|
-----------------------
Maps
--------------------------
Activities -----------------------
Articles
-----------------------
|
Welcome to Island Hopping in the Andaman Sea of Thailand
Mu Koh Lanta National Park
The combined efforts of the Wildlife Fund Thailand, the Royal Forestry Department and the House of Representatives of Thailand’s Parliament resulted in the declaration of Mu Koh Lanta National Park in 1990 as Thailand’s 62nd national park.
The rain forest covered southern tip of Koh Lanta and over 15 islands in the Andaman Sea are now a protected area of 134 sqkms with trees, flowers, animals of the forests and the colourful life of the coral reefs saved from environmental destruction to be enjoyed by future generations. As the park area combines terrestrial and marine areas, it protects different natural resources and consists of several ecotypes, ranging from mangrove forest on the east coast of Lanta Yai to dry evergreen forest and tropical rain forest with more than 50 tree species recorded. The islands are characterised by steep craggy limestone cliffs, typical for southern Thailand and covered mostly by grassland. Although most of the islands within the park are uninhabited by man, they manage to support a wide diversity of plant and animal life on the cliffs and in the sea below.
Like most island ecosystems, the number of mammal species is small with most of them living in the trees, as tree shrew, squirrels, fruit bats, langurs, and macaques. Known ground grazers are limited to wild pigs, mouse deer and small rodents. Reptile species include monitor lizards, cobra and green snakes. Because of the park’s proximity to the mainland, over 50 species of nesting or migrant birds have been confirmed. Marine life includes more than 32 species of fish and over 23 different species of corals.
The national park is still unprepared for visitors, as there is no information centre, few forest trails and little interpretative information. Park sites at Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Rok have communal bathroom and shower facilities available, however there is no restaurant and food has to be prepared in advance. Camping is the only type of overnight accommodation available on Koh Rok, where tents can be rented if visitors do not bring their own.
On Koh
Lanta Yai, there are a few bungalows near the park
headquarters. This area is ideal for day trips, a walk through the forest
and a picnic at the beach. There is a nice stretch of beach to walk
on and many rocky tidal pools on the western side to look for marine
life at low tide. The view from the lighthouse provides and ideal view
of the Andaman sea and the surrounding area
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
