Last Update : Monday 5 March, 2001 0:43 AM
Last Update : Monday 5 March, 2001 0:43 AM |
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Boat Viewing
The scenery of limestone islands in Phang-Nga Bay, the abundant mangrove forests, sea notches, sea arches, stacks and different types of shorelines created by nature for many million years can be admired by your own eyes in only half a day or one day.
If you take a half-day tour at the price of about 450-600 baht (transportation from the hotel in Phuket included), you can visit Ko Panyee, Khao Ping Gun, Khao Ta Poo, Ko Ma Ju, and Thum Lod. However, if you take a full-day tour, you may visit other islands such as Ko Panak and Ko Hong, or you may do other activities like swimming at Ko Kai Nork, diving at Ko Lawa, elephant-riding to Lump Waterfall and so on. The price depends on those activities. Normally it takes about 1,000-1,500 baht. Some travel agencies arrange the tour only on tourism season, which usually between November and May.
Many of you love to travel by yourselves. You can go to the ports like Tha Daan, Ao Paw, and Surakul depending on your convenience. Every port has boat service all year without reservation except holiday season that you may have to wait in queue. Usually, they have regular route like those of the half-day tour, but you may pay more for visiting some islands like Ko Panak and Ko Lawa.
It is recommended to bring drinking water, camera, hat, long-sleeve shirt, sun block lotion, box lunch (to save on expenses), torch (sometimes it is served on the boat if you agree to visit some caves), personal effects, and so on.
Thum Lod
Thum Lod Yai is the most famous sea cave in Thailand. It is 20 meters wide and about 50 meters long. Boats can pass through all the time. Inside the cave, there are splendid stalactites. Notice the origin of sea arches and sea notches around yourself. Thum Lod Lek is smaller than Thum Lod Yai; normally it is the visiting site of sea canoeing.
Khao Kien, Ko Raya
It is the area where primitive paintings can be seen along the rock face. They can be seen from the boat. The paintings at Khao Kien is bigger and more variety than at Ko Raya.
Ko Panyee
The place of Muslim community in the middle of the sea dated back about 200 years ago. At present, there are 200 households of more than 1,000 people. All houses are located on the seawater, also a mosque and school. The villagers make a living by souvenir selling, food shops, and fish keeping in floating baskets.
Khao Ping Kan and Khao Ta Poo
Khao Ping Kan is splitting limestone massifs as if a knife chopped them. There is a cavity to go into but dead end. Khao Ta Poo is a stack located in the sea nearby with short beach and viewing trail.
Ko Hong
It is a large island that has “Hong (Room)” or “Tidal Lagoon” inside. It can be passed through by a sea cave found about 10 years ago. The cave is about 2-10 meters in width and 150 meters in depth with low ceiling. To get into the cave, it has to wait for the right tide level. It is the popular place for sea canoeing, but a long-tail boat can pass through, also. The lagoon inside is high steep rock surrounded by the forest. Sometimes, you may see a colugo on a big tree. There are some mangroves, and Mud gobies and soldier crabs can be seen in the ponds.
Ko Panak
The island has a lot of caves. Thum Mood or Thum Kong Kang is on the sea level. Visitors can walk into some time. The cave inside is dark and has some stagnant water on the way. A torch is necessary. At the end of the cave, there is a big cavity where the light can reach the floor. There are mangroves and many kinds of aquatic animals. It is regarded as a tour site of sea canoeing.
Thum Ice-creme Cone located in the north end of Ko Panak. There are spectacular stalactites and stalagmites; especially one of them is like an ice-crème cone coated with chocolate. At the end of the cave, you can see a big pond underneath, but cannot walk down to.
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Map
of Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park
