The Emblem of Trat

Introduction

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 seperated from Cambodia by Buntud Mount Range eastwards from the middle of the province. Weru River seperates 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 noreastern 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, ans 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, Chon Buri and Thon Buri 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.

How to get there

By Bus      Both  air  and  non - air -conditioned (orange ones) buses depart from Ekamai Bus Terminal for Trat many times a day. Bangkok - Trat Ordinary or non-air-conditioned buses TEL. (02) 3912504 03.30, 05.30, 06.30,08.00, 12.30, 23.00 Air-conditioned buses Sahamit-Cherdchai, TEL. (02) 3912237,3914164 07.00, 09.30, 11.00, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30, 17.30, 20.30, 22.30, 23.30 Suparat Tour, TEL. (02) 3912331 08.30, 10.30, 18.30, 22.30 Chokanukul, TEL. (02) 3927680 14.00, 23.30 Trat - Bangkok Non-air-conditioned buses 04.30, 05.30, 06.30, 07.30, 08.30, 09.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 14.00, 15.00, 16.15, 23.00 Air-conditioned buses Sahamit-Cherdchai, TEL (039) 511062 07.00, ,08.00, 09.00, 10.00, 11.00, 13.00, 14.00, 16.00, ,23.00, 23.30 Fri,Sat,Sun 18.00 Suparat tour, (039) 511481 08.30, 10.30, 11.30, 15.00, 16.00, 23.00 Fri,Sat,Sun 11.30,16.30,23.30 Chockanukool Tour (039) 511587 09.30, 23.00 A one way ticket fare is 169 baht and a return ticket cost 399 baht Chantaburi-Trat      Ordinary  buses  depart  Chanta  Buri  and Trat every half an hour since 05.50 until 14.30 Chanta buri  to  Trat which take about one and a half hour, additional buses are set at 15.45, 16.20 and the last trip at 17.30. The fare is 22 baht. Chantaburi      Non -air-conditioned buses leave Chanta buri and Borai every 30 minutes since 06.00. The last Trip  leaves  at  18.30.  The  trip will take about one and a half hour. The fare is 50 baht. Borai-Mae Sod  (Chiang Rai)  Ordinary buses leave Mae Sod and Borai at 07.30 and 08.30. It takes about 15 hours for each trip. The fare is 202.50 baht. Local bus routes      1. Trat-Laem Ngob is 17 Km Long. Buses will leave the munipal food market since 06.00. It cost           about 15 baht for a person.      2. Trat-Laem  Sok  is  28  Km long. Buses depart from the municipal food market since 06.00 the           fare is 25 baht.      3. Trat-Klong  Yai  route is 75 Km in length. Buses will leave the food market since 06.00 and the           fare is 25 baht.      4. Trat-Borai  is  53  km  long  since  06.00  buses  depart from the food market. The trip costs 35           baht  Taxis  running  between Chanta buri and Trat will leave the fountain circle in Chanta buri           and the municipal food market in Trat from 06.00 to 17.00. Each trip will take about 1 hour and           20 minutes. The trip (5-6 persons per a taxi) costs 50 baht each.