In Town and Nearby

On Highway No. 3 (Sukhumwit) just opposite the Trat Hospital is a turn into Plai Khlong Road which leads to Wat Buppharam, a distance of two kilometres. Built in the Ayutthaya era, it features the oldest wooden Wihan in the country. The architectural style and the remaining wall murals are of early Rattanakosin influence with a mix of Chinese touch. 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, 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 oath of allegiance ceremony by government officials since the time of King Taksin. The rite was shifted to Wat Phai Lom by King Rama V.

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 is an old 3-storey building once used for the residence of the French governor when the town was occupied in 1904-1907. Subsequently, it was Trat's governors since 1928.

Trat-Khlong Yai Route

Along Highway No. 318 (Trat-Khlong Yai) are several white clean beaches including Hat Ban Chun at Km. 59 of Highway No. 318 (Trat-Khlong Yai). There is accommodation available.

The Khao Lan Thai Red Cross Centre on Trat-Khlong Yai Highway at Km. 48 was formerly a facility to assist Cambodian refugees who fled fighting in their country into Thailand beginning in 1978 until peace returned in 1986. After the refugees were repatriated, the site has been adapted into a tourist facility. Tel:(039) 521621.

Ban Hat Lek is the furthest border village in Trat. It is on highway No. 318 within Khlong Yai district about 16 kilometres from the district town, or 89 kilometres from the provincial capital. After the conflict ended in Cambodia, it has become a channel for Thai-Cambodia trading.

Khao Saming District

Wat Saen Tum is a Dharma practising facility amid the cool shade of forest and fruit orchard. To the south of the temple is what is called the Khao To Mo Ancient Site where piles of stone pillars have been discovered. It is believed that they were components of ancient Khmer structures. Also a large number of relics such as pottery and ornaments and beads were found.

Wat Saen Tum can be reached by taking the Saen Tung-Bo Rai route. On arriving at Km. 18.5, take a left turn to head for Ban Tha Lai Ban Na Makham and Ban Erem where the temple is situated. lt is about 38 kilometres from Khao Saming district.

Laem Ngop District

Ban Nam Chieo is about 8 Kilometres 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 is woven with local palm leafs from plants grown in mangrove area. It is still widely used today as it is light and comfortable. In addition to the traditional shape it has been adapted into other more fashionable shapes as a souvenir.

Ao Tan Khu is a bay with fine sandy beach popular with local people during holidays. lt is 4 kilometres off Highway No. 3156 (Ban Saen Tung - Laem Ngop).

The Ko Chang Yutthanawi Memorial at Laem Ngop commemorates the Franco-Thai naval engagement on January 17, 1941. There is also the Statue of Prince Chumphon father of the Thai navy and a warship shaped museum displaying old equipment and armament of the fleet with exhibits on the Ko Chang naval battle.

The Ko Chang Islands National Park covers the Chang island and other smaller isles within Trat territorial waters. All these sites are lovely and pleasant and some are coral habitats.

Ko Chang the largest among the 52 islands of Trat, is also the second largest of the country after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 square kilometres, it features fine beaches, coral ranges and plentiful marine life. It is also rich in natural resources such as hills, forests and streams, the latter an important freshwater source. They also create several beautiful waterfalls. Fruit orchards dot the island.

Most of the scenic beaches and bays are on the west side spreading from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae. A road cuts through the western shore all the way almost to Hat Kai Bae. From here is a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meandering through wet forest land to Ban Bang Bao a fishing community on the foot of the hill in the south.

To the east are Ao Sapparot where a ferry landing is situated and Ao Salak Khok. Along the eastern shoreline is also a road cutting through to Ao Salak Phet a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, roads on Ko Chang are earthen and some sections go up and down steep hills. Care should be exercised while driving.

Coral range worth viewing are at Ao Khlong Son near Ko Chang Noi and around islands south of Ko Chang.

On Ko Chang itself are several waterfalls with reasonable access. They include the Khlong Phlu Waterfall 3 kilometres from Ao Khlong Phrao and a furthers 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi Waterfall a kilometre walk from the park headquarters; and Khiriphet and Khlong Nung falls which are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salakphet.

Getting to Ko Chang

A 5 1/2 hours drive by bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal will take visitors to the Trat Bus Terminal (departures between 06.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m). From there continue by Songtaew transport to Laem Ngop or the ferry landings at Ao Thammachat and Ko Chang Centre Point where services are operated all day. Distance from town to Laem Ngop is 17 kilometres.

Passenger boats usually leave from Laem Ngop to Tha Dan Kao on Ko Chang every hour from 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. The trip takes 45 minutes and the fare is 50 baht per person. Visitors can continue to Hat Sai Khao, Hat Kai Bae by local bus which charges 30 baht per person. The schedules and fares are subject to change without notice due to climate condition. For current information, please contact TAT Trat office, Tel: (039) 59725960 Fax: (039) 597225.