TRAT : GEOGRAPHY
& CLIMATE
    Trat
is sandwiched by mountain ranges to the east and coastlines to the west with well-preserved
natural beauty. It is blessed with 52 islands scattered like jewels along the
Gulf of Thailand. Located in the eastern part of Thailand with Cambodia as its
next door neighbor; Trat possesses fertile land that produces varied fruit growing
trees and its waters make it a major fishing area.
    Bangkok
lies 315 kilometres to the northwest and Trat itself covers an area of 2,819 square
kilometers. It contains five districts-Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngob, Klong Yai
and Bo Rai, with the addition of two sub-districts, Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
    Trat
has abundant forests, mountains and the spectacular backdrop of an archipelago
with beautiful islands and beaches. The area also produces rubies and sapphires
that have made Trat a gem trading center since their discovery in Bo Rai district
in 1971. Naturally, miners, dealers, sellers and buyers who swarmed the area have
exhausted the supply. However, there are still several gem markets, namely Hua
Thung, Baan Sa Yai and Nong Born. Some smaller markets can be found in Khao Saming
district, 20 km northwest of Trat, Which are open all day.
    With
a mountain range on one side and a coastline on the other, Trat is protected from
the prevailing winds, which explains why Trat has never been hit storms despite
several months of rainfall during the year.
    The
weather is cool and pleasant with plenty of sunshine between November and February,
and average temperatures hover around 34 C during the months of March and April.
During the time of year when the southwestern monsoon from the Gulf brings rain
to Trat (mid - May to October) visitors should take extra precaution when traversing
its waters.
    Trat
province's climate varies, of course, from the mainland to the islands. The best
weather to be found in the province is certainly on the islands where temperatures
are generally moderate year-round.
    Koh
Chang, Trat's largest island, is the second largest in Thailand, behind Phuket.
The island is about 30 km long and almost 14 km wide. The interior of the island
is mountainous and covered with tropical rainforest, with the highest elevation
beding Khao Salakphet, at 743 metres above sea level.
    In
1982, the island and its 51 surrounding small islands came under protection as
part of the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park. About 85% of the island is given
the national park designation, which is mostly rainforest found inside the island.
Animals in the park include the stump-tailed macaque, the small India civet, the
Javanese mongoose and around 61 resident bird species. The Koh Chang wart frog
is native to the islands and the mainland of Trat as well.
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