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Trat Travel Information

General Info || Attractions || Festivals || To shop || How to get there

Koh Chang || Koh Kut

Koh Chang

       Ko Chang Islands National Park covers the Chang island and other smaller isles within Trat territorial waters. All these site are lovely and pleasant and some are coral habitat.

       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 fresh-water 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 forestland 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 earthern 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 further 20 minutes on foot; Khlong Nonsi waterfall , a 4-kilometre walk from the park headquarter; and Khiriphet and Khlong Nung falls, which are about 3 kilometres from Ban Salakphet.

Getting to Ko Chang

       A 5.30 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 Song Thaeo transports 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 Ao Sapparot 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 Khlong Phrao and 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: Tel: 0-3959-7255, 0-3959-7259-60 Fax: 0-3959-7255.

Ferry Services

       Ferries depart either from Ao Thammachat or Ko Chang Center Point Landings between 07.30 – 16.30 hours 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 Song Thaeo 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 accommodations. 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 ? hours.

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Koh Kut

       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-yeilding 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 accommodations (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: 0-39 53-8055, 0-3953-8059.

 

Festivals

       The Ko Chang Yutthanavi Day is organized in late January at the Ko Chang Yutthanavi 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 day 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 fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak (or Rakam)

To shop

Local Product

       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.

How to get there

Car

       From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn into Highway No. 3 and proceed to Trat. A total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometres.

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Bus

       Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. It takes 5 hours for the journey. The fare is 169 Baht for air-conditioned bus, 197 Baht for 24-seat VIP bus. For more information, contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2391 -4164

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