Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

 

Location: Surat Thani province   Map

Closed: Nov- Dec

Area: 102 kmĀ² (42 islands)

 

Description of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is a beautiful archipelago of 42 islands that cover and are of roughly 102 km2 in Surat Thani province of Thailand. The name of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park in Thai language is translated roughly as "group of islands that are bowl of gold". Once you get here you will realize that the name is not chosen in vain. Numerous islands with beautiful shapes, secluded beaches and tropical climate make Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park a paradise. Some of the most important islands include 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 best time to visit the chain of islands in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is between February and April, while monsoon season that lasts from November through December should be avoided altogether unless of course you like rainy crappy weather and high waves that make pretty much all exploring dangerous. Thai authorities usually close this natural park during these months. The islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park receive approximately 2,000 mm of precipitation annually. The average temperature in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is about 23 Celcius.

 

Some of the best diving sites in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park are in the north eastern and south western islands of the archipelago of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park. Fairly stable water current allows coral proliferation since they need plenty of trace minerals, but at the same time sea flow is can not be strong enough to do significant damage to their structure. Most of geological composition of the islands are that of limestone. Natural erosion creates interesting patterns and shapes that naturally give rise to many legends and alleged haunting. One thing that you should be aware of, however, is the currents that sometimes are created near picturesque cliffs. Yachting, kayaking and any other type of explorations of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park should be done with certain degree of caution.

 

Topographical features

Ang Thong Islands is a national park located in shallow water near the shore. The average depth of the water is approximately 10 meters. Seawater in the park area There is little transparency due to the influence of sediment from the Tapi River. The coastline is generally steep. As a result, coral in this area forms in narrow strips only on the southwest coast and in areas sheltered from the northeast monsoon. The most common coral reefs are: baby elephant rock coral, brain coral, short-branched staghorn coral These corals are at the top of the reef. Those at deeper levels that receive less light are sheet corals (in the genus pavona) and flower corals (Goniopora sp.). For aquatic animals that live in this area include: Eight-lined butterflyfish Long-lipped butterflyfish, angelfish, parrot fish, golden stingray, black-tipped shark, grouper, tiger urchin. The inner areas of the reef where water circulation is poor are inhabited by sea cucumbers, blue crabs, and brown algae in the groups Sargassum sp. and Turbinaria sp.

The side of the island is a steep rock. and is so deep that little light can shine down Causing corals to be unable to grow. In this area, it is the home of animals such as sea fans, sea fans, sea whips, oysters, giant clams, and bear clams. Most importantly, it is a habitat for plankton, which is a nutrient for marine animals. This area is therefore full of many types of aquatic animals, such as various types of bivalve snails, soft corals, shovel clams, mortar sponges, pipe sponges, itchy seaweed, squirts, etc. It is also a source for raising the larvae of mackerel, anchovies, and sea squid.

 

Biodiversity

Most of the large island is in the park area. It will be a deciduous forest. There are important plants such as the round leaf plank, rak pa, cinnamon, turtle, rattan, and Ang Thong Lady's Slipper. Along the narrow coastline are scattered coastal forests. Important plants are Malabar, Pho Thale, Krating, Sea Hemp, Lam Chiak, and Phlap Phlueng Thong. Limestone mountain area There will be a unique forest growing on a thin layer of soil. Most of the plants in the forests in this area are small, such as Chanpha, Salad Dai, Yo Pa, and some mangrove forests may be found on beaches and shoals.

In the park area, at least 53 species of birds can be found, including mallards and about 10 species of shorebirds. There are 32 species of resident birds, such as the green egret, red-tailed hawk, and 9 types of migratory birds, such as the black egret, sandpiper, and Daedin bird. There are also birds that are on the verge of extinction. One species is the black hornbill, and threatened birds include the black hornbill, the white lumpu, the green lumpu, the nest-eating swallow, and the red-tailed hawk.

There are many different species of fish found in the sea around the park, such as mackerel, garfish, red grouper, sharp-lipped fish, serpent fish, white-spotted stingray, blue-spotted stingray, sea bream, greenback fish, saltwater carp, large anchovies, giant fish, speckled sweeteye fish, Eagle fish, and silver swordfish. Big, barracuda, one-sided fish, flounder. As for fish found along coral reefs, such as black gourami, green gourami, sea gourami, and deep-sea Khao Mao fish. Eight-lined butterflyfish Long-mouthed butterflyfish Blue-striped angelfish, abyssal grouper fish, parrot fish, and snakehead minnows. Indian clownfish, nurse fish

In the park, only 5 species of amphibians were found, while at least 16 species of mammals, such as the southern spectacled langur, were found. Hairy-nosed otters, various types of whales