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By
Ninnart
Photos by courtesy of Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) and the Royal Forest Department
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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 (December 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 the Vol.20 No.15
issue, Thaiways presented to you, five
out of the top ten marine national parks most
frequently visited by foreigners. The other five
are as follows. |
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KHAO LAEM
YA-MU KO SAMET MARINE NATIONAL PARK
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Situated 200
km southeast of Bangkok in Rayong Province,
this park is one of the most popular destinations
for travellers. It comprises the well-known
Samet Island, other smaller islands nearby and
a headland on the mainland named Laem Ya, where
the park office is located. These are the locations
where the story of a literary masterpiece in
the Thai language, Phra Aphai Mani --
a story of princes, mermaids and giants -- is
supposed to take place.
Ko (island) Samet, named after a kind of small
trees with white flowers which grew densely
all over the island but whose numbers have been
declining these days, is called Ko Kaeo Phitsadan
in the story.
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A fascinated
view at Samet Island
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The main attractions of the
island are the beaches, especially Hat Sai
Kaeo and Ao (bay) Wong Duean
(crescent moon) on the long curved eastern coast
where accommodations are in abundance. There
are several other beaches and bays which, though
smaller, are quieter and no less lovely. Khao
Laem Ya is a small hill which commands a wide
view of the sea and surroundings. Hat Mae
Ramphueng, a 12-km beach to the west of
the park office, is also famous for its white
sand and clear sea water. Coral is another important
asset of the park. Around Ko Samet, Kudi
Island and Thalu Island, especially
in the vicinity of Khanna Rock and Ao
Phai Rock, fertile coral reefs and numerous
sea anemone can be seen.
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| How to get
there: |
• By
car: Rayong is 179 km from Bangkok and 70
km from Pattaya, and the park is 20 km to the
east of Rayong town. From Rayong, follow the signposts
to Ban Phe. Then take a boat to Ko Samet which
will take about 40 minutes.
• By bus: There is a bus from Ekkamai
Bus Station leaving Bangkok for Ban Phe every
hour. It takes about three hours to reach there.
Boat services at Ban Phe are available from 6:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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| KHAO
SAM ROI YOT MARINE NATIONAL PARK |
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| This group of
verdant limestone mountains in Prachaup Khiri
Khan province, with a maximum height of 605 m,
is the first coastal national park in Thailand,
which was announced in 1966. Its name "Sam
Roi Yot" means "the Mountain with Three
Hundred Peaks". Its swamp with dense elephant
grass (Typha angustifolia) is full of water in
the rainy season, turning the place into a habitat
of large numbers of fish and birds. Looking like
a terrestrial meadow from afar, Khao Sam Roi Yot
is a perfect habitat of wildlife because of its
diverse ecological systems ranging from mangrove,
swamp to meadow. |
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Part of Khao
Sam Roi Yot views
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Interesting points: The most
famous point of the park is Phraya Nakhon
Cave. Three Chakri kings -- Rama V, Rama
VII and King Bhumibol used to visit the place.
A wonderful pavilion built particularly for
Rama V's visit in 1890, which became the emblem
of Prachaup Khiri Khan province, is still inside.
Kaeo and Sai Caves possess spectacular
rock formations and crystal-like stalagmites
and stalactites. Khao Daeng Viewpoint
is ideal for watching the sunrise. The best
time is around 5:30 a.m. A boat trip along Khao
Daeng Canal which is 1.5 km from the park
office will allow visitors to see species of
birds and to take impressive photographs. Laem
Sala Beach has a cape with a white sandy
beach. The serene beach and casuarina trees
abundant in the area make Sam Phraya Beach
a perfect site for a picnic.
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| How to get there: |
• By
car: From Bangkok, use Highway 4 (Phetchakasem
Road) or Highway 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho Road) heading
southwards. When reaching Pran Buri Intersection,
turn left onto Pak Nam-Pran Buri Road for four
kilometres. Turn right onto Ro Pho Cho Road for
a further 31 km, and you will arrive at the park
office.
• By bus: Buses and air-con buses
to Pran Buri County are available at the Southern
Air-conditioned Bus Station.
• By rail: Take a train at the Bangkoknoi
Railway Station and get off at the Pran Buri Station.
Cars and bus services are available there. |
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| MU
KO ANG THONG MARINE NATIONAL PARK |
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| Situated in Ang
Thong District, Samui County, Surat Thani Province,
this marine national park consists of 42 islets,
ranging from north to south, such as Phaluai
Island, Wua Ta Lap Island, Mae Ko
Island, etc. Steep limestone mountains are
the dominant characteristics of the islet cluster. |
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The Lagoon on Mae Ko Island
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On the northwestern
side of the group, though mostly influenced by
the monsoon, many coral species develop in sheltered
spots, especially elephant tusk coral, brain coral
and staghorn coral.Flora in this archipelago vary
according to the topography. They include dry
evergreen forest, beach forest and mangrove.
Interesting attractions: Wua Ta Lap Island
is the biggest among the group where the national
park office is situated. Panoramic views of all
the islands can be obtained from the nearby viewpoint
about 222 metres above sea level. The limestone
caves here have strange features with the most
popular one in the shape of a lotus flower. |
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The awesome beauty of Mu Ko
Ang Thong Marine National Park
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| The
Lagoon on Mae Ko Island reveals an unrivalled
beautiful landscape which is well worth a visit.
It is presumed to be caused by the collapse of
a cavern roof. It takes about 15 minutes by boat
from the park office. To see one of the most scenic
views in Thailand, just climb up to the viewpoint
which looks down into the lagoon. Sam Sao,
Thai Phlao and Wua Kan Tang Islands
have fantastic coral reefs and powdery beaches
excellent for diving and camping. |
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How to get there:
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At
Bo Phut or Na Thon Pier on Samui Island, there
are boats leaving for Mu Ko Ang Thong every day
at 8:00 a.m. The boats will arrive at Mu Ko Ang
Thong at 10:30 a.m. and return to Bo Phut or Na
Thon on Samui Island at 5:00 p.m.
To get to Samui Island:
• Express ferries from Tha Thong pier, Surat
Thani province to Na Thon, Samui Island are available.
• Private cars and air-con buses can use
ferry services at Don Sak Pier to Samui Island.
•There are many flights departing Bangkok
for Samui daily. It takes about 1.30 hrs. |
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SIRINAT
MARINE NATIONAL PARK |
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Although
straddling the area of Sakhu district, Choeng
Thale district, and Thalang County of Phuket province,
the park comprises only 24% of land and 76% of
water. The best time to visit the site is from
November to April when the weather is cool, the
sky is clear and the sea is calm. Beach forest
and mangrove spread all over the area. Thick evergreen
forest also thrives around Khao Sai Khru
and Khao Muang. The coral reefs are located
about 700 to 1000 m away from the shore.
Nai Yang Beach is the foremost popular
attraction. Tourists will have a chance to witness
sea turtles laying eggs at this beach in the period
from November to February. Underwater world around
the beach makes diving worthwhile there. Sai
Kaeo Beach and Chat Chai Pier are located
near Sarasin Bridge and Thep Kasattri Bridge.
The mangrove forest at Chat Chai Pier is in a
good condition and connected to that of Sai Kaeo
and Mai Khao beaches. Picnicking is a popular
activity here. Mai Khao Beach, the longest
beach of Phuket province, is where a large amount
of sea cicadas are found. Nai Thon beach
is so peaceful that it has become a paradise for
those who search for a refuge. |
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How to get there: |
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Phuket town, drive along Thep Kasattri Road or
Highway 402 for about 32 km. Turn left at the
Airport intersection for a further 3 km, the park
office is right there. |
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MU KO
CHANG MARINE NATIONAL PARK
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| Consisting
of more than 40 islets, this archipelago is on
the southwest of Ngop Headland, Trat province.
The main island, Ko Chang (429 sq km),
is the second largest island in Thailand after
Phuket (543 sq km). The chief constituent of the
land is igneous rock of the Triassic. |
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Man Nok
Island in Mu Ko Chang
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| The
flora comprises thick evergreen forest, beach
forest and mangrove. And since this islet group
is not influenced by mainland rivers, the water
around it is crystal clear without sediment. This
results in rich marine life such as staghorn coral,
laminar coral, columna coral, sea anemone, etc. |
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One of diving sites at Mu
Ko Chang
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Divers can observe them at many locations such
as Chang Noi Island, Yuak Island,
Man Nok Island and Lao Ya Island.
Another recommended site to explore the marine
life is around the wrecks of the Thai warships
"Songkhla" and "Chonburi"
in Salak Phet Bay on the southern end of the island.
These two ships were sunk in 1941 during the sea
battle between the Royal Thai Navy and the French
Navy, which was a small part of the Indochinese
war |
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Diving at Ko Chang
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| Main
attractions of Mu Ko Chang National Park are:
The three-leap Than Mayom Waterfall is
a place where Chakri kings and royalty visited.
Khlong Phlu, Khlong Nonsi, Khiri Phet
and Khlong Nueng Falls are interesting
to drop by. Khlong Phrao Beach, the beach
around Chaiyachet Headland and Kai Bae
Beach allow you to enjoy swimming. Corals
around Lao Ya Island which is situated
in the south of Chang Island, are fantastic. |
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The crystal sea of Rang Island,
Mu Ko Chang
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| Wai
Island has a beautiful beach and perfect coral
reefs. Rang Islet is home to the Edible
Nest Swiftlet. Bangbao Fishermen Village
is recommended for those who love to touch fishermen's
lifestyles. Their houses are built on stilts and
connected to each other with bridges similar to
those of the Maldives. Therefore, the place is
called "Maldives of Chang Island" as
well. Another point deserved a mention here is
Salak Phet Bay. It is also known as "Texas
of Chang Island". In former time, the place
was used as a shelter for ships in case of strong
wind or storms. At present, this bay is a wonderful
place to view the sunrise. |
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How to get there:
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From Trat town, there are bus
services to go to Ngop Headland. From
Laem Ngop, take a boat to Sapparot Bay on Chang
Island. The departure times are from 8:00 a.m.
-5:00 p.m. The trip takes 45 minutes. Public
transportation is available on Chang Island.
For those who drive private cars, there are
ferries leaving either from Thammachat Bay or
the Center Point of Chang Island to Sapparot
Bay between 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with a 30-minute
travelling time. However, vehicles used on the
island should be the four-wheel-drive type.
If you are interested to spend your holiday at
any of these marine national parks, there are
many travel agencies 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.
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