For
many years Mu Ko Surin was an unspoiled group of islands, acting
as a refuge for fishing boats during storms and hosting small
communities of sea gypsies. In this situation the islands provoked
little interest and for a long time were recorded as a National
Forest Reserve by the Royal Forest Department. But on 30th December
1971 the National Committee on Wild Animal Reservation and Protection
suggested that the islands should become a wildlife sanctuary.
This was thwarted when it was realised that the islands occurred
within the exploratory area leased to Weeks Petroleum Ltd. An
alternative plan then proposed to develop the islands as a Vietnamese
refugee camp. This idea was rejected as it was realised that
the translocation and support of so many people in such a fragile
environment, would soon result in damage to the islands pristine
land and marine habitats. The Royal Forest Department appreciated
the islands unique nature and their tourist and research potential.
Thus the Royal Forest Department opposed the development of
the islands and instead proposed the establishment of a national
park to protect the area. Mu Ko Surin was eventually gazetted
as the 29th National park of Thailand on 9th July 1981.
Mu Ko Surin National Park is situated in the Andaman sea
approximately 60 km from the Coast of
Phang-Nga Province
in the southern peninsula region. The park covers an area of
approximately 135 km2. Of the protected area 102 km2 or 76%
is sea. The park comprises 5 main islands; Ko Surin Nua, Ko
Surin Tai, Ko Ree (or Ko Satok), Ko Glang (or Ko Pachumba) and
Ko Khai (or Ko Torinla). Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai are large
islands and are situated on a north-south axis. A few kilometers
to the north of the park is the Myanmar border and about 100
kilometers to the south is
Mu Ko Similan National Park.
● Topography:
Surin
Islands comprise of five main islands, including 2 large islands
consisting of the northern Surin island and southern Surin island
which located very adjacent like the twin island. They are separated
by the 200 meters width shallow sea. In the low tide period,
you can walk across to the other island or so-called "cutted
channel bay". The other three islands are the rock islands with
some dwarf trees. Plants that found here are the rainforest
plants. They are one source of the big and best fertile shallow
coral reef of Thailand.
●Climate: Could
be classified into 2 seasons consisting of hot seasons starting
from mid of February - May, while the raining season starting
from mid of May till October which has a highest level of rainfall.
The yearly average rainfall is more than 3,000 millimeters and
the average of related humidity is 83 percent. In rainy season,
the park will be closed during 16 May - 14 November every year
for visitors safety.
● Flora and Fauna:
Vegetations, able to classify the society of plants as follows: - Primary rainforest
covers most area of the national park, both of slope and ridge
of mountain. The important plants found here are Diospyros malabarica
Kostel., etc. - Beach
forest could be found in beach areas where you
can find many kinds of plant such as Barringtonia, Cerbera odollam,
etc. - Mangrove forest
is located in the mud area and the brackish water of Mae Yai
bay. This is not the fertile forest but you can find some kinds
of plants such as Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata,
Xylocarpus granatum, etc., while some dwarf forest or grove
plants comprise of Cycas pectinata Griff., Dillenia obovata
(Bl.) Hoogl., Erythroxylum cuneatum Kurz, etc.
●
Wild Animals:
Birds, from survey found totally 91 types of birds including
local birds about 57 types and the others are the migrating
birds from elsewhere, such as Little Heron, Common Sandpiper,
Little Tern, etc. Mammal animals could be found here totally
22 types including 12 types of bat such as Island Flying fox,
Black-Bearded Tomb Bat, Pig-Tailed Macaque, Common Wild Pig,
etc. Reptiles have
been found 6 types such as Indian or Bengal Monitor, Water Monitor,
Skink, Reticulated Python, etc. Coral, such as Needle coral,
etc. Fishes , such as Damselfish, Wrasse, Butterfly-fish and
Midas blenny; Ecsenius midas etc. Sea Turtles, Sea turtles
are a very ancient family of animals and their ancestors date
back to when Dinosaurs roamed the earth. Although the Dinosaurs
are now extinct, the sea turtles are still surviving although
their future existence is in doubt. Many species are endangered
with several species near extinction. Their principle threat
is the loss of their nesting beaches to development stimulated
by increasing tourist pressure. This has reduced the number
of turtles worldwide to such an extent that positive action
must be taken to secure their existence in the future. The principle
action is the preservation of their nesting beaches, and the
protection of the eggs from theft once laid. Sea turtle still
nests on the Surin islands, with two species coming ashore to
lay their eggs, Hawksbill, and Green turtles. In the early 1990’s
we also had a few nest of the rare Olive Ridley turtle. Mu Ko
Surin is the best place in Thailand for anyone who want to swim
with sea turtles. Most visitors have a few chances to get close
to them, mostly hawksbill turtle.
● Attractions:
Mu Ko Surin principle attraction is the fact that it is an unspoiled
tropical paradise far from the mainland, with healthy forested
islands surrounded by clean water supporting a profusion of
coral reef species. The coral reefs are the best, most diverse
coral reefs accessible to snorkelers. The coral reefs at Ko
Surin do not require the use of scuba equipment to observe them.
Being the primary snorkeling spot on Thailand, Mu Ko Surin attracts
a lot of tourists each year, many also arrive on pleasure cruises
and on some days the number of visitors can be excessive. The
islands also attract great research interest, and many scientists
visit the islands each year for a variety of reasons ranging
from coral reef surveys to bird observation. ●
Historical: - Sea gypsies
The
Sea Gypsies or
Moken are a nomadic sea people who live in the Mergui archipelago.
Their ancestors came from Indonesia. The name Moken is from
their own language, which is universal to all sea gypsy groups.
The Moken live a very primitive existence and as such have a
great respect for nature and the environment. They rely upon
their environment for food, clothing and for the materials for
boat construction. They live by spear fishing and collecting
shellfish. Being nomadic they spend a lot of their time travelling,
but they avoid travelling during the monsoon season from May
to November. During this time they moor their boats in a sheltered
location to form a temporary village of several families. These
villages then break up when they start travelling again in December
until April. The Moken do not have a written language, but are
good at other languages including Thai and Yawi Malaysian. Every
year during April an important ceremony occurs on Surin and
Sea Gypsies from far away come to attend. They often come from
Myanmar and the islands of peninsula Thailand and Malaysia.
The festival is called
Loi Reua and
involves ancestor worship and the asking the spirits to care
for and protect the Sea Gypsies. Activities - Cultural Sight
Seeing Top. ● The Beautiful of Nature: - Ao
Tao (Tao Bay) Near coral line of Tao Bay
located on the eastern part of South Surin Island is a living
place of a lot of sea turtles. This beautiful coral is far from
headquarters about 2 kilometers. Activities - Snorkelling
Diving Top
-
Ao Pak
Chak (Pak Chak Bay) Pak Chak Bay located
on the southern part of the South Surin Island has a perfect
colorful coral line. It's far from headquarters about 5 kilometers.
Activities
- ing Diving - Scuba Diving Top
- Ko Pachumba (Pachumba Island) Pachumba Island or Mang Kon Island has Mang Kon Beach located
on the eastern part of Island . It has not coral and sea fan.
It's far from headquarters about 5 kilometers. Activities
- don't visit Top - Ao
Mai Ngam (Mai Ngam Bay) Mai Ngam Bay located
on the western part of the North Surin Island far from headquarters
about 2 kilometers. You can get there by walking through the
trail of Mai Ngam Natural Studies or taking a long tailed boat.
There is a fresh water and beach suitable for swiming and coral
sightseeing. Activities - Snorkelling Diving - Activities
on Beach - Camping - Bird Watching - Nature trail study - Canoeing-Kayaking
Top
- Ko Torinla (Torinla
Island) Torinla Island or Khai Island is
located on the southern part of the South Surin Island. On the
eastern part of this island has a long, perfect and very beautiful
coral line which very suitable for snorkelling. This island
is far from headquarters about 6 kilometers.
Activities
- Snorkelling Diving - Scuba Diving Top
- Ao Chak (Chak Bay) Chak Bay located on the northern part of North Surin
Island has a perfect and beutiful coral line. It's far from
headquarters about 10 kilometers. Activities - Snorkelling
Diving Top
- Ao Suthep
(Suthep Bay) Suthep Bay llocated on South
Surin island is a good place for those who want to do night
diving. When low tide, coral reef may expose to the air. It's
not far from headquarters. Activities - Activities on Beach
- Snorkelling Diving
● Facilities: - Accommodation -
Bungalows are
also available, located at Chong Khat Bay of the North Surin
Island. - Camping site/Tent - Campground
is available for visitors. located at Mai Ngam Bay of the North
Surin Island. - Food services - Restaurant,
first-aid room and souvenir shop are located at Chong Khat Bay
of the North Surin Island. Docking , Boat Tie-up , Wharf
- Tour Service Boat - From Khuraburi Port to the Mu Ko Surin National Park costs
us about 1,000 Baht/trip/person (round-trip) - Coral sightseeing in the area of islands costs by long -tail
boat about 120 Baht/person/day - Visitor center
- Visitor
Center is available, located at Chong Khat Bay of the North
Surin Island. - Others - One path of land natural studies at Ao Mai Ngam.
- Two paths of snorkelling at Ao Suthep and Ao Tao about 200
meters long. At the Ko Surin Tai, tourist would touch the beautiful
and exotic
undersea animals and plants.
● Closing periods:
Raining season starting
from mid of May - October with North - Western wind which has
a highest level of rainfall. In rainy season, the park will
be closed during 16 May - 14 November every year for visitors
safety.
● Getting there: - By Car Drives on
the road no. 4 (Phetkasem Rd.) from Bangkok to Amphoe Khuraburi
which is about 720 kilometers long then turns to Khuraburi Port
at milestone no. 721, about 6 kilometers prior to Amphoe Khuraburi.
From this intersection about two kilometers, you would see the
entrance sign board of Mu Ko Surin National Park on the right-hand
side, then make a turn to the tourist service center which located
in the area of national park office.
- By Airplane Takes a plane to Ranong Airport or
Phuket Airport,
then takes a car to Amphoe Khuraburi of
Phang Nga province.
- By Ship At Khuraburi - Mu Ko Surin Port,
you can take a private tour boat which controlled by the national
park and serves tourists everyday. The cost for round trip is
1,200-1,500 baht per person. This tour boat departs from Kuraburi
Port at 09.00 am. everyday and arrive at the National Park Headquarters
unit on Northern Mu Ko Surin at 13.00 pm. From the port to this
islands is about 60 kilometers which takes about 3 hours of
journey. The return boat from Mu Ko Surin to Khuraburi Port
departs at 10.00 am. everyday. However, this service would be
closed at May 16 every year because entering of raining season.
- By Bus Starts from the New Southern Bus
Terminal at 7.00 pm which would arrive at Khuraburi about 5.00
am. Bus fare is 480 Baht/person. From the Bus Terminal, in Amphoe
Khuruburi about 10 kilometer, you can take a motorcycle or rental
car to the Khuraburi Port area, the location of Mu Ko Surin
National Park Office. Motorcycle fare is about 50 Baht/person
while a rental car cost you about 200 Baht/person.
● Contact & Source: Mu Ko Surin National
Park Ko Phra Thong Sub-district, Amphur Khuraburi Phangnga
Thailand 82150 Tel. 0 7649 1378, 0 7649 1582 Fax 0 7649 1583
E-mail
surin_np@yahoo.co.th
For
many years Mu Ko Surin was an unspoiled group of islands, acting
as a refuge for fishing boats during storms and hosting small
communities of sea gypsies. In this situation the islands provoked
little interest and for a long time were recorded as a National
Forest Reserve by the Royal Forest Department. But on 30th December
1971 the National Committee on Wild Animal Reservation and Protection
suggested that the islands should become a wildlife sanctuary.
This was thwarted when it was realised that the islands occurred
within the exploratory area leased to Weeks Petroleum Ltd. An
alternative plan then proposed to develop the islands as a Vietnamese
refugee camp. This idea was rejected as it was realised that
the translocation and support of so many people in such a fragile
environment, would soon result in damage to the islands pristine
land and marine habitats. The Royal Forest Department appreciated
the islands unique nature and their tourist and research potential.
Thus the Royal Forest Department opposed the development of
the islands and instead proposed the establishment of a national
park to protect the area. Mu Ko Surin was eventually gazetted
as the 29th National park of Thailand on 9th July 1981.
● 
●
-
Ao Pak
Chak (Pak Chak Bay) 
