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.

Climate

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.

History

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.