The tourists who come to Thailand are delighted with the exotic flora and fauna of this country. Outlandish trees, mangroves, reptiles and birds, corals and the underwater world - all this can be found in a distant, sunny and outlandish country for us.
Phuket is Thailand 's largest island. Picturesque landscapes, endless beaches and water activities - this is not the only thing that an island can please a tourist with. If you are a nature lover, you will be delighted with what you see in Phuket National Parks. A list of the most interesting natural attractions is proposed for consideration in this article.
Sirinat Park
Sirinat National Park (Phuket) covers an area of 90 km 2 , of which 68 km 2 are marine and 22 km 2 are land. It is located west of the international airport and covers the beaches of Nai Yan, Nai Ton and Mai Khao. This is a huge territory of mangrove forests, crystal clear waters with white sand and wildlife.
Initially, the creation of the park was aimed at protecting sea turtles that lay their eggs on Mai Khao Beach. Over time, this park has become home to many wildlife and mammals.
One of the wonders of the park, located near Tah Chachai, is the mangrove forest. This evergreen forest exists as a separate untouched territory of the park, where freshwater and sea waters mix. The uniqueness of this forest is that mangroves serve as a unique ecosystem, thanks to which rare species of lizards, snakes, turtles, shrimps, mollusks, crabs and fish continue to live.
For the convenience of tourists and the preservation of the park, a nature trail and an 800-meter wooden walkway were created along which signs can be found indicating species of plants and animals.
The marine environment of Sirinat Park is very diverse. Untouched coral reefs are located at a depth of 4 to 6 meters and at a distance of about 800 m from the coastline.
During an excursion to Phuket National Park, you can stay overnight at the hotel, rent bungalows or rent tents.
Similan Islands
The islands are located about 100 km northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. The richness and diversity of marine life creates a fascinating underwater landscape. The conditions for coral growth are ideal due to sea temperature (around 28 ° C) and exceptionally clear waters. There are more than 200 species of hard corals that are located in the Similan Islands.
The beauty of the beaches on the islands, with white sand and crystal clear waters, delights at first sight. The islands are inhabited by crabs, monkeys, twilight langurs (the genus of monkeys), squirrels, bats, lizards and many species of birds.
Khao Lam Pi
This is the 52nd National Park of Thailand, which covers an area of 72 km 2 . The eastern part of this area has a large water channel that receives fresh water from Mount Lam-Pi, which moistens the rainforest. Lam-Pi includes many mountains, the highest is Mount Canim, it is located 622 meters above sea level.
The variety of plants in the park can be classified into 4 groups:
- rainforest - consists of rattan and bamboo;
- mangrove forest;
- beach forest;
- swamp forest Pru.
There are an incredible number of birds and animals in these forests.
188 types of birds, 64 types of mammals, 57 types of reptiles and 31 species of fish. Only one type, namely the Nile tilapia, tends to disappear.
Attractions of the park: Thai beach - where two species of sea turtles live. Females go ashore from November to April to lay eggs.
Lam Pi Waterfall It is a local attraction and has a swimming pool suitable for swimming at its base. Ton Pri waterfall, its height is 50 meters, the lower level is also suitable for swimming.
Mu Koh Surin
Phuket National Park, covering an area of about 135 km 2 . More precisely, this is a group of five islands where you can observe the life of coral reefs. They are so accessible that just an underwater tube and mask are enough. Rainforests are one of Thailand's shallow coral reef sources.
In addition to corals, the park has:
- 91 species of birds;
- 22 species of mammals;
- 12 types of bats;
- 6 types of reptiles.
The rainy season on these islands begins from mid-May to October, at which time the highest rainfall occurs. The park is closed during the rainy season. Every year from May 16 to November 14, visitors are no longer accepted here.
Rehabilitation Center Gibbon
The Gibbon Project is located in the eastern part of Khao Phra Teo National Park, not far from Bang Pa Waterfall. The founders of the project are trying to rehabilitate abandoned animal gibbons in the wild.
Young gibbons are charming and pleasant, however, at the age of five or six years they become sexually mature and aggressive, and their sharp fangs can cause quite serious injuries. In this regard, they are often killed. Wild gibbons are being illegally poached in parts of Thailand.
The Gibbon rehabilitation project is mainly aimed at developing a rehabilitation method for Belgian gibbons in their natural home. And also forms a negative demand for the illegal use of gibbons as tourist attractions and pets.
The project is supported by European volunteers who also conduct free tours to the center. Donations from tourists or just buying t-shirts are very welcome. This is a fascinating, interesting and worthy visit.
Phang nga
A distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay is the huge, limestone cliffs that vertically emerge from the emerald green water.
This attraction, first hit the international map, thanks to the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint very quickly moved from virtually unheard of to one of the most popular panoramas in Phang Nga. A 30-minute drive from Phuket, on the top of a hill, you can watch stunning views of the famous islands of Phang Nga Bay. The view is a breathtaking panorama of 180 °. The landscape is especially magnificent at dawn from 05:30 to 06:00 in the morning, and at certain times of the year you can see the Milky Way.
Phang Nga Bay is a great place for boating. Limestone cliffs create a picturesque backdrop, and there are many safe places for anchoring. The place is protected from monsoons, and the water here remains calm all year round.
Most of the islands in Phang Nga Bay are uninhabited. Many of them have spectacular caves, but they can only be reached by inflatable kayak.
Khao Sok Phuket National Park
Khao Sok is located between Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Samui. It is the most popular destination in southern Thailand. This is an amazing place where you can ride an elephant, canoe, kayak or go through the jungle on foot.
The heart of Phuket National Park can rightfully be given to the beautiful artificially created Lake Chow Larn. The Thais created a kind of bungalow on the lake, allowing them to live on the water for complete unity with nature.
Khao Lak
Khao Lak is a 20-kilometer territory of amazing beauty of beaches along the Andaman Sea, located on the background of the jungle and mountains.
The mountain is a central element of Khao Lak Lam Rou National Park. The attractions of the Phuket Khao Lak National Park will impress the tourist, but they are not flashy, as in other parks described earlier. Thais have created a good infrastructure that attracts an increasing number of visitors.
When the catastrophic 2004 tsunami hit South Asia, the Khao Lak region was the worst affected area in Thailand. Since then, he has achieved impressive prosperity and is again a popular tourist destination. Unlike Phuket, many resorts in the Khao Lak area attract tourists who seek tranquility and solitude with nature.