Trat is 315 kilometer
southeast of Bangkok, and is the easternmost Thai province
edging the Gulf of Thailand.
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 “Bann 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 towms on the right bank of Mekomg River.
Thus,Trat residents regard March 23 as the “Independence 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.
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 number of population (1995) is 211,976.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.
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
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 which
is the second biggest island in Thailand.Tourist attractions at 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.
