Trang : The Undercrowded Hidden Beach Zircon In The South

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Trang: Thailand's Hidden Paradise That's Still Hidden For a Reason

Welcome to Trang, Thailand's best-kept secret that remains secret mostly because it's not on the beaten path. Located in southern Thailand, Trang is like that cool indie band you discovered before they got famous, except in this case, they'll probably never get famous because the tour bus has broken down in the middle of nowhere.

Trang province offers everything tourists claim they want in Thailand: pristine beaches without the crowds, authentic local culture, amazing food yet somehow remains blissfully under-visited. Why? Because the universe maintains balance, and the price for paradise is transportation logistics and marketing.

The Food: Worth Getting on Multiple Planes For

Let's start with Trang's true claim to fame: the food. Trang's cuisine is a magical blend of Thai, Chinese, and Malaysian influences that will make you question everything you thought you knew about flavor combinations.

The crown jewel is Trang's roast pork (moo yang), which is basically what would happen if pork had a spiritual awakening. The locals wake up at 4 AM to start roasting these porky delights, and they're usually sold out by 8 AM. Yes, the best meal in Trang is technically breakfast, and it's worth setting an alarm for.

Then there's the Trang cake, a Portuguese-influenced dessert that's somewhere between a sponge cake and a religious experience. Paired with a cup of local coffee (which the locals are unreasonably proud of), it's the perfect way to fuel up before a day of wondering why more tourists don't visit Trang (right before remembering your own 17-hour ordeal to get there because you thought train journeys were romantic).

The Islands: Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and More Consonants Than Necessary

Trang's coastline is dotted with islands that make the more famous Thai islands look like floating garbage patches:

Koh Mook: Home to the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), a lagoon inside a cave that you can only access by swimming through a dark tunnel. It's like the setting of a fantasy novel, except with more German tourists in awkward swimming caps and Frenchmen in Speedos.

Koh Kradan: Features beaches so perfect they look photoshopped. The water is so clear you can see fish judging your swimming technique from 20 feet away.

Koh Ngai: The "luxury" option, meaning there's a resort with reliable hot water and cocktails that cost almost as much as they would in your home country.

Koh Libong: Where you can see dugongs, those weird sea cow creatures that may have inspired mermaid legends, proving that ancient sailors had either terrible eyesight or excellent imaginations.

Things To Do Besides Eating and Beaching

Trang isn't just food and islands. There's also:

Kantang Railway Station: A beautiful wooden station built in 1913 that looks like it's straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. Take photos pretending you're in "The Darjeeling Limited" despite being in entirely the wrong country.

Dugong Spotting: Go on a boat tour to see the endangered dugongs. Manage expectations.  They look less like mermaids and more like giant potatoes with flippers.

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony: If you happen to be there in February, watch couples get married underwater. Nothing says "till death do us part" like potential drowning during your vows.

Namtok Ton Te: A waterfall in the jungle where you can wash off the beach sand. It's no Niagara Falls, but it's a waterfall, and you're in Thailand, so automatically exotic.

Where to Stay

Budget ($8 - $25 per night)

 * Types of Accommodation: Hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels, rooms in shared accommodations.

 * What to Expect: Simple rooms with essential amenities like a bed, fan or air conditioning, and a basic bathroom. May have shared facilities. Focus is on affordability.

Mid-Range ($25 - $70 per night)

 * Types of Accommodation: Standard hotels, boutique guesthouses, some resorts slightly outside the main tourist areas.

 * What to Expect: Comfortable, private rooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and possibly additional amenities like breakfast, a small pool, or better locations. Offers a balance between price and comfort.

Luxury ($70 - $200+ per night)

 * Types of Accommodation: High-end resorts, beachfront villas, hotels with extensive facilities and services.

 * What to Expect: Well-appointed rooms or villas with quality furnishings, excellent service, multiple amenities such as swimming pools, spas, fine dining options, and prime locations (often beachfront or with stunning views).

Keep in mind that prices can vary, and it's always a good idea to check your favourite booking website for the most up-to-date rates and availability for your travel dates.

Getting There: A Test of Your Dedication to Authenticity

Getting to Trang is the universe's way of asking, "How badly do you really want to avoid other tourists?"

By Air:

1. Fly to Bangkok (obviously)

2. Find out there's maybe one flight a day to Trang, and it's at some ungodly hour

3. Book it anyway

4. Arrive at a tiny airport where the baggage claim is basically a guy with your suitcase

By Train:

1. Take the overnight train from Bangkok to Trang

2. Enjoy the 16-hour journey on what feels like a moving museum exhibit

3. Make friends with locals who will force-feed you homemade snacks

4. Arrive with a numb backside but authentic travel stories

By Bus:

1. Don't, especially if you're coming from Bangkok. It's just as horrible as the train ride.

2. Do, especially if you're already in places like Krabi, Hat Yai or Satun. 

3. Check the local bus station (or 12go.asia) for a schedule and prices.

4. The rise will take a few hours, depending on where you start your journey.

Final Thoughts 

What makes Trang special is precisely what makes it inconvenient: its location off the beaten path has preserved its authenticity. While tourists in Phuket are paying 300 baht for a watered-down pad Thai, you'll be eating food so authentic that not even the menu is translated into English (use Google Lens wisely).

So if you're the type of traveler who brags about visiting "the real Thailand," yet still wants working air conditioning and Instagram-worthy views, Trang is your perfect middle ground. Just don't tell too many people about it. Some secrets are worth keeping, especially when they involve roast pork that good.

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