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Tourist
Attractions
The Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisornpakdi
(Khaw Sim Bee Na Ranong) Monument
was erected to honor the first governor of Trang
(1890-1901) who initiated and was instrumental
in bringing in the rubber tree seedlings for planting
in the province, turning it into the province’s
main product, even up to the present day.
Tourism development is slowly
extending into the 50 or so small Andaman Islands
off the western coast of Trang, but it has still
retained their superb, fine sands, pristine corals,
and rich bird and mammal wildlife. There are 4
main islands of interest; Koh Hai, Koh
Muk (Pearl Island), Koh Kradan
(Board Island), and Koh Libong.
The nearest one is the forested Koh Hai with wonderful
beaches and corals on the eastern side. Koh Muk
is popular for its Tham Morakot
(Emerald Cave) on the western side. The long,
limestone tunnel leads from the sea to an inland
beach surrounded by towering cliffs and accessible
by boats only at low tide. Koh Kradan, one of
the most beautiful and most remote islands in
this group, hosts the annual Trang Underwater
Wedding Fair. Further south is the largest island
of them all, Koh Libong, famed for bird-watching
during March and April.
Located 21 km from the city,
the remote Khao Chong Wildlife Sanctuary
contains an impressive open zoo, 2 spectacular
waterfalls, and a bird sanctuary, the Klong
Lamchan reservoir, which attracts numerous
migratory waterfowls during the months of January
and March.
About 50 km west of the city,
the 144,300-rai Hat Chao Mai National
Park has a varied coastal geography consisting
of 9 small islands, mangrove creeks interspersed
with coastal karsts, and hidden beaches accessible
through caves.
The Rubber Museum
informs the public about the history of the rubber
industry, the correct method of tapping rubber
sap from trees, and displays tools used in making
the pressed rubber sheets widely seen hanging
out to dry in plantations all over Southern Thailand.
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Trang
