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| Thailand is famous
for its crystal clear blue seas with powdery sand.
Its sun-drenched beaches have become a paradise
for sunbathing-lovers. Most avid divers come back
time after time because of the breathtaking coral
reefs. Many beaches have been designated as Marine
National Parks. Up to now (November 2003), the
country possesses 26 Marine National Parks covering
a total area of 7,193.82 sq km. These parks have
their unique charms and some are frequented by
a large number of visitors. In this and No.17
issue, Thaiways will present to you the
top ten marine national parks most frequently
visited by foreigners (five per issue). The complete
version of this story can be obtained from www.thaiwaysmagazine.com
after 10 December 2003. |
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NOPPHARAT
THARA-PHI PHI ISLANDS MARINE NATIONAL PARK
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This scenic
marine national park is situated in Muang County
of Krabi Province. It covers main areas in the
Andaman Sea. The chief natural characteristic
is limestone mountains with steep cliffs, amazing
caves and fine beaches.
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Phi Phi Islands
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Thick evergreen forests are
found mostly at Khao Hang Nak, Phranang Bay
and in the west of Phi Phi Don. Mangroves can
be seen near Noppharat Thara Beach. Nearby
is a cluster of swamp forests. There is a large
quantity of rainfall in the rainy season (from
late April to October). The weather will become
a little bit cool from January to early April,
which is excellent for a vacation.
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Ko Boda
or Ko Kai
(Chicken Island)
a part of
Phi Phi Islands
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| Main
attractions: Noppharat Thara Beach is a long
scenic beach fringing 20 km of road and lined
with casuarina trees and coconut groves. Phranang
Bay has a unique beach which includes a mountain
with a cave where you can see a lot of stalagmites
and stalactites. |
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Diviing arund Phi Phi Islands
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The steep cliffs around Phranang
Bay have recently become a paradise for rock-climbers
from all over the world and it is very convenient
to obtain equipment, maps and instructions from
bungalows on Phranang Bay and Rai Le beaches.
Susan Hoi (Shell Cemetery Beach) in Ban
Laem Pho, some 17 km from town, is a huge rock
slab evolved from uncountable petrified seashells
of some 75 million years. Seashell formations
of this kind exist at only two other places
in the world -- U.S.A. and Japan. Phi Phi
Islands consist of two islands -- Phi
Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. The former
is the larger and well known for its unspoiled
beaches and cliffs surrounded by clear blue
water. The latter is uninhabited but the famous
Viking Cave is situated there. Read more about
Phi
Phi in Phi Phi Islands: A Paradise in the Andaman. |
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How to get there:
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• To Phi
Phi Islands, tourists can go by boat either from
Krabi, (Chaofa Pier or a pier at Noppharat Thara
Beach), which takes about two hours, or Phuket,
about two and a half hours.
• To Noppharat Thara, Shell Cemetery and
Phranang Bay: Go along Krabi Town-Phranang Bay
Road for about 18 km, tourists will arrive at
Noppharat Thara Beach. Off this beach, there is
a junction leading to the Shell Cemetery. From
this beach, drive to the south along the beach
road for six km to reach Phranang Bay. |
PHANG-NGA
BAY MARINE NATIONAL PARK
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| The origin of
this area dates back to the Cretaceous-Tertiary
Period of about 136-36 million years ago. Straddling
areas in three counties of Phang-nga province,
and consisting of more than 40 islets, Phang-nga
Bay Marine National Park boasts picturesque landscapes.
Weird limestone outcrops and cliffed islets rising
from the sea are abundant in the bay. |
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Khao Pingkan
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| The park became
more famous after the James Bond adventure, The
Man with the Golden Gun, was partly filmed
here.The climate in Phang-nga Bay is tropical
marine, with high rainfall and high temperatures
throughout the year. It is best visited from December
to April when the island is not affected by the
southwest monsoon. |
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Khao Tapu,
Phang-Nga Bay
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| Among its numerous
limestone islands, the followings are famous attractions:
Khao Tapu, a tiny islet standing alone
in the sea, got its name from its nail-like appearance.
Khao Phingkan or James Bond Island literally
means "the leaning hills". The smaller
one has slid down onto the ground while the larger
rock stands still, leaving the former in the leaning
position. Ko Panyi is a small island inhabited
by Muslim fishermen. Tham Lot, a renowned
cave where a small boat can sail through, has
wonderful stalagmites and stalactites inside.
Rock paintings around Khao Khian were reported
to be more than 1,000 years old. Many more interesting
points include Khao Mah Chu, Tham Kaeo
, Ko Hong , Tham Nak and Ko Phanak. |
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How to
get there:
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| From Phang-nga
Muang county, drive along Highway 4, heading to
Khok Kloi sub-county. Drive pass Phang-nga Provincial
Administration for about 8 km, turn left onto
Highway 4144. Go ahead for a further 2 km to reach
the park office. |
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SIMILAN
MARINE NATIONAL PARK
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| This
marine national park has been interna-tionally
ranked as the fourth most beautiful dive site
out of the Top Ten of the world. Similan is a
Malayan word meaning "nine". It is used
to name the granite islands group in the Andaman
Sea lying some 40 km to the northwest of Phang-nga
province because it consists of nine islets. The
main one is also called Similan. |
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Similan Island
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Others are Ko (island) Ba-ngu, Ko Hua Kralok,
Ko Payu, Ko Ha, Ko Miang, Ko Payang and Ko Huyong.
The boot-shaped rock standing high above a rocky
mound has become a famous symbol of the Similan
Islands. |
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According
to geologists, these rocks were formed about 230
to 330 million years ago.
The park is best visited in the dry season from
December to April when the sea is calm and the
sky is clear. The rest of the year is the rainy
season starting from May to November. |
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Part of Similan Marine National
Park
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| The
vegetation on the islands is luxuriant comprising
fibre plants palms, rattan and bamboo, as well
as large evergreens. Birds found on the islands
include wood pigeons, seagulls, crested serpent
eagles, swallows and magpies. The most important
creature in this marine park is the large variety
of coral. They include over 200 species of hard
coral and an even greater number of soft coral.Interesting
attractions of Similan Islands National Park are
numerous fine beaches and spectacular dive sites.
Ba-ngu Island is excellent for scuba diving.
This island is a gigantic rock which, viewed from
a certain angle, looks like a skull, but the underwater
scenes around it are really striking. Huyong
Island is renowned for its powdery beach.
The largest island of the park, Similan,
boasts a horseshoe-shaped bay, where the sand
is fine and the sea bed is filled with staghorn
coral, etc. |
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| How
to get there: |
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shortest way to get to the Similans is to drive
from Phuket or Phang-nga town to Thap Lamu landing,
Thai Muang district, Phang-nga province. Then
take a boat to the marine park which is 40 km
away. The boat trip takes 3 to 5 hours depending
on the weather conditions. Most tour agencies
in Phuket have their tourist boats starting from
Patong Beach on the west coast of Phuket or from
Chalong Bay on the southeast. It takes 8 to 10
hours to cover the distance of about 70 km. |
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THANBOK
KHORANI MARINE
NATIONAL PARK |
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| Thanbok
Khorani Marine National Park, in Ao (bay) Luek
County, Krabi Province, is among the virgin forests
of this country. Situated in the valley amidst
the mountains with underground streams flowing
into the limestone rocks, the park is a scenic
refuge for every visitor. The major landscape
is a typical karst topography with precipitous
limestone mountains. |
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Thanbok Khorani Pond
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Plant
societies come in various types. Thriving on sheer
mountain ranges is rainforest. Around Tham
Lot Tai Mountain and Nam Bay mangrove
forests are found. The foothill of Chong Lom
Mountain is covered by swamp forests.
For archeology enthusiasts, caves in this park
will catch your attention, particularly with their
prehistoric cave art. Since there is no evidence
that the land has been inhabited, it is presumed
that these caves were used for religious ceremonies.
Hand-figure paintings can be seen around Phi Hua
To Cave, Fai Mai Peninsula, Tham Chao Le and Thai
Raet Peninsula. |
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Tham Lot Tai
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Interesting
points are: Thanbok Khorani Pond, where
water is full all year round, is suitable for
swimming. Hong Island is the largest island
in Lao Bile Island Group. It includes interesting
sites like:
• Bile Bay boasts a powdery beach
with two curving bays divided by a huge rock.
Swimmers will love its crystal clear water.
• Hong Bay, a lagoon on the other
side of the island allows boats to reach at high
tide. It is fascinating due to the surrounding
steep limestone mountains. |
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| How
to get there: |
| Drive
along Highway 4 (Petcha-kasem Road) until you
reach Ao Luek Intersection in Krabi province,
then turn right to Highway 4039. Go for a further
2 km, you will arrive at the park office. |
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| THAN
SADET-KO PHA-NGAN MARINE NATIONAL PARK |
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| Than
Sadet-Ko Pha-ngan Marine National Park is situated
at Pha-ngan Island (168 sq km), 100 km off the
Surat Thani's coast or 15 km from Samui Island.
The shoreline of Pha-ngan Island is rocky with
some sandy beaches and a wide range of coral and
tropical fish. Besides being a well-known place
for full moon parties, the island has magnificent
underwater scenery which never fails to attract
divers |
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Ko Pha-Ngan
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| .Local
dive operators offer diving courses, from introductory
to professional levels. Divers can also have trips
arranged to further sites to see more beauty of
the sea. |
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| The
island's topography is mostly high mountains.
The highest peak, Khao Ra is 627 metres
above sea level. Nature-lovers will be impressed
by the fertility of the forests here. Flora in
this national park are thick evergreen forests
with trees like Dip-terocarpus alatus, Burma reed,
Malabar ironwood and flax. Dry evergreen forests
are scattered along the mountain ridge.Than
Sadet Waterfall is the park's foremost attraction.
King Rama V(1868-1910) and other kings of the
Chakri Dynasty used to visit the waterfall. Travellers
will enjoy picturesque views of Than Praphat
and Than Prawet Falls. And Phaeng
Waterfall is another worth visiting point
famous for its splendour. |
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| How
to get there: |
From
Surat Thani province, there are three kinds of
ferry services -- express ferries, night ferries
and vehicle ferries -- to Thong Sala Pier at Pha-ngan
Island. Express ferries from Surat Thani Pier
to Thong Sala Pier takes about four hours. Then,
tourists need to drive for a further 4 km to arrive
at the park office near Phaeng Waterfall. For
more information, please contact Tourism Authority
of Thailand (Southern Office, Region 4 on 0 7621
1036 and 0 7621 2213).
If you are interested to spend your holiday
at any of these marine national parks, there are
many travel agents in Thailand that you can contact
to arrange a tour programme for you. However,
it is important to gather more information in
advance from the Royal Forest Department (Tel.
0 2561 4292-3 Ext. 724-725) and get yourself prepared
for diving, snorkelling, sunbathing or trekking.
Furthermore, you are required to always contact
the relevant park office for expert advice. (To
be continued on Vol.20 No. 17, Dec 10, 2003) |
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