Beautiful
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, according to provincial chief Kit Leekpai.
Mr.
Leekpai noted, “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." Indeed, two mountain ranges – the Khao
Luang and Banthat – are the sources of its 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 gorgeous
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 best-known for its unique underwater weddings.
This year, the Provincial Administrative Office has again teamed up
with the local chamber of commerce and the Tourism Authority of
Thailand to host the 17th TrangUnderwater Wedding
Ceremony between February 13-15, 2013.
This
year, some 30 Thai couples have signed up to
exchange vows underwater,
including 2 Malaysian couples. Four of these couples are experienced
divers, and they will sign their marriage registrations and kiss
their new spousesunderwater.
The wedding
ceremony 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.
Trang’s
watery weddings have been taking place since 1996. In 2000,
the Guinness Book of World Records recognized it as the world’s
“largest underwater wedding ceremony.” These maritime
marriages are but one of several Guinness listings for the
effervescent Thai people, ever keen to put on a good
show.
Couples
participating in the ceremony have paid 35,000 Thai Baht per couple
to tie their nautical knots, which includes accommodation,
food, wedding
dress,
diving gear, and a three-day tour of Trang. Other packages are
available annually without accommodation and for guests.