Surin Islands
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National park |
The Surin Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะสุริน, romanized: muu gaw soo rin, Thai pronunciation: [mùː kɔ̀ʔ sùrin]) is a continental archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea, 55 kilometres (34 mi) from the Thai mainland.[3] Administratively, the islands are part of Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Khura Buri district, in Phang Nga province, Thailand.[1]
Geography
Location
The Surin Islands consist primarily of two larger islands, Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai, which are separated by a channel approximately 200 m (660 ft) wide that becomes dry at low tide. In addition to these, the archipelago includes three smaller islands: Ko Khai (also known as Ko Torinla), Ko Glang (or Ko Pachumba), and Ko Chi (also referred to as Ko Satok). There are also two small rocky islets within the group, named Hin Kong and Hin Rap. Additionally, the limestone pinnacle known as
Geographically, the
Formation
Geological theories suggest that a
Climate
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
Low | 15.2 °C, 59.4 °F | 12.0 °C, 53.6 °F | 22.1 °C, 71.8 °F | 12.8 °C, 55.0 °F | 8.0 °C, 46.4 °F |
Average | 27.8 °C, 82.0 °F | 27.5 °C, 81.5 °F | 27.5 °C, 81.5 °F | 28.0 °C, 82.4 °F | 28.2 °C, 82.8 °F |
High | 39.3 °C, 103 °F | 40.0 °C, 104 °F | 30.2 °C, 86.4 °F | 41.3 °C, 106 °F | 42.0 °C, 108 °F |
In a 30 day month | 82.7 mm, 3.26 in | 132.2 mm, 5.20 in | 114.1 mm, 4.49 in | 105.7 mm, 4.16 in | 115.3 mm, 4.54 in |
A hot season runs from mid-February to May. The rainy season is from mid-May to October, the rainiest month. The annual average rainfall is 1,350 millimetres (53 in) with average humidity of 71 percent and 104 rain days. Highest average wind speeds are observed in December with 3.73 knots (6.9 km/h).[5]
Moken people
The Surin Islands are home to a small community of the Moken or Morgan people (Thai: ชาวเล, romanized: chaao laeh, lit. 'sea people', 'sea gypsies'). The Moken population on the Surin Islands is estimated to be between 150 and 330 individuals.[1][2][6]
The Moken belong to one of three distinct tribes living along the Andaman Coast of
The Moken community, which does not have a written language, relies on
Forewarned by this knowledge, the entire Moken population on these islands was able to move to higher ground for safety.[2] Those who were conducting snorkeling tours with tourists took immediate action to steer their boats away from the shore, thus avoiding the impact of the waves.[12] Despite these precautionary measures, the tsunami resulted in the destruction of their homes and other belongings. Only about half of their boats survived the disaster. In the aftermath, the community rebuilt and consolidated into a single village named Ao Bon Yai"" in Ko Surin Tai.[2]
Within the Moken community, familial bonds are notably strong and reliable. Linguistically, the Moken language lacks terms for individual possession, which is reflective of their cultural emphasis on sharing and communal living.
The Moken traditionally do not adhere to any formalized religion. Their practices include ancestor worship, which is evident in their funeral customs. In accordance with their traditions, deceased family members are buried beneath the family's house, accompanied by sea shells and other offerings as part of their ritualistic practices.[13] The Moken possess a profound understanding of and respect for their natural environment and resources. Historically, they engaged in a subsistence lifestyle as hunter-gatherers, relying on the trade of shells, sea cucumbers, and fish in exchange for rice and other essentials. They have demonstrated extensive knowledge of local flora, utilizing 83 plant species for food, 33 for medicinal purposes, 53 for the construction of huts, boats, and tools, and 54 species for various other uses.[8]
National Park
Year | Visitors[5] |
---|---|
2012 | 16,711 |
2013 | 17,086 |
2014 | 11,055 |
2015 | 15,563 |
2016 | 52,517 |
Mu Ko Surin National Park (
Access to the park is typically through day trips using speedboats from
Flora and fauna
Mu Ko Surin National Park features a diverse range of ecosystems, with primary rainforests forming the majority of its terrestrial landscape. The park's beach areas are characterized by beach forests, where species such as Barringtonia and Cerbera odollam are prevalent. Additionally, mangrove forests are found in the park's mudflats and brackish waters, particularly in Mae Yai Bay.[3]
Ecological surveys of the park have identified a rich biodiversity:[3]
- The park is home to 91 types of birds, comprising 57 local species and numerous migrating species.
- Mammalian life includes 22 species, with 12 types of bats noted.
- Marine mammals such as Bryde's whales have been observed within the park's waters.[15]
- Reptilian fauna includes seven species, among them Asian water monitors, Clouded monitors, skinks, reticulated pythons, and the Surin bent-toed gecko, a species endemic to the area.
- Sea turtles still nest on the Surin islands, with two species coming ashore to lay their eggs, critically endangered olive ridley turtleswere spotted.
BirdLife International has designated Mu Ko Surin National Park as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This designation is due to the park's support of several bird species of conservation concern. These include the near-threatened Nicobar pigeon and Beach stone-curlew, the vulnerable Large green pigeon, and various nationally threatened or near-threatened species in Thailand, such as the Green imperial pigeon, Pied imperial pigeon, and Orange-breasted green pigeon.[16]
Recreational diving
More than 260 species of reef fish, 68 species of coral, 48 species of nudibranch, and 31 species of shrimp were recorded in the national park.[2]
The best time for diving is from December to April with dry conditions, minimum wind and an average water temperature at around 29 °C (84 °F). All dive sites are only accessible by boat. While sightings of large pelagic species like manta ray and whale shark[17] are rare, February to April is the best time to spot them.[2] Due to marine conservation initiatives diving is not allowed in certain areas of the national park.[2]
Name | Type | Coordinate | Average depth |
---|---|---|---|
Richelieu Rock | reef | 9°21′48″N 98°1′19″E / 9.36333°N 98.02194°E | 20 m (66 ft) |
Ko Khai | slope | 9°22′16″N 97°52′13″E / 9.37111°N 97.87028°E | 15 m (49 ft) |
Pak Kaad | night | 9°22′47″N 97°52′40″E / 9.3797369°N 97.8777093°E | 10 m (33 ft) |
Turtle Ridge | slope | 9°23′21″N 97°52′55″E / 9.3892707°N 97.8818628°E | 15 m (49 ft) |
Prebens Platon | reef | 9°23′22″N 97°49′22″E / 9.3895591°N 97.8228844°E | 20 m (66 ft) |
Suthep Bay | slope | 9°24′55″N 97°50′56″E / 9.41538671°N 97.8488058°E | 15 m (49 ft) |
Ko Glang | slope | 9°25′5″N 97°49′44″E / 9.41806°N 97.82889°E | 15 m (49 ft) |
Hin Kong | rocky islet | 9°25′40″N 97°53′15″E / 9.42778°N 97.88750°E | 10 m (33 ft) |
Ko Chi | slope | 9°28′23″N 97°54′16″E / 9.47306°N 97.90444°E | 15 m (49 ft) |
Richelieu Rock is a solitary limestone pinnacle standing from around 30 to 35 m (98 to 115 ft) depth with its peak right below the sea surface at low tide and home to some of the largest marine life species in Thailand.[2]
See also
- List of islands of Thailand
- List of national parks of Thailand
- List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Mu Koh Surin National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Surin Islands". Thai National Parks. 2019. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ a b c d "Mu Ko Surin National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP). Archived from the original on 2016-06-10.
- ^ "Similan Islands geology". Khao Lak Explorer. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- ^ a b "ข้อมูลสถิติ อุทยำนแห่งชำติ สัตว์ป่ำ และพันธุ์พืช" [STATISTICAL DATA National Parks, Wildlife and Plant] (PDF). Department of National Parks (in Thai). 2016. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
- ^ Indigenous people and parks: The Surin Islands Project (PDF). Identifying participatory development options for the Moken of the Surin Islands. Paris: UNESCO Office of the Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific. 2001. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ISSN 1952-420X. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
- ^ .
- ^ Holtzman, Bob (2012-10-13). "The Moken Kabang". Indigenous Boats. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
- ^ Ivanoff, Jacques; Bountry, Maxime. "Moken sea-gypsies" (PDF). Lampi Marine National Park. International Scientific Network Tanaosri. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
- ^ "Build a New Moken Kabang Houseboat". Projects. North Andaman Network Foundation. 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
- ^ a b Arunotai, Narumon (July 2008). "Saved by an Old Legend and a Keen Observation: The Case of Moken Sea Nomads in Thailand". In Shaw, Rajib; Baumwoll, Jennifer (eds.). Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction: Good Practices and Lessons Learned from Experiences in the Asia-Pacific Region (PDF). Bangkok: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. pp. 72–78. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ Na Thalang, Jeerawat (2017-02-12). "Sea gypsies turning the tide". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- rais~ 6.2512 km2 (2.4136 sq mi) around Richelieu Rock.
- ^ "ทะเลไทยสมบูรณ์ พบวาฬบรูด้า! เยือนหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์" [Perfect Thai sea. Meet Bryde's whale! Visit Surin Islands]. thairat (in Thai). 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
- ^ "Important Bird Area factsheet: Mu Ko Surin". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ Noreen (2010-02-22). "13. Best Whale Shark Dive – Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Thailand". Best Dive Sites: Top 15 Dives to Experience Before You Die. Scuba. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
External links
Mu Ko Surin National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage