Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park :

General Information Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago in the gulf of Thailand consisting of 42 separate islands, the principle islands being;Phaluai, Wua Ta Lap, Mae Ko, Sam Sao, Hin Dap, Nai Phut and Phai luak. All the islands occur in Ang Thong district, of Amphur Samui, Surat Thani province. 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.

Geography :

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park consists of 42 islands. Its main islands are, for examples, 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.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.

Climate:

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park has been influenced by monsoon that causes big waves and heavy rain, approximately 2,000 mm. of rain all the year round, and the temperature is approximately 23 oC. The appropriate time for visiting the islands is between February and April, although the temperature is quite hot but the sea is calm suitable for sailing. During monsoon (November and December) in the Gulf of Thailand always have big waves and windy. Traveling to Ang Thong National Park, Surat Thani Province is not safe. Thus, National Park office announced for temporary closing during 1 November - 23 December every year.

ECOLOGY :

The sea around Mo Koh Ang Thong is about 10 m. in deep. Since the archipelago is located near the mainland, it receives sedimentai contamination from the Tapee River. Sunlight cannot thoroughly penetrate the waters,which is a limiting factor in the control of photosynthetic life such as, carals and other underwater plants.However,many other marine creatures are adapted to this environment, and they still live forage, shelter and breed here.On land , the park supports several type of forest and wildlife such as,

Dry Evergreen forest covers the lage island of Koh Wua-talap, Koh Paluai, and Koh Saamsao. An important plant in the park, Ang Thong Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum x Ang Thong), is an endemic species found only in Mu Koh Ang Thong.

Beach Forest, spares forest growing along the beaches and foothills near the shore. There is little of this type left.

Limestone Mountain Forest. Consists of flora found in limestone crevices with little or no soil. They dry tolerant, and slow - growing species such as Dracaena loureira, Malayan Spurge Tree Euphorbia antiquarum, a Morinda tinctoria

Of Mangrove Forest there is very little, some can be seen on the muddy beach in the inner sea and some in the bays the east of Ko Paluai. They have all been planted.