Thailand's World

Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park South Thailand

• Khao Lak Lam Ru Marine National Park was established as a Marine National Park in 1995 having prior being a National Park since 1991.
  
• Khao Lak covers an area of 125 square kilometers and is planned to be extended in the future to include a 3 kilometer zone around the headland of Laem Hin Chang to incorporate several areas of coral reef and a large area of open water.
• The geology of the Park is rugged mountains, the highest elevation of which is 1,077 meters above sea level. The mountains consist of granite which produces typical dome shaped mountains, clearly visible in the peaks around Ton Chong Fah and Lam Ru waterfalls. The granite rocks are rich in Mica and were said to be laid down between 60 to 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. This particular geology has important economic deposits including Tin which was once extracted in many areas in this region.
• The vegetation ecosystem is mainly Tropical Rain Forest with Beach Forest in small areas at the back of beaches.
• The animal wildlife consists of Tiger, Asiatic Black Beer, Malayan Tapir, Gibbon, Sambar Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Munjak, Treeshrew, Black Giant Squirrel, Crab Eating Macaque and Langur
  

The major tourist places of interest in Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park are;

• Lam Ru Waterfall
• Lam Phrao Waterfall
• Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
  
• Khao Lak Coastline, beach and cliff views
  
• Khlong Lamru Yai [ Canal ]
  
• Thap Lamu Pier to Mu Ko Similan
  

• Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park comprising the nine Similan Islands is located west from the coast of Khao Lak and is approximately 100 kilometres north west of Phuket island. This National Park is considered to be the best Marine Park location for diving in Thailand. The Similan Islands comprise nine granite islands covered with Tropical Rainforest, surrounded by white beaches and surrounded with crystal clear waters. Khao Lak is the coastal port for boats to Ko Similan and the other offshore Islands and reefs.
• For marine tourists also in the region are the Boonsung Wreck off the coast of Khao Lak, Richelieu Reef off the east side of Ko Surin and Ko Bon and Ko Tachai between Similan Islands and Ko Surin.
• The Park headquarters can be found 33 kilometers south of Takua Pa town, in Phang Nga Province, 1 hour drive north from Phuket Island. The headquarters is situated in a picturesque location on the headland of Laem Hin Chang, with sandy beaches and tropical forest both within easy reach.