- Surin Islands
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Surin Island National Park, Thailand
The Surin Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะสุรินทร์, Thai pronunciation: [mùː kɔ̀ʔ sùʔrin]) is an archipelago of five islands of the Andaman Sea, located 55 km from the Thai mainland. Administratively, the islands are part of Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Amphoe Khura Buri, in the Phang Nga Province of Thailand.[1]
The Mu Ko Surin National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์) covers the area of the islands and their surrounding waters. The park is home to one of the most famous dive sites in the world, Richelieu Rock. In addition the islands feature pristine reefs, making it home to some of the best snorkeling in Thailand.
Contents
Geography
The five islands are Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Kai and Ko Klang, with Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai being the two main islands in the group. The Thai-Burmese oceanic border is located a few kilometers north of the Park. About 100 km to the south is Mu Ko Similan National Park.[2]
Attractions
Moken boat in Surin IslandsThe Surin Islands have a broad selection of animal life - including the Nicobar Pigeon and Mangrove Monitor Lizards.[3]
Below the water can be found a very rich and pristine coral reef ecosystem. While small portions of the islands were affected by the 2004 tsunami, most reefs are still quite healthy.
The Surin Islands host to two small communities of the small ethnic Moken minority, which belongs to the groups known as "Chao Lay" or "Sea Gypsies". The Moken population of the Surin Island averages around 150 persons.[3][4]
Dive Sites
Richelieu Rock, a rock in the middle of the sea, and located about 18 km east of the islands,[5] is commonly referred to one as one of the ten best dive spots in the world. Named after Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu, the first (and only foreign) Commander-in-Chief of the Thai Navy,[6] the remote rock is home to some of the largest marine life species in Thailand. Sightings of whale shark,[3] manta ray and sharks are common.
Other Popular dive sites include Hin Kong, Koh Torinla and Koh Chi.
Mu Ko Surin National Park
Mu Ko Surin National Park covers an area of approximately 141.25 km2. It contains the Surin Islands and the surrounding waters. Of the protected area 108 km2 or 80% is sea. The Park was gazetted as the 29th National park of Thailand on July 9, 1981.[2]
Access
Access to the Surin Islands Marine National Park is easiest from either Khao Lak, Khura Buri or Koh Phra Thong in mainland Phang Nga Province. Travel to the Surin Islands is only safe from November to May. The park is closed in the other months. The mainland office of the park is in Ngan Yong, just north of Khura Buri. Dive operators in Khao Lak offer live-aboard diving trips and day trips via speedboat.
See also
References
- ^ Mu Ko Surin National Park on thailand.com
- ^ a b Department of National Parks website - Mu Ko Surin National Park: General Information
- ^ a b c Environmental, social and cultural settings of the Surin Islands
- ^ Department of National Parks website - Mu Ko Surin National Park: Tourist Attractions
- ^ Richelieu Rock
- ^ Bangkok Post: "Robe revived; Will this piece of Thai history find its way back?", 8 September 2007
External links
National parks, forest parks and wetlands in Thailand National parks Budo-Su-ngai Padi · Chiang Dao · Doi Inthanon · Erawan · Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai · Kaeng Chet Khwae · Kaeng Krachan · Kaeng Krung · Kaeng Tana · Khao Phra Wihan · Khao Luang · Khao Sok · Khao Yai · Khlong Lan · Khlong Phanom · Khlong Wang Chao · Kui Buri · Mae Yom · Mae Wong · Nam Nao · Namtok Chat Trakan · Pa Hin Ngam · Pha Taem · Phu Chong-Na Yoi · Phu Hin Rong Kla · Phu Kradueng · Phu Toei · Phu Wiang · Ramkhamhaeng · Salawin · Si Phang-nga · Si Satchanalai · Tai Rom Yen · Thale Ban · Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan · Thap Lan · Thung Salaeng Luang
Marine national parks Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) · Hat Chao Mai · Hat Nai Yang · Hat Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi · Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet · Khao Sam Roi Yot · Laem Son · Mu Ko Ang Thong · Mu Ko Chang · Mu Ko Lanta · Mu Ko Phetra · Mu Ko Similan · Mu Ko Surin · Tarutao
Forest parks Wetlands Categories:- Islands of Thailand
- Islands of the Andaman Sea
- Phang Nga Province
- National parks of Thailand
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