TRAT
TRATThai Term GlossaryAmphoe : DistrictAo : BayBan : VillageHat : BeachKhao : MountainKo : IslandLaem : CapeMaenam : RiverMueang : Town or CityMuko : Group of Islands (Archipelago)Namtok : WaterfallPhu : MountainPha : CliffTambon : Sub-districtTham : CaveUbosot or Bot : Ordination hall in a templeWihan : Image hall in a templeWat : TempleNote : English spelling here given tries to approximateThai pronunciation. Posted signs may be spelled differently.When seeking help from a Thai for direction, point to the Thaispellings given after each place name.Trat A small province at the eastern-most frontier borderingon Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forminga natural demarcation, Trat is a resort town with over fiftylarge and small off -shore islands, long white sandy beachesand unspoiled coral ranges. It is also a major fruit-growingand fi shing area.About 315 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an areaof 2,819 square kilometres, the province is administrativelydivided into the districts of Mueang Trat, Khao Saming, LaemNgop, Khlong Yai and Bo Rai, and the sub-districts of Ko Changand Ko Kut.HistoryTrat is a seaport mostly suitable for mooring ships, loadinggoods, trade exchange, refilling food and freshwater for ships.It is therefore a community site of Chinese merchants whotravelled to trade.Trat was considered among the trade centre cities of SoutheastAsia in the late Ayutthaya period. A lot of goods that weresent to sell overseas, especially forest things; such as, deer’shorns, animal hides, scented wood, and spices, were broughtfrom the forest and mountainous zone of the eastern coastincluding Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Such goods werecarried by river and along the Khao Saming Mountain to reachthe mouth of the Gulf of Trat.In the independence war, King Taksin the Great chose Trat asa bumper outpost to provide food for the troops before hemoved the naval army from Chanthaburi.In the reign of King Rama I the Great, Trat was still animportant seaport, as it used to be in the Ayutthaya period.During the reign of King Rama III, Thailand fought in a warwith Chao Anuwong, the ruler of Vientiane, who later tooksides with Vietnam. Thailand and Vietnam were in confl ict anda war broke out in 1828. Trat was a site of gathering soldiersand food, and a military fortress and camp was established atBan Laem Hin in the Gulf of Trat.In the reign of King Rama V the Great, France sent its navaltroops to seize Chanthaburi in 1893 (Ro So 112), and returnedit to Thailand in 1904 in exchange for Trat, covering from LaemSing to Ko Kut, and Patchantakhirikhet (Ko Kong). Later, theThai government came to realise that Trat was of strategicimportance, and that most of the people there were Thai.However, with the intelligence of King Rama V the Great, Franceagreed to make a contract to return Trat and Dan Sai on theright bank of the Mekong River (when facing the mouth ofthe river) to Thailand in exchange for Battambong, Siem Reap,and Sri Sophon, on 23 March, 1906. The handover ceremonywas performed by Phraya Maha Ammattayathipbodi, thenPhraya Si Thep who held the position of Palat Thunchalong orPermanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, as the headof the delegation of the Thai government, and MonsieurRousseau Residant as the head of the delegation of the Frenchgovernment at the Trat Provincial Hall, and the French troopswere withdrawn on 6 July, 1907.During the Indochina War (1940-1941), France attempted toseize Trat again on 17 January, 1941, but the Thai navy foughtback courageously to successfully save this strategic city ofabundance.In 1978, there was a war in Cambodia, and a hundred thousandKhmers fled for their lives into Thailand through the BanthatMountain Range, an eastern border. Highway 318 runningparallel with the Banthat Mountain Range and the coastal linetowards Amphoe Khlong Yai became a main strategic route. Thewar continued until 1986. After that, the path was transformedinto a border trade route between Cambodia and Thailand, withthe Hat Lek Border Market ending the boundary of Thailandand marking the starting point of travel to Ko Kong.The discovery of “red gems” or “Siamese rubies” in the areaof Amphoe Bo Rai in 1971 caused a gems fever and peoplefrom all walks of life flocked here to try their luck. Prosperityin all aspects happened in Bo Rai and made it a big city beingdeveloped alongside with the town of Trat. Its former denseforest area became pitted, and when all precious stones weregone in 1991, Bo Rai was left a deserted city with only shops andbuildings as a reminder of its fl ourishing economy in the past.BOUNDARIES North Chanthaburi and the Kingdom of Cambodia South The Gulf of Thailand East The Kingdom of Cambodia, bordered by the Banthat Mountains West Chanthaburi, bordered by the Welu RiverHOW TO GET THEREBy Car : From Bangkok, take one of these three routes:1. Motorway : Start at Km 0 at the Sri Nagarind-RamkhamhaengIntersection and drive onto the route Ban Bueng-KlaengChanthaburi-Trat, a total distance of approximately 315 Kilometres2. Bang Na-Chon Buri-Klaeng-Chanthaburi-Trat (Highway 344),a distance of approximately 318 Kilometres3. Bang Na-Trat (Highway 3) passing Chon Buri-RayongChanthaburi-Trat, a total distance of approximately 385 KilometresBy Bus : Bangkok (Ekkamai) Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit RoadAn air-conditioned bus, First Class (Po. 1), takes about 5 hours.The privately-owned bus operators include :Cherdchai Tour Company Limited, Bangkok Offi ce Tel. 0 23912237, 0 2391 2804, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3951 1062.Transport 99 Company Limited, Bangkok Offi ce Tel. 0 25370291 or Hotline Tel. 1409, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3951 1986.For a non air-conditioned bus service : contact the PublicRelations Offi ce of the Bangkok (Ekkamai) Bus Terminal onSukhumvit Road at Tel. 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 4164.Bangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 RoadAn air-conditioned bus, First Class (Po. 1), takes about 5 hours.The privately-owned bus operators include :Cherdchai Tour Company Limited, Bangkok Offi ce Tel. 0 23912237, 0 2391 2804, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3951 1062.Transport 99 Company Limited, Bangkok Offi ce Tel. 0 25370291 or Hotline Tel. 1409, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3951 1986.Thana Kawi Transport Company Limited, Bangkok Offi ce Tel.0 2936 3939, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3952 5222.By Commuter Van : There is a daily commuter van servicefrom Victory Monument (Pong Lee Restaurant Side) and theBangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2Road during 05.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m. It takes around 4 hours.For further details, contact Tel. 08 7835 7056.By Plane : The Bangkok Aviation Public Company Limitedoff ers daily fl ights between Bangkok and Trat. For furtherdetails, contact the Bangkok Office Tel. 0 2270 6699 orHotline Tel. 1771, Trat Offi ce Tel. 0 3952 5767-8, or visit thewebsite : www.bangkokair.com. In Trat, the airport is locatedin Amphoe Khao Saming. A shuttle bus service operated bythe Bangkok Limousine Company Limited is available fortourists from the airport to the ferry pier to Ko Chang. Forfurther details, contact Tel. 0 3952 5776, 08 6563 8889.
TRATThai Term GlossaryAmphoe DistrictAo BayBan VillageHat BeachKhao MountainKo IslandLaem CapeMaenam RiverMueang Town or CityMuko Group of Islands (Archipelago)Namtok WaterfallPhu MountainPha CliffTambon Sub-districtTham CaveUbosot or Bot Ordination hall in templeWihan Image hall in templeWat TempleNote English spelling here given tries to approximateThai pronunciation Posted signs may be spelled differently .When seeking help from Thai for direction point to the Thaispellings given after each place name .Trat small province at the eastern-most frontier borderingon Cambodia with the Khao Banthat mountain range forminga natural demarcation Trat is resort town with over fiftylarge and small off -shore islands long white sandy beachesand unspoiled coral ranges It is also major fruit-growingand fi shing area .About 315 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an areaof 2,819 square kilometres the province is administrativelydivided into the districts of Mueang Trat Khao Saming LaemNgop Khlong Yai and Bo Rai and the sub-districts of Ko Changand Ko Kut .HistoryTrat is seaport mostly suitable for mooring ships loadinggoods trade exchange refilling food and freshwater for ships .It is therefore community site of Chinese merchants whotravelled to trade .Trat was considered among the trade centre cities of SoutheastAsia in the late Ayutthaya period lot of goods that weresent to sell overseas especially forest things such as deer ’shorns, animal hides scented wood and spices were broughtfrom the forest and mountainous zone of the eastern coastincluding Rayong Chanthaburi and Trat Such goods werecarried by river and along the Khao Saming Mountain to reachthe mouth of the Gulf of Trat .In the independence war King Taksin the Great chose Trat asa bumper outpost to provide food for the troops before hemoved the naval army from Chanthaburi .In the reign of King Rama the Great Trat was still animportant seaport as it used to be in the Ayutthaya period .During the reign of King Rama III Thailand fought in warwith Chao Anuwong the ruler of Vientiane who later tooksides with Vietnam Thailand and Vietnam were in confl ict anda war broke out in 1828 . Trat was site of gathering soldiersand food and military fortress and camp was established atBan Laem Hin in the Gulf of Trat .In the reign of King Rama the Great France sent its navaltroops to seize Chanthaburi in 1893 (Ro So 112 ), and returnedit to Thailand in 1904 in exchange for Trat covering from LaemSing to Ko Kut and Patchantakhirikhet (Ko Kong ). Later theThai government came to realise that Trat was of strategicimportance and that most of the people there were Thai .However, with the intelligence of King Rama the Great Franceagreed to make contract to return Trat and Dan Sai on theright bank of the Mekong River (when facing the mouth ofthe river to Thailand in exchange for Battambong Siem Reap ,and Sri Sophon on 23 March 1906 . The handover ceremonywas performed by Phraya Maha Ammattayathipbodi thenPhraya Si Thep who held the position of Palat Thunchalong orPermanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior as the headof the delegation of the Thai government and MonsieurRousseau Residant as the head of the delegation of the Frenchgovernment at the Trat Provincial Hall and the French troopswere withdrawn on July 1907 .During the Indochina War (1940-1941), France attempted toseize Trat again on 17 January 1941 but the Thai navy foughtback courageously to successfully save this strategic city ofabundance .In 1978 there was war in Cambodia and hundred thousandKhmers fled for their lives into Thailand through the BanthatMountain Range an eastern border Highway 318 runningparallel with the Banthat Mountain Range and the coastal linetowards Amphoe Khlong Yai became main strategic route Thewar continued until 1986 . After that the path was transformedinto border trade route between Cambodia and Thailand withthe Hat Lek Border Market ending the boundary of Thailandand marking the starting point of travel to Ko Kong .The discovery of “red gems ” or “Siamese rubies ” in the areaof Amphoe Bo Rai in 1971 caused gems fever and peoplefrom all walks of life flocked here to try their luck Prosperityin all aspects happened in Bo Rai and made it big city beingdeveloped alongside with the town of Trat Its former denseforest area became pitted and when all precious stones weregone in 1991 Bo Rai was left deserted city with only shops andbuildings as reminder of its fl ourishing economy in the past .BOUNDARIES North Chanthaburi and the Kingdom of Cambodia South The Gulf of Thailand East The Kingdom of Cambodia bordered by the Banthat Mountains West Chanthaburi bordered by the Welu RiverHOW TO GET THEREBy Car From Bangkok take one of these three routes :1. Motorway Start at Km at the Sri Nagarind-RamkhamhaengIntersection and drive onto the route Ban Bueng-KlaengChanthaburi-Trat , a total distance of approximately 315 Kilometres . Bang Na-Chon Buri-Klaeng-Chanthaburi-Trat (Highway 344 ),a distance of approximately 318 Kilometres . Bang Na-Trat (Highway ) passing Chon Buri-RayongChanthaburi-Trat , a total distance of approximately 385 KilometresBy Bus Bangkok (Ekkamai) Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit RoadAn air-conditioned bus First Class (Po. ), takes about hours .The privately-owned bus operators include :Cherdchai Tour Company Limited Bangkok Offi ce Tel 23912237 2391 2804 Trat Offi ce Tel 3951 1062 .Transport 99 Company Limited Bangkok Offi ce Tel 25370291 or Hotline Tel 1409 Trat Offi ce Tel 3951 1986 .For non air-conditioned bus service contact the PublicRelations Offi ce of the Bangkok (Ekkamai) Bus Terminal onSukhumvit Road at Tel 2391 2504 2391 4164 .Bangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet RoadAn air-conditioned bus First Class (Po. ), takes about hours .The privately-owned bus operators include :Cherdchai Tour Company Limited Bangkok Offi ce Tel 23912237 2391 2804 Trat Offi ce Tel 3951 1062 .Transport 99 Company Limited Bangkok Offi ce Tel 25370291 or Hotline Tel 1409 Trat Offi ce Tel 3951 1986 .Thana Kawi Transport Company Limited Bangkok Offi ce Tel .0 2936 3939 Trat Offi ce Tel 3952 5222 .By Commuter Van There is daily commuter van servicefrom Victory Monument (Pong Lee Restaurant Side and theBangkok (Chatuchak) Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet Road during 05.00 .m. 07.00 .m. It takes around hours .For further details contact Tel 08 7835 7056 .By Plane The Bangkok Aviation Public Company Limitedoff ers daily fl ights between Bangkok and Trat For furtherdetails contact the Bangkok Office Tel 2270 6699 orHotline Tel 1771 Trat Offi ce Tel 3952 5767 or visit thewebsite www .bangkokair.com. In Trat the airport is locatedin Amphoe Khao Saming shuttle bus service operated bythe Bangkok Limousine Company Limited is available fortourists from the airport to the ferry pier to Ko Chang Forfurther details contact Tel 3952 5776 08 6563 8889