04 July,2009 (Sat)  


 

 
Trat

Trat horders Camhodia, and is the easternmost Thai province edging the Gulf of Thailand. Trat province covers some 2,819 square kilometres. The provincial capital is 315 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The inhahitants 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 Thai- land'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 l868-l9l0 reign of King Chulalongkorn, Trat was ceded to the French in order that France would withdraw its forces from neighbouring 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 honour 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, l941, during the Indochina War, when a French naval squadron encroached upon Thai territorial waters, incurring the attention of a Thai flotilla. The coflflict hecame known as the Ko Chang Naval Battle. The Thais prevailed, with the loss of three warships and several lives. January l7 is celebrated every year to commemorate the naval heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect their country.

  • Wat Buppharam

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

  • Wat Yothanlinitr

    • Also Known as Wat Bot, this is believed to have heen the site of the Thue Nam Phra Phiphat ceremony, the off cial swearing of allegiance hy military officer and state off cials to the monarch, specifically King Taksin the Great, when he tbrmed a Thai army to expel Burmese invaders after the l767 destruction of Ayutthaya, the former Siamese capita1. The temple murals are particularly noteworthv.

    Out-of-City Attractions

  • Marinc National Park

    • 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 lies their attraction. They are the perfect venues for savouring the simple pleasures of "sea, sun n sand", comprise the perfect environmeflt for unwinding, for leading a contemplative life, or writing a novel. The area is conveniently accessible from the Laem Ngop Pier, which is l7 kilometres south of the provincial capital on Route 3184

  • Wat Muang Kao Saen Tum

    • Situated in Tambon Pranit about 38 kilometres from Amphoe Khao Saming. It is famed for its dark brown stones weighting 10-100. They are varied in shape and size and produce deep resonant sounds when being knocked.

  • Gem Markiets

    • Amphoe Bo Rai and Amphoe Khao Saming have been developed as teh region's major gem mining industry especially Bo Rai which is noted for being the site of the world famous "Thap Thim Siam" or King Ruhy.

  • Ban Chuen beach

    • Is about 58 kms. before khlong Yai, take a right turn and proceed for 5 kms. It has a white sandy beach with clean water. Bungalows are available at the beach.

  • Ban Hat Lek

    • Is located 95 kilometres from Trat at the end of Highway 318. Ban Hat Lek is a small village and the jumping off point for hoarding hoats to Ko Kong, a horder province of Camhodia.

  • Laem Ngop

    • Is ahout l7 kilometres from town on Highway No. 3l48. From the pier located at the cape's efld, large vessels can be hired to explore the many nearhy isles. Many local preserved food items can also he bought there including shrimp paste, fish sauce and native hats.

  • Ko Pui

    • A peaceful island suitable for relaxation, can be reached by boat from Laem Ngop or Major Attractions Within Mirine National Park's Areas.

  • Ko Chang

    • The 429-square-kilometre island is characterised by long, oftentimes paln1fringed beaches and a forested, mountainous interior. The highest point is Salak Peak, which rises 744 metres ahove sea level. Generally, the finest palmfringed 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 Phet Bay mark the Ko Chang Naval Battle area.

  • Satellitc Islands

    • Ko Chang's coastal waters contain several lesser islands, some contained within the 650-sqtlare-kilometre 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 he seen in abundance and invites detailed snorkelling.

  • Ko Man Nok Man Nai

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

  • KO Phrao

    • Located in Salak Phet 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 colourful corals.

  • KO Ngam

    • Located east of Ko Lao Ya, the island is two land masses united by a sand bar. The serene area comprlses a welcome hideaway.

  • Ko Wai

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

  • Ko Rang

    • This is the southernmost island in the marine flational park. The island is a place of birds' nests concessions. Magnificent underwater scenery lncludes stone knolls and deep-water coral.
    Major islands to tbe south of Ko Cbang Marine National Park include:

  • Ko Kut

    • This is the second largest island to Ko Chang in the area. Some 4 hours hy 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 coconllt palm orchards and heautiful 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 coasta1 waters.

    Mainland Attractions
    Trat's proximity to Camhodia attracts several visitors to the Thai-Cambodian horder, conveniently accessible via Highway 3l8, 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 litttle hut palm trees, sand and sea, cafl he reached from Highway 318. Each entail side journeys of 200 metres to 5 kilometres, and include Sai Kaeo Beach (Km 4l-42), Sai Ngam Beach (Km. 42), Samran Beach (Km. 57-58) and Ban Chuen Beach (Km. 59-60).

    Local Products

  • Rubics

    • Trat is famous for its rubies. Gemstones can be purchased in Talat Phloi or gen markets in Hua Tung and Song Ya in Bo Rai district. The early morning markets conduct husiness until l0.00 AN.

  • Ngop

    • The local name for the distinctive hamhoo and plam leaf headgear worn by local agricultural workers, Ngop come in many sizes and shapes. Ngop can be purchased from Ban Ngop Nam Chiao, a community 8 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 3184 to Laem Ngop Pier. There 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 Remcmbrance Day

    • Celehrated every January l7-23 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 celehrate a Thai naval victory over the French in l941, the event lncludes merit-making ceremonles, naval and governmental exhibitions, and popular fOlk entertainment and cultural shows.

  • Trat Independence Day

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

  • Sweet Rakam & Red Ruby Day

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

    How to get There
    By Bus
    Airconditioned coaches and non-alrconditioned buses to Trat regularly leave Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road near Soi Ekamai every day. For further details, please contact Bangkok 39l-8097 (air) and 3l9-2504 (non-air).

    By Road
    There are two routes from Bangkok. The longer one - Bang Na-Trat (Highway 3) via Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthahuri is 385 kilometres. The shorter route Bang Na-Chon Buri-Klaeng- Chanthaburi (Highway 344)- Trat is 315 kilometres long.

    Rayong office
    l53/4 Sukhumvit Koad Tamhon Tapoflg, Rayong 2l000 Tel: (038) 655-420-1, 664-585 Fax: (038) 655-422

    Accommodation
    A comprehensive list of alrconditioned and non-air-conditioned accommodation, and restaurants, in Trat, can he obtained from the local Tourism Authority of Thailand office at Laem Ngop Pier. The office is open seven days a week, throughout the year, from 8.30 AM until 4.30 PM.