Why Trat / Koh Chang

Trat comprised of 52 islands spread along the Gulf of Thailand, with mountain ranges to the east and coastlines to the west. It is the easternmost province of Thailand bordering Cambodia. Bangkok lies 315 KM to the northwest and Trat itself include an area of 2,819 sq km. It is made of 5 districts: Muang Trat, Khao Saming, Laem ngob, Klong Yai and Bo Rai, with 2 sub-districts, Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
Koh Chang, Trat's largest island, is the second largest in Thailand, after Phuket. The hinterland of the island is mountainous. The island of Koh Chang is a tropical marine national park. Its hinterland reside over 70% virgin rainforest and is the best treasured tourist holiday destination in Thailand, located to the east of the country, on the Cambodian border. Lately, with the surge of the island's development and fame, it has been promoted to Thailand's new tourist haven. It has an airport close Trat, only 15 minutes from the ferry terminal. Bangkok Airways run twice-daily services from Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, immaculate rainforests and plenitude of wildlife and marine life, coral reefs, high mountains peaks, different scenic waterfalls such as Klong Nueng, Klong Plu, Klong Nonsi, Tan Mayom or Tri Petch. A rich assortment of cuisine and famous nightlife can also be found as the island has become more developed, as well as dining and recreational choices have become more various in an effort to cater to the needs of the international traveler. Despite everything, Thai cuisine on the island is still favorite and very tasty. As is frequently the case in Thailand, the street food counts among the tastiest. International dishes can be found at most beach bungalows, and most of restaurants will feature it on their menus. Where Koh Chang truly excels in terms of cuisine is the beach barbeques where freshly caught seafood is provided at eateries lined up on the beach. Koh Chang is one of Thailand's most sought after holiday destinations. For traditional island beach chilling and cheap alcohol, the multifarious beach bars should satisfy. With their ambience and outdoor areas spread-scattered with cushions, it is easy to make yourself comfortable for the night. Family may favor to head down to Klong Phrao Beach where clean and adequate pub-style establishments have enough games to keep the kids entertained during the time parents enjoy an evening drink. For something a tad more bustling, the islands houses a few karaoke bars and old school rave-style clubs where some cheesy typical which will leave you suitably nostalgic. The most dynamic beach of all Koh Chang is White sand beach. This stretch of land is muddled with live music venues, pool bars and dance clubs. Home to "little Pattaya', the area has a risqué side with a little congregation of beer bars .For an intense night of partying go to Lonely beach-home to Koh Chang's full and half moon parties, don't expect quite the same degree of hedonism found on Koh Phangan, but the parties are pretty wild all the same. Cheap cocktails, buckets of beer and Songsan (Thai whiskey) keep the mood upbeat to the wee hours. Most of the scenic beaches and bays are situated on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They comprise: Klong Son Bay which is abounding with coral lines is in the northernmost of the west coast. White Sand Beach is one of the stretched beaches on Koh Chang, at the back of the beach are orchards of coconut trees and forests. Long Sand Beach is close to Sa Lak Kok Bay, covered with forest and coconut trees. Klong Phrao Beach –Laem Chaiyachet is the long seaside close to Kai Bae Beach , the beach is a bit steep, swimming is possible. The Northernmost of Klong Phrao Beach is close to Chaiyachet Bay and beach which has stunning landscape but swimming is not recommended.

Kai Bae Beach, is nearto klong Phrao Beach, the beach like that of Klong Phrao, is steep but swimming is safe. To the east are Sapparot Bay, where a ferry landing is located, and Salak Khok Bay. On the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Salak Phet Bay, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. Different waterfalls are available and easily accessible. South of Koh Chang are situated Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Speedboats transport visitors to the islands in a period of one hour tour. There is likewise a lot of attractions in Koh Chang, explore the national park or the naval battle monument. Spend a day at the Bang bao Fishing Village, very entertaining because residents in the area build up their houses with poles planted into the sea and the bridge reaching to any house is set up to link the community together. There is also plenty amazing temples in the area like Bang bao Temple, Klong Phrao Temple, klong Son Temple or Klong Nonsi Temple.

Accommodation on the island varies from simple beach huts and bungalows to luxury villas, suites and apartments. If you drive, you can hire motorbikes, jeeps and cars to take you to all of the beaches along the coastal roads and, in the evening, there are a lot of restaurants, live music bars and nightclubs to choose from to spice up your holiday.
With a mountain panorama on one side and a coastline on the other, Trat is protected from storms even though several months of rainfall over the year. The weather is cool and agreeable with a lot of sunshine between November and February, and average temperatures float around 34C between the months of March and April. Visitors should take extra precaution when traversing its waters between the southwestern monsoons which are from mid-May to October.