Geography and Climate
Trat is blessed with 52 islands scattered along the Gulf of Thailand, with mountain ranges to the east and coastlines to the west. It is the easternmost province of Thailand bordering Cambodia.

Bangkok lies 315 km to the northwest and Trat itself covers an area of 2,819 sq km. It is comprised of 5 districts-Muang Trat, Khao Saming, Laem Ngob, Klong Yai and Bo Rai-- with the addition of 2 sub-districts, Koh Chang and Koh Kood.

In 1971, Trat was a gem trading centre because of rubies and sapphires that were discovered in Bo Rai district. However, these resources are nowadays depleted although gem markets in Hua Thung, Baan Sa Yai, Nong Born and Khao Saming still exist.

With a mountain range on one side and a coastline on the other, Trat is protected from storms despite several months of rainfall during the year.

The weather is cool and pleasant with plenty of sunshine between November and February, and average temperatures hover around 34 C during the months of March and April. Visitors should take extra precaution when traversing its waters during the southwestern monsoon which is from mid-May to October.

Koh Chang, Trat’s largest island, is the second largest in Thailand, behind Phuket. The interior of the island is  mountainous and covered with tropical rainforest.

In 1982, the island and its 51 surrounding smaller islands came  under protection as part of the Koh Chang Marine National Park. Animals in the park include the stump-tailed macaque, the small Indian civet, the Javanese mongoose and around 61 resident bird species. The Koh Chang wart frog is native to the islands and the mainland Trat as well.

Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) operates an office on Trat-Laem Ngob Road (Tel. 039-597-255, 039-597-259).

Immigration Office
The regional immigration office is in Laem Ngob (email : c_laemngob@immigration.go.th, Tel : 039-597-261).  It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, while the visa section is operated from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office is closed on National Holidays and weekends so better call in advance if you have an apppointment.

Another location is in Klong Yai  (Tel : 039-588-108, email : c_khlongyai@immigration.go.th). To go to Klong Yai, there are mini-vans at the Trat town centre that leave every few minutes.

Post Office
The main postal office at Tha  Rua Jang Road (Tel : 039-511 -175) is located in the   northeastern section of the town centre, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to midday on Saturdays. The telecommunications office near the post office, which opens daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., offers international phone and fax services. The other post office is in Laem Ngob (Tel : 
Boriwaen Yutthanavee (Naval Battle Ground Memorial). This site, located in Laem Ngob, commemorates the naval battle between Thailand and France when both countries fought during the height of the French colonization of Indochina in 1941.

Money and Banking
Bank services are between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays  except for the Krung Thai Bank which extends its service to 4:30 p.m. All ATMs operate round the clock. Besides banks, there are currency exchange booths.

Where to Go in Trat
The Lak Muang (City Pillar) features a shrine which honours the town spirit. The shrine was set up by King Taksin the Great while fighting for independence against the Burmese after the fall of Ayutthaya (an old capital of Thailand). The shrine is revered by Trat residents and can be found near Wat Yothanimit.

Laem Sok holds its significance as the residence of Kromluang Chumphon, the Father of the Royal Thai Navy. Nearby attractions include the fishing villages at Laem Hin.

Wat Plai Klong (which stands for “temple at the end of the canal”) or officially known as Wat Buppharam is found in Moo 3 of Tambon Wangkrachae, 2 km from inner Trat. Built in 1652, it  is the oldest temple in Trat. This revered temple houses the relics of the Lord Buddha, and houses a museum that records the cultural and trade relationship between Trat and other countries.

Wat Saphan Hin (Temple of the Stone Bridge), a century-old temple, which features a chapel built in the middle of a pond.

Wat Yothanimit or Wat Bot is the only royal temple in the province, and was first established when King Taksin the Great came to mobilize his troops here. Construction was completed during the reign of King Rama III. In the main hall one can see traditional Thai mural artwork going back to the Ayutthaya era.

Amphoe Khao Saming has Wat  Muang Kao Saen Tum as  its religious landmark. The temple is in Baan Khao Ta Moh, 38 km from the township of Khao Saming. It is known for the dark brown stones that when knocked on, the stones themselves sound like bells.

Amphoe Klong Yai is the southernmost district of Trat and stretches along the Cambodian border. The main attractions are the Sai Kaew Beach, Sai Ngam Beach, Samran or Mai Rood Beach, Baan Chuen Beach and Baan Hat Lek or Hat Lek village which is a border community. It is the embarkation point for Koh Kong in Cambodia, which attracts visitors to its casino.

Amphoe  Laem  Ngob, 17 km from  the municipal town of Trat, serves as the springboard to all the islands belonging to the Koh Chang Marine National Park. It is also an interesting place to shop for souvenirs, seafood and other local food products.

The Ao Taan Ku (Taan Ku Bay) is another attraction of Laem Ngob. The first bay of Trat bordering Chantaburi in Tambon Bang Pid, Ao Taan Ku boasts beautiful beaches, foodstuff and the distinct wide-brimmed ‘ngob’ hat.

Amphoe Borai was once famous for its gems market and Siamese ruby, which is world renowned for its clarity and pure red colour. The more popular gems market is now in Chantaburi, 60 km from Trat.

Borai also has the Saladdai Waterfall which is located 7 km from the 25th km milestone, and is right in the centre of a rainforest.

Other places of interests include Laem Klador, Lan Sai Beach, Saphan Hin Waterfall and the Thai Red Cross Society’s Khao Lan Centre (also called Rachakaroon Centre) 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 km from the centre of Trat town.

Local Products
Ngob Nam Chiao is a woven hat of bamboo and palm leaves worn by people tending the field or farming the land.

Trat Shrimp Paste is particularly famous since it is made entirely from shrimp. Ordinary shrimp paste is often a mixture of shrimp and fish.

Koh Chang Wine comes from local fruits and herbs such as mangosteen, pineapple, grape and galingale.  This award- winning brand is a good souvenir to take home. It is available at some hotels, and the price starts from 199 Baht.

Rakam Waan or Sweet Rakam is quite a well-known fruit in Trat, together with other tropical fruits such as the rambutan, mangosteen, mango, durian, coconut and pineapple.

The Lang Aan (Ridgeback Siamese Dog) is probably Thailand’s most famous canine breed because of its distinctive feature, which is the ridgeback pattern of fur on its back. A well-bred Lang Aan Siamese dog can fetch up to 300,000 Baht.

Dried seafood is the one famous and favourite product for both Thai and foreign visitors. Some need to be cooked and some are readily edible. Dried fruits are also famous products that are recommended.

The golden pineapple from Trat is famous because of its distinct sweet crispness and bright yellow colour.