Trang province offers adventurous foodies a range of delicious dishes in a pristine natural setting.

People who have the explorer’s instinct like to investigate places that others find boring, because it is in such places that you find things you never expected. Southern seaside provinces such as Surat Thani, with its tourist islands including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, have become so famous that they eclipse the others. But travellers who take time to truly explore the beautiful, quiet and unspoiled Chumphon province will find it is the true gem of the Gulf of Thailand. On the other coastline facing the Andaman Sea you find Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi, which receive the most attention and draw in the most visitors, who tend to overlook Trang province – the real diamond of the Andaman Sea.

Trang is a very old province whose rich history has left plenty of remnants to be seen and enjoyed.  Trang is full of natural beauty. Both its seashores and inland areas offer views as stunning as can be found anywhere else in the country. Its inhabitants include people from many different ethnic groups such as Hokkien Chinese, Thais and Muslims, among others, living together harmoniously. Thailand’s first rubber tree was grown in Trang, which is also the only province on the Andaman shore that can be reached by train. Amphoe Kantang in Trang was an important port in the past and remains one today. The province was the first place in Thailand to become famous for its coffee, and because of its mix of ethnic cultures it also offers a wide variety of dishes from different culinary traditions, all of them delicious. They are available from early morning till late at night. These are just a few of the attractions in Trang – enterprising visitors will

discover many more. Nearby provinces such as Phuket, Krabi and Phangnga have become popular tourist destinations as a result of official promotions. Trang would like to enjoy a similar success and would like to use public relations to make it better known. It is trying to establish festivals and activities like Valentine’s Day Weddings (in which the ceremony is held underwater), as well as excursions to see sea cows in their natural habitat. But none of this is necessary. It would be better to leave Trang as it is, and allow it to remain peaceful with its natural environment fully intact. Then it will be a province that people would love to come and visit. This approach would be much wiser than trying to commercialise it for tourists. There is an important bay along the Trang coastline called Ao Jao Mai. It stretches about 30km long, and at one end of it is Pak Meng, a tourism spot with hotels, resorts, bungalows and restaurants tightly packed along the beaches. The reason for the crowding is because of the wide beaches and views of the islands. The dense clustering of tourism facilities gives the impression of overcrowding and disorder, but on the positive side it means that everything is conveniently nearby. Thai tourists like to have everything they need at hand and dislike lonely, isolated spots. Given this preference, Pak Meng fills the bill nicely. Nearby provinces such as Phuket, Krabi and Phangnga have become popular tourist destinations as a result of official promotions. Trang would like to enjoy a similar success and would like to use public relations to make it better known. It is trying to establish festivals and activities like Valentine’s Day Weddings (in which the ceremony is held underwater), as well as excursions to see sea cows in their natural habitat. But none of this is necessary. It

would be better to leave Trang as it is, and allow it to remain peaceful with its natural environment fully intact. Then it will be a province that people would love to come and visit. This approach would be much wiser than trying to commercialise it for tourists. There is an important bay along the Trang coastline called Ao Jao Mai. It stretches about 30km long, and at one end of it is Pak Meng, a tourism spot with hotels, resorts, bungalows and restaurants tightly packed along the beaches. The reason for the crowding is because of the wide beaches and views of the islands. The dense clustering of tourism facilities gives the impression of overcrowding and disorder, but on the positive side it means that everything is conveniently nearby. Thai tourists like to have everything they need at hand and dislike lonely, isolated spots. Given this preference, Pak Meng fills the bill nicely.

SOURCE : http://bangkokpost.com/leisure/restaurant/39357/a-taste-of-trang

With islands like the ’Emerald Cave’, Trang offers a unique experience that is seriously off the well-trodden path. Why is it that, with the age of the Internet and all the information available on places to go in Thailand, people, when choosing a holiday destination, always select the same old places? Especially, when it’s a tropical beach they are after.

So, for people who are bored of well-trodden tourist haunts and their endless array of banana boats and beer bars, why not get off the beaten track and head to Trang province in the south of Thailand? While Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga get tourists and travellers by the bus and planeload, Trang’s coastal beaches and 47 islands remain virtually forgotten.

Natural and rare

Among all those islands is beyond a doubt one of the most breathtaking in all of Thailand: “Emerald Cave”. The island is one of only two in the world that has a huge sun-lit open-roof beach inside a cave. Be warned though, it’s a trip that requires care and planning. One can only get there and out during low tide by long-tailed boat; otherwise you would be stuck inside perched on some rock until the following morning. Trang’s other islands are known for their unspoilt beauty and are idyllic for simply sun-bathing, diving or bird-spotting (the species that has two wings and a beak). When you’ve had enough of the sun, you’ll be going home via Trang provincial town, a place not only home to former prime minister, Chuan Leekpai. Trang also has a unique breakfast cuisine found nowhere else in Thailand. One of those is Hokkien-style “dim sum”, which is dished up at local morning coffee shops (ko pii). Fortunately, you don’t even have to waste time trying to speak Thai to order, you simply eat what’s there laid on the table and pay for what you’ve eaten. So, if you’re thinking of getting off the beaten track this summer, then think of sticking Trang on your itinerary.

By Stephen Cleary
Image & text source : tourismthailand.org

Source text : tourismthailand.org

Today I will guide you to Trang beautiful beaches which are tens of kilometers long. Trang is situated along the Andaman Sea. In this province, you will find lots of beautiful islands and many fountains that will take your breath away.

My journey begins in the afternoon when there is not much traffic. I use the Petchkrasem road, driving through Petchburi and Pranburi province and heading for Chumpon. The total distance from Bangkok to Trang is around 900 kilometers. Tonight we will sleep at Amari Trang Beach Resort, the only 5 stars hotel in this province, is situated on Jao Mai Beach.

Next morning, I awake with the beautiful scene before me. From the balcony, I can see Jao Mai River with white sand hillock and line of pine trees. Moreover, I can see the Pak Meng Beach which looks similar to a horse- shoe. To the left, there are many islands such as Koh Ngai, Koh Choek, Koh Ma and Koh Waen.

Tourists usually take a long-shafted motor boat from Jao Mai river and start their adventure of the day to the beautiful islands in the sea. The uniqueness of Trang’s beach is the lines of pine trees grown there.

Today our journey begins with Pak Meng Beach. Here, there is a big wharf  that can hold tens of boats. Along the beach, on the left there are many restaurants and on the right you can either hide yourself under the shade of the pine trees or under big colorful sunshades. Next to them is the long stretch of the beach which uniquely composed of various kinds of grayish red colored seashells.

Jao Mai National Park is located at the end of the Jao Mai Beach. At the front of the park is Koh Muk where there are villages and newly opened resorts. We, then, drive along the coast from the National Park. Along the way to Yao Beach, we have passed the green scenery of rubber plantation and palm trees plantation. We have driven according to the sign on the sideway. It says that on the right, there is a Kuan Tung Koo wharf  where the locals board their boats to go to Koh Muk. Then, we stopped at Yong Ling, a small but million-dollar view beach with crystal clear water that we just couldn’t resist swimming and taking pictures. Here, I brought my kayak boat for a swing or two to see the mountain which also homed to a small beach hidden inside.

We hit the road again from Yong Ling Beach to Yao Beach. Yao Beach is intervened by Trang River. At this point, there is also a wharf and at its front is Koh Libong, which is homed to Manatees. There are also small fishermen villages there with many beautiful boats for us to take a picture with.

I have heard that Pak Meng Beach and Chang Lang River is the most beautiful spot to see sunset but I chose Pak Meng Beach because there are hills and rows of boats as the background.

We end our incredible day with watching sunset and taking tons of pictures. I would recommend you to have a day to go along the Trang’s beaches before cross over to islands. You will see that a small paradise is situated right here in the mainland along Trang coastal line.

Thanyathon Pluemmanus, Arts Chula.