Trang Promotes Inland Attractions

Trang Province, located along the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, is opening a new inland trail to promote eco-tourism in the area.

Located south of the town center in Palian District, the new route features whitewater rafting, elephant rides, and visits to the Sakai, a tribal community in the Banthat mountains.

Provincial chief, Mr. Kit Leekpai, said, "Trang has long been known for its beautiful beach and diving. We also want people to know that our nature on land is also spectacular."

Two mountain ranges – the Khao Luang and Banthat – are the sources of Trang's two major rivers, the Trang and the Palian.

Tourists will be able to cruise down the Palian on one of 16 brand-new kayaks, guided by local officers, over a five-kilometer stretch of river, which is also excellent for rafting. Additionally, visitors can make their way to the Sakai people’s village on foot or by elephant.

Trang is well known for its underwater weddings, which have been taking place since 1996. The wedding ceremony often takes place near Koh Kradan, or Kradan Island, about an hour’s ride out from Trang’s coast; the coast itself a spectacular natural site, famous for its extensive mangrove forests. These “rainforests by the sea” have undergone extensive rehabilitation in recent years, regenerating this critical tropical ecosystem.