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Mu Ko Ang Thong
National Park consists of 42 islands. Its main islands are Phaluai
Island, Wua Chio Island, Wua Talap Island, Mae Ko Island, Samsao
Island, Phai Luak Island, Kha Island, Hindap Island, Phi Island, Wua
Kantang Island, Mae Yat Island, Wua Te Island, Naiphut Island,
Changsom Island, Hanuman Island, Thaiphlao Island, Huaklong Island,
and Kho Ban Island.
The park
covers a total area of 102 sq.km of which about only 18 sq.km is land.
The National park does not encompass the entire island chain, its
jurisdiction covers about 82% of the total area. The park was
established on 12th November 1980.
Most of
the islands consists of limestone mountains about 10-400 meters above
sea level. Because the limestone can change its structure easily by
both chemical condition and weather, so that makes the islands have
many, strange-looking caves and cliffs, and some islands are looked
like ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Prasart Hin Pimai.
Impressions from sightseeing
tours to Marine Park
Flora & Fauna
The islands of the park are covered in forest of four types;
Dry Evergreen Forest, occurs on the larger
islands with significant patches on Wua Ta Lap,Phaluai and Sam Sao.
The principle tree species are; Memecylon sp., Barringtonia fusiformis,
Semecarpus curtisii, Cinnamomum sp., Caryota spp., Calamus spp. and
Paphio- pedilum niveum "Ang Thong" Pfitz.
Beach Forest, occurs in a narrow strip around most of the
larger islands, especially in the area above high water mark on
beaches. Species occuring include; Terrminalia catappa, Thespesia
populnea, Carophyllum inophyllum, Scaevola taccada, Erythrina fusea,
Pandanus monotheca and Crinum sp.
Limestone forest, occurs on the exposed cliff faces and in the
very shallow soils on top of the limestone hills. Most of the plants
found here are small and highly adapted to survive in the severe
environment, species recorded include; Dracaena loureiri, Euphorbia
antiquorum and Morinda sp.
Mangrove forest, occurs in the very sheltered spots where
sandbars and mudflats have developed. This forest type is best
represented around Mae Ko island and on the eastern side of Phaluai
island. These forest areas are well structured with many trees, both
large and small, the dominant species is Rhizophora apiculata.
On the larger islands with areas of undisturbed forest many species of
animals are present. Occasionally seen are Spectacled langurs,
Hairy-nosed otters, bats, Pacific reef-egret, Brahminy kite,
White-bellied seaeagle, Common sandpiper, Edible nest swiflet,
Oriental pied hornbill, Southern pied hornbill, Ashy drongo, Collared
kingfisher, Monitor lizards, Tortoises, Sea Turtles and Pythons.
Attractions
Wua Talap Island
Wua Talap Island situates in Kha Bay. The National Park Headquarters
locates here. In front of the office is the white and clean beach
appropriate for playing water and recreation. When going to the
viewpoint at the top of the mountain, about 500 meters, traveler can
see all of Ang Thong islands with strange-looking shape lay in-line on
the sea. There is also Bua Bok Cave situated one kilometer from the
office. It has beautiful stalagmite and stalactite, and is unique in
its geology condition.
Thale Nai
Thale Nai or Lake in the Mountain situates in Mae Ko Island. It is a
large natural pond surrounded by complicated limestone mountain. The
area has under-water hole connected to the outer sea. There has been
assumed that the limestone layer under the lake was sink so that cause
the lake, this incident had been occurred simultaneously with the
islands, or it might have been occurred by the change of chemical
condition so did the caves.
Samsao Island
Samsao Island situates opposite Mae Ko Island. There have beautiful
coral, natural stone bridge curve out into the sea, and white and
clean beaches appropriate for camping and swimming to enjoy coral.
Thaiphlao Island and Wua Kantang Island
There are beautiful coral reef and white sand beaches in Thaiphlao
Island and Wua Kantang Island.
 Nature
Trails
There are trekking trail about 500 meters called ‘View Point Trekking
Trail’ located in Kha Bay in Wua Talap Island, and two boating trails
called ‘Studying Nature by Boat’. The first boating trail is about 600
meters surrounding Phi Island, and the second is about 2,200 meters
between the beach of Kha Bay and the Nathap Beach. More over, there
are three snorkeling route call ‘Studying Nature Under Water’; about
200 meters long near Thaiphlao Island, about 150 meters long near
Samsao Island, and about 150 meters long in Kha Bay in Wua Talap
Island.
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