Национальный парк Кхао Лампи-Хат Таи Муанг

Национальный парк Кхао Лампи-Хат Таи Муанг находится на Северном Андаманском побережье в Таиланде, час езды к северу от Пхукета.

Общая информация

История

Для совершения управления и контроля за национальным парком Кхао Лампи-Хат Таи Муанг, ранее известным как "Водопад Лампи" и "Лесопарк Лампи" была назначена Администрация Национального Парка(the National Park Division of The Royal Forest Department) с 14 Апреля 1986 года. Это 52-й национальный парк Таиланда, который занимает площадь в 72 квадратных километра или 45000 райс.

География

Национальный парк Лампи Маунтейн - пляж Таи Муанг находится на Восточном Адаманском побережье Таиланда. Он состоит, во-первых, из пляжа Тай Муанг, и во-вторых, горного массива Лампи. На западе пляж Тай Муанг заканчивается у полуострова Кхам Бей (Kham Bay)полуострова (Гора На Йак или ‘Гигантское Лицо’), а на востоке протекает канал с соленой водой, который подпитывается от горного массива Лампи и покрыт плодородным тропическим лесом. Горный массив Лампи состоит из нескольких гор с вершинами, разнящимися в диапазоне, от 40 до 100 метров над уровнем моря. Самой высокой горой является гора Каним, расположенная в северной части парка, высота которой достигает 622 метра над уровнем моря.

Климат

Климат парка определяется юго-западным муссонным ветром, который является сильным с Мая по Октябрь. Этот ветер приносит влагу с Индийского океана и частые дожди во время зеленое сезона. Северо-восточный муссонный ветер не оказывает влияния на парк, потому что горная цепь действует как защитный барьер, снижая скорость ветра. Тем не менее, в ноябре, сильные потоки северо-восточного муссонного ветра иногда приносят, не характерный для данного сезона, дождь. С декабря по апрель в парке устанавливается сухой сезон с небольшим количеством облаков, редкими дождями, и более высокими температурами. Лучшее время для посещения парка, период с Декабря по Апрель.

Landscape

The National Park is classified into six distinct eco systems:

1. Sandy beach: Основным элементом экосистемы песчаном пляже мелководье области, которая служит основной средой обитания для нескольких небольших морских животных, таких как морские слизняки и песка червей. Эти животные имеют важное значение для экосистемы, выступающей в качестве основного источника питания в местной продовольственной цепи, а также перелетных птиц, которые стекаются в области во время сезона миграции (с декабря по апрель). Обложка растений решающее значение для области включают ног лианы козье Aeluropus lagopoides; некоторые растения Буша включают Scaevola taccada и Pandanus.

2. Mangrove forest: The mangrove forests can be found along the brackish canals feeding the Andaman Sea. These forests connect many different ecosystems, providing a high production of biomass and supporting an abundance of life forms. These forests act as a barrier between the open sea and the inland, exhibiting this protective role during the 2004 tsunami by dissipating wave energy. Furthermore, they filter water that comes from higher ground, providing a safe nursery for sea life and preventing significant amounts of silt and nutrients from making it to the open sea. This protects both the sea from algae blooms and the coral reefs from silt damage. Several plant species include Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Parviflora, and Bruguiera cylindrica.

3. Beach forest: The beach forest ecosystem develops from the sandy beach eastwards, from the park headquarters to Na Yak Mountain. The forest thrives on the sea shore in the non-salty soil behind the high tide line and on sea-side hills that have slightly salty soil due to sea spray. Most plants growing in this area are salt-tolerant and shaped by the force of the wind. The forest helps reduce the amount of salty spray reaching the inland. The variety and composition of species and habitats occupying this ecosystem is unique. Many plants grow here, examples of which are: Cassuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia catappa, Derris indica, and Barringtonia.

4. Swamp forest: Behind Thai Mueang beach, swamp forests extend inland along the old sand dunes at the coastline. Thai Mueang is one of the few places along the Andaman coast with this type of ecosystem. The specific physical features and chemical substances in the swamp have forced the indigenous flora and fauna to make interesting adaptations in order to survive, giving rise to several rare and unique species.

5. Coral reef: The extensive coral reef system off the coast of Thai Mueang beach is a newly discovered natural resource. The reef lies 400 – 700 meters from the shore in 6 – 10 meters of water. There are two distinct sections, the first measuring 1.7 square kilometers, and the second 1 square kilometer. The vast reef supports a diverse selection of over 100 types of coral, including species that have never been discovered elsewhere in Thailand Some of the more prevalent species of coral found in the area are Acropora and Porites.

6. Tropical rainforest: This rainforest is found in the mountainous areas of the park, where the waterfalls are located. It houses a diversity of flora and fauna and has created a number of economic opportunities for the people of the area, contributing to their sustainable ways of life. Several plant varieties include Dipterocarpus, Anisoptera costata, Hopea odorata, Bullet wood, Rattan, and Bamboo.

Flora and fauna

Flora

Refer to the ecosystem descriptions above to learn about the flora.

Fauna

1. Birds: 188 species identified including: the black-thigh falconet, oriental honey-buzzard, heart spotted woodpecker, white bellied woodpecker, yellow nape, spotted dove, jungle fowl, black shouldered kite, the grey headed fish eagle, wild rooster, old world quail, black capped kingfisher, cormorant, and sandpiper, making the park perfect for bird watching.

2. Mammals: 64 species identified including: the black tipped squirrel, palm civet, smooth coated otter, long tailed macaque, civet cat, monkey, sea lion, and nurse whale. Several rare and endangered species include: the Malayan tapir, serow, hylobates, and Malayan sun bear.

3. Reptiles: 57 species identified including: the monitor lizard, ground lizard, and cobra. 26 endangered species have been identified such as: the leatherback, olive ridley, green, and hawksbill turtles.

4. Amphibians: 57 species identified including different types of frogs, 2 of which are endangered.

5. Fish: 31 freshwater and 315 saltwater and reef species identified. Freshwater fish include: the mystus wykii, nieuhof's walking catfish, and blue panchax. Salt water fish include: the parrot fish, moray eel, and ribbon eel.

Get in

By Car Follow road 4 past Thai Mueang town and take the last right turn (from which you can see the ocean), km820. This road will lead you to the park entrance.

By Airplane Since the park is only 63 km. from Phuket, it is easiest to fly into Phuket and then rent a car or get a taxi up road 4 until Thai Mueang town and national park. From the airport, it is 57 km. to Thai Mueang’s central market and then 6 km. to park headquarters.

By Bus From Bangkok you can either take the Bangkok-Phang Nga line, and then a bus from Phang Nga town to Thai Mueang, or the direct bus from Bangkok to Thai Mueang.

Fees/Permits

The park entrance fee for foreigners is 100 baht; for Thais, 40 baht.

Get around

It is easy to get around the park grounds. The park has ATVs for rent. Also, the park has canoes to get around the mangrove forest and speed boats to get out to the reef off of Thai Mueang beach.

See

Lampi Waterfall

The inland section of the park offers you the chance to see the Lampi waterfall, surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest. The waterfall is a local attraction and has a natural pool suitable for swimming at its base. Its overall height reaches 40 m. The path to the waterfall is well paved and easily accessible right off of the parking lot. There is also a 1 km nature trail which follows the stream to its peak. Meals, drinks, and souvenirs can be purchased at several small stalls near the waterfall.

Located 14 km from the park headquarters. To get there, turn left at the junction into Thai Mueang and continue for about 10 km until you see a blue sign for the waterfall. Turn right at the sign and continue up the track for about 2 km.

Na Yak Mountain

This area accessible by truck or ATV offers great views of the beach and the savannah. It is located 6 km from the park headquarters and has swimming and snorkelling areas.

Thai Mueang Beach

One of the few five-star rated beaches in Thailand, Thai Mueang beach is a fantastic place to spend the day. Spanning 10 km, the beach provides ample opportunities for swimming and sunbathing in seclusion. A recently discovered coral reef 700 m off the coast provides unparalleled scuba diving and snorkelling.

Thai Mueang Beach is a protected nesting site for two species of sea turtles, the Leatherback and the Olive Ridley. The females come ashore to lay their eggs between November and April. Unfortunately, the number of sea turtles falls every year and fewer are returning to nest during the nesting season.

During the nesting season, park rangers patrol the beach and relocate the eggs from the nests to a nursery (on the beach by the sentry box). This practice is necessary to protect the eggs as poaching is still prevalent in the area. The eggs incubate for about 60 days after which the hatchlings are released into the sea.

Right outside the park and along the beach there are many seafood restaurants and a sea conservatory that raises sea turtles and fish (free admission, donations recommended).

Ton Phri Waterfall

With a height of 40 m, this waterfall offers an impressive and refreshing experience. It is located at the end of a 650 m trail through a fertile jungle, which is well paved and easily manageable. The pool at the base of the waterfall is suitable for swimming and many visitors snorkel to see fresh water fish. The waterfall is less visited than Lampi and looks pristine and untouched. There is a proposed three hour trail that will connect Lampi and Ton Phri waterfalls.

Mining Machine

A testament to Khao Lak’s industrial past, the remains of the tin mine illustrate the region’s prosperity. This location houses Thailand’s first concrete tin dredge. During the mining era which ended in 1977, there was an influx on Burmese and Chinese workers To the area, leading to the development of the Chinese quarter in Thai Mueang town.

Pang Nature Trail

Five kilometres north of the park headquarters, near the tin mining area and the ranger station, there is a series of nature trails with informative signs describing the park’s indigenous flora. Perfect for bird watching, these two trails pass through 3 different ecosystems: beach forest, swamp forest, and mangrove forest. Both trails start and end on the road by the Ranger Station, and follow a half circle loop. The first is 1 km., and the second 500 m. Crossing the bridge on the first trail leads to the mangroves and the river where you can go out on the canoes in the mangrove forest.

Ton Phri Nature Trail

The 650 metre trail that takes you to the Ton Phri waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation and smaller waterfalls. All of the longer upward and downward hikes are paved making the trail manageable even when wet.

Do

[(H) indicates high and (L) indicates low season]

ATV (H) (L)

Take one of the park ATV’s on an off-road adventure on one of the park's many trails.

Scuba Diving (H)

Let the national park organize a scuba trip for you on Thailand’s widest coral reef. Swim among nurse sharks, parrot fish, moray eels, and even sea turtles, if you’re lucky.

Snorkelling (H)

Explore Thailand’s widest coral reef and swim with parrot fish, moray eels, and nurse sharks.

Canoeing (H) (L)

Take the canoes out through the mangrove forest to see this vital ecosystem firsthand learn about its crucial functions.

Mangrove Planting (H) (L)

Give back to the region by helping rebuild the mangrove forest during your visit.

Waterfalls (H) (L)

Go for a refreshing swim in one of the pools at Lampi’s or Ton Phri’s bases, and enjoy the serene jungle settings you will find yourself in.

Tin Mine (H) (L)

A testament to Khao Lak’s industrial past, this location houses Thailand’s first concrete tin dredge.

Turtles (H)

Come out and celebrate the birth of these creatures at the Sea Turtle Conservation Festival every March first. Join a park ranger for a night patrol to find sea turtle nests and help with egg relocation.

Bird Watching (H) (L)

Enjoy one of the nature trails with a park ranger and get to know the local birds.

Trekking (H) (L)

Explore the lush jungles and forests of Thai Mueang by going on a short or long trek through its diverse ecosystems.

Eat

Right outside the park and along the beach there are many seafood restaurants serving Thai dishes and local delicacies such as ostrich, frog, and deer.

Sleep

Lodging

The park has air conditioned bungalows on its grounds. These bungalows have bathrooms with hot water, satellite television and refrigerators. The price is 1000 baht a night. Reservations can be made by calling the park office.

Camping

Tents are available for 200 baht a night.