Trang town is located some 830 kilometres south of Bangkok the province situated in the remote south west of Thailand. Offers spectacular National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of unspoilt natural beauty.

Trang was an important sea port of southern Thailand. According to legend the ships always arrived at morning, which lead to the name of the town - Trang derives from the Malay word for dawn.

Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi. Planning to make Trang an important seaport to the west, relocated the town to district Kantang at the Trang River delta. It was moved again to its present location 26 kilometres inland in 1916 by King Rama VI due to repeated flooding.

Trang province in southern Thailand is at the western shore of the Malay Peninsula and is located on the coast of the Andaman Sea. It contains 46 islands together with the mainland area of a few plains and mostly hills. The Khao Luang and the Banthat mountain range are the sources of the two main rivers of the province. The Trang River and the Palian River.

The province is divided into 10 districts (Amphoe). Mueang Trang, Kantang, Yan Ta Khao, Palian, Sikao, Huai Yot, Wang Wiset, Na Yong, Ratsada and Hat Samran. These are further divided into sub districts (tambon) and villages (muban). Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Satun.

Trang was the first province in Thailand where rubber trees were planted, brought there by Governor Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi from Malaysia in 1899.

Had Chao Mai headquarters is located on Changlang beach. It is also a scenic location with many limestone cliffs, sandy beaches and crystal clear water. On one of the cliffs near the office are a series of ancient rock paintings. There is also a fresh water spring and a campsite on a grassy area beneath Casurina pines.

Pakmeng Beach is a popular beach in Trang province. Situated 40 kilometres from Trang town and is located in a bay surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs some of which form islands at high water level. The island in the centre of the bay looks like a man lying down when viewed from the beach.

Mu Ko Phetra National Park a protected area covers the southern coast of the  Trang province. The estuary of the Trang River together with the Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park and Koh Libong Non Hunting Area are also a registered Ramsar wetland.

The coast line of Trang province extends for over 120 kilometres and has historically been inhabited by fishermen. Beaches of fine sand and clear water with coastal forest dominate the coast. The sea mammal called Dugong which can be seen here is one of the several protected animals in Thailand. Had Chao Mai covers 231 square kilometres and was declared as a marine national park in 1981.

The parks terrestrial zone covers mangrove forests inland to the top of the mountains, many forested islands such as Koh Muk, Koh Kradan, Koh Wan, Koh Chueak, Koh Pling, Koh Chao Mai and Koh Meng. These areas are rich in evergreen forest, mangrove forest, beach forest and limestone forest.

The aquatic zone consists of nearly 60% of the park. Special features are coral reefs (mostly found in sheltered spots around islands), sea grass beds (found near the shores) which are important feeding grounds for fish, prawns and dugongs.

National Parks Thailand

Muk Island has a very prominent long peninsula on its southern side. The peninsula is where the majority of habitation occurs especially around the village of Had Hua Laem, which is in a sheltered location. Both sides of the peninsula are covered with beaches of soft white sand and crystal clear water.

The island has a very beautiful cave on the western side. The cave mouth is quite small but can be entered by swimming or canoeing during the low tide. The tunnel stretches for 80 meters to emerge in an open chamber of the cave with emerald colour pool. Hence the cave is called Moragot (Emerald cave).

Kradan Island is quite hilly with a range of five hills running the length of the island. Kradan is said to be the most beautiful island in the park. The beaches are of finest white sand and the water is so clear the bottom is visible. Healthy coral reefs are found on the north side of the island.

Chueak Island - Wan Island is small islands situated between Muk and Kradan islands and the Trang coast, there are coral reefs around the islands. Chueak Island has a small cave which can be entered by small boat at low tide. The cave is the home to a colony of bats. Both islands have small beaches.

Nok Air have daily direct flights from Bangkok to Trang with a travel time of 1.25 hours. For more information Tel: +66 (0) 2900 9955.

Express trains depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station Bangkok to Trang station daily. The journey takes about 15 hours for the 870 kilometre journey. For more information Tel:  +66 (0) 2 223 7010, (0) 2 223 7020.

Air conditioned buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Trang every day. The journey takes about 12 hours. For more information. Tel: +66 (0) 2 435 1199 - 200 or visit transport services.

By Car Taxi or Minibus from Bangkok, depending on route and the number of stops the journey takes from 10 to 12 hours.

There are buses, minibuses and shared taxi services from neighbouring provinces to Trang town. From Phuket the journey takes about 3 hours, from Krabi, Hat Yai and Satun the journey takes about 1.5 hours.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

A good selection of seafood restaurants can be found around the town and in many of the beach locations. Most major hotels and resorts have coffee shops serving western food some have international cuisine.

Shopping centres and outlets like Tesco Lotus have western fast food KFC, The Pizza Company and Dunking Donuts. Thai food stalls selling tasty Thai snacks can be found in the markets around the town and in the tourist areas.

Trang has excellent tours and sporting activities from mountain biking, cave explorations, nature study tours and rock climbing. Scuba diving and canoeing opportunities along the coast and on the islands.

Those of who simply just want to relax. Trang and it's surounding islands provides the ultimate in relaxation amongst some of Thailand's most idyllic scenery.

There are many luxury beach resorts in Trang where you can enjoy the unspoilt nature. Most are equipped with excellent facilities, such as swimming pools, canoes and bicycles, fitness centre, internet and Spa and massage.

In the heart of the city you will also find good quality hotels with full leisure facilities and places to lodge. Especially by the Plaza Shopping Centre allowing you easy access to the different tourist attractions in the city.

For those you on a tight budget there are also basic rooms to be found around the city and many low cost beach bungalow resorts starting from around 400-500 Baht a night.