Located in Ao Phang Nga province, Ao Phang Nga National park is much noted for its lush forestry. In addition to dense forests, this park is also home to beaches and rocks. These natural wonders are kept protected because of the park’s ‘national’ status.
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Thailand’s Royal Forest Department found out the national importance of the park on various aspects following their research and made grounds to make it a national asset. The park, which covers about 400 square kilometres, was elevated into national status in 1981 by a royal decree. The park is considered significant mainly because its outsized original mangrove forest in Thailand. The park is an extensive part of Phang Nga Bay. Starting from Muang Phangngna to Takua Tung District, the park is mostly covered by Andaman Sea. The park also consists of 42 islands such as Phra At Tao, Maprow, Boi Noi, Boi Yai, Rayaring, Phanak, Hong, Panyi and Phing Kan.
To know Phang Nga bay’s long interesting history is an extra treat in addition to its natural beauty.
The park’s rock formation is also unique because of limestone structure. It is shaped as a needle. This adds beauty to the scenery of the park from distance. The park also has limestone cliffs which house caves. The rock art in this area is also worth having a look. It is said that 10 millennia ago the sea levels were much lower, and anyone could walk without difficulty. The caves have thousand-year old paintings, which draw tourist attention to the brim.
In 2002, this park was declared a Ramsar Site because of its ecological importance. The ecological diversity includes 88 bird species, 82 fish species, 18 reptiles, three amphibians, 17 mammals, 28 various species of seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangrove.
Many communities of different ethnicities exist in this island. They are engaged in fishing and harvesting Nypa palm fronds for living.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
