http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_Horizons/131108_horizons20.jpg
Generally considered to be one of the top 10 diving sites on Earth, the Similan archipelago have been described as “the world’s most accessible piece of paradise”. Nor are its coral reefs and abundant marine life the only attractions; most visitors rave about the crystal-clear, turquoise-tinted waters of the Andaman Sea, the powdery white sand of the beaches and the plethora of winged and terrestrial creatures, many rare or endangered.
Beginning 70km from the nearest point on the mainland (in Phangnga province), Moo Ko Similan National Park covers an area of 140km2 and when it was declared the Kingdom’s 43rd national park back in 1982 it encompassed nine islands, hence its name (similan means “nine” in Yawi, the dialect of Malay spoken in many parts of the far South; sembilan is “nine” in Malay proper).
Two additional islands - Ko Bon and Ko Tachai, geologically and physically quite separate from the rest - were put under the protection of rangers in 1989 and today the park boasts in excess of 100 dive sites - although only 13 are open to the general public.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_Horizons/131108_horizons21.jpg
Leviathans of the sea like the whale shark and manta ray can often be seen here. And those who haven’t done a scuba-diving course can always go snorkelling: there are four major points for this off Ko Si (aka Ko Mieng) - which also has bungalows - and Ko Paed (aka Ko Similan), where there’s a spot to pitch tents.
Vegetation on the archipelago ranges from sparse beach cover and shrub to proper evergreen forests with big, tall trees.
Of the approximately 140 types of wildlife found in the park, one of the highlights has to be poo kai (Gecarcoidea lalandii). A large species of land crab, the male is dark purple and the female sports red pincers. It has long legs, short pincers and is nocturnal. If you stay overnight at Ko Si you’re almost sure to spot some of these magnificent creatures if you take the trail which cuts through the forest from the beach-front bungalow area on the west coast to Hat Lek on the east. The crabs emerge from their burrows after dark to look for food and if you tread carefully and keep quiet you might hear the peculiar sound that they make; some people have compared it to the call of a chick.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_Horizons/131108_horizons22.jpg
http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_Horizons/131108_horizons23.jpg
Wake early in the morning to feast your eyes on cha pi nai (the Nicobar pigeon aka Caloenas nicobarica) as they walk around searching for tasty tidbits on the ground. The bird can grow up to 40cm in length, has metallic-green plumage with green and copper hackles on its neck and a very short, white tail. Flying foxes are also plentiful on this island.
Underground sources of fresh water have been tapped on a few islands and closed waste-water systems are used to prevent pollution. To preserve the ecology of the park, rangers limit the number of daytime visitors to 600; a maximum of 120 people are permitted to stay on any one night. The park is open from November 15 to April 30.
*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *