Mu Ko Surin National Park (Island in Thailand)

Mu Ko Surin National Park

This park is situated at Mu 5, Tambon Ko Phra Thong, occupying an area of 84, 375 rai. It was announced as a national park area on July 9, 1981. To access Surin National Park, the shortest distance between the park and Phangnga is to use the fish marketing pier of Ban Hin Lat around the mounth of Nang Yong Canal area (the folks there call it Thun Nang Dam Canal). The access road to the fish marketing pier is a one kilometer earth road which branches off from Ranong-Takua Pa Highway at Km.110 (from Ranong), 5 kms. from Amphoe Khura Buri. To travel from this pier take only 4-5 hours Traveling by boat from Phangnga (township area), it will take about 13 hours. If boating from Kapur of Ranong the time will be seven hours approximately.

The best time to visit Mu Ko Surin National Park is only from December to March.

Topography
Surint Islands comprise of five main islands, including 2 large islands consisting of the northern surint island and southern surint 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 till May, while the raining season starting from mid of May till September which has a highest level of rainfall. The yearly average rainfall is more than 3,000 milimeters and the average of related humidity is 83 percent.

Flora and Fauna

Vegetations
Able to classify the society of plants as follows :

1. Primary rainforestcovers most area of the national park, both of slope and ridge of mountain. The important plants found here are Diospyros malabarica Kostel., etc.
2. Beach forestcould be found in beach areas where you can find many kinds of plant such as Barringtonia, Cerbera odollam, etc.
3. Mangrove forestis 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

1. 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.
2. Mammal animalscould 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.
3. Reptileshave been found 6 types such as Indian or Bengal Monitor, Water Monitor, Skink, Reticulated Python, etc.
4. Coral, such as Needle coral, etc.
5. Fishes , such as Damselfish, Wrasse, Butterfly-fish and Midas blenny; Ecsenius midas etc.
6. Sea Turtles, could be found 4 types such as Green Turtle, Siamese hawksbill turtle, Leather-backed turtle, Leathery turtle, RIDLEY'S, etc.