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Trat
General Information
Trat 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 Koh 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 Ko Chang and Ko 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 Koh Chang, anyway.
The history of Trat can be traced back to the reign of King Prasat Thong of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Formerly known as Muang Thung Yai, Trat has played an important role in the development of country's stability and economy due to its strategic location. The town of Trat has later become a community of Chinese Merchants.
Trat served as a checkpoint and buffer city in 1767 and was responsible for providing provisions to King Taksin the Great before he moved his navy from Chanthaburi to Ayutthaya, where he expelled the Burmese and liberated the Kingdom from Burmese rule.
In the Ratanakosin period, during the reign of King Rama V, Trat played an important role again in stabilizing the country's sovereignty. King Rama V made an agreement with the French government (who had also taken Chanthaburi under its supervision) to get Trat back. In doing this, Phra Tabong, Siamrat and Sri Sophon were traded off.
During the Indochina War, the French Navy tried to seize Trat again. The French Thai Battle broke out on 17 January 1941 at Koh Chang. The Thai Navy successfully drove out the French Navy.
Place to visit
Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand, located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island. It is a mountainous island with several waterfalls and rainforest. The island is part of the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park. During World War II, Ko Chang was the scene of a naval battle between the Royal Thai Navy and a Vichy France squadron. The Thais were decisively beaten.
Until the mid-1980s the infrastructure on the island was undeveloped, but tourism has increased significantly since then. The island now receives 655,000 visitors annually, about two thirds of them Thai. There are also beautiful resorts now popping up all over the island.
Koh Kut is a minor district (King Amphoe) of Trat Province, eastern Thailand. With a population of about 2000 it is the district with the lowest population of all Thailand.
It is a major island ringed by sleepy seaside villages and coconut plantation. It is about one hour from the mainland by speedboat.
Kut Island has limited infrastructure and hence is not overrun by tourists like nearby Koh Chang. Several small resorts on the islands cater to mostly Thai tourists who prefer a quiet and family-friendly atmosphere.
Symbol
The provincial seal shows the sea with a mountain in the background.
Provincial tree is the Tropical Almond (Terminalai catappa).
Getting there
By 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 onto Highway No. 3 and proceed to Trat. The total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometers.
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. From Bangkok the buses to Trat cost 169 baht for 1st class air-conditioned buses (132 baht for 2nd class) and 197 baht for 24-seat VIP air-conditioned buses or 113 baht for regular buses. The trip takes five to six hours by air-conditioned bus or about eight hours by regular bus.
Several non air-conditioned buses leave daily, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m. Fare is 78 Baht. Air-conditioned buses leave every 1.30 hours, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m. Fare is 140 Baht
From Chanthaburi to Trat, the regular bus takes about 30 minutes. If one goes by taxi from Chanthaburi to Trat, it takes around 45 minutes.
Getting around the city
Sam lors around town should cost about 10 baht per person. Small Song Taews cost about 5 baht per person on a share basis or 20 baht to 40 baht for the whole vehicle.
Getting to Islands
Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat Pier, or Koh Chang Centre Point Landings between 07.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., with a travel time of 30 minutes. Private vehicles can be loaded onto the ferry. Please note that vehicles used on the island should be 4 wheel drive vehicles as road conditions are bumpy and there are steep slopes to be negotiated. From the landing on Koh Chang there are Song Taew services to various points. Fares should be settled beforehand.
Festivals
The Ko Chang Yutthanavi Day
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 Navys 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 Fruit Fair
Trat Fruit Fair, usually in late May or early June, features exhibitions and agricultural produce. There fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak (or Rakam)
Trat Memorial Day
Trat Memorial 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.
Interesting Products
Fruit
Apart from seafood products, Trat is also famous for tropical fruits such as rambutans, durian, krathon, pineapples and sweet sala. The fruit season is from April to July.
Typical Hat
The native hat or Ngop is a cottage industry product made by villagers in the Nam Chieo community which is located on the route to Laem Ngop district.
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