Koh Chang Marine National Park
March 25th, 2010 by admin
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Koh Chang Koh Chang: Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park is a collection of 52 small and large islands. The main island Koh Chang is the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Samui and measures 30 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide. The island chain is situated in the Gulf of Thailand approximately 8 kilometers from the coast of Trat province. The other main islands in the group are; Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Wai, Koh Laoya, Koh Kham, Koh Rayang, Koh Rang, Koh Kradad, Koh Kra, Koh Mai Si Lek, Koh Ngam and other islands. The park received status as a marine national park on 31 December 1982 to become the 45th national park in Thailand. The park covers a total area of 650 square kilometers of which about 458 square kilometers or 70% is marine. Koh Chang Marine National Park is located in the southeastern region of Thailand close to the border of Cambodia. The island runs parallel to the coast and appears very mountainous from the shore due to the mountain ridge which runs the length of the island. The ridge is composed of several summits the tallest of which are Khao Lan, Khao Chom Prasat, Khao Klong Mayom, Khao Salak Phet and Khao Yai, which is the highest peak reaching 743 meters above sea level. The rock of the island is mainly granite and dates from approximately around 200 million years ago. The geology produces a very mountainous island, but with rounded slopes rather than sheer cliffs. The island of Koh Chang has many streams and rivers which are fed by the rainfall collected on the mountainous slopes of the island. Due to the great amount of rainfall here these streams are very clean and supply water all year round. The principle streams on the island are Klong Son, Klong Mayom, Klong Kangkhao, Klong Bang Bao, Klong Prao, Klong Nonsi and Klong Chai Chet. This mix of mountains and streams produces some very beautiful waterfalls the most notable of which are Than Mayom, Klong Plu, Klong Nonsi, Kiri Phet and Klong Nueng Waterfalls. Rainy season starts from May to October. It is the time of the southwest monsoon while dry season starts from November to February. Dry season is the time of northwest monsoon that cools the temperature down. Summer starts from March to April. In this season, the sun passes the equator above the wind. The weather is hot, especially in April :Mu Koh Chang |
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