Trang Province Guide: History, Towns and Local Products
Trang is the quieter neighbour of Krabi on the Andaman coast. Its islands, from Ko Kradan to Ko Mook and Ko Libong, are known for clear water and calm, and its seagrass beds shelter Thailand's largest population of dugongs.
This guide tells how Trang introduced rubber to Thailand, tours its ten districts and lists the roast pork, cakes and woven cloth the province is proud of. Makers based here will find a few ideas on selling further afield, too.
Trang
Rubber, Islands and Roast Pork
An Andaman province of quiet islands and limestone coasts, where Thailand's rubber story began and breakfast means dim sum.
By the SnapSellGo Thailand Desk · Updated September 2026 · 8 min read
Made in Trang
A first look at Trang's local products, before sellers list them.
"Known for" means a local speciality, not an item for sale. Listings from Trang will replace these cards.
Why Trang is where Thai rubber began
Around 1900, Phraya Ratsadanupradit, the governor of Trang, planted rubber seedlings at Kantang, on the river mouth south of the town. They are remembered as the first rubber trees in Thailand, and rubber went on to become one of the country's biggest crops. The same governor built roads and moved the provincial seat towards the river port.
Trang's Chinese heritage shows in its food. Mornings begin in coffee shops with dim sum, and mu yang, Trang's crispy roast pork, is eaten across the South. Offshore, Hat Chao Mai National Park and the islands protect seagrass meadows where dugongs feed.
First rubber trees
Planted at Kantang around 1900.
Andaman islands
Ko Kradan, Ko Mook and Ko Libong.
Dugongs
Thailand's largest dugong population feeds off Ko Libong.
Mu yang
Trang's famous crispy roast pork.
Key dates in Trang's history
Trang's modern history is a story of one governor, one crop and the railway to the sea.
- c. 1900Phraya Ratsadanupradit plants Thailand's first rubber trees at Kantang.
- 1910sThe railway reaches Kantang, linking the port with the rest of the country.
- 1981Hat Chao Mai becomes a national park.
- 1990sTrang starts its underwater wedding ceremony, held around Valentine's Day.
Ten districts on the Andaman coast
Trang has 10 districts and about 640,000 residents. These are the most visited.
| District | What you find there |
|---|---|
| Mueang Trang | The town, its coffee shops and roast pork restaurants. |
| Kantang | The river port, the old railway station and the first rubber trees. |
| Sikao | Hat Chao Mai National Park and the piers for the islands. |
| Na Yong | Na Muen Si weaving village. |
| Palian | Mangroves and coast in the south. |
When to go: festivals and seasons
Trang's calendar follows the Andaman monsoon. Plan with these dates in mind.
Shopping local in Trang
Thailand's OTOP programme, One Tambon One Product, pins each product to its home sub-district, and Trang's best known are mu yang, the crispy roast pork, and Trang cake, a soft sponge sold in boxes across the South.
In Na Yong district, the weavers of Na Muen Si make cotton cloth with fine traditional patterns, and the province's plantations still produce rubber and palm oil.
Real products from Trang makers appear in the carousel at the top of this page as soon as they are listed. Sellers pay no commission on SnapSellGo, only a yearly shop fee.
Short on time? Dim sum in town, then a boat to Ko Kradan. Love wildlife? Seagrass and dugongs off Ko Libong. Into history? Kantang and its first rubber trees. Buying local? Trang roast pork and a box of Trang cake.
Questions people ask about Trang
Where were Thailand's first rubber trees planted?
At Kantang, in Trang province, around 1900. They were planted by Phraya Ratsadanupradit, the governor of Trang.
Can you see dugongs in Trang?
Trang's seagrass beds, especially around Ko Libong, support Thailand's largest population of dugongs. Sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
What is Trang famous for eating?
Mu yang, a crispy roast pork, dim sum breakfasts in its coffee shops, and Trang cake.
Which islands belong to Trang?
Among others, Ko Kradan, Ko Mook, with its Emerald Cave, Ko Libong and Ko Ngai.
Sources: Wikipedia entries for Trang province, Kantang, Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi, Hat Chao Mai National Park, Ko Libong and Ko Kradan. Lunar festivals move from year to year, so check dates before travelling. Cover photo: Ko Kradan by Marcin Konsek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.