Sailing Thailand - Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park

National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department

Mo Ko Angthong, located in Tambon Ang Thong, Amphor Ko Samui, Suratthani Province, was designated the 21th national park of Thailand on November 12, 1980, and covers an area of 102 square kilometer. 82% or about 84 square kilometer of the area is marine. The park consists of 42 islands, most high steep limestone mountains, lined up from north to south. Because of its beautiful, strange unique scenery, the park has been a well known and popular destination since days long past.

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Ecology and Geology

The complexity of the ecosystem in Ang Thong has provided the region to be given National Marine Park status in 1980, this has raised its profile as a popular if not somewhat fascinating tourist and diving destination even so the main aim is with Thailand’s desperate attempts to preserve and maintain its current level of bio diversity.

In general the wildlife found consists of smaller animals of which researchers have discovered 16 species of mammals, more than 50 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians. An interesting one to look out for is the Dusky Languor which comes down to the parks HQ allowing visitors to observe closely.

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The larger Islands house a rich array of wildlife including Lizards, pythons, long tailed monkeys (languor), sea eagles, kingfishers, egrets, otters and turtles. In the shallow waters around the Islands an equally impressive level of marine diversity exists as the hard and soft corals are home to sharks, angelfish, stingrays, butterfly fish, squid, mackerel and anchovy.

The Sea around Mo Ko Angthong is about 10 meter in depth. Since the archipelago is located near the mainland, it receives sediment contamination from the Tapee River. Sunlight can not thoroughly penetrate the waters, which is a limiting factor in the control of photosynthetic life such as corals and other underwater plants. However, many other marine creatures are adapted to this environment and they still live, forage, shelter and breed here.

The park is home to 4 types of forest still existing as full functioning eco systems; Evergreen, mangrove, beach and limestone.

 

Dry Evergreen Forest / Beach Forest

Evergreen forest and Beach forest covers the large islands of Ko Wua Talap, Ko Paluai and Ko Saansao. An important plant in the park, An Thong Lady's Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum Ang Thong) is an endemic species found only in Mo Ko Angthong. This species is nearly extinct in the wild due to illegal poaching. Beach Forest is sparse forest growing along the beaches and foothills near the shore. There is little of this type left.

 

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Limestone Mountain Forest

Over millions of years rain has seeped through the island of Koh Mae Koh creating enormous lime stone caverns, the roof of which, over time has collapsed, to form what is now known as the emerald lagoon of Ang Thong. The Emerald Lagoon is surrounded by step cliffs and from the sea is seen as walls of rock rising from the ocean.

Flora is found in limestone crevices with little or no soil and are often small , drought tolerant and slow growing species such as Dracaena loureira, Malayan Spurge Tree Euphobia antiquarum, and Morinda tinctoria.

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Mangrove Forest

The Mangrove forest is limited in Ang Thong National Marine Park, some can be seen on the muddy beach in the inner sea and some in the bays to the east of Ko Paluai. All the Mangrove forest in the region has undergone plantation regeneration projects from the National Park Thailand Authority. very little there, some can be seen on th muddy beach in he inner sea and some in he bays to the east of Ko Paluai. They have all been planted.

 

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The geological composition in the region along with millions of years of rain and erosion has led to the stunning if not fascinating creation of underground caves, mountain top lakes, limestone rock formations and natural stone bridges leading to the sea.

The park is closes to tourism during the monsoon season, November to January, as the weather prohibits the marine Parks from being safe for visitors.

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