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Introduction
A small province at the eastern-most 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, the province
is administratively divided into the districts
of Meuang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngop, Khlong Yai
and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Ko Chang
and Ko Kut.
trat covers 2,556 square kilometres, and is administratively
divided into 16 districts (Ampohes). It is conveniently
accessible due to good roads and a short distance
from Bangkok.
Ko
Chang the largest among the 52 islands
of Trat, is also the nation's second largest island,
after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 sq. kms.,
it features fine beaches, coral reefs, and plentiful
marine life. It is also rich in natural resources,
teeming with hills, forests, waterfalls and streams,
the latter being an important source of freshwater.
Dotting the island are many fruit orchards.
Most of the scenic beaches and
bays are located on the western side, extending
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
almost all the way to Hat Kai Bae. From here,
a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat
meanders through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao
, a fishing community located at 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 a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet
, a community and a boat pier in the south of
the island. However, care should be exercised
while driving for the roads on Ko Chang are unpaved,
with steep hills in some sections. The best places
for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son
, near Ko Chang Noi , and around the
islands to the south of Ko Chang.
On Ko Chang itself are several
accessible waterfalls. The Khlong Phlu waterfall
is located 3 kms. from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further
20 minutes walk from the parking lot. The Khlong
Nonsi waterfall is a 4-km. walk from the
park headquarter, while the Khiriphet and Khlong
Nung waterfalls are about 3 kms. from Ban
Salakphet.
Second in size to Ko Chang, Ko
Kut is located in the southernmost point in Trat
territorial waters. A speedboat transport visitors
to the island within one hour. The inhabitants
grow rubber, coconut and other fruit-yielding
plants, while others are fishermen. With scenic
beaches shaded by rows of pines and coconut trees
mostly located on the western shores, it is also
blessed with rich mangroves.
| Distance
from trat city of nearby Provinces
- Khao Saming 16 kilometres
- Laem Ngop 17 kilometres
- Bo Rai 59 kilometres
- Khlong Yai 74 kilometres
- Ko Chang 27 kilometres
- Ko Kut 82 kilometres
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Distance
from trat city to its districts
- Bang Ban 10 kms.
- Bang Pa Han 13 kms.
- Bang Pa In 30 kms.
- Ban Phraek 50 kms.
- Bang Sai 40 kms.
- Lat Bua Luang 56 kms.
- Maharat 25 kms.
- Nakorn Luang 20 kms.
- Pha Chi 35 kms.
- Phak Hai 29 kms.
- Sena 20 kms.
- Tha Rua 59 kms.
- U-Thai 15 kms.
- Wang Noi 20 kms. |
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Trat
