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"Trang" is derived from "Trangka" which means "waves". In the
northern part of Trang the land is characterize by high and low
formations, creating a wave-like appearance.
"Trang" is derived from "Trang-Kae" a Malay which means "down" or "the day comes". In the pass Malaysian merchants sailed the ships
which traded along the coast, and appeared at the mouth of the Trang
River at down. They saw the sunrise, so they called the place "Tran-kae".
THE GREAT DEVELOPER
Phraya Rasadanupradit was know by the people of Trang as "The Great
Developer" on account of his contribution to making Trang a
civilized city. For instance, he ordered his men to construct roads
connecting Trang to every district. The most remarkable road which
indicted his enthusiasm is the winding road on Pappa Mountain
between Trang and Pattalung.
In addition to this, he organized town
planning and built the Kantang Port. He was also the first rular to
bring the Para Rubber tree plant to Trang and to Tahiland!
Pirthermore he let foreign merchants trade with Trang. Even now,
Trang people still feel greateful to him. So Monument was
established in B.E. 2494 – And April 10th is a
rememberance Day (the day of his death)
Vegetarian Festival
is a traditional festival of the Chinese in Trang, held
around October every year on a full moon night. Thais of Chinese
heritage would become a vegetarian (no
consumption of meat and certain kinds of vegetables)
and dress in white for 9 days and nights. This is to bring good
fortune and make merit. Thronghout the 9 days and nights, the spirit
in the “medium” would go out and give blessing (some
call it out touring) to households where
there are offerings set out in front. The procession bearing the
medium must light thousands of firecrakers, creating a deafening
din. The medium would also perform supernatural feats to show that
the spirit is in him.
Cake Festival
derives from the fact that Trang people are well known for making
delicious cakes. This is particularly true for the villagers of Ban
Lam Phu Ra where making cakes dates back generations. The cakes of
Trang have no frosting and have several flavors like orange, coffee,
three-flavored, etc. The festival is scheduled for every August. The
cakes make ideal gifts.
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Trang Roast Pork
Festival
is a tourism promotion activity of Trang, held every
September. The festival features the mouthwatering roast pork of a
special recipe of Trang. The pork skin is crispy, the meat is tender
and it is delicious due to a process by which the pig is fermented
with herbs then roasted whole on a specially made grill.
Trang’s roast pork is sold daily and goes well with morning coffee
or can be a dish at banquets.
Trang Products Fair
is held during 2-13 April annually. The fair combines
culture, traditions and products of the province to display,
to go in contests and pageants and to be sold in store.
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Annual King’s Birhtday and Red Cross Fair
is held during 5-15 December every year. There are
entertainments and shops selling a variety of products. It is the
grandest festival of Trang and of southern Thailand.
Manora
or Nora is an art form native to
southern Thailand. The performance has graceful and beautiful dance
postures. The singer will sing the lyrics ad-lib. Therefore, he or
she would have to be a quick thinker to find words that rhyme and
that are meaningful in lyrics, dance and costume. Accompanying
musical instruments include drums, cymbals, gongs, java pipes, and
castanets. Nowadays Nora has developed into incorporating modern
instruments.
Shadow Play is a popular art of southern Thailand. Dried animal hide
is carved into drama figures like a hermit, a lord, a lead actor, a
lead actress, a giant, and a clown. The figures are held up behind a
lighted screen to create shadows on it. Nai Nang or the puppeteer
will sing verses or narrate the performance. He must have
exceptional reflexes and be able to nature the whole story by
himself. Musical instruments used are the same as for Nora, with
perhaps So Duang (stringed instruments)
added in.
Like Pa is also called Like Bok or Like Rammana. This type of
performance is different from the usual like as the performers wear
other kinds of costumes. Like Pa is Popular among Thai Muslims. Only
3 performers play in a single set the whole show. However, the set
will have a location name change to correspond to the story being
played. Musical instruments used include 2-3 tambourines, cymbals,
gongs, and pipes.
Took Took
As Trang is characterized by a lot of khuans, it is undoubtedly to
walk everywhere. As a result, vehicles with engines are
acceptable here. The “Took Took” is a
kind of motor vehicle which has three wheels and is a strange shape.
They are easily available and are completely different from
elsewhere. Many people have tried to introduce other kinds of
vehicles but have failed because none paid attention to them. It may
be because they are accustomed to using Took Took and know they are
one part of life in Trang. They are used as taxis, like in Bangkok.
The Clock Tower - a popular meeting point
In any province, one can find clock towers, but the clock tower in
Trang has unique shape-it is constructed from a narrow base and
grows gradually wider toward the top. It is located on the
intersection of two important roads, and this is a good place to
meet wherever you come from. Around the clock tower, there is a
little park for sitting during the evening, in the middle of
Wisatekoon Road in front of the Trang Municipal Hall. On both sides
of the road there are many food and fruit stores which help relieve
any feeling of hunger felt during the evening.
Coffee
Both the top shops for coffee and the less popular ones, lie on
every road, and also a combination of noodles, and many rice dishes.
The most popular aspect is that a drink of coffee is always
accompanied with many delicious foods filing the table- all of which
are carefully prepared from traditional recipe which are completely
different from others. The time for eating is early in the morning,
late afternoon and midnight.
Roasted pork - a typical recipe of Trang
Anyone who has ever had the chance to taste the Trang roasted pork
know how delicious it is and they always ask for more. In some
places now it is a recommended dish!! The way the roasted pork is
made is truly a traditional one; both in the seasoning mixture and
in the ingredients. Roasted pork can be eaten with coffee and rice.
It is also the special food of every kind of fair, festival and
funeral party. For visitors, there is a roasted pork festival held
in September.
Traditional Cake
One of the main attractions in Trang Province is its traditional
cake. It is a taste you have to try and take home at a souvenir.
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