Mu Ko Ang Thong is a marine national park in the Gulf of Thailand in Surat Thani Province. It covers 42 islands in a total area of 63,750 rai ~ , of which about are land and the rest is water. The park was established on 12 November 1980. The northern tip of Ko Phaluai is also part of the marine park. There is a ranger station, bungalows, a shop, and a restaurant at Ao Phi Beach on Ko Wua Talap.

The name "Ang Thong" (Thai: อ่างทอง) means 'bowl of gold'. "Mu Ko" (หมู่เกาะ) simply means 'group of islands'.

Since 2002 the park has been registered as Ramsar site number 1184.The park comprises an archipelago of 42 islands, covering a total area of approximately 102 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand, east of Ko Samui.

The name “Ang Thong,” meaning “golden basin,” is the correct spelling, although it is sometimes incorrectly written as “Angthong.”

The park gained wider international recognition following the popularity of The Beach, a novel by Alex Garland, and its film adaptation. The film contributed to increased interest in Thailand’s island destinations among international tourists.

Topography

Mu Ko Ang Thong is a national park located in shallow water near the shore. The average water depth is about .

Geography and Climate

The islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park occupy approximately 18 square kilometres of the total park area. Major islands include Ko Phaluai, Ko Wua Ta Lap, Ko Mae Ko, Ko Sam Sao, Ko Hin Dap, Ko Nai Phut, and Ko Phai Luak.

Most islands are uninhabited, with the exception of small communities on Ko Wua Ta Lap and Ko Phaluai. The park headquarters and basic visitor facilities are located on Ko Wua Ta Lap.

Islands

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!style="background: #CCC;"| Nr!! style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable"|Island !!style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable"| Capital !!style="background: #CCC;" class="unsortable"| Other Cities !!style="background: #CCC;"| Area (km²) !!style="background: #CCC;"| Population

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|1 ||Ko Chueak|| Ko Chueak|| ||align="right"|1.62 ||align="right"| 0

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|2 ||Ko Nok Taphao|| Ko Nok Taphao|| Ao Kruat, Ao Pla, Ao Uttra, ||align="right"|3.32 ||align="right"| 200

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|3 ||Ko Phaluai|| Ban Ao Sam|| Ban Ao Song, Ban Ao Nueng, Ao nathap, Ao Luek||align="right"|19.1 ||align="right"|500

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|4 ||Ko Raet|| Ko Raet|| ||align="right"|0.07 ||align="right"|50

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|5 ||Ko Samsao|| Ko Samsao|| ||align="right"|0.85 ||align="right"| 0

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|6 ||Ko Wua Chio|| Ko Wua Chio || ||align="right"|0.26 ||align="right"|2

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|7 ||Ko Wua Talap|| Ang Thong Station|| Ao Phi ||align="right"|6.06 ||align="right"| 10

|-style="background:#FFF;"

|8 ||More Islands|||| ||align="right"|10 ||align="right"|0

|-style="background:#F2E0CE;" | class="sortbottom"

|Total: || Mu Ko Ang Thong||Ban Ao Sam|| Ko Nok Taphao ||align="right"|40||align="right"|692

|}

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park has gained international attention through its association with The Beach, a novel by Alex Garland, and its film adaptation.

  • List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand

References

  • Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park Tours