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Mu Koh Hong
Mu Koh Hong consists of a group of limestone islands
including Koh Lao or Koh Sa Ka, Koh Lao Riam, Koh
Pakka, Koh Lao La Ding and Koh Hong or Koh Lao Li
Pe which is the biggest island to the south. The attractions
on these islands include fine beaches, shallow and
deep-water coral reefs and various kinds of fish while
popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving,
fishing, sea-canoeing and nature studies on the 400-meter
hiking trail around Koh Hong. Mu Koh Hong is located
at the edge of the Than Bok Khorani National Park,
and is accessible by a 1-hour boat trip from Ao Nang.
The park entrance fee is 200 baht per person with
an additional fee of 20 baht per person for camping
on the island.
Tham Chao Le
A beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites
as well as prehistoric cave paintings depicting people,
animals and various geometrical shapes. These paintings
are assumed to have been painted after those of Tham
Phi Hua To.
The cave is located to the west of Laem Sak in a
bay surrounded by mountains and picturesque islands.
The cave can be reached by taking a 10 to 15-minute
boat trip from Laem Sak.
Tham Lot Nuea and Tham Lot Tai
To visit these two caves take the Ao Luk-Laem Sak
route for approximately two kilometers and then take
a right turn to the Bo Tho Pier. From the pier, hire
a rental boat and travel along the Tha Prang Canal
for approximately 15 minutes. After passing a mangrove
swamp, you will see Tham Lot Tai a cave beneath a
limestone hill with a stream flowing through narrow
passages. The main attractions are beautiful stalactites
and stalagmites. Tham Lot Nuea is a large cavern with
meandering passages longer than those of the Tham
Lot Tai, which are navigable only during low tide.
Tham Phet (Diamond Cave)
The name of this cave "Phet", which means
diamonds, is derived from the sparkling stone inside
the cave that produces beautiful reflections on the
cave wall just like glittering diamonds. Another attraction
is a Buddha image is enshrined in front of the cave.
This cave is 3 kilometers from the Ao Luk Nua market
intersection, however, the best way to get there is
to contact the National Park Office at Than Bok Khorani
and ask for a local guide.
Tham Phi Hua To
Located just 500 meters from Tham Lot, the cave can
only be visited by boat from Bo Tho Pier. The cave
is in Phi Hua To Mountain which is surrounded by mangrove
swamps. There are 2 different paths inside the cave.
On the left lies the shortcut to the back of the cave
where the sunlight can shine through, and on the right
is a path to a natural hall believed to have been
a shelter for prehistoric people. Prehistoric paintings
of men, animals, human organs and numerous seashells
can be seen in the cave. The discovery of big human
skulls in the cave, resulted in the caves present
name.
Than Bok Khorani National Park
The National Park covers an area of 37.5 rai of land
in Tambon Ao Leuk Tai. Its headquarters is located
just one kilometer from Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market
intersection on the Ao Luk Sak road. The Park is covered
by a canopy of diverse species of trees such as wild
gardenia, asoka, and Apocynaceae that are scattered
around Sa Bok Khorani, an attractive emerald pond
after which the park is named where visitors can swim.
At the north end of Sa Bohk Korani, which flows through
a winding passage in the mountain, is a wood carving
of a footprint of the Lord Buddha and a shrine of
Chao Pho To Yuan - To Chong. Other attractions in
the park include several limestone mountain caves,
verdant mangrove forests and beautiful islands which
can be reached only by boat Admission fee is 200 baht
per person. The Park does not provide accommodations,
but camping in the park is allowed although tourists
have to bring their own tents.
Provided by Tourism Authority
of Thailand
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