many fruit orchards. Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son , Hat Sai Khao , Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae . A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Hat Kai Bae. From here, a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meanders through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao , a fishing community located at the foot of the hill in the south. To the east are Ao Sapparot , where a ferry landing is situated, and Ao Salak Khok . Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet , a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, care should be exercised while driving for the roads on Ko Chang are unpaved, with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son , near Ko Chang Noi , and around the islands to the south of Ko Chang. On Ko Chang itself are several accessible waterfalls. The Khlong Phlu waterfall is located 3 kms. from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes walk from the parking lot. The Khlong Nonsi waterfall is a 4-km. walk from the park headquarter, while the Khiriphet and Khlong Nung waterfalls are about 3 kms. from Ban Salakphet. Second in size to Ko Chang, Ko Kut is located in the southernmost point in Trat territorial waters. A speedboat transport visitors to the island within one hour. The inhabitants grow rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding plants, while others are fishermen. With scenic beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees mostly located on the western shores, it is also blessed with rich mangroves. Wat Bupharam On Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit), just opposite the Trat Hospital, is a turn into Plai Khlong Road which leads to the temple two kms. Built in 1648 during the Ayutthaya era, it features the nation's oldest, wooden Viharn. The architectural style and the remaining wall murals are of early Rattanakosin influence with a mix of Chinese touch. The temple's museum houses scores of valuable ancient relics, particularly the Holy Relic, Buddha statues in different postures and Chinese and European porcelain items. All these indicate that commercial and cultural exchanges occurred in this area in the past. Wat Yotha Nimit also known as Wat Bot, is located on Thetsaban 4 Road, near the city pillar. With fine murals in its former Ubosot, the temple was once used as the site for government officials pledge of allegiance ceremonies ever since the time of King Taksin. Later on, King Rama V moved the ceremony to Wat Phai Lom. The Ko Chang Yutthanawi Memorial , at Laem Ngop, commemorates the Franco-Thai naval battle on January 17, 1941. Nearby is the Statue of Prince Chumphon, father of the Thai navy, and a warship-shaped museum displaying equipment and armament from the former fleet and exhibits on the Ko Chang naval battle. Ko Mak is a large island south of Ko Chang. It is blessed with several beautiful bays and beaches. Nearby are coral reefs that are in perfect condition. The islanders make their living by growing rubber and coconut trees. The best time to visit is November-late April. There are a number of accommodation facilities. A passenger boat departs Laem Ngop daily at 3.00 p.m. and return from Ko Mak at 7.00 a.m. Traveling time is 3 hours. Ao Tan Khu is a bay with a fine, sandy beach that is popular with local people during holidays. It is 4 kms. off Highway No. 3156 (Ban Saen Tung-Laem Ngop). Ban Nam Chieo is about 8 kms. from town on the Trat-Laem Ngop route. It is noted for Ngop Nam Chieo, a native hat worn as protection against the sun. The hat is woven with palm leafs gathered from the local mangrove area. Being light and comfortable, it is still widely popular. In addition to the traditional shape, it has been adapted into other more fashionable shapes as souvenirs. The Khao Lan Thai Red Cross Centre on Trat-Khlong Yai Highway at 48-km marker was formerly a facility providing assistance to Cambodian refugees during 1978-1986. After the refugees were repatriated, the center closed down. Today, the site has been adapted into a tourist facility. Tel: 0-3952-1621. Ban Hat Lek is the furthest border village in Trat. It is on Highway No. 318 in Khlong Yai district, about 16 kms. from the district town, or some 89 kms. from the provincial capital. After the conflict ended in Cambodia, it has become a channel for Thai-Cambodia trading. |
| Festivals |
| The Ko Chang Yutthanavi Day is organized
in late January at the Ko Chang Yutthanavi Memorial on Laem Ngop. The
event is to commemorate the bravery of the Royal Thai Navy’s action
against the French on January 17, 1941. Merit-making and tribute rites
are performed and there is exhibition by the Royal Thai Navy. Trat Memorail Day , on March 23, marks the day the province returned to Thai sovereignty after the French occupation. The celebrations are held at the provincial town hall. Trat Fruit Fair , usually in late May or early June, features exhibitions and agricultural produce. There fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak (or Rakam) |
| How to Get There |
| Car - From Bangkok, take
Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway
No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn into Highway No. 3
and proceed to Trat. A total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometres. Bus - Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. It takes 5 hours for the journey. The fare is 169 baht for air-conditioned bus, 197 baht for 24-seat VIP bus. There are also air-conditioned buses leaving from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Trat 6 times a day from 6 am.-11 p.m. |