Tarutao National Park

Most of Tarutao National Park is covered with verdant forests. Indeed, ninety percent of Ko Tarutao consists of thick forest. And because it lies in a moist-tropical climate zone, it is subject to heavy rainfall. Also, because of the rugged mountainous nature of the island, many types of forest and vegetation can be found depending on the elevation. The following is a brief description of the forests:

 The evergreen virgin forest is the greenest of all the forests in the archipelago. Tourists can do a walking tour of the forest without too much difficulty, as paths inside the forest are wide enough for a vehicle to pass. The distance for walking is also not too short nor too long — about 8 kilometres — and it takes only about two hours which should be sufficient for the average tourist. Virgin forests usually grow in fertile soil with humid conditions so that trees here grow in profusion. Plants found that stand out are Lumpho or Malacca Teak (Intsia  palembanica), Khiam Cotylelobium melanoylon); Yang Pai (Dipterocarpus  costatus); Yang Sian (Dipterocarpusgracillis); Daeng Kha (Eugenia sp); Takhian Hin (Hopea ferrea); These trees also grow on Ko AdangandKo Rawi.

    The mixed deciduous forest is found on limestone mountains and hills. Trees growing on such soil must be able to tolerate parched conditions. Noticeable plants in this type of forest are : Rak Khao (Semecarpus cochinchinensis); RakPa (Semecarpus curtisii); Ngio Pa (Bombax valetonii); Rang (Shorea siamensis); Tabaek (Lagerstroemia cuspidata); Kong Kang Khao (Fagraea ceilanica); Mok (Wrightia  religiosa); Buk Hin (Arisaema fimbriantum); Rongthao Nari Dok Khao (Paphiopedilum niveum) and other.

Island Around Tarutao..

               

          Ko Khai is a small island nestling at mid-point between Ko Tarutao and Mu Ko Adang-Rawi. it attracts a number of tourists, because of its beautiful beaches with pure white sand and clear indigo blue waters. Originally it was named Ko Khai ("Khai" means egg in Thai) because sea turtles used to lay eggs here. The Island has been adopted as a symbol of Tarutao National Park, and is also a tourism symbol of Satun Province. On account of the presence on the island of a remarkably wonderful rock formation in the shape of an arched stone bridge that stretches from the beach’s edge on to the sea. This unique creation of
nature has impressed countless tourists, giving the impression that it was crafted by man.

               Another fascinating island is the small, stunning Ko Hin Ngam. Here its beach, instead of having pure white fine sand typical of the other islands, is covered with beautiful round, black and seemingly polished stones of exquisitely beautiful patterns. When touched by bright sunlight, the rocks give off a slick glitter that is guide attractive. The roundness of these stones and pebbles arises front it being polished and shaped by the everlasting waves hitting it year after year. Legend has it that a curse had been cast on these stones by a guardian spirit, that anyone taking possession of these stones will suffer a horrible death.

The Tarutao Guide.

       

  The Tarutao Marine National Park is the first of its kind and the eighth national park in Thailand. The Act establishing the park was promulgated in the Government Gazette, dated 19 April 1974. In administrative terms, it is located in Ko Sarai Sub-District (or “Tambon"), Mueang Satun District, Satun Province. It is situated in the Straits of Malacca in the Andaman Sea, approximately 40 kilometres west of Satun Province, and only 4.8 kilometres from Ko Langkawi, which is a part of Federation of Malaysia. Tarutao National Park has an area of 1490 square kilometres, with the sea comprising 85 percent of the total park area, i.e., about 1260 square kilometres. The rest of the area consists of 51 islands of various sizes, of which seven are the largest. : Ko Tarutao, Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Li Pe, Ko Klang, Ko Batuang, and Ko Bitsi. In terms of geography, Tarutao National Park can be divided into two groups of islands: the Tarutao group and the Adang—Rawi group. Within the Tarutao group, Tarutao is the largest island with an area of about 152 square kilometres, consisting mainly of tall sandstone mountains with steep cliff faces covering 70 - 75 percent of the island. The highest peak is about 708 metres above average sea level. Flatland consists mainly of narrow valleys and areas behind bays. Important bays that have fresh water sources in the area are:  A0 Phante Malaka,  Ao Son, A0 Makham, A0 Talo Udang, and A0 Talo Wao.

            Mu K0 Adang-Rawi (islands) is situated about 40 Kilometers to the west 0f K0 Tarutao. K0 Adang is 29.78 square kilometers in size. with geological features completely different from that 0f Tarutao. K0 Adang consists mainly of rugged mountains formed by granite and quartzite rock, interspersed  with shale. The highest peak in the mountain range in the middle of K0 Adang is about 703 metres above average sea level. The island is enveloped by tall, steep cliffs, and the 0nly flatland  are found just behind the various beaches.

          K0 Rawi’s  size is about 28.5 square kilometers, consists of many mountain ranges, with peaks ranging in height from 300 t0 460 metres. The 0ther well-known island in this group, K0 Li Pe. is made 0f granite, with a valley in the middle. This island has more flatland than the other islands in the Mu K0 Adang-Rawi.

           

        On Ko Tarutao, the forests — both inland and mangrove — are lush and green, the coral reefs quite spectacular and the beaches have Fine fluffy white sand — all which provide an irresistible magnet, attracting wave after wave of  tourists.

The Estuarine Crocodile

  

  The Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) lives in brackish waters around the mouth of rivers and streams, and in mangrove forests, all which have calm and reasonably deep waters. In general, the Estuarine Crocodile lives on the coast of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and in the north of Australia. Compared to the Freshwater Crocodile, the Estuarine Crocodile has a longer, narrower mouth. It does not have the usual four plates on the back of its head, and the hind legs have longer webbed foot longer than that of the Freshwater Crocodile. Its size when hilly grown is about 5.5 metres long, with a weight of around 600 kilogrammes. its body colour tends towards light yellow. lt has an aggressive and ferocious character, and is categorized as the largest of the species. In the past, every stream and swanky area in and around Ko Tamtao and nearby islands were abound with these crocodiles, who in effect acted as guards preventing prisoners on Tarutao from escaping. Schools of Sharks inhibiting the seas around Tarutao also performed the same function, but they tend to  stay in deeper waters.

Tarutao: The magical Spell of the South Andaman Sea

       Travelling through the wide expanse of emerald seas, one can gradually see emerging before us an outline of long white sandy beaches, shaving coconut trees with a backdrop of lush and verdant forests, and in some parts, dramatically steep cliffs dropping straight onto the beach. All gradually becomes clearer and more breathtaking as we get nearer to the islands. This signals that the end of our journey is near as we have travelled through fresh, strong, directional winds for about 22 kilometers from Pakbara Pier in Satun Province in order to reach this tropical paradise island on earth called  Tarutao.
      On arrival at Ko Tarutao (the biggest island in the group), before we began our tour  to view its exciting and natural wonders and learn some of its fascinating history, we dropped in for information at the Tarutao National Park Office at Ao Phante Malaka (“Ao" is the Thai word for "bay"). The bay has a long stretch of beach — which seems to stretch into infinity — and in front of the bay there is a lighthouse, which serves as a landmark for seafarers and warns them of strong currents in the bay. A sign warning people not to-swim in the area is displayed prominently nearby.

      Because Ao Phante Malaka faces east, the bay is a most beautiful vantage point to watch the glorious sunset. As the evening approaches, the sky turns dramatically into a symphony of orange, red and purple colours; the mix of which changes from day to day, thus leaving a lasting impression on travellers.

  Tarutao is Thailand’s first marine national park. it is extraordinarily beautiful and also of great importance to the country in terms of a national resource and history. The Tarutao archipelago has a diverse landscape consisting of steep mountains and high cliffs dropping dramatically into the sea, interspersed with gorgeous bays and superb white sandy beaches. Some islands possess flatlands, rock-beaches and mangrove forests. Thus, the geography of each island in the group is different, producing a rich biological diversity both on land and in the surrounding seas, the latter which is blessed with crystal clear waters teeming with marine and plant life as well as magnificent corals. It could be said that Tarutao is a superb classroom to study nature first-hand. in addition, Tarutao has an interesting history. lt was the site of a detention camp and prison that was the scene of many interesting events and episodes for later generations of Thais to learn and study.