ตรัง

           
                  (The city of Phraya Rasda; broad-hearted citizen; delicious roast pork; origin place of para rubber; Lovely Si Trang flower; beautiful coral reef; charming sandy beach; and wonderful waterfalls.)

          

           Trang (also Muang Thap Thiang, Thai: ตรัง) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the western side of the Malay Peninsulafacing the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Satun.

      Trang was formerly a port involved in foreign trade. It was the first place where rubber was planted in Thailand. Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought rubber saplings from Malaysia and planted them here in 1899, and rubber is now an important export of the country. The Trang River flows through the province from its origin in the Khao Luang mountain range, and the Palian River flows from the Banthat mountains. The province of Trang has an area of approximately 5,000 square km.

Geography 

The province is located on the coast of the Andaman Sea, and contains 46 islands together with the mainland area. There are only few plains, and most of the area is hills. The Khao Luang and the Banthat mountain range are the sources of the two main rivers of the province, the Trang Riverand the Palian River.

It has along western coastline of about 119 kilometres. 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 for sea travel is during October to May. Situated along the Andaman coast, Trang province is home to innumerable beautiful islands, while the mountainous eastern region is home to dramatic waterfalls, caves and pristine jungle. Between the mountains and the coast are extensive plantations of rubber.

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

Symbols

            The seal of the province shows a lighthouse bridge.The provincial symbolic flower and tree is the Green ebony (Jacaranda filicifolia). The plant was imported from Australia by the same governor who also imported the rubber tree, and it quickly got the name Sri-Trang by the citizens.The provincial slogan 

                 "เมืองพระยารัษฏา ชาวประชาใจกว้าง ถิ่นกำเนิดยางพารา เด่นสง่าดอกศรีตรัง ปะการังใต้ทะเล เสน่ห์หาดทรายงาม น้ำตกสวยตระการตา"

            translates to Phraya Rasda’s town, generous people, delicious roast pork, The First city where Para rubber was planted , the Si Trang provincial flower, underwater coral reefs, scenic beaches and waterfalls.

    

            Administrative divisions

                        
     Trang is subdivided into 10 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 87 subdistricts (tambon) and 697 villages (muban).

                                                

                                      1. Mueang Trang               6. Huai Yot

                                      2. kantang                          7. Wang Wiset

                                      3. Yan Ta khao                  8. Na Yong

                                      4. Palian                             9. Ratsada

                                      5. Sikao                            10. Hatamran

          

Ko Ngai the exotic beach and romantic jewel for serenity and privacy. This island is situated on the idyllic and pristine Trang Archipelago. It is south of Ko Lanta. You may choose to get here from Pak Meng Pier, Trang province or Saladan of Ko Lanta, Krabi province
.

     


 Ko Muk and Tham Morakot (เกาะมุก-ถ้ำมรกต) are the most prominent points in the Trang Sea. Ko Muk is mostly occupied by sea-facing towering cliffs to the west. Located on the eastern side of the island is a village of fishermen who have still maintained their ways of life as islanders. On the island to the west is Tham Morakot, a unique sea cave. With light from the outside, emerald water can be seen inside the cave; it is unusual and beautifully nature.

  

     









           Hat Yong Ling and Hat San (หาดหยงหลิง-หาดสั้น) is on the way to Chao Mai Beach and a 2-kilometre road leads to Yong Lin Beach. This curved beach parallels a pine forest. At the beach’s end is a high mountain with holes and caves that can be passed through to a cliff with more caves and rocks similar to a fortress encircling sand dunes.

     

                         Ko Chueak - Ko Waen  (เกาะเชือก-เกาะแหวน) are small islands between Ko Muk and Ko Kradan. They are teeming with shallow and deepwater corals and many types of fish.

     

                     Ko Kradan (เกาะกระดาน) is arguably the most beautiful island in the Trang. It has an area of 600 acres (2.4 km²). Most of the island (5/6) is under the responsibility of Hat Chao Mai National Park. The rest are privately owned. The most striking feature of Ko Kradan is its powdery white beach and crystal-clear water that permits a decent 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.

       


                Hat Pak Meng (หาดปากเมง) is at Tambon Mai Fat, 40 kilometres from the city. The 5-kilometre long beach is in the shape of a crescent moon. A pine forest fringes the beach. 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 seafood in the restaurants.

       

               Namtok Ton Te (น้ำตกโตนเต๊ะ) is 45 kilometres from the city. It is the tallest and most popular waterfall in Trang with water that drops down 320 metres of rocks. The source is in the Banthat Mountain Range. Assorted tropical floras cover the surrounding area.

                  

                   Namtok Sai Rung (น้ำตกสายรุ้ง) This single-level waterfall falls from a high and huge cliff. The water turns into a rainbow as the sun shines through it.

      Koh Lao Liang   (เกาะเหลาเหลียง) These two islands, located in between Koh Libong and Koh Petra. The color of the sea around Koh Lao Liang is emerald green. The sea between these two islands is deep and swift. Both islands are big limestone mountains. There are highly sloped cliffs on both sides. The beach has white sand.

     

          

             Koh Takiang (เกาะตะเกียง) is a small island on in the group of south Trang islands. It is the island with only 100 meter long beach. However, this beach is quite clean. The rest area is covered by rocks and hillocks. There is a lighthouse for chip in this region.

Local Culture

                Manora or Nora (มโนราห์หรือโนรา) is an art form native to southern Thailand. The performance has dance postures. The singer sings the lyrics ad-lib. Accompanying musical instruments include drums, cymbals, gongs, Java pipes, and castanets. Nowadays Nora has developed into incorporating modern instruments.

           

             Shadow Play (หนังตะลุง) is a popular art of southern Thailand. Dried animal hide is carved into drama figures like a hermit, a lord, a lead actor, a lead actress, a giant, and a clown. The figures are held up behind a lighted screen to create shadows on it. Nai Nang or the puppeteer sings verses or narrate the performance. Musical instruments used are the same as for Nora, with perhaps So U and So Duang (stringed instruments) added in.

     Li-kae Pa (ลิเกป่า) is also called Li-ke Bok or Li-ke Rammana. This type of performance is different from the usual Li-ke as the performers wear other kinds of costumes. Li-ke Pa is popular among Thai Muslims. Only 3 performers play in a single set the whole show. However, the set has a location name change to correspond to the story being played. Musical instruments used include 2-3 tambourines, cymbals, gongs, and pipes.

 dugong

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