rat province is situated at the eastern border of Thailand, about 400 km from Bangkok. There are 5 districts in the province, namely Muang, Khao Saming, Laem Ngob, Klong Yai, Bo Rai and 2 sub-districts; Ko Kud and Ko Chang. Trat is close to Chanta Buri and Cambodia in the North and adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand in the South. The eastern border is separated from Cambodia by the Buntud Mount Range that runs eastwards from the middle of the province and the Weru River that separates west Trat from Chanta Buri. Klong YaiThere are 52 islands with delightful natural scenery including waterfalls and forests in the area, other than that Trat has little to offer, except as a jumping-off point for the Koh Chang island group or forays into outlying gem and Cambodian markets. Market fans will note that Trat seems to have more markets for its size than almost any other town in Thailand - again partly due to the Cambodian coastal trade. Ko Chang is the ideal location for a real rest as the weather there is very comfortable with the average temperature around 28 deg. Between May and October which is the period of south-western monsoons, the west coast is always stormy and thus, not safe for ferries travelling to the islands. November to April on the other hand is the best time to visit them. The province is also the source of red sapphire, fine shrimp paste and sweet rakum, a kind of palm of the genus Zalacca with a sweet yet acidic taste. Accommodation is available and there are a few guesthouses as well as the odd hotel here and there, but there isn't a vast choice. Trat's tourist industry co-insides with gem purchasing although there are a few sightseeing spots worth mentioning. Check out our sightseeing pages for more information.