Mu Koh Similan (Similan Island)
Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands. This is located in Tambon Koh Phra Thong, Amphoe Khura Buri, occupying an area of 32,000 acres. It was declared a national park on 1st September 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively, namely: Koh Bon, Koh Bayu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Miang (two adjoining islands), Koh Payan, Koh Payang, and Koh Huyong. The National Parks office is located on Koh Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometres from Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November
and April.
Interesting attractions in the National Park include:
Koh Similan or Koh Paet is the largest island in this group of islands. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very beautiful and diving around here will let you see a lot of fishes and coral. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal lookout point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.
Koh Ba-ngu is the ninth island of the Similan group of islands. It has a strange feature. Looking from one point, the shape of a skull can be seen. Underwater is as beautiful as a valley full of coral reefs, deep gorge, and various sizes of fish.
Koh Huyong, the island offers the whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands. During turtles' egg laying season, from November to February, there would be tracks on the beach from turtles that come onshore to lay eggs, resembling centipede tracks.
Koh Miang is the second largest island among 9 islands after Similan Island. It is where the office of the National Park is located. The island offers a scenic beach which is suitable for camping.
Diving Spots
There are several diving spots that suit both snorkelling and scuba diving. The famous scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the west of Ko Tachai where whale sharks can be seen, Koh Bon, Christmas Point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao Kwang En (to the east of Koh Paet), etc.
Snorkelling spots are scattered around these nine islands. The interesting points are by the sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island.
Mu Koh Similan (Similan Island)
Koh Pha Ngan - Surat Thain
Koh Pha Ngan - Surat Thain
Koh Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full
moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Koh Pha Ngan has two sister islands: Koh Samui in
the South and Koh Tao in the North.
Short Story about Koh Pha Ngan
The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500BC - 100BC) that was found on Ko Samui in 1977 is evidence that there
were settlements of people on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and their islets from more than two thousand years ago.
Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Koh Pha Ngan were the Muslim sea
gypsies (Pigmy, Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula. However, nowadays
there are few Muslims who live on the island. The name of Koh Pha Ngan comes from the word 'Ngan', the southern
dialect meaning 'sand bar', for there are many sand bars offshore around the island.
As a natural paradise island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Koh Pha Ngan serves as the perfect getaway retreat,
where one may go relaxing on quiet deserted beaches, snorkelling and learning to dive at the distinctive island of Koh
Ma, trekking in the footsteps of Thai Royalty at Than Sadet National Park steeped in history and culture, or seeking
adventure in the nearby Ang Thong archipelago composed of over 40 islands endowed with pristine beaches, natural
caves and the tranquil Tha Laem Nai. Koh Pha Ngan has over 250 resorts to choose from, ranging from the budget 80
Baht a night beach hut without private toilet to luxury air-conditioned accommodation with private swimming pool.
It's the simple beach life which continues to attract visitors each year along with the island's reputation for full moon
parties and a hedonistic approach to life. The backpackers, budget tourists and aging hippies are beginning to give
way to families and more mainstream tourists but the beaches are still beautiful and undeveloped. The full moon party
scene still runs with a cast of thousands in high season - all on the beach. Hedonists everywhere still flock to the
world's biggest beach party every month. The music from the multiple sound systems is mostly ear-splittingly loud
trance and house, and a predominantly youthful crowd dance 'til dawn on party nights. This may not be to everyone's
taste, certainly, but it's definitely a unique cultural experience. Other events such as the Half Moon Party and Black
Moon Party also attract large crowds. However, it is still possible to visit the island and avoid the full moon party
altogether, with dozens of quiet, secluded resorts and beach huts dotted all over the island for a variety of prices.
Many of the more costly resorts offer such facilities as daily yoga, yoga teachers' training, meditation, a variety of
healing, healthy & natural therapies, spa massage & pampering services and herbal steam rooms.
Other activities available on the island include scuba diving with a number of companies offering very reasonably
priced training courses and excursions, snorkelling, especially off the Mae Haad sandbar in the north west,
wakeboarding, archery, fishing, walks in the national park or simply relaxing in the company of other farangs or the
friendly locals.
Koh Surin- Phang Nga
Koh Surin- Phang Nga
Situated in Tambon Koh Phra Thong and covering an area of 84,375 rais (33,750 acres), Mu Koh Surin is an archipelago of 5 islands: Koh Surin Nuea, Koh Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Koh Khai, and Ko Klang. It was declared a national
park on July 9, 1981. The archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea, near the Thai-Burmese sea border, to the west coast of Thailand. There are beautiful and unspoilt coral reefs; the area is suitable for snorkelling. The best time to
visit is from November to April.
Koh Surin Nuea has several bays. The most well-known bay is Ao Mae Yai, the largest bay that offers calm waters. To the southeast of Koh Surin Nuea lies Ao Luek, which is so deep that the sea appears dark green, offering splendid shallow corals as well as sea weeds, sea flowers, coral lines, and various species of fish. Sea Gypsy Village, a Singha, or Morgan, Sea Gypsy tribe resides on the shore of Hat Sai En, Koh Surin Nuea. There are 130-150 sea gypsies who still hold on to their traditional ways of life and still live in their boats. On shore, there is a wooden sculpture resembling the Indian Totem Pole and is considered a sacred area. Every year, on the 15th day of the
waxing moon in April, the sea gypsies in this village would worship their respected spirits. The event lasts for 3 days. Ao Mai Ngam, situated to the west of Koh Surin Nuea with the National Parks office nearby. There is a 2-kilometre walking path that you can take to enjoy the natural features of Hat Mai Ngam or you can take a longboat ride. The
lovely bay provides fresh water and a long beach that is best for snorkelling and swimming. Ao Chak, situated to the north of Koh Surin Nuea. The bay possesses unspoilt coral reefs.
Interesting attractions on Ko Surin Tai include Ao Tao, situated to the east of the island. The bay is home to numerous sea turtles and magnificent coral reefs. Ao Phakkat, situated to the south of Koh Surin Tai. It is where unspoilt coral reefs can be seen.
Koh Klang or Koh Pachumba has a scenic bay called Ao Mangkon. The bay is teeming with splendid coral reefs and many schools of various kinds of fish.Koh Khai or Koh Torilla, situated to the south of Koh Surin Tai. On the eastern side of the island there is a long stretch of unspoilt and picturesque coral reef. Snorkelling is the most recommended activity here.
Koh Naka Noi - Phuket
Koh Naka Noi - Phuket
Located near Po Bay, approximately 25 kilometers north of Phuket City, the island offers unspoiled natural beauty that
is second to none. Ko Nakha Noi is approximately 6 kilometers off of Po Bay and is home to the Naga Pearl Farm the
only South Sea Pearl Farm which is open to the public all year round. Visitors will be able to learn more on techniques
of pearl cultivation at the farm. Souvenir shops are available.
Koh Mai Thon- Phuket
Koh Mai Thon- Phuket
A small peaceful island located southeast of Phuket, Ko Mai Thon is famous for its unique corals, crystal clear water
and relaxing ambience. The island is ideal for diving, swimming or even fishing. Accommodations are available for
those wishing to stay in this enchanting, secluded den. A one-day trip is also provided by travel agencies. There are
boats to Ko Mai Thon from Rawai Beach.
Koh Sire - Phuket
Koh Sire - Phuket
An interesting site to visit where visitors can explore the daily life of Chao Le as it is the oldest and biggest community of Phukets sea gypsies. With an area of approximately 20 square kilometers, the island is located approximately 4 kilometers southeast of Phuket and is separated from the main island only by the small Thachin Canal. The mountain-top temple on the island houses a big Buddha image in the reclining position. The island is not an ideal place for swimming, but is perfect for discovering the sea gypsies' way of life, especially at Laem Tukkae.
Koh Racha - Phuket
Koh Racha - Phuket
