WELCOME TO TRAT

Trat is a province situated 315 kilometers from Bangkok on the east of Thailand, occupying an area of 2,819 square kilometers or 1,761,875 rai. There are 5 districts, namely Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngob, Klong Yai, Bo Rai and 2 sub-districts; Koh Kud and Koh Chang.

Trat borders Chantaburi on the West and Cambodia on the North and East.To the South is the Gulf of Thailand. The East is separated from Cambodia by the Buntud Mountain Range.The Weru River separates the West of Trat from Chantaburi.

CLIMATE

The weather in and around Trat and Koh Chang is very comfortable with warm temperature most of the time. The region is influenced by the northeastern and southwestern winds which limit sea transports to a group of islands. From May to October the southwest monsoon blows. During this period the west coast can be wet and stormy. Thus,sometimes unsafe for ferries and smaller boats. However,visitors can still visit the islands via the normally more popular routes, most of which are to the northeast of Koh Chang,anyway. Some of the islands south of Koh Chang may be unreachable on some days during this time. Seek the advise of experienced locals before embarking on an excursion to these smaller islands. From November to early May the weather is very safe because there are less rain and strong winds.

The province of Trat, host of the Koh Chang archipelago, is located within the Gulf of Thailand which has a tropical climate. The annual average temperature is 27.3 C with an average high of 31.3 C and an average low of 23.2 C. Mid-November to February is the cool, dry season when the temperature is at its lowest, especially in January when it averages at 21 C. March to May is the hot and humid season. The hottest month,as with most parts of Thailand is April when the temperature hits an average high of 32.9 C. but can reach as high as 38 C,as recorded before. Towards the end of May till end of October is the wet season,when you can expect more rain although not all the time.

The best season to holiday in Koh Chang is from November to May mainly because of much more sunshine. Other periods of the year do attract visitors to the Koh Chang Marine National Park as well,even though they are aware of possible rains and storms from time to time.

GETTING TO KNOW TRAT

AMPHOE MUANG (Provincial or Town District)

is where the central administration office sits. It is the capital of the province. Here is where most transactions take place.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand operates out of an office on the Trat-Laem Ngop Road (tel: 039-597-255 or 039-597-259). For assistance or travel information contact one of the helpful staff there.

The Bangkok Bank (tel:039-512-050 till 59) and the Krung Thai Bank (039-520-541 till 44) are located on the Sukhumvit Road. Both have foreign exchange services which opens daily from 8.30 hrs. to 17.00 hrs. Besides these outlets there is only the Thai Farmers Bank counter that opens only during the weekdays from 8.30 hrs. to 3.30 hrs. This is situated outside the town, in Laem Ngop district between the Laem Ngop Pier and the Chut Kaew Guest House.

The Trat Provincial Post Office (tel:039-511-175) is on the Tha Reau Jang Road to the northeastern section of the town center. It is the main postal office and opens fro 8.30 hrs. to 4.30 hrs. on weekdays and from 9.00hrs. to 12.00 hrs. on weekends. Here telecommunication services are available daily from 7.00 hrs. to 22.00 hrs. The other Post Office is in Amphur Laem Ngop (tel:039-597-240).

The immigration office is not located in the municipal town district but logically located at Amphoe Laem Ngop and Ampoe Khlong Yai,which are both jump-off points for the islands. For more information call 039-597-215.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

Wat Plai Klong (meaning temple at the end of canal) or more officially known as Wat Buppharam is situated in Moo 3 of Tambon Wangkrachae, two kms from inner Trat. Built in 1652 this revered temple houses ashes of Lord Buddha,a variety of Buddha images and some age-old items of the pasts including an old Thai priest-house.

Wat Saphan Hin (meaning temple of the stone bridge) is a century-old temple with a temple hall in the middle of a pond. Access to the hall is made possible by two lines of stones.

The Lak Muang is the shrine of the town's spirit. In Thailand Lak Muang is an important feature of any town as it also represents the central foundation of the society. In Trat this is situated near the Wat Yothanimit. Trat's Lak Muang features a Chinese shag. The shrine was set up by King Taksin the Great while fighting for independence against the Burmese after the fall of Ayutthaya. The shrine is a revered property of the Trat people. It is said that during the French conquest of the region an order was issued by the French commander to have his people remove the pole of the shrine. Having failed to extract it off the ground an elephant was put to task but the pole only slanted and stood solidly on the ground until today.

Wat Yothanimit or Wat Bot was the the temple where King Taksin's followers pledged their loyalty by drinking holy water. The mural painting on the main hall is an attractive display of Thai art..

Laem Sok has its significance as the residence of Krom Luang Chumpornkhet Udomsak, the Father of the Thai Royal Navy. Of interests are the fishing villages at Laem Hin and Ao Cho.

Other places of interests include the Lan Sai Beach, the Saphan Hin Waterfall and the Thai Red Cross Society's Khao Lan Center which houses a museum featuring the history, lifestyle and household items of Cambodian refugees. All these are along the Trat-Klong Yai Road and within 50 kms from the center of Trat town.

AMPHOE BORAI

is famous for its gems markets and its Siam Ruby which is world renowned for its clarity and pure red colour. The Hua Tung and the Song Yo are the major markets of the Borai community. Others are the Baan Nong Bon, Baan Sa Yai and Baan Ta Ngam. They open very early in the morning and finish off at 10.00 hrs. !!

Borai also has the Saladdai Waterfall located 7 kms from the 25th km stone mark. It is right in the center of a rainforest and closest to nature.

AMPHOE KHAO SAMING

The Wat Muang Kao Saen Tum in Baan Khao Ta Moh, Moo 7 of Baan Erem,Tambon Praneet is 38 kms from Ampoe Khao Saming. It is known for the dark-brown stones piled up and looks like a worship area. The stones sound like bells when knocked. It is believed that this site was built during pre-historic times.

AMPHOE KLONG YAI

is the southernmost district of Trat and stretches along the Cambodian border. It's main attractions are the beaches such as the Sai Kaew Beach, the Sai Ngam Beach, the Samran or Mai Rood Beach, the Baan Chuen Beach and the Baan Hat Lek or Hat Lek Village which is a border community. It is the embarkation point for Koh Kong of Cambodia,which is known for its casino. The ferry ride to Koh Kong is 100 Baht per person or 800 Baht for a chatered trip.

AMPHOE LAEM NGOP

is 17 kms from the municipal town of Trat. It has the main pier located 500 meters from the town and is one of the springboard to all the islands of the Koh Chang Marine National Park. It is also an interesting place to shop for souvenirs,seafoods and other local food products like the popular Trat shrimp-paste,dried shrimps,fish sauce and the NGOP (a headwear of bamboo and palm leaves traditionally worn by Trat's peasants). Ngop is a native product of Trat and it comes in a variety of patterns.

The Taan Ku Bay is another attraction of Laem Ngop. It is in Tambon Bang Pid and boasts of beaurtiful beaches,foodstuffs and again the Ngop.