South-East Asia Destination

By: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Koh Samui, or Samui as referred by the locals, is a palm fringed island with inviting sandy beaches and thriving coral reefs, nestled in Surat Thani Province of Thailand. Long ago it used to be a self sufficient island, while now it serves as a thriving tourist destination of Thailand. Among Koh Samui’s many tourist attractions is its Ang Thong archipelago nestling the famous Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, also known as Ang Thong Marine National Park, was initiated in November 1980. The park encompasses 42 islands and the surrounding sea covering an area of more than 100 square kilometres, in the gulf of Thailand. Here you can spot an impressive turquoise sea dotted with green capped islets. Some solitary rock formations rise into the heavens with intriguing shapes, formed due to erosion. Most of these isles are not inhabited; hence they are well preserved in pristine natural beauty. You will be mesmerised by the breathtaking seascapes spiced with caves, lagoons, rock cliffs and coral gardens.

The area receives monsoons generating torrential downpours and large ocean waves, thus forming imposing rocky spectacles in the offshore. Thanks to the abundance of water the area is blessed with vast woodlands as well. Ang Thong Marine National Park has four types of forests namely beach forest, limestone forest, dry evergreen forest and mangrove forest. Beach forests are narrow strips of woods straddling on larger islands, while limestone forests are found on the exterior of cliffs and atop limestone hills. Dry evergreen forests spread across large isles while the mangrove forests concentrate on mudflats and sand ridges.

The best times to visit the park will be from February to April as you can experience sailing adventures in an unruffled sea under the warmth of the tropical sun. You will come across around 16 species of land and sea mammals, 14 species of reptiles and over 50 species of birds here. There are also a variety of amphibians in addition to diverse types of fish, clams, corals and other marine life. You can either take a boat ride, snorkel or swim to explore this spectacular marine nature park.

The best way to reach here is from an ideal Koh Samui hotel providing quick links to transport means. A Samui luxury resort such as the Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach is a good choice for accommodation. Nestled in the Lamai Beach overlooking the striking seascape, guests here can indulge in sumptuous amenities while enjoying a perfect holiday in Koh Samui

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.