Trat, Thailand

In Trat Province, gem trading is a favoured method of putting rice on the table – unsurprisingly, tàlàat phloi (gem markets) abound. A by-product of this gem mining has been the destruction of vast tracts of land, as the topsoil is stripped away, leaving hectares of red-orange mud. But there's plenty more to fire your imagination. Before you head to the beaches of rugged Ko Chang or its more delicate and subdued island neighbours, linger in the traditional riverside ambience of Trat. If you're in no hurry to travel west to Cambodia, then relax on the expansive beaches that run lazily down the coast to the border. Hat Sai Si Ngoen, Hat Sai Kaew, Hat Thap Thim and Hat Ban Cheun are all worth a look. At the Km 70 marker, off Rte 318, is Jut Chom Wiw (Lookout Point), where you can survey the surrounding area, including Cambodia. Trat Province's southeasternmost point is Hat Lek, the transit point for trips along the Cambodian coast.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009