|  Ao
Phangnga National Park ( Tour
Pacckagees Avalilable
)
Ao Phangnga straddles
Muang District, Ta Kua Tung District and Ko Yao District. About 8 kilometres
from the provincial capital, the journey to Ao Phangnga may be made via
Highway 4 heading south toward Khok Khloi subdistrict, where a left turn
onto Highway 4144 leads to the well-marked Ao Phangnga National Park route
some 4 kilometres away. Tour boats are on offer at the Tha Dan customs
pier, where groups of visitors board the many large boats available. Most
routes go past the park's main attractions, such as Khao Ma Chu, Khao
Kian, Ko Panyi, Tham Lot, Khao Tapu and Khao Phing Kan.
What to see
Khao Kian houses an impressive collection of wall paintings, many of which
are thousands of years old. Ko Panyi is home to 200 families of predominately
Muslim islanders, their houses are built out in the sea and bound together
by copsewood bridges. Beyond Ko Panyi, Ko Nomsao is comprised of two close
islets, while further out still Ko Thalu features the natural wonders
of an eroded island, from one side to the other. Ko Khao Phing Kan, Ko
Tapu, and Tham Lot are similar attractions, where small boats pass under
fantastic natural formations. On land, the Tham Lot caves offer mysterious
stalactites, and the beautiful beaches and accommodation of Khao Ma Chu,
Ko Yao Yai, and Ko Yao Noi are not to be missed. The journey can be arranged
from Phangnga, Phuket, or Krabi, though by far the most comfortable trip
is from Phuket, embarking at Bang Rong Pier or Ao Po to Ko Yao Noi. Ko
Yao Yai can be reached from Tiansin Pier to Phuket, and the trip takes
about one hour. In addition, canoeing around Phangnga National Park is
becoming increasingly popular.
When
to visit - Where to stay
December to April is the high season in this area. Bungalows and restaurants
are provided by the park, and for more information contact Ao Phangnga
National Park or the National Park Division, Forestry Department tel.
579-0529, 579-4842.
 Mu
Ko Similan National Park
The Similans are
a group of small islands in the Andaman Sea renowned the world over for
their beauty both underwater and on land. he high season begins towards
the end of December, after the monsoon season, when weather conditions
are excellent and the water is clean and clear. The underwater world around
Mu Ko Similan is rich with stone piles, coral reefs, cliffs, and an abundance
of marine life. Diving and fishing are both extremely popular and can
be easily arranged. Soft, sandy beaches line each island, with scenic
lush flora further inland.
How to get there
- Where to stay
There are two main routes to the Similans: A three hour boat journey from
the piers in Thap Lamu sub-district and Ta Kua Pa District, covering a
distance of 40 kilometres, or a similar trip from the piers in Kuraburi
District. Fishing boats can be chartered from about 8,000 baht. For departures
from Phuket, contact Songserm Borikarn Co., Ltd. at tel. 982 -8100-20,
222-570-4. A one day tour is also offered. Accommodation and food services
are provided by the national park or the Forestry Department, and can
be arranged at tel. 579-0529, 579-4842.
 Mu
Ko Surin National Park
Mu Ko Surin national
Park is laocated in Kuraburi District, and is comprised of five island
: Ko Surin North, Ko Surin South, Ko Ri, Ko Kai and Ko Klang. The islands
are rich with shallow coral reefs, some of the most beautiful and perfect
in Thailand.
How to get there
The fastest route to the park is from the fishing harbour at Ban Hin Lat
around Pak Khlong Nang Yon (called Khlong Tung Nang Dam by local people),
and takes 4 to 5 hours. The dirt road heading to the fishing harbour is
about 1 kilometre off Ranong - Ta Kua Pa Road. From Ranong Province, Ban
Hin Lat School marks the junction at Km 110. From there, continue 50 metres
along the road heading towards Kuraburi District. It takes around 7 hours
from Kapur in Ranong Province.
When to visit
- Where to stay
The most suitable period to visit this area is between December and April.
Accommodation is provided by the national park. For more details, call
tel. (076) 491-378, 579-0529, 579-4842.
Souvenirs
Seaside souvenirs in this area are typically seashells and dried seafood,
and are available in shops around Ko Panyi or stalls at Khao Phing Kan.
 Nopharat
Thara Beach - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
(
Hotels & Resort in Krabi )
(
Hotels & Resort in Phi Phi)
Nopharat Thara beach
- Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park is spread across Muang District in Krabi
Province, its largest section stretches into the Andaman Sea. Its many
attractions include Nopharat Thara beach, a long golden beach scattered
with seashells, Ao Phranang Cave, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites,
and Su San Hoi, a cemetery with headstones crafted from fossilised shells
20 to 40 million years old. The Mu Ko Phi Phi section is comprised of
Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le, and features limestone mountains and
towering cliffs surrounded by beautiful curving bays. Its marine park
is filled with perfect corals, as is Mu Ko Poda, not 8 kilometres from
the coast.
How to get there
By car, the trip to Su San Hoi and Nopharat Thara beach follows the Krabi
- Nai Sa route, 18 kilometres from the provincial capital. A chartered
boat from Chao Fa Pier and Nopharat Thara beach to ond of the many islands
completes the journey.
When to visit
- Where to stay
The high season in this area is between November an April. For information
on accommodation, contact tel. 226-0060, 281-0422 ext.101, 102.
 Mu
Ko Lanta National Park (
Hotels & Resort in Krabi )
Ko Lanta District
in Krabi Province is home to Mu Ko Lanta National Park, a collection of
over 10 idyllic islands, including Ko Rok Nai, Ko Rok Nok, and Ko Ngai.
A particularly beautiful sandy beach stretches out behind Ko Lanta Yai,
with Laem Tonot, its tip, extending far into the sea. Ko Rok Nai features
a red winderoded cliff dropping down to its broad beaches which seem to
widen as the tide goes out. White sandy Thalu beach on picturesque Ko
Rok Nok leads straight across the island to an inspiring view of Ao Man
Sai framed between two tall mountains. Ko Ngai also offers soft white
beaches and shallow coral reefs.
When to visit
- How to get there
Ko Lanta is serviced by the Krabi-Ko Lanta bus which disembarks at Bo
Muang in Khlong Thom District, a distance of about 80 kilometres. From
there, a boat at Bo Muang covers the remaining 19.5 kilometres to the
main island. The journey to Ko Rok is made from Kantang District in Trang
Province, and covers a distance of about 40 kilometres from Kantang Pier.
An alternative route is to embark at Ko Lanta Yai, 58 kilometres from
Ko Rok. Ko Ngai can be reached from Pak Meng beach, Sikao District, Trang
Province. The boat can easily be chartered to Ko Ngai, although the fee
is charged per passenger.
Souvenirs
Cashew cookies are a specialty in this area and make a good snack on the
long ride home. Various ornaments crafted from seashells are also popular.
 Chao
Mai Beach National Park
Chao Mai, a short
but beautiful name, can mean either village, canal, beach, cave, mountain,
or island. The Chao Mai Beach National Park covers an area of 230.8 square
kilometres, and comprises a variety of tranquil islands, such as Ko Waen,
Ko Chuak, Ko Kradan, Ko Pling, Ko Chao Mai and Ko Meng. In addition to
many wild orchids, blackstork cranes, and the rare dugongs that have become
a symbol of the park's wildlife conservation efforts, Chao Mai is rich
in shallow coral life and sparkling clear waters, and is very popular
among swimmers and snorkellers alike.
How to get there
Although 'Chao Mai' refers to one specific area, the National Park Office
which goes by the same name is located in Sikao District and Kantang District,
59 kilometres from Trang Province on the coastal route to Pak Meng. A
car rental service is provided at Tha Phe and Tha Som, and a big raft
is also available for the 47 kilometres to Kantang.
What to see -
Where to eat
Chao Mai Cave is a must for any visitor to Chao Mai beach, and proper
viewing times can be recommended by local boat owners who must negotiate
muddy forest stretches to reach the cave's entrance. Fresh seafood on
the island is excellent, and visitors may purchase boiled crab meat which
is shipped to provincial markets.
When to visit
- Where to stay
December to April, shortly after the monsoon season, is
the best time to visit this area. Accommodation is provided by the National
Park, which also services the Tourist Centre, rest areas, restrooms and
campgrounds. The National Park Division should be contacted in advance
at tel. 579- 0529,579-4842.
Souvenirs
Chao Mai is famous for its grilled pork, Trang's unique soft cakes, and
Na Meun Sri woven clothes.
 Tarutao
National Park
Tarutao is a national
marine park comprises 51 islands scattered about the Malacca Straits in
the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean around Muang District, Satun Province.
The location of the park was once used as a penal colony for political
prisoners before 1937. It is divided into 2 groups of islands: Mu Ko Tarutao
and Mu Ko Adang- Ravi.
What to see
Ko Tarutao features many impressive mountains with steep cliffs along
the eastern coast dropping down to flat muddy beaches. Longer, picturesque
sandy beaches are found on Ao Phante Malacca, and active coral reefs are
plentiful around the 15 foot diving area off Papillon Cliff. Tobu Cliff
presents panoramic views of the island, while Ao Son houses no less than
three waterfalls. Stunning Charake Cave is accessible by boat along Ma
lacca Canal. Ko Adang-Ravi's mountainous slopes provide a good day's hiking,
and its coast is sprinkled with fine white sandy beaches and beautiful
corals. Ko Hin Ngam is simply a must, with naturally polished stones adorned
in decorative patterns scattered about the beach. Diving areas include
sites around Ko Jabang, east of Ko Hin Ngam, Ao Taloriba, south of Ko
Adang and the southern coast of Ko Ravi.
How to get there
The most practical way to reach Tarutao National Park is by boat from
Pak Bara Pier in La-ngu District, the closest pier.
When to visit
- Where to stay
High season in this area falls roughly from November to April; however,
the pier serviced by the park at Ao Talowao is to the east of the islands,
rendering it safe from the monsoon year round. Accommodation is offered
by the National Park at 3 locations: Ao Phante Malacca, Ao Son on Ko Tarutao,
and Laem Son on Ko Adang. |
