Trang

ตรัง

A southern province with beautiful beaches and islands including Ko Lanta and the Trang Islands, offering an alternative to overcrowded beach destinations with more authentic, quieter experiences. Trang is known for excellent seafood, coconut plantations, and pristine island ecosystems.

Things to do

• Island hopping in the Trang Islands — Visit pristine limestone karst islands like Koh Kradan, Koh Muk, and Koh Sukorn by boat, where you can snorkel, swim, and explore untouched coral reefs and white-sand beaches.
• Explore Emerald Pool (Morakot Pool) at Koh Muk — Wade through a cave tunnel to reach a stunning hidden freshwater lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs and jungle vegetation on the island of Koh Muk.
• Visit Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai — Explore the dual-island destination known for laid-back atmospheres, long beaches, diving sites, and local fishing communities that offer authentic southern island life.
• Kayaking through Trang's mangrove forests — Paddle through pristine coastal mangrove ecosystems to spot wildlife including monitor lizards, birds, and bats in their natural habitat.
• Trek through Khao Chong Waterfall — Hike through tropical rainforest to reach multi-tiered waterfalls where you can swim and enjoy the cool mountain springs away from the coast.
• Visit Trang Town market and walking street — Explore the vibrant night bazaar on weekends along Wisetchaiyot Road where locals sell fresh seafood, street food, and handicrafts in an authentic Thai atmosphere.
• Diving and snorkeling at Koh Rok — Take a day or overnight boat trip to Koh Rok, a remote marine national park with exceptional coral gardens and abundant tropical fish species.

Food to try

• Khanom jeen nam ya — Fermented rice noodles served with a rich, aromatic fish curry sauce topped with fresh vegetables and herbs, a beloved Trang breakfast dish.
• Fresh grilled seafood — Trang's fishing culture means exceptional grilled fish, prawns, and squid prepared simply with salt, lime, and garlic at beachside and market stalls.
• Satay from local vendors — Grilled meat skewers coated in a Trang-style peanut sauce that balances spice, sweetness, and depth, available at night markets and street stalls.
• Coconut-based desserts — Take-away sweets like khao tom mud (coconut rice cakes) and kaeng khiao wan made with fresh coconut milk from local plantations throughout the region.
• Fresh crab omelet (kai jiao pu) — A puffy, fluffy omelet stuffed with fresh crab meat and herbs, a local specialty served at morning markets and casual restaurants.
• Trang-style mango sticky rice — A seasonal dessert made with ripe local mangoes paired with sticky rice cooked in sweetened coconut milk, best enjoyed during mango season May-July.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect island ecosystems — Wear reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching coral, and take all trash with you, as the Trang Islands' pristine condition depends on visitor responsibility.
• Visit temples during appropriate hours — Show respect by dressing modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and removing shoes before entering, particularly important during morning alms-giving ceremonies.
• Experience local fishing culture — Take advantage of homestays and family-run boat tours where you can learn traditional fishing methods and hear stories directly from multigenerational fishing families.
• Learn basic Thai greetings — Trang remains quieter and less touristy than other southern destinations, so locals greatly appreciate efforts to speak Thai and use polite phrases like 'sawasdee krap' and 'khop khun krap.'