Koh
Chang Geography & Climate
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
which scatter like jewels along the Gulf of Thailand. Located in
the eastern part of Thailand with Cambodia as its neighbour, Trat
possesses fertile land that produces various kinds of fruit and
its waters make it a major fishing area.
Bangkok lies 315 km to the northwest and Trat itself covers
an area of 2,819 sq km. It contains 5 districts--Muang, Khao Saming,
Laem Ngob, Klong Yai and Bo Rai-- with the addition of 2 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 centre 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 still are 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 by 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's climate varies 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 throughout the year.
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 being 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 Koh 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 Indian 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.
Provided
by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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