Marine National Parks

Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Muang National Park
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Topography
This 72 square kilometers park was established in 1986. There are two separate geographical areas: Khao Lumpi (mountain area) and Had - Thai Muang (beach area at sea).

Had Thai Muang head quarters and beach area is 6 km from Thai Muang town, and comprises 14 km of beach lined with Casuarina trees. The park stretches to the north as far as the hills in the distance (Khao Nayak). The park continue inland for about half km to include the mangrove forest along the edge of the sea inlet.

The park provides a variety of habitats for wildlife, including mangrove, coastal scrub and water filled pits from old tin mining operations. A number of people live within the park doing coconut cultivation and fishing.

The geology of the region consists of recent quaternary sediments laying over older igenous rocks. The sediments are mainly quartz and Mica sands and covers the coastal plain. These sediments are derived from the weathering of the upland areas. The mountains consists of igneous granite rocks as indicated by the typical granite dome shaped mountains, clearly visible in the peaks around Lampi waterfall. The granite rocks are rich in Mica and were said to be laid down between 60 to 140 millions years ago during the Cretaceous period.

The area consists of tin deposites. However nowadays tin extraction is no longer practised and there are many un-used tin working buildings and settling ponds.

Flora and fauna
Tropical evergreen forest occurs on the forested hills of Khao Lumpi and covers about 70% of the total park area. The principle tree species recorded includes Dipterocarpus sp., Anisoptera costata, Syzygium sp, Hopea odorata, Mimusops elengi, several palm (Palmae) species and bamboo (Gramineae).

Mangrove forest is found on the banks of the Klongs (canals) particularly in the area behind the headquarters. The mangrove species are adapted to survive in brackish water, and they exist where fresh and sea water mix.

Beach forest occurs the coastal area above the beach and is dominated by the pine trees (Casurina equisetifolia). Other species found are Barringtonia, Termianalia catappa and derris indica.

Swamp forest occurs in small patches in the region between the beach forest and the mangrove forest. It exists in swamp areas free from salt water.

Wildlife At Khao Lumpi forest species found are wild pig, common barking deer, langurs, red jungle fowl, hill myna, reticulated python, several reptiles and amphibian species. At Had Thai Muang coastal part marine and species tolarent of man are found such as Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Common Myna, Macaques, and also common palm civet especially near the coconut plantations.

Tourist attractions

Thai Muang beach is protected primarily as a nesting site for 2 species of sea turtles: The Leather-back and Olive Ridley. The female come ashore to lay their eggs between Nov and April. Unfortunately sea turtles are now very rare and only a few come ashore.

In the nesting season the beach is patrolled by park staff who remove the eggs from the nests and take them to a nursery. This is done to protect the eggs from taken away for eating.

The eggs incubate for about 60 days. The hatchlings are released naturally into the sea as soon as they are born. Please do not go out looking for turtles. You are welcome to join a patrol. Ask a ranger at the office. If you are interested in sea turtles, there are leaflets available at the park office.

Sea turtles are protected worldwide, and it is illegal to take stuffed turtle or shells into other countries. You can help protect them by not eating turtle eggs or buying souvenirs made from their shells.

Khao Lumpi The inland section of the park covers a waterfall and surrounding forested hills. The waterfall is a local attraction and has a pool suitable for swimming at its base. Meals and drinks can be purchased at several small stalls located near the fall.

Accommodations and facilities
Near the headquarters there are 4 bungalows. Camping is allowed and there are public toilets. Food and drinks can be purchased at the canteen. Electricity is available 24Hrs aday. Water in the bathroom is ground water and is pumped during the day only.

Contact address
Khao Lumpee - Had Thai Muang National Park
Thai Muang district
Phang-Nga province 82120

Warning
Swimming is not possible during the monsoon season (May to Nov). At other times of the year, stay close to the shore and be careful because there can be a strong undertow.