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09914 4675
Level 4, 66 Wyndham Street
Auckland, New Zealand
Level 4, 66 Wyndham Street
Auckland, New Zealand
Mu Ko Ang Thong is a marine national park in the Gulf of Thailand, at the shore of the Surat Thani Province. It is made up of 42 islands featuring lime stone massifs, tropical rainforests and deserted beaches. This fascinating group of islands, includes Koh Samui which is the largest in the archipelago.
The Ang Thong islands rise from the sea as dramatic walls of rock soaring hundreds of metres high. Besides the many small coves and beautiful beaches, erosion has shaped some interesting formations. Particular features are Mae Ko (a beautiful beach) and Thale Nai (an emerald saltwater lake) both found on Koh Mae Ko. Koh Sam Sao has a coral reef and a huge rock arch as well as a hill providing great views of the surrounding area.
There is a considerable amount of wildlife inhabiting the islands including the Asian long tailed monkey (langur), hair nosed otters, pacific reef egrets, white bellied sea eagles, ashy drongos, tortoises, sea turtles, lizards and pythons.The surrounding sea is also the major spawning ground for the short bodied mackerel, a tasty Thai delicacy. Snorkeling, walking and swimming are the most popular attractions of the region. The best time to visit this archipelago is late March to October when visibility is at its best.
Things to See & Do
* Chaweng Beach
* Big Buddha Statue (Koh Fan near Bophut)
* The Snake Farm (Thong Krut Bay)
* Samui Butterfly Garden (Near Ban Hua Thanon)
* Snorkeling & diving
General information
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency - Baht (THB)
Language – Thai
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Land Area – 18 km²
Time - GMT plus seven hours
International Country Telephone Code – +66
Travel Links – From Surat Thani train station and Surat Thani Airport (URT), there are combined bus/ferry services to Ko Samui - some entail a 60 minute bus ride to Donsak pier followed by a 90 minute ferry crossing, others a 30 minute bus ride but the ferry takes extra time.
Ang Thong marine park is accessible by boat from Big Buddha island and Koh Samui. There are also boats based in koh Phangan and koh Tao that run cruises.
Ko Samui Airport has near-hourly departures to/from Bangkok. There are also daily flights to/from Phuket U-Tapao, and Singapore; four direct flights a week from Chiang Mai (but no direct flights in the opposite direction); and twice weekly flights to/from Hong Kong.