Trad is Thailand's eastern-most province, located about 315 kilometers from Bangkok. This small province borders on Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural demarcation. With 52 large and small offshore islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs, Trat offers delightful scenery and a tranquil hideout for nature-lovers. The province also serves as a major fruit-growing and fishing area.
The city of Trat is a starting point for Ko Chang island group or forays into outlying gem and Cambodian markets. Those enthralled by shopping will be delighted as Trat has more markets for its size than almost any other town in Thailand due to Cambodian coastal trade.
Like Chanthaburi, Trat is a very important ruby-mining province, with the most famous gem market located in Bo Rai District, some 50 kilometers north of the Cambodian border.
With an area of 2,819 square kilometers, the province is administratively divided into the districts of Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Koh Chang and Koh Kut.
The weather in and around Trat is very comfortable with warm temperatures throughout the year. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds, which sometimes limit sea transport to a group of islands particularly from May to October when the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the western coast can be wet and stormy and occasionally unsafe for ferries and smaller boats to lift anchor. However, visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Ko Chang, anyway.
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| Ao Tan Khu
This is a bay with fine sandy beaches that are popular with the local people during holidays. It is 4 kilometers off of Highway No. 3156 (Ban Saen Tung-Laem Ngop).
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Ban Nam Chiao
This village is approximately 8 kilometers from town on the Trat-Laem Ngop route. It is noted for Ngop Nam Chieo, a native hat to ward off the sun. The hat, which is still widely used today as it is light and comfortable, is woven with local palm leafs grown in mangrove area. In addition to the traditional shape, it has been adapted into other more fashionable shapes as souvenirs. |
Koh Chang Yutthanawi Memorial
The Ko Chang Yutthanawi Memorial, at Laem Ngop, commemorates the Franco-Thai naval engagement on January 17, 1941. Other attractions at the memorial include the Statue of Prince Chumphon, father of the Thai navy, and a warship-shaped museum displaying old equipment and armaments of the fleet with exhibits on the Ko Chang naval battle. |
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City Pillar
Located on Lak Muang Road, the City Pillar stands in a Chinese-style building. Erected by King Taksin, it is a highly revered edifice for the townspeople. |
Residanggamport Residence
On Lak Muang Road, this is an old 3-story building that was once used as the residence of the French governor when the town was occupied in 1904-1907. Subsequently, from 1928, it became the residence of Trat's governors. |
Wat Buppharam
On Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit) just opposite the Trat Hospital, turn into Plai Khlong Road and proceed for 2 kilometers in order to reach Wat Buppharam. Built in the Ayutthaya era, this temple it features the oldest wooden vihan in the country. The architectural style and the remaining wall murals are of the early Ratanakosin influence with a mix of Chinese influence. 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 point to commercial and cultural exchanges carried out between the different parts of the world in the past. |
Wat Yotha Nimit
This temple, which is also known as Wat Bot, is located on Tetsaban 4 Road near the city pillar. With fine murals in its former Ubosot, the temple was once used as the site for the government officials' oath of allegiance ceremony during the reign of King Taksin. The rite was shifted to Wat Phai Lom by King Rama V. |
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Koh
Chang National Park
A stretch of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree orchards is a common sight on Ko Chang the largest and busiest island in Trat and the second largest island in the country after Phuket.
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Covering an area of 429 square kilometers, Ko Chang, boasts several amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional way of life such as 70 percent undisturbed island rainforest, steep hills, cliffs, waterfalls, and notable wildlife, fine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. In addition, numerous fruit orchards dot the island. Click Attractions in Koh Chang |
