Koh Chang Yutthanavi Day: is held in late January at the Koh Chang Yutthanavi Memorial on Laem Ngop. The event commemorates the bravery of the Royal Thai Navy’s battle against the French on 17 January 1941. Festivities include merit-making and tribute rites and there is an exhibition by the Royal Thai Navy.

Chinese New Year: is celebrated by all Chinese-Thais and features firecrackers and lion dancers parading through the streets and is a time when families ‘spring-clean’ the house. Streets are lined with lanterns and the smell of incense wafts through the air. Dragon parades are also performed on main streets.

Trat Memorial Day: is held on 23 March and marks the day the province regained Thai sovereignty after the French occupation. The celebrations are held at the provincial town hall.

Songkran: mid-April sees the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated with water throwing, merit-making, merrymaking and general mayhem. Be prepared to get soaked and don’t ride a motorbike.

Buddha’s Birthday: is celebrated on 15 May in local temples by holding candlelit processions. Tourists are welcome to take part in these parades and it can prove good fun.

Trat Fruit Fair: is held in late May or early June and features exhibitions and farming produce. Fruit contests, particularly of sweet Salak are also arranged.

Buddhist Lent: falls in mid to late July, when young men enter the monkhood for the rainy season and ordained monks stay in the same monastery for three months.

Queen’s Birthday: is celebrated on 12 August and is also Thailand’s Mother’s Day. A huge fireworks display is guaranteed.

Loi Krathong: is one of the most beautiful festivals of the year and sees scores of candlelit floats released onto rivers and waterways to float away your bad luck.

King’s Birthday: is held on 5 December and sees the whole nation pay tribute to their beloved king, as well as being Father’s Day.