THAI SEAS

Koh Chang or Chang Island Sea
Koh Chang Info

A province of 52 islands, beautiful red gemstones, delicious fruits, ridgeback dogs and Battle of Chang Island, at the top of the Eastern Border.

     Trat is the Kingdom's eastern most province. It is famous for the source of the world's finest rubies and sapphires and is emerging as one of the newest international beach resorts with many unspoiled and fascinating islands. Located some 315 kilometers from Bangkok, the province is renowned for its abundance of tropical fruits and plenty of interesting places to visit, including many historical attractions.

     Historical records showed that Trat was ruled for a brief period by the French during the French Colonization of Indochina in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V). On March 23rd, 1906, the far sighted Kong negotiated for returning of those provinces that is Pratabong, Siemrat and Srisophon, now being the land of Cambodia, to French.

     The exchanging of diploma ceremony, held at the provincial hall, was presided over by representatives of the two countries. The Thai representatives were led by Phraya Srithep, who was later known as Phraya Maha Amatayathibodi, in his capacity as "Palad Toon Chalong", a high ranking position at the Interior Ministry. The French Delegates were headed by Monsieur Rousseau Residant. March 23rd, therefore, had been designated by the residents of the province as Trat's independence day, officially known as "Wan Trat Ramruek" or Trat's day of Remembrance. To show their gratitude for the King's effort to grain the province's independence, They had a statue of King Chulalongkorn erected at the provincial hall.

     In 1942, a French ship invaded the Thai waters in Trat province, and was done by the Thai Navy. The fighting that ensued, known as "The Battle of Chang Island", brought fame to the Royal Thai Navy, whose men fought bravely against the invaders. Despite the lost of three Thai Warships--- The Ratchaburi, The Songkhla, The Thonburi: their heroic deeds remained in the memory of the Thai people in general an the residents of Trat in particular.

     Trat's main attractions are the 52 islands off its coast, the most famous of which is Koh Chang, preserving the National Marine Park, and its chain of islands and islets that dot the Gulf of Thailand from Laem Ngob to Muang and Khlong Yai districts. Other important islands include Koh Laoya, Koh Wai, Koh Ngam, Koh Prao, Koh Kradat, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, which are very short distances from one another and each of them has its own unique natural beauty. At Laem Ngob, 17 kilometers from Trat, is the pier where regular ferries are available for visitors to travel around the beautiful islands of the group of Chang Island National Marine Park. A stretching of long white sandy beach dotted with coconut tree, and fruit orchards are an ordinary sight on Koh Chang, the largest and busiest island in Trat and Thailand's second largest Island after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 square kilometers, Koh Chang, boasts several amazing natural wonders that blend magnificently with the traditional way of life such as 70 % virgin islands rainforest, steep hills, many cliffs, glassy waterfalls ,notable wildlife, white soft sandy beaches and underwater world plenty of coral reefs, stony sea floors and colorful marine life. Moreover, the numerous of fruit orchards draw greenery the islands.

Most of scenic beaches and bays are on the west side spreading from the north to the south that include Khlong Son Bay, White Sand Beach, Khlong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. A road cut through the western shore almost reaching Kai Bae Beach where there is a natural trail passing through Bai Lan Bay and Kruat Bay meandering through west forest land to Bang Bao Fishing Village on the foot of the hill in the south.