Travel/POI: Thailand 2023.05 -4 Trat 泰國達叻府

達叻府（ตราด) 又名桐艾府。在大城王朝時期，達叻府是重要的貿易地點。1893 年法國暹羅危機期間，法國士兵佔領了達叻府。1907年達叻府回歸暹羅，以換取暹羅湄公河沿岸的土地。達叻府距離曼谷 315 公里。它也是這地區水果種植、寶石開採和漁業的主要中心。省印章上的大海及山脈，顯示達叻府有許多高山峻嶺，佈滿豐富的森林及地下寶石，南部沿海有50多個大小島嶼，海產豐富。省樹是欖仁樹（Terminalia catappa）。

Trat Province (ตราด), also spelled Trad Province, became an important trade location during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. During the 1893 Paknam crisis, French soldiers occupied the province. Trat was returned to Siam in 1907 in exchange for Siamese land along the Mekong River. Trat is located 315 km from Bangkok. The province also serves as a major center for fruit growing, gem mining, and fishing in the region. The sea and mountains depicted on the provincial seal symbolize Trat’s many high mountains, bountiful forests, and underground gems. There are more than 50 large and small islands along the southern coast, which are rich in seafood. The provincial tree is the tropical almond (Terminalia catappa).

我們先去果園看看，這裏主要種山竹，也可看到一些榴槤樹，由於大部份的山竹已採收完畢，我們像找寶似的在樹上找山竹，偶爾找到一個，就覺得蠻興奮的。我看到一顆果樹被爬藤纏繞，想想這些務農的或果農，除了靠天吃飯外，還有這些雜藤、雜草需要操心，讓我覺得他們討生活真不易。

We went to the orchard first. Mangosteens are mainly grown here, and some durian trees can also be seen. Since most of the mangosteens had already been harvested, we searched for any remaining ones on the trees like treasures. When we occasionally found one, we felt quite excited. I saw a fruit tree entangled with creeping vines. Thinking about these farmers or fruit growers, I realized that besides relying on the weather for their livelihood, they also have to deal with these vines and weeds. It made me feel how truly difficult it is for them to make a living.

中午吃蛋麵、飯、肉串⋯

Eat egg noodles, rice, and meat skewers... for lunch.

測試你意願的橋樑 The Bridge to Test Your Willingness

下午去「測試你意願的橋樑」。這是一個以水為生的生態旅遊社區，代表了沿海漁民的生活方式，有一座約 7.5 公尺高的陡橋連接兩側。多種宗教和民族（如穆斯林、泰國人、華人）並存在這個社區。在這個仇視紛爭不斷的世界，我們真該向這個社區的人學習如何和平共處。

We went to "The Bridge to Test Your Willingness" in the afternoon. This is an ecotourism community living on the water that represents the coastal fishermen’s way of life, featuring a steep bridge about 7.5 meters high connecting both sides. Multiple religions and ethnic groups—such as Muslims, Thais, and Chinese—live side by side here. In a world filled with constant hatred and strife, we should truly learn from the people in this community how to coexist peacefully.

達叻府博物館 Trat City Museum

下一站是達叻府博物館。這座殖民地風格的木製建築於 1921 年拉瑪六世國王統治時期開業，最初設計為市政廳，底部有高脚柱，採用“Panya”風格的屋頂結構。這建築曾因火災嚴重受損，但美術部修復它後並將它改建為博物館，讓遊客能了解此地的文化、地理和生活方式。

The next stop is Trat City Museum. Opened in 1921 during the reign of King Rama VI, it was originally designed to serve as a town hall. This colonial-style wooden building sits on stilts and features a 'Panya' style roof construction. The building was once heavily damaged by fire, but the Fine Arts Department restored it and converted it into the city museum to allow visitors to learn about the city's culture, geography, and lifestyles.

布帕壤寺 Wat Buppharam / Wat Plai Khlong

我們接著去布帕壤寺 (Wat Buppharam 或 Wat Plai Khlong)，這寺廟是達叻府最古老、最具藝術和歷史價值的寺廟。寺廟名的意思是“寺廟花香四溢”，因為創始人勘察建寺地點時，發現了一片充滿花香的高地。這寺廟建於大城時期的巴薩通王 (公元 1648 年）。自拉達那哥欣王國時期的國王拉瑪五世以來，便經歷了修復和重建。近年來，成為當地的宗教中心。寺廟內的景點包括：

博物館: 收藏了珍貴的古代文物，像佛陀的聖髑，還有佛像、中國和歐洲的陶瓷器皿、儀式定音鼓等。這些物品顯示出東方港口與遠至西方東南亞地區海外港口之間的文化交流。
壁畫: Phra Ubosot（戒堂）和 Wihan Phra Phutthasaiiyat（臥佛堂）牆上的壁畫是拉達那哥欣時期當地工匠繪製的，融合了中國藝術和文學。
Mu Kuti Lek Song Thai: 一座泰式小僧舍或「庫提」("Kuti") 建築群，它是按照佛教戒律建造的，每間僧舍的大小足以容納一名僧人，其中一間僧舍是為授予聖職的建造的。
Ho Suat Mon 或祈禱廳: 一間木製大廳，建在八角形木柱上，有琉璃瓦和隆起的屋頂、雕刻和鍍金的三角牆畫著在崇拜的守護神、並有傳統的鑲板牆或 “Fa Prakon”。
佛塔: 一座方形紅土混合的佛塔，有 12 個凹角。

We then went to Wat Buppharam (วัดบุปผาราม), also known as Wat Plai Khlong (วัดปลายคลอง), which is the oldest and most artistic and historical temple in Trat Province. Its name means "temple full of fragrant flowers" because when the founder surveyed the area to build the temple, he discovered upland filled with the scent of flowers. It was built around the reign of King Prasat Thong (1648 A.D.) during the Ayutthaya Period. The temple has undergone restoration and reconstruction since the reign of King Rama V in the Rattanakosin Period. Recently, it has become a local religious center. Spots of interest within the temple include:

Museum: A collection of precious antiquities such as the Lord Buddha’s relic, Buddha images, Chinese and European ceramic wares, ceremonial kettledrums, and more. These objects indicate cultural exchanges between Eastern and overseas ports in Southeast Asia, reaching as far as the West.
Murals: The walls of the Phra Ubosot (ordination hall) and Wihan Phra Phutthasaiyat (Reclining Buddha Hall) were painted by local craftsmen during the Rattanakosin Period, featuring a blend of Chinese art and literature.
Mu Kuti Lek Song Thai: A complex of small Thai-style monk’s cells or ‘Kuti’ built according to Buddhist discipline, each large enough to accommodate a single monk. One cell is built for each person to be ordained.
Ho Suat Mon (Praying Hall): A wooden hall built on octagonal wooden posts and roofed with glazed tiles and a projecting roof, with a carved and gilded gable depicting an angel in adoration and traditional paneled walls known as ‘Fa Prakon’.
Chedi: A square laterite and mortar chedi with 12 recessed corners.

晚上又回到海邊吃海產、賞月及看夜景。

In the evening, we returned to the beach to eat seafood, admire the moon and enjoy night scene.

我在查我們今晚住哪裏的時候，突然想起一件事情，在此記錄一下這個小經歷。

我先生很怕熱，流汗過多就會起疹子，非常疼痛、不舒服。五月的泰國，對我們來說是非常熱的，這晚他又起疹子，身上沒帶藥，照了疹子的照片請同學幫忙，幸好他的女婿是個醫生，傳來一個藥房可買到的藥膏的名字，我看不懂泰文，也不會說泰文，就帶著電話去碰運氣。

幸好我們住在城裏，對面就有一個藥房。雖然我擔心晚上一個人出門不安全，但是還是硬著頭皮出門，感謝神，一出房間門便遇到一個同學要出去閒逛，他主動好心地陪我。

在這裏過大街好像又是另一個挑戰，沒有斑馬線也沒有紅綠燈，車速也快，好不容易過了街，與店員比手畫腳，終於買到藥膏，並且安全回到旅館。

這讓我想到在我們的生活裏，我們常遇到「貴人」，或許他們只是在很不起眼的事上幫了我們一些小忙，但我們常常就忘了這些人及事情。或者，我們也常經歷神的恩典，卻也不記得了。活在這個奸詐、殘暴新聞轟炸的世界裡，我常會對人性感到失望，並心生悲哀。然而，其實我們周遭處處有善良人做有愛心的事，只是我們常常忘了這些微不足道的事。

在此提醒自己，要常常數算恩典。

When I checked where we were staying that night, I suddenly remembered an incident, so I’d like to record this little experience here.

My husband can’t stand the heat. He gets rashes when he sweats too much, which causes him excruciating pain. Thailand in May is very hot for us, and that night, the rashes came back—but he hadn’t brought any medicine. So he took a photo of the rash and sent it to a friend for help. Fortunately, his son-in-law is a doctor and quickly texted the name of an ointment that could be bought over the counter at a pharmacy. I couldn’t read or speak Thai, but I took my phone with me and decided to try my luck.

Luckily, we were staying in the city, and there was a pharmacy right across the street. Although I was worried it might be unsafe to go out alone at night, I went anyway. Thank God—just as I left the room, I saw one of my classmates who also wanted to go out for a stroll. He kindly offered to accompany me.

Crossing the street was another challenge. There were no crosswalks or traffic lights, and the cars were speeding by. Eventually, I managed to cross. Using various gestures, I explained to the store clerk which ointment I wanted. In the end, I got the ointment and returned to the hotel safely.

This whole experience reminded me that in life, we often encounter “benefactors.” Maybe they help us with small, trivial things—but we tend to forget these people and moments. Or we experience God’s grace but fail to remember it. Living in a world constantly bombarded by treacherous and cruel news, I often feel disappointed in human nature and deeply saddened. But in reality, there are kind people doing loving things all around us—we just tend to overlook the small, quiet moments of goodness.

I want to remind myself to always count my blessings.

達信大帝公園 Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat Park

次日早晨我們去達信大帝公園晨走。這個公園位於莊他武里府。它是早晨和晚上鍛鍊身體的理想場所。公園中有一座鄭信王 (鄭昭) 騎在馬上，與他信任的四名士兵的雕塑，這雕塑是為紀念鄭信王選擇莊他武里府聚集人民恢復大城府而建造的。公園的附近也有泰國最大的寶石市場。

The next morning, we went for a walk at Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat Park, located in Chanthaburi Province. It is an ideal place for exercise, both in the morning and evening. In the park stands a statue of King Taksin on horseback, accompanied by four of his trusted soldiers. The statue was built in remembrance of King Taksin, who chose Chanthaburi as the place to gather his forces to restore Krung Si Ayutthaya. Nearby, you’ll also find Thailand's largest gem market.