Ko Tao

Ko Tao (also often Koh Tao, Thai: เกาะเต่า, lit. "Turtle Island") is an island in Thailand located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district (Amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 it's official population number in 1382^[1]. The main settlement is Ban Mae Hat.The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered around tourism, especially scuba diving.Ko Tao was named by its first settlers for the island's turtle-like geographic shape. Coincidentally, the island is an important breeding ground for Hawksbill turtles and Green turtles. Development of tourism has negatively impacted the health of these grounds but a breeding program organised in 2004 by the Royal Thai Navy and KT-DOC, a coalition of local scuba diving centres has reintroduced hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's ecosystem.

The island is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling, and also offers some hiking. The most popular place for tourists is Sairee on the West coast, which has a white sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants. A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle both in the forests and on the beaches of Koh Tao, attract a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy the adventurous aspect of there sport. There is a web site for climbers: www.zengecko.com
Ko Tao is less developed than Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, but has become increasingly popular especially with the mid-20's backpacker crowd in search of relatively inexpensive scuba diving certification.
As of December 2005, Ko Tao had about 150 resorts offering accommodation and approximately 50 bars/clubs. Most of the resorts are still bungalow-style, not hotel/resort style. As of 2007 there is a trend to more upmarket resorts which do not concentrate singularly on diving. Free WIFI is provided in increasing numbers and even the first sailing charter company on Ko Tao has opened.
Diving conditions have deteriorated tremendously over time because of large crowds of divers and the uncontrolled environmental development of the island.
Koh Tao is increasingly becoming a mecca for game fishermen on a budget. Species targeted include marlin, sailfish, king mackerel, cobia, baracuda, trevally and snapper.
Koh Tao is also turning its hand to the environmental side of the equation. With a large number of dive schools and an ever increasing number of tourist traffic a few local operators are looking to change the environmental consciousness of locals and travellers alike.

Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai

Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai (Thai: หาดขนอม-หมู่เกาะทะเลใต้) is a National Park in process of establishment. It is located 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 mentions the two major parts of the park - Hat Khanom refers to the beaches of Khanom district, and the Thale Tai archipelago consists of 8 islands in the Gulf of Thailand between Khanom and Samui island. Further areas belonging to the park are forested hills, and mangrove forests along some of the creeks.

Koh PhaNgan

Ko Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan, Thai: เกาะพะงัน) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.

• Area: about 168 km²
• Estimated perimeter: 50 km EST. (10hrs average walking time)
• Province: Surat Thani
• From mainland: about 55 km
• From Koh Samui: about 15 km
• From Ko Tao: about 35 km
• Population: 11,846 (2004)
• Main town: Thong Sala

Attractions

As a natural paradise island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Ko Pha Ngan serves as the perfect getaway retreat, where one may go relaxing on quiet deserted beaches, snorkeling and learning to dive at the distinctive island of Ko Ma, trekking in the footsteps of Thai Royalty at Than Sadet steeped in history and culture, or seeking adventure in the nearby Ang Thong archipelago composed of over 40 islands endowed with pristine beaches, natural caves and the tranquil Tha Laem Nai. Ko Pha Ngan has over 250 resorts to choose from, ranging from the budget 80 baht a night beach hut without private toilet to luxury air-conditioned accommodation with private swimming pool.
It's the simple beach life which continues to attract visitors each year along with the island's reputation for full moon parties and a hedonistic approach to life. The backpackers, budget tourists and aging hippies are beginning to give way to families and more mainstream tourists but the beaches are still beautiful and undeveloped. The full moon party scene still runs with a cast of thousands in high season - all on the beach. Hedonists everywhere still flock to the world's biggest beach party every month. The music from the multiple sound systems is mostly ear-splittingly loud trance and house, and a predominantly youthful crowd dance 'til dawn on party nights. This may not be to everyone's taste, certainly, but it's definitely a unique cultural experience. Other events such as the Half Moon Party and Black Moon Party also attract large crowds. However, it is still possible to visit the island and avoid the full moon party altogether, with dozens of quiet, secluded resorts and beach huts dotted all over the island for a variety of prices. Many of the more costly

resorts offer such facilities as daily yoga, yoga teachers' training, meditation, a variety of healing, healthy & natural therapies, spa massage & pampering services and herbal steam rooms.
Other activities available on the island include scuba diving with a number of companies offering very reasonably priced training courses and excursions, snorkelling, especially off the Mae Haad sandbar in the north west, wakeboarding, archery, fishing, walks in the national park or simply relaxing in the company of other farangs or the friendly locals.

Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan (Thai: ธารเสด็จ-เกาะพะงัน) is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 65.93 km² mostly on the island Pha Ngan. The park was established on December 31 1983 covering an area of 39.12 km², and enlarged to its present size on February 10 1999.
The park is named after the river Than Sadet (lit. Royal River). The river forms the largest waterfall on the island, which was visited by several Thai kings. Especially Rama V liked the placed and visited 14 times. Not far from the waterfall the river empties into the sea at Than Sadet Bay, with its sandy beach another popular place within the park.
Khao Ra is both the highest elevation of the park as well as of the whole island Pha Ngan, peaking at 727 above sealevel.

Additionally to the forest on Pha Ngan itself the park also includes several small and tiny islands north of Pha Ngan, like the Wao and Hin Bai archipelago.