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 For many
years Mu Ko Surin was an unspoiled group of islands, acting as a
refuge for fishing boats during storms and hosting small communities
of sea gypsies. In this situation the islands provoked little
interest and for a long time were recorded as a National Forest
Reserve by the Royal Forest Department. But on 30th December 1971
the National Committee on Wild Animal Reservation and Protection
suggested that the islands should become a wildlife sanctuary. This
was thwarted when it was realised that the islands occurred within
the exploratory area leased to Weeks Petroleum Ltd. An alternative
plan then proposed to develop the islands as a Vietnamese refugee
camp. This idea was rejected as it was realised that the
translocation and support of so many people in such a fragile
environment, would soon result in damage to the islands pristine
land and marine habitats. The Royal Forest Department appreciated
the islands unique nature and their tourist and research potential.
Thus the Royal Forest Department opposed the development of the
islands and instead proposed the establishment of a national park to
protect the area. Mu Ko Surin was eventually gazetted as the 29th
National park of Thailand on 9th July 1981.
Mu Ko Surin National
Park is situated in the Andaman sea
approximately 60 km from the Coast of
Phang-Nga Province in the southern peninsula region. The park
covers an area of approximately 135 km2. Of the protected area 102
km2 or 76% is sea. The park comprises 5 main islands; Ko Surin Nua,
Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ree (or Ko Satok), Ko Glang (or Ko Pachumba) and Ko
Khai (or Ko Torinla). Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai are large
islands and are situated on a north-south axis. A few kilometers to
the north of the park is the Myanmar border and about 100 kilometers
to the south is
Mu Ko Similan National
Park.
Topography
 Surin Islands
comprise of five main islands, including 2 large islands consisting
of the northern Surin island and southern Surin island which located
very adjacent like the twin island. They are separated by the 200
meters width shallow sea. In the low tide period, you can walk
across to the other island or so-called "cutted channel bay". The
other three islands are the rock islands with some dwarf trees.
Plants that found here are the rainforest plants. They are one
source of the big and best fertile shallow coral reef of Thailand.
Climate
Could be classified into 2 seasons consisting of hot seasons
starting from mid of February - May, while the raining season
starting from mid of May till October which has a highest level of
rainfall. The yearly average rainfall is more than 3,000 millimeters
and the average of related humidity is 83 percent. In rainy season,
the park will be closed during 16 May - 14 November every year for
visitors safety.
Flora and Fauna
Vegetations, able to classify the society of plants as follows :
Primary
rainforest covers most area of the national park,
both of slope and ridge of mountain. The important plants found here
are Diospyros malabarica Kostel., etc.
Beach forest could be
found in beach areas where you can find many kinds of plant such as
Barringtonia, Cerbera odollam, etc.
Mangrove forest is
located in the mud area and the brackish water of Mae Yai bay. This
is not the fertile forest but you can find some kinds of plants such
as Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Xylocarpus granatum,
etc., while some dwarf forest or grove plants comprise of Cycas
pectinata Griff., Dillenia obovata (Bl.) Hoogl., Erythroxylum
cuneatum Kurz, etc.
Wild Animals
 Birds,
from survey found totally 91 types of birds including local birds
about 57 types and the others are the migrating birds from
elsewhere, such as Little Heron, Common Sandpiper, Little Tern, etc.
Mammal animals could be found here totally 22 types including 12
types of bat such as Island Flying fox, Black-Bearded Tomb Bat,
Pig-Tailed Macaque, Common Wild Pig, etc.
Reptiles hav e
been found 6 types such as Indian or Bengal Monitor, Water Monitor,
Skink, Reticulated Python, etc.
Coral, such as Needle coral, etc.
Fishes , such as Damselfish, Wrasse, Butterfly-fish and Midas
blenny; Ecsenius midas etc.
Sea Turtles, Sea turtles are a very ancient family of animals and
their ancestors date back to when Dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Although the Dinosaurs are now extinct, the sea turtles are still
surviving although their future existence is in doubt. Many species
are endangered with several species near extinction. Their principle
threat is the loss of their nesting beaches to development
stimulated by increasing tourist pressure. This has reduced the
number of turtles worldwide to such an extent that positive action
must be taken to secure their existence in the future. The principle
action is the preservation of their nesting beaches, and the
protection of the eggs from theft once laid. Sea turtle still nests
on the Surin islands, with two species coming ashore to lay their
eggs, Hawksbill, and Green turtles. In the early 1990’s we also had
a few nest of the rare Olive Ridley turtle. Mu Ko Surin is the best
place in Thailand for anyone who want to swim with sea turtles. Most
visitors have a few chances to get close to them, mostly hawksbill
turtle.
Attractions
Mu Ko Surin principle attraction is the fact that it is an unspoiled
tropical paradise far from the mainland, with healthy forested
islands sur rounded
by clean water supporting a profusion of coral reef species. The
coral reefs are the best, most diverse coral reefs accessible to
snorkelers. The coral reefs at Ko Surin do not require the use of
scuba equipment to observe them. Being the primary snorkelling spot
on Thailand, Mu Ko Surin attracts a lot of tourists each year, many
also arrive on pleasure cruises and on some days the number of
visitors can be excessive. The islands also attract great research
interest, and many scientists visit the islands each year for a
variety of reasons ranging from coral reef surveys to bird
observation.
Historical
Sea gypsies
 The
Sea Gypsies or Moken are a nomadic sea people who live in the Mergui
archipelago. Their ancestors came from Indonesia. The name Moken is
from their own language, which is universal to all sea gypsy groups.
The Moken live a very primitive existence and as such have a great
respect for nature and the environment. They rely upon their
environment for food, clothing and for the materials for boat
construction. They live by spear fishing and collecting shellfish.
Being nomadic they spend a lot of their time travelling, but they
avoid travelling during the monsoon season from May to November.
During this time they moor their boats in a sheltered location to
form a temporary
village of several families. These villages then break up when they
start travelling again in December until April. The Moken do not
have a written language, but are good at other languages including
Thai and Yawi Malaysian. Every year during April an important
ceremony occurs on Surin and Sea Gypsies from far away come to
attend. They often come from Myanmar and the islands of peninsula
Thailand and Malaysia. The festival is called
Loi Reua and involves
ancestor worship and the asking the spirits to care for and protect
the Sea Gypsies.
Activities - Cultural Sight Seeing Top
The Beautiful of Nature
 Ao
Tao (Tao Bay)
Near coral line of Tao Bay located on the eastern part of South
Surin Island is a living place of a lot of sea turtles. This
beautiful coral is far from headquarters about 2 kilometers.
Activities - Snorkelling Diving Top
Ao Pak Chak (Pak Chak Bay)
Pak Chak Bay located on the southern part of the South Surin Island
has a perfect colorful coral line. It's far from headquarters about
5 kilometers.
 Activities
- Snorkelling Diving - Scuba Diving Top
Ko Pachumba (Pachumba Island)
Pachumba Island or Mang Kon Island has Mang Kon Beach located on the
eastern part of Island . It has not coral and sea fan. It's far from
headquarters about 5 kilometers.
Activities - don't visit Top
 Ao
Mai Ngam (Mai Ngam Bay)
Mai Ngam Bay located on the western part of the North Surin Island
far from headquarters about 2 kilometers. You can get there by
walking through the trail of Mai Ngam Natural Studies or taking a
long tailed boat. There is a fresh water and beach suitable for
swiming and coral sightseeing.
Activities - Snorkelling Diving - Activities on Beach - Camping -
Bird Watching - Nature trail study - Canoeing-Kayaking Top
Ko Torinla (Torinla Island)
Torinla Island or Khai Island is located on the southern part of the
South Surin Island. On the eastern part of this island has a long,
perfect and very beautiful coral line which very suitable for
snorkelling. This island is far from headquarters about 6
kilometers.
 Activities
- Snorkelling Diving - Scuba Diving Top
Ao Chak (Chak Bay)
Chak Bay located on the northern part of North Surin Island has a
perfect and beutiful coral line. It's far from headquarters about 10
kilometers.
Activities - Snorkelling Diving Top
Ao Suthep (Suthep Bay)
Suthep Bay llocated on South Surin island is a good place for those
who want to do night diving. When low tide, coral reef may expose to
the air. It's not far from headquarters.
Activities - Activities on Beach - Snorkelling Diving
Facilities
Accommodation -
Bungalows are also available, located at Chong Khat Bay of the
North Surin Island.
Camping site/Tent - Campground is available for visitors. located at
Mai Ngam Bay of the North Surin Island.
Food services - Restaurant, first-aid room and souvenir shop are
located at Chong Khat Bay of the North Surin Island.
Docking , Boat Tie-up , Wharf - Tour Service Boat
- From Khuraburi Port to the Mu Ko Surin National Park costs us
about 1,000 Baht/trip/person (round-trip)
- Coral sightseeing in the area of islands costs by long -tail boat
about 120 Baht/person/day
Visitor center - Visitor Center is available, located at Chong Khat
Bay of the North Surin Island.
Others - One path of land natural studies at Ao Mai Ngam
- Two paths of
snorkelling at Ao Suthep and Ao Tao about 200 meters long. At the Ko
Surin Tai, tourist would touch the beautiful and exotic
undersea
animals and plants.
Closing periods
Raining season
starting from mid of May - October with North - Western wind which
has a highest level of rainfall. In rainy season, the park will be
closed during 16 May - 14 November every year for visitors safety.
Getting there
By Car
Drives on the road no. 4 (Phetkasem Rd.) from Bangkok to Amphoe
Khuraburi which is about 720 kilometers long then turns to Khuraburi
Port at milestone no. 721, about 6 kilometers prior to Amphoe
Khuraburi. From this intersection about two kilometers, you would
see the entrance sign board of Mu Ko Surin National Park on the
right-hand side, then make a turn to the tourist service center
which located in the area of national park office.
By Airplane
Takes a plane to Ranong Airport or
Phuket Airport, then takes a car
to Amphoe Khuraburi of
Phang Nga province.
By Ship
At Khuraburi - Mu Ko Surin Port, you can take a private tour boat
which controlled by the national park and serves tourists everyday.
The cost for round trip is 1,200-1,500 baht per person. This tour
boat departs from Kuraburi Port at 09.00 am. everyday and arrive at
the National Park Headquarters unit on Northern Mu Ko Surin at 13.00
pm. From the port to this islands is about 60 kilometers which takes
about 3 hours of journey. The return boat from Mu Ko Surin to
Khuraburi Port departs at 10.00 am. everyday. However, this service
would be closed at May 16 every year because entering of raining
season.
By Bus
Starts from the New Southern Bus Terminal at 7.00 pm which would
arrive at Khuraburi about 5.00 am. Bus fare is 480 Baht/person. From
the Bus Terminal, in Amphoe Khuruburi about 10 kilometer, you can
take a motorcycle or rental car to the Khuraburi Port area, the
location of Mu Ko Surin National Park Office. Motorcycle fare is
about 50 Baht/person while a rental car cost you about 200 Baht/person.
Contact & Source
Mu Ko Surin National Park
Ko Phra Thong Sub-district, Amphur Khuraburi Phangnga Thailand 82150
Tel. 0 7649 1378, 0 7649 1582 Fax 0 7649 1583 E-mail surin_np@yahoo.co.th
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