Most of the national parks in the south of Thailand have two things in common, water and limestone. They are perfect for divers, swimmers, and lazy beach bums. There are around 37 national and marine parks around the region. Below are five worth visiting:
1. Khao Sok National Park
Located in the Southern province of Surat Thani, this park is one of the most visited for its special gem, a 50 km (diameter) crystal green lake that encompasses the center of the park. Not only is this lake for canoeing, swimming, and boating, but its also for sleeping. Adding to the park experience, travelers have the option to spend the night in little huts atop of the jaded waters.
This 738.74 square kilometer park offers other attractions, such as, trekking on huge limestone mountains or deep valleys, exploring caves, spotting wild animals and discovering rare flowers/plants.
2. Phang Nga Bay National Park
Particularly for limestone island lovers, Phang Nga Bay is a paradise with around 40 islands containing super high and oddly shaped limestone cliffs, some reaching up to 400 meters.
For James Bond fans, Phang Nga Bay has become a popular tourist destination since a movie scene was filmed at Ko Tapu, now known as James Bond Island. The park is located in the Phang Nga Province a short drive away from Phuket.
3. Ang Thong Marine National Park
31 km to the northwest of Koh Samui, easily reached by boat, Ang Thong is an archipelago comprised of over 40 idyllic islands closely knitted together. One fascinating site is Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island), where an emerald lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs. The 40 minute climb to reach the lake is strenuous, but well worth it.
4. Sirinat Marine National Park
This tiny park is only comprised of 8.5 square kilometers of land and 13.5 square kilometers of the Andaman Sea. Resulting from its size, Sirinath remains non-commercialized and a perfect place to escape the crowds. Diving into the owned waters of this park can be astounding with over 200 coral reef species. There are also turtle breeding beaches in the northern end of Mai Khao Beach with three different species.
5. Khao Luang National Park
Khao Luang is the highest mountain in Southern Thailand located in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The 570 square kilometer park is mountainous with beautiful forests, rivers, waterfalls, and fruit orchids. It actually plays an important role for the nearby villages as it provides a watershed.
