Mu Ko Lanta National Park

Mu Ko Lanta National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา
IUCN category II (national park)
284px Underwater cave in the park
Map of Thailand
Location	Krabi Province, Thailand
Coordinates
Area	134 km2 (52 sq mi)
Established	1990
Mu Ko Lanta National Park official website

Mu Ko Lanta National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา) is a national park in the southern part of Krabi Province, Thailand, consisting of several islands. The two largest islands are Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. Although both are inhabited, Ko Lanta Yai is the primary tourist destination. The park was established in 1990 and altogether covers 134 km² (52 sq mi).

History

Ko Lanta was once known by its Malay name, Pulao Satak, which means Long Beach Island. Later, many Thais, both Buddhist and Muslim, moved to the island making the island known as the island of "a million eyes" ("lan ta" in Thai). The name may also be derived from the Javanese "lan-tas", or fish grill (built of wood with a square grill on top where the fish are set in a circle).

Topography

The area of Mu Ko Lanta National Park is 152 square kilometers. Some of island in Mu Ko Lanta National Park are Ko Lanta Yai, ko Lanta Noi, Ko Taleng Beng, Ko Noi.

Climate

September has highest quantity of rainfall at 391.6 millimeters, and January has the lowest of quantity of rainfall at 6.5 millimeters.

Fauna

The animals that live on the islands are divided into 6 categories.

1. Mamma: deer, tigers and barking deer.

2. Birds: Brahminy Kite, Bridled Tern and Emerald Dove.

3. Reptiles: Water Monitor Lizards, Reticulated Pythons and Cobras.

4. Amphibians: Giant Mountain Frogs, Ornate Froglets and Polypedates Leucomystaxs.

5. Freshwater fish and marine fish: Blue danio fish, coral reef fish and Lizard fish.

6. Coral reef animals: Staghon coral, Fungia fungites and Anemone coral.

Flora

The plants on Mu Ko Lanta Nation Park can be categorized 3 groups.

1. Rainforest: The total area of the rainforest at Mu Ko Lanta Yai is about 19.42 square kilometers. The average heights of trees are 15-25 meters. The important plants are Hopea Ferrea Laness, Dipterocarpus Tubinatus C.F. Gaertn and Lagerstroemia Floribunda Jack.

2. Mangrove forest: It is on Ko Ngu, Ko Mai Ngam, and Ko Mai Ngam Tai. The average height of trees is 5 meters. There are many plants in the mangrove forest, such as Avicennia alba, Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora mucronata.

3. Beach forest: It is found on Ko Ngai between the beach and rainforest. The significant type of plants are Bengal Almond, Derris indica and Beach Moring Giory.

Geography

Ko Lanta is mountainous and rugged, especially near the southern tip. Some beaches are gravelly, while others have fine white sand.

A clan of Chao Ley, or "sea gypsies" lives on Ko Lanta Yai. The clan still practices many of their ancient customs and ceremonies, such as the setting of ceremonial boats adrift to bring good luck and prosperity on the full moon nights of the sixth and eleventh month.

Ko Lanta is surrounded by many islands of the southern Andaman Sea, known for their dive sites.

See also

List of national parks of Thailand

External links

• National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department