|  Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > Eastern Thailand
 A small province at the easternmost frontier bordering on Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forming a natural demarcation, Trat is a resort town with over fifty large and small off-shore islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral ranges. It is also a major fruit-growing and fishing area. About 315 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 2,819 square kilometres.
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The province is administratively divided into the districts of Muang, Khao Saming, Leam Ngop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the subdistricts of Ko Chang and Kut.
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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.
Ferry Services:
Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat or Ko Chang Centre Point Landings between 07.30. a.m. - 4.30 p.m. with a travelling time of 30 minutes. Private vehicles can be loaded onto the ferry. Please note that vehicles used on the island should be the 4-wheel-driven type as road conditions are bumpy and there are steep slopes to be negotiated. From the landing on Ko Chang are Songtaew services to various points. Fares should be settled beforehand.
Facilities on Ko Chang include mainly bungalow-type accommodations on most beaches. There are also bicycles and boats for rent.
Several smaller isles south of Ko Chang with scenic beaches coral ranges and accommodation. They include Ko Wai, Ko Lao Ya and Ko Kradat. Noted for both deep water and shallow-water corals are the Ko Kra group and Ko Rang which are to the west of Ko Mak.
Ko Mak is a large island south of Ko Chang. It is blessed with several beautiful bays and beaches. Nearby are coral ranges still in perfect condition. The islanders make their living by growing rubber and coconut trees. The best time to visit is November-late April. There are a number of accommodation facilities. A passenger boat departs Laem Ngop daily at 3.00 p.m. and return from Ko Mak at 7.00 a.m. Traveling time is 3 1/2 hours.
Second in size to Ko Chang, Ko Kut is located in the southern-most point in Trat territorial waters. A speed-boat needs only one hour to reach the island whose inhabitants are growers of rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding plants, as well as fishermen. With scenic beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees, mostly to the west of the island, it also is blessed with rich mangroves.
Usually package tours are offered including accommodation (on Ko Kut, Ko Lao Ya and Ko Ngam) as well as return fares. Those wishing to charter a boat can contact the Laem Ngop landing or make advance enquiry at the Ko Chang Centre Point at Tel: (039) 538055, 538059).
The Ko Chang Yutthanavy Day is organised in late January at the Ko Chang Yutthanavy Memorial on Laem Ngop. The event is to commemorate the bravery of the Royal Thai Navy's 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 Memorail Day, on March 23, marks the province returned to Thai sovereignty after the French occupation. The celebrations are held at the provincial town hall.
Trat Fruit Fair, usually in late May or early June, features exhibitions and agricultural produce. There are fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak (or Rakam).
Apart from seafood products, Trat is also famous for tropical fruits such as Rambutan, Durian, Krathon, Pineapple and Sweet Salak. The fruit season is from April to July.
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.
COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.
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