Cover
story : 25
Oct 05 / Vol. 22 No. 14 |
|
An
old sea man mentioned that there was an emerald sea hiding next
to the blue one and that only those knowing the rhythm of the
tide would see a strip of white powdery sand connecting two
islands amidst the sea.
This seems to point out that in one beauty, there hides another
beauty, which can be seen only at a specific moment. The secrets
of nature will solely reveal themselves to those who are in
the right place and at the right time.
Although the promotional campaign of "Unseen Thailand"
has been carried on by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
for two years, it is never too late to go experience these "unseen"
attractions yourselves.
The campaign covers four categories of out-standing attractions
up-country, viz. nature, adventure, religious beliefs and culture.
To admire the beauty of some such places, you need to be there
at the right hour, right date, right season and from the right
perspective.
In this issue, only five out of ten places in the nature group
will be dealt with. The other five attractions and those of
the other groups will be elaborated in the ensuing issues.
1.
Ko (Island) Kradat, Trat Province
(315 km east of Bangkok)
The island's name comes
from the name of a plant found in abundance on the island, which
is one among a total of 67 islands of Mu Ko Tha-le Trat (Islands
in the Trat Sea). Most islands have parts rising high above
sea water but the appearance of Kradat Island is flat and broad.This
is the reason why it is one among "unseen" attractions.
The sea around the island is excellent for diving and kayaking.
Tranquility is what you will find on the island and you can
enjoy other recreations as well.
Recommended period: October-May to avoid monsoon.
How to get there: From Bangkok, drive along
Bangna-Trat Route (Highway 3), past Chon Buri Province, Rayong
Province and Chanthaburi Province to reach Trat. Another route
is Highway 344, which leads you past Chon Buri Province, Klaeng
County and Chanthaburi Province and to Trat. Then drive along
Highway 3148 for about 17 km to get to Laem Ngop. There, 500
m from the county administrative office, is situated a large
pier where you can hire a boat to Ko Kradat. It takes about
3 hours to reach the island. Accommodations are available on
Ko Kradat.
For more information, please contact: Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) Central Office Region 5 on tel:
0 3959 7255, 0 3959 7259-60.
2. Khao
Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province
(644 km south of Bangkok)
Khao Sok National Park straddles Khirirat
Nikhom, Phanom and Ban Ta Khun counties in Surat Thani Province.
The park is part of the largest thick evergreen forest of the
South. It is also called the Guilin of Thailand because of its
landscape that looks like the mist-shrouded peaks of Guilin,
China. Geologically, it consists of limestone mountain ranges
full of gorges, streams, caves and waterfalls.
Elephant-trekking at Khao Sok
|
Khao Sok is a habitat of some rare plant species including Palm
Lang Khao or Kerriodoxa elegans and the world's biggest
flower, Bua Phut or Rafflesia kerri. Besides, Palm
Phra Rahu, or Maxburrettia furtadaona, listed by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
as one among the endangered plant species around the world,
grows here as well. More than 155 species of birds are also
found in the park. In the heart of Khao Sok is Ratchaprapha
 Reservoir
with several islets ideal for trekking, canoeing, swimming,
bird-watching and nature studying. A camping area and bungalows
are available for visitors.
Recommended time: December-April
How to get there: From Surat Thani town, go
along Highway 401 which connects Takua Pa County and Khao Sok
together. (Distance 100 km).
For more information, please contact: TAT Southern
Office Region 5 on tel: 0 7728 8818-9. |
3. Miracle Beach, Dam Khwan (Kai
or Poda) Islet, Krabi Province
(814 km south of Bangkok)
As for the magic of the Miracle Beach, in only a moment while
you are watching strange-shaped Dam Khwan Islet and other small
islets nearby, the tide can go out unnoticeably, revealing a
sandy path connecting the two islets which are Dam Khwan
and Thap.
Miracle Beach
|
Krabi, a province with about 130 islands in the Andaman Sea,
is well known for its Phi Phi Islands, Rok Island and a cluster
of islands in front of Phranang Bay. All are superb for recreation
as the sand is white, the water is clear and marine lives are
plentiful. For adventure-lovers, cliff climbing is a popular
activity recommended to you.
Miracle Beach
By courtesy of TAT |
Recommended time: At the lowest tide of each day, especially
five days before and after the full moon day. The tourist season
is between December and May.
How to get there: From Krabi town, go along
Highway 4034 and turn left onto Highway 4202 to Phranang Bay.
At this bay, tourists can find a chartered boat to go to several
islands scattered nearby.
For more information, please contact:
TAT Southern Office Region 4 on tel: 0 7621 1036, 0
7621 2213, 0 7621 7138.
4. Phusang Waterfall, Phusang
National Park, Phayao Province
(691 km north of Bangkok)
Phusang waterfall flows down a limestone cliff to a clear
pond. Its unique feature is that the water temperature remains
about 60 degrees Celsius all year round. People who take a
bath here will feel as if they are showering under a large
natural warm shower.
Phayao is a small province which is often regarded as a passing
point for travellers heading for other provinces in the North.
In fact, Phayao is an excellent place to live in and to visit.
The province has luxuriant forests, unique culture and fine
handicrafts.
Recommended time: All year round
How to get there: From Phayao Town, use Highway
1021 to arrive in Chiang Kham County. Then drive along Highway
1093 about 17 km and you will reach Phusang National Park.
For more information, please contact: TAT
Northern Office Region 2 on tel: 0 5371 7433, 0 5374 4674-5.
5. Li-pe Islet, Tarutao Islands
Marine National Park, Satun Province
(973 km south of Bangkok)
Li-pe Islet features powdery sand and mirror-like sea water
which allows you to see through the two-metre-deep water along
the coast. The land area of the islet is not too vast, so
you can stroll around it. The sea gypsy inhabitants are friendly.
Accommodations are available.
Tarutao Islands are Thailand's southernmost cluster of islands
off the Andaman Sea. This earliest marine national park consists
of 51 islands with Tarutao Island as the largest. The wonderful
underwater world has drawn thousand of divers to admire the
beauty of coral reefs there yearly. It was once a maximum-security
prison for people convicted of violent crime and of political
offences. Other beautiful islets are Adang-Rawi, Ko Hin-ngam,
Ko Khai and Mu Ko Dong.
Recommended time: Non-monsoon period (November-April)
How to get there: From Satun Town, use Highway
406 and turn left onto Highway 416. Just before reaching La-ngu
County, turn left onto Highway 4052. When you reach Pak Bara
Pier, hire a boat to Tarutao Islands.
For more information, please contact: TAT
Southern Office Region 1 on tel: 0 7423 1055, 0 7423 8518.
If you are interested in going to any place mentioned here,
you are recommended to find essential information before starting
out on your trip. For your convenience, you may contact any
travel agencies listed on page 24 for a personalised tour.
Li-pe Islet
Photo by courtesy of TAT
|
In Vol.
22 No. 18, Thaiways will introduce to you the other five attractions
in this category which are Maple trees in reserved forests of
Phu Kradueng National Park, Mae U-su Cave, Tha-le Noi (Little
Sea), Phu Pha Thoep and Ob Luang Gorge. The complete version
of this story can be obtained from www.thaiwaysmagazine.com
after 25 Dec. 2005.
|
