Trang at a glance

Located approximately 828 kilometers from Bangkok, Trang Province covers an area of 4,941 square kilometers. The province borders on Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the north, Satun Province and the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) to the south, Phatthalung Province to the east and the Indian Ocean and Krabi Province to the west. Trang is considered a magnificent coastal province as it long, beautiful coastline stretches 199 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. In addition, the province has two major rivers flowing through it, the Trang River, which originates in the Khao Luang Mountain Range and Maenam Palian from the Banthat Mountain Range.

Despite the fact that Trang City plays a key role in facilitating trade and communications to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand's southern commercial hub, Trang is a province less traveled to by tourists. It was only recently that Trang has been poised to establish itself on the international travel map.
Trang has geographical advantages similar to that of Krabi and Phang-Nga. This includes breathtaking islands and astounding beaches along the coast as well as awe-inspiring inland limestone- propped mountains. The province consists of an archipelago in the Andaman Sea with over 46 islands. Of these, 12 are in Amphoe Kantang, 13 in Amphoe Palian and 21 in Amphoe Sikao. The best time to visit Trang is between December and May.
Trang has both mainland beaches and a whole string of offshore islands. For visitors interested in light-adventure activities such as cruising coastal waters, visiting notable sights such as the enchanting Emerald Cave, which is accessible only by water, will prove to be remarkable experience.
Additional attractions include the Mu Ko Petra National Park with beaches and islands lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Some of the dive sites in the National Park are world-class. There are also wildlife sanctuaries such as Namtok Khao Chong and Khlong Lamchan Park with waterfalls, nature trails and caves. For those looking for a relaxed, tranquil ambience, Trang is a perfect place to unwind amidst stunning scenery.
With an abundance of blissful attractions mixed with cultural heritage, Trang Province is truly an emerging fascinating tourist destination with numerous jungles, mountains and waterfalls.
The City also has numerous attractions. Walking around Trang City, visitors will be amazed at the mixture of Western, Chinese and Thai cultures reflected in the architecture that range from the Sino- Portuguese shop houses to the Chinese temples and shrines. The Pan-Ya House is the local style of houses in Trang, which offers an insight into the architectural heritage of this town. In addition to architectural attractions there are many parks to stroll through and markets to explore. The main two markets in Trang are Ta Klang and Municipal markets.

History of Trang
Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port engaged in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted after Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought it from Malaysia in 1899. Since then, rubber has become Souths major commodity and is now considered an important source of income for farmers.

Todays Trang
Trang has a total area of 4,941 square kilometers and is divided into 10 districts (Amphoe) and 1 sub-district (King Amphoe); Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kantang, Amphoe Huai Yot, Amphoe Yan Ta Khao, Amphoe Palian, Amphoe Sikao, Amphoe Wang Wiset, Amphoe Na Yong, Amphoe Ratsada, and King Amphoe Hat Samran.

The best time to visit Trang

The best time to visit Trang is between December and May. As it is located on the same coastline as Phuket and Krabi Provinces, Trang Province is also influenced by the monsoon. The temperature is generally warm all year round with an average temperature varying from 20 Celsius to 36 Celsius.

In April, the daytime temperature is highest and it is also the hottest period of the year. The rainy season, which is from May to September, has rains and short downpours during the daytime. The monsoon period comes from September to November and then from December onwards the weather generally becomes more pleasant.

City Attractions

Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Monument is in Trang Municipal Park, about 1 kilometre from the Provincial Hall on the Trang-Phatthalung route. Phraya Ratsada helped to make Trang the prosperous city it is today. He developed transportation, agriculture, animal husbandry, education, and local administration. He was also the first person to plant rubber trees in the province, which contributed to its widespread planting in southern Thailand.

Sa Kaphang Surin in Trang Municipality is about 2 kilometres from the Provincial Hall on Wian Kaphang Road. This is a natural pool of about 80,000 square metres. A concrete bridge spans the pool to three beautiful connecting pavilions in the pool’s centre. The surrounding area is a public park. A zoo is not far from Phraya Ratsadanupradit Monument.

Phra Srinagarindra Park (Thung Nam Phut) is 3 kilometres from the city. Nam Phut Road is on the right of Tha Klang Road. The park has a lovely landscape and a magnificent view.

Phra Non Song Khrueang Manora is at Wat Phu Khao Thong, Moo 1, Tambon Nam Phut, around 20 kilometres from the city. The Buddha image is in the death posture. The most distinctive feature is the head, which has a decorated head-dress of the Nora dance called the Throet, regarded as a holy and royal ornament of the dance that is an indigenous performance of southern Thailand.

Tourist Attractions

The first rubber tree in Thailand is along a road that leads to Kantang. This tree represents the first group of rubber trees that Phraya Ratsadanupradit planted to pioneer the rubber plantation industry in 1899.

 Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Museum is around 200 metres from Kantang Municipality at No. 1, Khai Phithak Road, Tambon Kantang. It is the site of an important historical site, the “former lord of Trang’s house” where Phraya Ratsadanupradit once lived. Inside the two-story wooden building are a wax figure of the lord and a complete collection of his daily personal items. Currently, the Na Ranong family manages the house. It is open to the public every day, except Mondays (it is open on public holidays but closed the following day). Groups requiring a guide must contact the Kantang Phitthayakon School in advance at tel. 0-7525-1100.

Chao Mai Cave-Chao Khun Cave is a stalagmite/stalactite cave in To Nae Mountain, near Ban Chao Mai. It can be reached by boat a 15-minute trip from Yao Beach to Khlong Chao Mai. A small rowboat can go through the cave to a verdant mangrove forest where the other cave is nearby. Visitors have to walk up to the cave to fully appreciate its beauty.

 Ko Libong is in Tambon Libong and is the largest island in the Trang Sea, with an area of 40,000 square kilometres. Around the island are masses of seaweed where the rare herds of manatees can be seen. It is also the home of a variety of native and migratory birds that are most abundant in winter. Ko Libong is part of the Libong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve. The park headquarters is located here. The island has many capes and beaches such as Tup Beach, Chu Hoi Cape, Thuat Cape, and To Chai Cape. People can walk across the beach at Chu Hoi Cape at low tide to Ko Tup where great numbers of seabirds and mangrove birds from colder climates congregate during their migration. Many fishing villages are on the island. Most residents are Muslims. From Ko Libong, one can get a good view of Ko Chao Mai and Chao Mai Cape. To get to the island, take a boat at Hat Yao Ban Chao Mai Pier. A boat leaves every hour and takes 30 minutes to get to the island. The rental fee is 400 baht per boat. There is accommodation on the island. For more information, please contact the Libong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve, P.O. Box 5, Amphoe Kantang, Trang, tel. 0-7525-1932.

Hot spring is at Moo 7, Tambon Bo Nam Ron, around 10 kilometres from Kantang. This natural hot spring has a constant temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. It is an interesting place for health tourism

Ko Muk and Morakot Cave are the most impressive points in the Trang Sea. The island is comprised of mostly high and majestic cliffs facing the sea to the west, while a fishing village is to the east facing the mainland. Swallow birds make the numerous cliffs their home. Hidden among them are the fantastic Morakot Cave. The cave entrance is a small passage on the island’s western side that is accessible by boat during low tide. The cave itself winds for about 80 metres to the other exit, opening onto a clean white beach surrounded by high cliffs. To get to Ko Muk, tourists can take a boat from Pak Meng Pier in Amphoe Sikao for the 40-minute trip. The boat rent is around 1,500 baht/day. Accommodation is available on the island.

 Ko Chueak - Ko Waen are small islands between Ko Muk and Ko Kradan. They are teeming with shallow and deepwater corals and many types of fish. Visitors can depart from Pak Meng Pier for the islands. Boats leave regularly using the same route as to Ko Muk and Ko Kradan. The 50-minute trip costs 1,500 baht/day for a chartered boat.

 Ko Kradan is the most beautiful island in the Trang. With an area of 600 acres, most of the island (5/6) is under the jurisdiction of Hat Chao Mai National Park. The rest are privately owned rubber and coconut plantations. The island offers good restaurants and accommodation for tourists. The most striking feature of Ko Kradan is its powdery, white beach and crystal clear water that permits a great view of the coral reef underneath that stretches from the beach’s northern end to the coast. A variety of colourful fish inhabit the shallow water corals. Ko Kradan is to the west of Ko Muk and Ko Libong. From Pak Meng Pier, visitors can take a 1.30-hour boat trip to Ko Kradan.

Hat Chao Mai National Park is a marine national park covering the 2 districts of Kantang and Sikao with a 20-kilometres coastline. The park headquarters is at Chang Lang Beach in Tambon Mai Fat, approximately 47 kilometres from the city. To get there, take the Trang-Sikao-Pak Meng Road (Highway No. 4162) for 40 kilometres and then 7 kilometres more on a road paralleling the beach to the park headquarters. Land-based attractions of the park are Pak Meng Beach, Chang Lang Beach, San Beach, Yao Beach, Yong Ling Beach, Chao Mai Beach, and Chao Mai Cave. All are easily accessible by car. Moreover, there are 7 other islands for which the park is responsible. They are Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, Ko Chueak, Ko Pling, Ko Waen, Ko Meng, and Ko Chao Mai. The area was proclaimed a national park on 14 October 1982. The park also features the Marine Natural Study Centre (tel. 0-7521-0664) and the Tourist Service Centre.

Accommodation is available on the island. For more details, please contact the National Parks Division, Royal Forestry Department, tel. 0-2561-2920 - 1 or Hat Chao Mai National Park, Moo 5, Tambon Mai Fat, Amphoe Sikao, Trang, P.O. Box 9, tel. 0-7521- 0099.

 Ko Ngai or Ko Hai is an island that is actually in Amphoe Ko Lanta of Krabi. However, it is classified as a tourist destination in the Trang Sea because it is easier to get there from Trang. The island has a white beach, clear waters and is surrounded by magnificent corals. A boat trip from Pak Meng Pier takes about an hour. A 10-person capacity boat rent is 1,500 baht and for 20-40 persons is 6,000-10,000 baht. Accommodation is available on the island.

Rajamangkala Aquarium is around 30 kilometres from the city on the Trang-Sikao-Pak Meng Road (Highway No. 4046-4162). The large building is inside the Fishery Faculty, Rajamangkala Institute of Technology, Trang Campus, Tambon Mai Fat. The aquarium has 61 displays and a number of fishponds. The aquarium has freshwater and marine fish, amphibians and the most realistic model of a mangrove forest. It is open daily during official hours. For more information, call tel. 0-7524-8201-5.

Hat Pak Meng is at Moo 4, Tambon Mai Fat, 38 kilometres from the city on the Trang-Sikao-Pak Meng Road (Highway No. 4046-4162). The beautiful and peaceful, 5-kilometre-long beach is in the shape of a crescent moon and is frindged by a lovely pine forest. Assorted large and small islands dot the sea, looking like a person lying face up in the ocean. Trang locals and people from nearby provinces like to come here to relax and sample spicy seafood in the restaurants. Boats from Pak Meng Pier take visitors to Ko Ngai and other islands close by.