Trang Province
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| Trang ตรัง |
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| Province | ||
Ko Lao Liang Phi in Mu Ko Phetra National Park
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 Map of Thailand highlighting Trang Province |
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| Country |  Thailand |
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| Capital | Trang | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Maitri Inthusut (since October 2009) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4,917.5 km2 (1,898.7 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 44th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 638,746 | |
| • Rank | Ranked 40th | |
| • Density | 130/km2 (340/sq mi) | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 36th | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-92 | |
Trang (Thai: ตรัง, pronounced [trāŋ]), also called Mueang Thap Thiang, is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the west side of the Malay Peninsula facing 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 Malaya 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 and 199 km of Andaman Sea shoreline.
Contents
Geography
The province is 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 River and the Palian River.
It has a long western coastline of about 199 kilometres.[1]
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[2] and Ko Libong Non-hunting Area are also registered Ramsar wetlands.
Climate
| Climate data for Trang (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 32.6 (90.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.3 (95.5) |
35.2 (95.4) |
33.6 (92.5) |
32.8 (91) |
32.3 (90.1) |
32.2 (90) |
31.9 (89.4) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.3 (88.3) |
31.2 (88.2) |
32.88 (91.18) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21.9 (71.4) |
21.8 (71.2) |
22.5 (72.5) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.8 (73) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.3 (72.1) |
22.72 (72.88) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 32.5 (1.28) |
20.8 (0.819) |
83.4 (3.283) |
139.7 (5.5) |
217.5 (8.563) |
201.1 (7.917) |
258.5 (10.177) |
275.1 (10.831) |
305.1 (12.012) |
285.5 (11.24) |
203.9 (8.028) |
125.4 (4.937) |
2,148.5 (84.587) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 5 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 11 | 176 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 72 | 74 | 79 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 85 | 87 | 88 | 86 | 81 | 81.8 |
| Source: Thai Meteorological Department (Normal 1981-2010), (Avg. rainy days 1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
History
Trang was an important sea port of southern Thailand. Legend says the ships always arrived in the morning, which led to the town's name. "Trang" derives from the Malay word for 'light' (terang). The province was once a part of the ancient Kedah Tua Kingdom, a Kedahan Malay kingdom.
According to cultural records Trang was be one of 12 satellite towns that existed about 900 years ago, but it was during the reign of King Rama II that the province got its first governor. The first Westerner to arrive in Trang was Captain James Low, who came in 1838 to negotiate commercial benefits.
The original town was in Khuanthani (now a tambon in district Kantang). In 1893, the governor, Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi, also known as Khaw Sim Bee na Ranong, decided to make Trang an important seaport and relocated the town to Kantang district on the Trang River delta. It was moved again to its present location 26 km inland in 1916 by King Rama VI because of repeated floodings.
Trang was the first area of Thailand where rubber trees were planted, brought there by governor Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi from British Malaya in 1899.
Symbols
The seal of the province shows a lighthouse bridge above a sea of waves. The lighthouse bridge refers to Trang as a seaport trading with foreign countries.[3]
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 "si 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."[3]
Administrative divisions
Trang is subdivided into 10 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 87 subdistricts (tambon) and 697 villages (muban).
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Transportation
Air: Trang Airport is 7 km. away from the Trang town centre.[4] It is served by Thailand AirAsia and Nok Air, with flights to Bangkok.
Rail: Trang is one of the southern destinations offering a train routes to Bangkok's Hualamphong central station starting from Thung Song Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, this southwestern route passes Huay Yod station to Muang station and ends at Kan Tang terminal in Trang.
Road: Major roads to and from Trang are:
- Highway 4 (Bangkok—Chumphon) to Highway 41 (Surat Thani—Thung Song—Huai Yot—Trang), total distance of 828 kilometres.
- Highway 4 (Bangkok—Chumphon) to Ranong—Phang Nga—Krabi—Trang, total distance of 1,020 kilometres.
- Highway 404-416 (Satun—Palian—Trang), total distance of 140 kilometres.
- Highway 4-407 (Hat Yai—Phatthalung—Trang), total distance of 148 kilometres.
- Highway 4-402 (Phuket—Phang Nga—Krabi—Trang), total distance of 312 kilometres.
Bus:There are buses to and from Trang to Bangkok and main provinces (Phuket, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Satun.
Boats to islands: Trang has four piers for boats to the islands. They are Pak Meng Pier, Ban Chao Mai Pier, Klong Son Pier, and Kuan Thung Kuu Pier.
Tourism
Attractions
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- Ko Ngai This island is in the 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) Ko Muk is mostly occupied by sea-facing towering cliffs to the west. On the east side of the island is a village of fishers who have still maintained their ways of life as islanders. On the island to the west is Tham Morakot, a sea cave. With light from the outside, emerald water can be seen inside the cave.
- 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 deep water corals and many types of fish.
- Ko Kradan (เกาะกระดาน) It has an area of 600 acres (2.4 km2). Most of the island falls under the aegis of Hat Chao Mai National Park. The rest is privately owned. The most striking feature of Ko Kradan is its powdery white beach and 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 km from the city. The 5 km 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 km 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. Tropical flora covers the surrounding area.
- Tham Le Khao Kop (ถ้ำเลเขากอบ) This cave is a popular natural wonder with a stream flowing through it. The cave itself looks like a high and steep cliff with layers of rocks. A canal from the Banthat Mountain Range divides into three waterways upon reaching Khao Kop, two going around the mountain and the other flowing through the cave under the mountain. Stalactites and stalagmites line the cave for about four kilometres. Currently the Khao Kop Tambon Administration Organization provides rowboats for visitors to view the cave and to be an eco-tourism and adventure activity by the locals.
- Namtok Sai Rung (น้ำตกสายรุ้ง) This single-level waterfall falls from a high and huge cliff.
- Ko Lao Liang (เกาะเหลาเหลียง) These two islands, between Ko Libong and Ko Petra.
- Ko Takiang (เกาะตะเกียง) is a small island on in the group of south Trang islands.
Local products
Trang has a few local products which are popular as souvenirs, they are Suea Toei or Suea Panan (mats woven from screw pine), Muk (container for small things), ray leather products, namely, bags and shoes, basketry made of cattail stems, carved-wood products from Thep Tharo wood, para rubber toys, and "na muen si" local woven cloth. Local foods include Trang roast pork, Trang's cake, Khao Chong coffee, and kapi or shrimp paste.
Culture
- Manora or Nora (มโนราห์หรือโนรา) is an art form native to southern Thailand. The performance has dance postures. The singer ad-libs the lyrics. Accompanying musical instruments include drums, cymbals, gongs, Java pipes, and castanets. Nowadays, manora has incorporated 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 narrates the performance. Musical instruments used are the same as for manora, 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 three 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 two or three tambourines, cymbals, gongs, and pipes.
Events and festivals
Trang Tourism Festival (งานเปิดฟ้าเมืองตรัง) is an activity for the public relations of Trang tourism at the beginning of the tourism season. The event is held in the third week of January.
Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony (พิธีวิวาห์ใต้สมุทร) Activities in this unusual event include a welcoming ceremony for the brides and grooms (Thais and foreigners) at the Trang Airport, a bridal procession around town, and a dowry procession by longtail boat to Ko Kradan. A wedding ceremony is performed on the beach by means of pouring blessed water from a conch shell onto the bridal palms and followed by underwater marriage registration at a depth of over 12 m. The event is held on 13–15 February.
Trang Food Festival (งานมหกรรมอาหารดี ศรีตรังบาน) is held to promote dishes of Trang Province. Food stalls of Trang restaurants offer dishes at discounted prices. Additional activities are an eating championship and diverse forms of entertainment. The fair is scheduled for 30 March – 3 April of every year at the Somdech Phra Srinagarindra Park 95 (Khao Pae Choi).
Trang Cake Festival (งานเทศกาลขนมเค้กจังหวัดตรัง) derives from Trang's renown for making delicious cakes. This is particularly true for the villagers of Ban Lam Phu Ra where making cakes dates back generations. The cakes of Trang have no frosting and have several flavours like orange, coffee, and three-flavours. The festival is scheduled for every August.
Trang Roast Pork Festival (งานเทศกาลหมูย่างจังหวัดตรัง) is a tourism promotion activity of Trang, held every September. The pork skin is crispy, the meat is tender and it is delicious due to a process by which the pig is fermented with herbs then roasted whole on a custom grill. Trang's roast pork is sold daily and eaten with morning coffee or can be a banquet dish.
Moon Festival (งานประเพณีไหว้พระจันทร์) is a tradition long observed by the Chinese people of Tambon Thung Yao, Amphoe Palian, to commemorate the fight for the nation against the Mongols. A ceremony is held in late-September or early-October on the full moon day in the eighth month under the Chinese calendar.
Vegetarian Festival (งานประเพณีถือศีลกินเจ) is a traditional festival of the Chinese in Trang, held around October every year on a full-moon night. Thais of Chinese heritage become vegetarians (no consumption of meat and certain kinds of vegetables) and dress in white for nine days and nights. This is to bring good fortune and make merit.
The Buddha Image Procession and Trang Cultural Festival (ประเพณีลากพระและมหกรรมวัฒนธรรมสัมพันธ์จังหวัดตรัง) is aimed to preserve, revive, and pass down ancient customs and traditions. It is held during the first and third days of the waning moon in the eleventh lunar month (at the end of Buddhist Lent). Activities include a contest of Buddha image boat floats, local sports competitions, Southern-style folk arts and cultural performances, concerts, entertainment, sales of Trang OTOP products, and merit-making for the Buddha image processions.
Four-wheel Drive Vehicle Competition (การแข่งขันรถยนต์ขับเคลื่อนสี่ล้อ) (The Nature Adventure of Southern Thailand – NAS Challenge) is an off-road circuit for members of off-road racing clubs in Thailand and from foreign countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with more than 100 cars participating. It is scheduled for November of every year. The circuits in use are in Trang town and other districts of Trang.
Taphao Shell Festival (งานเทศกาลหอยตะเภา) is aimed at promoting the conservation of nature and the environment. The festival is held at Pak Meng Beach every November. There is a contest to gather Taphao shells.
Fishing Competition (การแข่งขันกีฬาตกปลา “เบิกฟ้าทะเลตรัง”) is organised around December of every year in the waters of Trang and Krabi Provinces.
H.M. the King’s Birthday Celebrations and Red Cross Fair (งานเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาและงานกาชาดจังหวัดตรัง) is an annual event of Trang, which has been continued since the reign of King Rama VII. It is scheduled for 5–15 December of every year at the Thung Chaeng Stadium in Amphoe Mueang Trang. Activities include exhibitions of agencies in the public and private sectors, sales of food and products, concerts, entertainment, and naval Red Cross activities.
Education
Secondary schools:
- Wichienmatu School วิเชียรมาตุ
- Wichienmatu 2 School วิเชียรมาตุ 2
- Wichienmatu 3 School วิเชียรมาตุ 3
- Saparachinee School สภาราชินี
- Saparachinee 2 School สภาราชินี 2
- Princess Chulabhorn's College, Trang จุฬาภรณ์ราชวิทยาลัย
- Sport School, Trang โรงเรียนกีฬาตรัง
- Burana ramruk School บูรณะรำลึก
- Darunothai School ดรุโณทัย
- Trang vittaya School ตรังวิทยา
- Trangchristiensuksa ตรังคริสเตียนศึกษา
- Matayomsuksa Watkuanwisetmulaniti School มัธยมศึกษาวัดควนวิเศษ มูลนิธิ
- Kantangpittayakorn School กันตังพิทยากร
- Kantangratsadasuksa School กันตังรัษฎาศึกษา
- Yantakhao Ratchanupatham School ย่านตาขาวรัฐชนูปถัมภ์
- Palean padungsit School ปะเหลียนผดุงศิษย์
- Kantapittayakarn School คันธพิทยาคาร
- Sikao prachapadungvit School สิเกาประชาผดุงวิทย์
- Wangviset School วังวิเศษ
- Huayyot School ห้วยยอด
- Lampurareungvit School ลำภูราเรืองวิทย์
- Nampud School น้ำผุด
- Ratsada School รัษฎา
- Huaynang ratsadornbamrung School ห้วยนางราษฎรบำรุง
- Ratsadanupradit anusorn School รัษฎานุประดิษย์อนุสรณ์
- Nayong vittayakom School นาโยงวิทยาคม
- Sawatratanapimuk School สวัสดิ์รัตนาภิมุข
- Thungnonghang prachason School ทุ่งหนองแห้งประชาสรรค์
- Hatsumran vittayakom School หาดสำราญวิทยาคม
- Trang polytechnic School ตรังโปลีเทคนิค
Higher education:
- Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (Trang campus) Bachelor's degrees in Fisheries, Marine Science, Aquaculture, Environmental Science and Tourism
- Prince of Songkla University (Trang campus) Bachelor's degree in accounting administration, IT, MBA
- Ramkhamhang University (Trang campus) bachelor's and master's degree
- SuanDusit Rajabhat University (Trang center) Bachelor's degree
- Boromrajonane College of Nursing, Trang (Bachelor's degree and Diploma)
- Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang (Bachelor's degree and Diploma)
- Trang Technical College (Diploma)
- Trang College of Agricultural and Technology (Diploma)
- Trang Polytechnic College (Diploma)
- Siam commercial College (Diploma)
Local foods
Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian, and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (khanom jeen), rice and vegetable (Natural medicine) mix with Voodo sauce (Khao Yam), pork fried with Dasheen and red toufu sauce (GoYuk) and chicken birayani. Trang also has a unique breakfast cuisine found nowhere else in Thailand.
Trang is well known for its many local foods such as Mhu Yang Trang (Trang-style roasted pork), Trang cake, Trang breakfast (Dimsum).
Local coffee shops (Ran Gafae) in Trang have their own special menu with Go pii (black coffee served with sugar) on it. The other is the local breakfast (Timsum), Ja Kuai (deep fried bread). Go pii and Pa Tong Ko (local sweet donut) make the essence of the traditional Trang breakfast.
Healthcare
- Trang Hospital (government)
- Watanapat Hospital (private)
- Trang Ruampat Hospital (private)
References
External links
Trang travel guide from Wikivoyage- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Official website (Thai)
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Krabi Province | Nakhon Si Thammarat Province | |
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Phattalung Province | |||
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| Andaman Sea | Satun Province |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trang. |
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