Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park


Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai is a national park in the process of being established as of 2015. It is in southern Thailand, covering territory of the districts Khanom and Sichon of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and Don Sak and Ko Samui of Surat Thani Province.
The name of the park refers to the two major parts of the park. Hat Khanom refers to the beaches of Khanom District, and the Thale Tai archipelago consists of eight islands in the Gulf of Thailand between Khanom and Ko Samui.

Geography

Most of the area is covered with primary forest which is the provenance of many creeks. The park contains limestone mountains and mangrove forests.

Climate

Southwesterly and northeasterly winds result in rainfall almost all year round. There are two seasons, summer and rainy season.

Flora and fauna

Primary forests consist of plants such as Intsia palembanica, Dipterocarpus species, Ironwood, Sandoricum koetjape and Indian oak. Mangrove forests with valuable plants such as mangroves, taboon and Thespesia populneoides. Limestone mountain contain plants such as chanpah and Opuntia elatior.
Mammals – Sus scrofa, monkey, semno, squirrel, Menetes berdmorei, Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Muntiacus muntjak, Ursus malayanus, tiger, sambar, gibbon, and Malayan sun bear.
Birds – Spilornis cheela, Treron curvirostra, Copsychus saularis, shama, dove, cormorant, Nicobar pigeon, seagull, Egretta sacra and Ducula aenea
Reptiles – tortoise, snakes and chameleon.
Amphibians – different kinds of frogs, Bufo asper.
Other aquatic life – Channa striatus, crab, shrimp, saltwater fish, soro brook carp, and snakeheads.