Trat province
Trat is a beautiful small province, a major fruit-growing and fishing area, at about one hour drive from the Cambodian border in Eastern Thailand.  Although only about 300 km from bustling Bangkok, it represents a wonderland mixture of coral reefs, amazing wildlife, quiet beaches, thick jungle, rainforests and waterfalls.  There are over 50 islands to explore, with the largest of these being Koh Chang.

This region is traditionally famous for Ngob Nam Chieao, a woven hat of bamboo and palm leaves made in the muslim village of Nam Chieao, worn by people tending the fields or farming the land. 
Dried shrimps, shrimp paste and fish sauce are Trat’s culinary attractions.  Also, Koh Chang Wine – which actually comes from Trat’s coastline - is an award-winning brand that comes from local fruits and herbs such as mangosteen, pineapple, grape and galingale.
Trat is also famous for its Sweet Rakaam a tropical fruit which is as popular as rambutan, mangosteen, mango, durian, coconut and pineapple.
The Lang Aan (Ridgeback Siamese Dog) is probably Thailand's most famous canine breed.  These ridgeback dogs are known for their loyalty and intelligence.  A well-bred Lang Aan Siamese Dog can fetch up to 300,000 Baht.
Trat town is a small peaceful town where you can simply relax and enjoy a very affordable stay.  Worth a visit are Wat Buppharam's museum with its beautiful murals and ancient Buddha statues and the leafy Wat Pai Lawm.
 
From Trat there are ferries running daily to Koh Chang and to a number of the other islands.  Call the T.A.T. (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office in Laem Ngob on 039-597255 for updated information.

The ferry trip from one of the three piers near Laem Ngob to Koh Chang takes about 30/40 minutes max.  On Chang island volunteers can trek, dive, snorkel and explore the beautiful Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park.

Koh Chang (Elephant island)
Blessed by natural wonders like high mountain ranges, tropical jungle, streams, coastal lines, beaches, islands and waterfalls, Koh Chang is considered the eastern paradise of Thailand.  It comprehends an archipelago of 52 islands of varying sizes, some of them reachable from Chang island by taxi boat or speed boat and by ferry link or speed boat from the mainland.  Once arrived on the island and heading south-west the road swoops up and down over and around cliffs, with verdant mountains on one side and azure sea on the other. 
The island’s west-side is where most of the tourist business is found.  And although it is developing extremely fast you can still find pleasantly quiet spots around the island. 

Besides being known for its scenic beauty, Koh Chang is also famous for its seafood and fishing villages such as Salak Phet and Bangbao.
OMP volunteers who decide to help the schools or the national park in this area will be able to choose from various activities during their free time.  These include kayaking, diving and jungle treks, for example.  Elephant jungle trekking is a popular leisure activity on the island.  Here you can find at least three elephants camps.  Most of these pachiderms were brought here from Surin.  In fact, the name Koh Chang originates from the shape of its mountains which resembles the back of an elephant. For those less active volunteers, Koh Chang can be a place to relax and feed on what the island has to offer.

Wildlife

Most of Koh Chang is covered in rain forest that has been largely undisturbed due to the mountainous terrain of the island.  There are also good examples of mangrove forest ecosystems where the island’s numerous streams meet the sea.  Marine National Park status was awarded to the island chain in 1982 in an effort to preserve the exceptional land and marine environment.  An endemic species found here and nowhere else is the aptly named Kohchang frog (Rana Kohchangae).For more information see the Koh Chang National Park section.  

Beach and Islands of Koh Chang
The main beaches on Koh Chang are all on the west coast, from north to south:  Hat Sai Khao (White Sand Beach) Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Hat Tha Nam (Lonely Beach).  There is also a beach past the village of Bang Bao in the southwest of the island and a couple of others including Long Beach in the far southeast which recently has become accessible.
All of the beaches are located in attractive settings with plenty of accommodation facilities with White Sand and Klong Prao being the most developed.
How to get there:
To get to Trat from Bangkok take a bus from the eastern bus terminal Ekkamai or Morchid, the northern bus terminal.  Buses leave frequently and take 5/½ hours on a good day.  The cost is around 250 Baht for standard air-con bus travel.  From Ekkamai two morning services (7:45 and 9:45) take you directly to the coast.

To get to Koh Chang, As mentioned above there are bus services directly to Centrepoint pier from Ekkamai, Bangkok eastern bus terminal.  From Khao San Road you can also take a minivan straight to Laem Ngop for a one way fare of 250 Baht up