Mu Koh Lanta National Park
Mu Koh Lanta national parkAdmission fee is 400 bath for adults and 200 bath for chrildrent. The origin of the island’s name is derived from “Lanta” which is slightly changed from “Lantas” in Java language which means “Pla stove which is used in grilling fish”. It is a stove made from wood in square shape and raises the floor up like a table. The fire is lit under the stove and fish are laid on the stove for grilling. Moo Koh Lanta National Park covers about 83,750 Rai or 134 square kilometers. This national park locates near Andaman sea and consists of 25 small and large islands which can be classified into 4 groups. The first one is Koh Rok archipelago which consists of Koh Rok Nok (Outbound) and Koh Rok Nai (Inbound). Koh Rok Nai’s geography is of steep cliff with long-term eroded crag in the north. The West side is long cliff. In front of the island is 2.4 kilometers long. The highest peak is 208 meters high from the sea level. Koh Rok Nok has its similar size with Koh Rok Nai. The highest peak is 156 meters high from the sea level. Between the mountain passes lays 2 vast plain lands which are Chong Khao Kad Thalu Mountain Pass and Marn Srai Bay. Koh Rok archipelago’s geology is in Permian Carboniferous which is around 345-230 millions old. It is rich of natural resource, beach forest, mangrove forest, plentiful coral reefs and beaches around the islands. Moreover, it is abundant of various kinds of animals which can be categorized into 6 main groups. The mammal which can be found in this area is manatee which is wildlife preservation. Another 2 types of mammals which are going to be extinct soon are barking deer and fishing cats. One rare animal is Marshalls’ horseshoe bats and some birds such as Brahminy kite, whiskered terns and emerald doves. Some birds which are not occasionally seen are orange-breasted trogons, black-breasted thrushes and little spider hunters. Some reptiles which are easily seen are flat-tailed house gecko, monitor lizards, pythons and Indochinese rat snakes. Two amphibians, which can be seen near the rivers and canals, are giant Asian river frogs and microhyla ornatas. Around the accommodations and pounds, you can find other amphibians such as golden tree frogs, Indochinese dwarf toads and rare Doria’s frogs. Also, you can see fresh-water fish and sea-water fish such as white-lined danios, snakeheads, spotted barbs, spearfish, lizardfish and porcupine fish. Along the coral reefs, there are balloon corals, large stag-horn corals, mushroom corals, flower corals and large star corals. All in all, Moo Koh Lanta National Park is one of the best plentiful natural world with pleasant nature and various kinds of animal to be seen. It is a definitely a worth-going place. Tourists can visit this national park during the tourism occasion from 1 November-15 May every year, while 16 May to 31 October is off-season. For more information, please contact 0 7566 0711-2 or fax 0 7566 0711.
