Discovering Thailand’s Hidden Gems: Exploring Trang Province and Islands
When thinking about Thailand, the mind conjures up images of palaces, temples, floating markets, white sandy beaches, Thai cuisine, elephants, night markets and street food, along with the vibrant city of Bangkok. Yet, perhaps less known, are the 77 provinces in Thailand, each with unique cultural, historical and remarkable tourist attractions. One such province I discovered was that of Trang, situated in the south of the country and just a few hours away from Bangkok. Whilst various travel options exist, I opted for air travel, of course, taking 90 minutes.
Trang Province is known too for its limestone caves, rubber plantations and some of Thailand’s most pristine and unspoiled islands with marvellously colourful marine life! It is a magnificent coastal province stretching almost 200 km along the Andaman Sea. There is also the breathtaking Emerald Cave, where one can swim through a dramatic sea tunnel to reach a hidden lagoon encircled by towering cliffs!
Upon my very early arrival at the airport, I was greeted by the serene simplicity of provincial life, accompanied by the friendly smiles and warm hospitality of the locals. The pace of life seemed to slow down, offering a refreshingly laid-back atmosphere compared to the bustling energy of Bangkok, with fewer crowds. Before going to my hotel, I was desperate to witness all I had heard about the local cuisine traditions. I certainly wasn’t disappointed; the air there is filled with the scents of smouldering charcoal and lemongrass. Vendors around me shout out their goods in rich southern dialects, selling everything from pineapples to bitter beans. Motorcycles zip by, their handles laden with bulging plastic bags filled with freshly caught tuna and prawns from the nearby Andaman Sea, just 20 miles to the west. The whole city seems to be in a constant state of eating! Everybody is eating! I’m seeing entire pigs, roasted with many herbs and spices and then chopped and wrapped in the newspapers from the day before. The dish has a great name – Moo Yang – and that was brunch done and dusted!
Off to the place to lay my hat, on an island called Koh Mook (or Koh Muk), which I got to on a long tail boat. The island consists mostly of jungle and intact nature as well as lovely villages. The coast is all stunning beaches, palm trees and enormous cliffs – this really is breathtaking – shame I’m not on my honeymoon! Folk come here mainly to see the famous Emerald Cave and the perfectly white Sivalai Beach, which is where I am staying, the Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort, in the Sivalai suite, sitting on the beachfront … this’ll do!
Eager to explore, I set off on an Emerald Cave (also called Morakot Cave) Snorkelling Tour. Wow, wow and wow is all I can say – it felt surreal; I was surrounded by cave stones, exquisitely beautiful waters, stunningly colourful marine life and vibrant greenery. The cave ends at a ‘secret’ lagoon, with its own beach, reached only by swimming through a pitch black 80 metre-long cave. Quite scary, but once there and at the beach, you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs, covered with tropical vegetation. Tip: take a waterproof camera and beach shoes.
Another highlight of this enchanting place was sunset at Garnet Beach (also known as Charlie Beach), with an absolutely mesmerising sunset view. The colours in the sky were breathtaking and provided a perfect end to a day at the beach, accompanied, of course, by several incredible food offerings from some great stalls. The mango shake at the Mong Bar was a stand-out!
The next morning, I took a stroll along the narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden houses, chatted with some very friendly locals and learned a lot about the island’s rich history and customs. I spent some time at the charming local markets, where colourful stalls offered fresh produce, locally made handicrafts and souvenirs and then went off to lunch and enjoyed Yellow Curry with Pineapple and Seabass – note the way around it was written on the menu – way more pineapple than seabass but absolutely delicious.
So, alas, back to Trang City and a long anticipated visit to Khao Chong Wildlife Development and Conservation Promotion Station, where lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls (no comma) and diverse wildlife were there to await me. Established in 1959, it serves as one of Thailand’s oldest and most renowned conservation areas, dedicated to the study and preservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. The Station spans a variety of ecosystems, including dense tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls and meandering streams. This diversity provides a habitat for numerous plant and animal species, making it an ideal spot for ecological studies and nature walks.
The park is home to several beautiful waterfalls, the most famous being the Ton Te Waterfall, there is a wide array of wildlife, a botanical garden and excellent nature trails.
The only place I didn’t visit that I perhaps should have, due to time and because I’m not a temple-kind-of-person if truth be known, is Wat Tantayaphirom; it’s an important religious site but also a significant cultural and historical landmark in the region. I would have liked to have seen the intricate design though, supposedly very impressive.
So, with a heart full of new experiences and a suitcase full of local crafts, I left Trang with a smile, already planning a return at some point to this captivating corner of Thailand. After all, in a place where even legends are made from latex, who knows what quirky stories my next visit might unfold?
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