 Trat
and Koh Chang travel information and local guide
Trat is the province situated at the east border of Thailand,
315 kilometers from Bangkok. The town occupies the area of
2,819 kilometers or 1,761,875 rai. In the province, there
are 5 districts, namely Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngob, Klong
Yai, Bo Rai and 2 sub-districts; Ko Kud and Ko Chang.
The province is close to Chanta Buri and Cambodia in the North
and adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand in the South. The east
is separated from Cambodia by Buntud Mount Range eastwards
from the middle of the province. Weru River separates the
west Trat from Chanta Buri.
Ko Chang is the ideal location for the real rest as the weather
there is very comfortable with the average temperature not
too cold or too hot. Ko Chang is influenced by the northeastern
and southwestern storms. That triggers limitations to the
water transportation to the group of islands. Between May
and October which is the period of southwestern monsoons,
the west coast is always visited by storms and thus, not safe
for ferry boats. Between November to April is very safe since
there are quite a few storms. Most of Trat areas lie in the
Gulf of Thailand. This makes the province abundant with tourism
resources. Trat has as many as 52 islands, especially Ko Chang
include sea, waterfalls and forest. The province is also the
source of red sapphire, fine shrimp paste and sweet rakum,
a kind of palm of genus Zalacca with sweet and acid taste.
It was surmised that the title "Trat " was a corruption
of "Krat" which is the name of a tree plenty in
Trat Province and used in broom production. In Ayutthaya period
during the reign of King Naresuan, the town was called "Baan
Bang Pra." While King Rama V was on the throne, Thai
government inevitably made a treaty with France granting the
area of current Trat Province to the western country in order
that France would withdraw its force from Chanta Buri Province.
Later, on March 23, 1906, the King had to grant areas, namely
Pratabong, Siem Reap and Sri Sophon to France in exchange
with Trat, islands and towns on the right bank of Mekong River.
Thus, Trat residents regard March 23 as the "Independence
Day of Trat" and organize "Trat Recalling Day"
every year. They also built up King Rama V Monument at the
City hall to commemorate the King's attempt to keep Trat with
Thailand.
On January 17 1941, during Indochina War, French Squadron
transgressed Thailand's territorial waters. Thai Flotilla
came to protect the land. Thus, the war which was later known
as "Ko Chang Naval Battle" began. Thai Troop won
and managed to drive out French Squadron. however, Thai side
lost three warships, namely Songkhla, Chonburi and Thonburi
as well as some naval officers. Therefore, on the date of
every year, Thai Naval Army holds the annual merit-making
day to dedicate to those who sacrificed their lives in their
effort to protect the country.
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