Two of Thailand’s National Parks designated as ASEAN Heritage Parks

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that two of Thailand’s National Parks have been designated as ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) during the recent 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, bringing the number of the ASEAN Heritage Park in Thailand to six in total.

During the meeting, the Ministers approved the nominations of two protected areas in Thailand; namely Hat Chao Mai National Park and Mu Ko Libong Non-hunting Area; and Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, respectively as the 45th and 46th ASEAN Heritage Parks this year.

They joined four of Thailand’s national park designated in the previous years as ASEAN Heritage Parks, which are Khao Yai National Park (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Tarutao National Park, Mu Ko Surin Mu Ko Similan-Ao Phang-nga National Parks Complex, and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.

The Hat Chao Mai National Park – Mu Ko Libong Non- Hunting Area announced as a remarkable, International Ramsar Site in 2002, these protected areas consist of limestone forests, beach forests and mangrove forests. As well, it has a coastal seagrass ecosystem. Hat Chao Mai National Park is located in the Andaman Sea in Sikao and Kantang districts, Trang province. It consists of sea pines, mangroves, seagrass, isles, and a white sandy beach stretching along the coast for more than 20 kilometers. Mu Ko Libong Non- Hunting Area is not only a significant habitat for the Dugong but also one of the best places for bird lovers who want to spot a variety of shorebirds in the South of Thailand. They include rare species of winter migrant birds such as Crab-plovers.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is located in the Gulf of Thailand; Mu Ko Ang Thong is an archipelago of 42 limestone islands with cliffs. The combination of its beauty; such as the clear water, white sandy beaches as well as the biological diversity both on land and in the sea make the National Park one of the magnificent tourist attractions in the Gulf of Thailand.

Ang-Thong is an endemic orchid species, which is native to Thailand where it grows along the coast of Mu Ko Ang Thong. It is found in cavities of rocks and on the ground on Ko Wua Talap, Ko Sam Sao and Ko Phi. Its flower stands erect with hair cream white dotted brown-purple with a green stalk.

Chancharas Cliff offers outstanding scenery of numerous islands and islets within the archipelago of Mu Ko Ang Thong.