Ang Thong Marine National Park, Thailand

Ang Thong Marine National Park is an archipelago of over forty islands west of Ko Samui, in the province of Surat Thani. The archipelago is splayed over an area of 250 square kilometres, of which 50 square kilometres is land mass. The name Ang Thong means "Golden Basin". Angthong was declared a national marine sanctuary in 1980 and its condition is relatively well preserved. This perhaps owes to the fact that Angthong Marine National Park was the training base for the Royal Thai Navy.


Scenery from the viewpoint at Ko Wua Talap at Angthong Marine National Park, Thailand.

The most attractive islands at Angthong Marine National Park are Ko Wua Talap (Sleeping Cow island), Koh Mae Ko (Mother island), Koh Prayat (Economical island), Koh Sam Sao (Tripod island), Koh Nai Pud (Mr Pud's island), and Koh Wua Teh (Kicking Cow island). Most of the islands at Angthong are limestone outcrops reaching heights of up to 400m (1313ft), and fringed by beaches and tropical rain forest.

The Angthong national park office is on Ko Wua Talap where bungalow-style accommodation is available. Ko Wua Talap is also where one may climb up to the hill top of about 400m for a scenic view of the Angthong national park. Popular sites include Hat Chan Charat (Moonlight Beach), a high viewpoint a nd the Tham Bua Bok (Wating Lotus Cave, named after spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations). An emerald saltwater lake known as Thale Nai (Inner Sea) on Koh Mae Ko is Angthong's other major attraction. To reach it involves a strenuous climb, but the view is well worth the effort.

Geological Structure of Ang Thong National Park

Most of the islands at Angthong Marine National Park are limestone monoliths carved into remarkable shapes by years of erosion. They are largely uninhabited and covered by dense rainforests with trees clinging to every available inch of ground, even on the steepest slopes.

Wildlife of Ang Thong National Park

The Gulf of Thailand, where Angthong Marine National Park is located, is a major breeding ground for the short-bodied mackerel, a staple in the Thai diet. Dolphins, often hunted for their meat, wisely avoid human contact. Common land animals include squirrels, pythons, monitors, sea otters, leopard cats, wild boars and dusky langurs, which are unusually friendly. Among 40 confirmed bird species are little herons, black bazas, brahminy kites, Eurasian woodcocks, kingfishers, wagtails and swifts - the nests of which are considered a delicacy.

Thale Nai, the Inner Sea of Ang Thong National Park

On the island of Koh Mae Ko is a closed lagoon called Thale Nai (Inner Sea). Thale Nai is surrounded by overhanging cliffs, and connected to the open sea by an underground cave. Thale Nai is accessible via a path that leads through natural rock tunnels to the rim of the cliff wall. From Thale Nai, one gets stunning views of the archipelago and turquoise waters below.

The peace and quiet of Angthong Marine National Park provides for a sense of isolation, broken only by the occasional birdcalls and the flap of wings.

Ang Thong National Park Photo Gallery

Signboard at park headquarters.


The ferry boat ride to Ang Thong.


Islands of the Ang Thong archipelago is splayed over the sea, as seen from the viewpoint.


Rugged mountains hugged Ko Wua Talap.


Climbing up the steep slope to the viewpoint at Ko Wua Talap.


Panoramic view from the Ko Wua Talap viewpoint.


Thale Nai, the inland lake at Koh Mae Ko.


Ripples on Thale Nai.


Sheer limestone cliffs at Thale Nai.

List of Marine National Parks of Thailand

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