Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park

Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Muaeng National Park, formerly known as "Lampi Waterfall" and "Lampi Forest Park" was assigned to be managed and controlled by the National Park Division of The Royal Forest Department on April 14, 1986. It is the 52nd national park of Thailand and covers an area of 72 square kilometers or 45,000 rais. Geography Lampi Mountain -Thai Mueang Beach National Park is on the eastern Andaman coast of Thailand. It consists of first, the Thai Mueang beach and second, the Lampi mountain range. To the west, the Thai Mueang beach ends at the Kham Bay Peninsula (Na Yak or ‘Giant Face’ mountain), and to the east there is a brackish water canal which feeds from the Lampi mountain range, covered by a fertile tropical rainforest. The Lampi range is comprised of several mountains with heights ranging between 40-100 meters above sea level. The highest mountain is Kanim mountain, located on the northern part of the park with a height of 622 meters above sea level. Climate The park’s climate is defined by the southwestern monsoon wind which is strong between May and October. This wind brings moisture from the Indian Ocean and frequent rain during the green season. The park is not affected by the northeastern monsoon wind because the mountain range acts as a protective barrier reducing the wind speed. However, in November, the strong currents of the northeastern monsoon wind occasionally bring about unseasonable rain. From December until April the park experiences a dry season with few clouds, little rain, and higher temperatures. The best time to visit the park is between December and April.
Ecosystems 1.Sandy beach: The main element of the sandy beach ecosystem is the shoal area which serves as the primary habitat for several small marine animals, such as sea slugs and sand worms. These animals are essential to the ecosystem serving as a primary food source in the local food chain as well as to migratory birds, which flock to the area during the migration season (December to April). Cover plants critical to the area include Goat’s foot creeper, Aeluropus lagopoides; some of the bush plants include Scaevola taccada and Pandanus. 2.Mangrove forest: The mangrove forests can be found along the brackish canals feeding the Andaman Sea. These forests connect many different ecosystems, providing a high production of biomass and supporting an abundance of life forms. These forests act as a barrier between the open sea and the inland, exhibiting this protective role during the 2004 tsunami by dissipating wave energy. Furthermore, they filter water that comes from higher ground, providing a safe nursery for sea life and preventing significant amounts of silt and nutrients from making it to the open sea. This protects both the sea from algae blooms and the coral reefs from silt damage. Several plant species include Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Parviflora, and Bruguiera cylindrica. 3.Beach forest: The beach forest ecosystem develops from the sandy beach eastwards, from the park headquarters to Na Yak Mountain. The forest thrives on the sea shore in the non-salty soil behind the high tide line and on sea-side hills that have slightly salty soil due to sea spray. Most plants growing in this area are salt-tolerant and shaped by the force of the wind. The forest helps reduce the amount of salty spray reaching the inland. The variety and composition of species and habitats occupying this ecosystem is unique. Many plants grow here, examples of which are: Cassuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia catappa, Derris indica, and Barringtonia. 4.Swamp forest: Behind Thai Mueang beach, swamp forests extend inland along the old sand dunes at the coastline. Thai Mueang is one of the few places along the Andaman coast with this type of ecosystem. The specific physical features and chemical substances in the swamp have forced the indigenous flora and fauna to make interesting adaptations in order to survive, giving rise to several rare and unique species. 5.Coral Reef: The extensive coral reef system off the coast of Thai Mueang beach is a newly discovered natural resource. The reef lies 400 – 700 meters from the shore in 6 – 10 meters of water. There are two distinct sections, the first measuring 1.7 square kilometers, and the second 1 square kilometer. The vast reef supports a diverse selection of over 100 types of coral, including species that have never been discovered elsewhere in Thailand Some of the more prevalent species of coral found in the area are Acropora and Porites. 6.Tropical rainforest: This rainforest is found in the mountainous areas of the park, where the waterfalls are located. It houses a diversity of flora and fauna and has created a number of economic opportunities for the people of the area, contributing to their sustainable ways of life. Several plant varieties include Dipterocarpus, Anisoptera costata, Hopea odorata, Bullet wood, Rattan, and Bamboo.
Geographical Features
Lam Pee Mountain -Tai Muang Beach National Park is the eastern area of Andaman coast, consisting of two parts, the first part is Tai Muang beach and the second is Lam Pee mountain. The Tai Muang is located on the coast of Andaman sea, the end of beach is the Kham Bay Peninsula (Giant Face mountain) , the eastern part of this area has a big brackish water canal getting fresh water from Lam Pee mountain which still has the fertile primary rainforest. Lam Pee comprises of a lot of mountains which laid from north to south with getting higher about 40-100 meters above the average sea level. The highest mountain is Kanim mountain, located in the northern part area with height of 622 meters from the average sea level.
Weather Condition
It has got an influence from the southwestern monsoon wind which has a strong wind during May and October. This wind brings some moisture from Indian ocean which induces to have frequently raining. This area does not affect from the northeastern monsoon wind because the mountain laid in the north-south direction is the barrier and redues the wind speed. However, in November, the strong wind of northeastern monsoon wind could induce to have raining here. While during December and April is the dry season with has a little bit cloud, rain and higher temperature. Thus, the suitable duration of travel is December-April.
Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals
From study of Lam Pee Mountain -Tai Muang Beach National Park found that society of plants could be classify into 4 groups as follows : Primary rainforest could be found in the steeply high mountains such as Kanim mountain, Lam Pee mountain and some eastern part of Tai Muang beach. The forest on the Lam Pee mountains is very fertile and can find many kinds of plant such as Dipterocarpus, Anisoptera costata Korth, Hopea odorata Roxb., Bullet Wood while the low level plants consist of Rattan and Bamboo. Mangrove forest could be found in the mud area and mounth of a big river, here you can find it in the coconut field mud beach and Hin Lad canal along the eastern part of Tai Muang beach which has some mud creek that suitable for growing of mangrove woods. Kinds of plant that you could find here are Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, B. parviflora ,Bruguiera cylindrica, etc. Beach forest could be found as the tall forest along the Tai Muang beach. The found plants are Cassuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia catappa, Derris indica, and Barringtonia, etc. Swamp forest of Phru forest is the plant society that found in the year-round contained water area. You can find it at the center area of Tai Muang beach which has a white sand soil. The outstanding plant society here is a pure samed forest. Wild Animals Could be classified as follows : Birds has been found totally 188 types such as Black-thighed Falconet, Oriental Honey-Buzzard, etc. Mammal animals could be found totally 64 types including 2 types of conserved animals, namely Malayan Tapir and Serow while the others are Hylobates lar, Malayan sun bear etc. Retiles, totally found 57 types including 26 types of conserved animals and 31 types that not under conservation. There are 2 types which are severely going to be gone; Leather-backed turtle, Leathery turtle and Lepidochelys olivacea and the other two types which also would be gone; Green Turtle and Siamese Hawksbill Turtle while 4 types of reptiles; Giant Asiatic Tortoise, Spiny Terrapin, Python curtus and Malayan pit viper or Siamese pit viper, Wirot's pit viper at present, have tendly to be gone. Amphibians, from survey found totally 16 types consisting of 2 types which under the official conservation while the other 14 types are not under conservation such as frog etc. Fresh water fishes was found 31 types. Only one types, namely Nile tilapia have trend to be gone. Nile tilapia is the only non-local fresh water fish which could be found in the natural water sources here. The rare fishes are Mystus wykii and saltwater eel while others fishes are Nieuhof's walking catfish and Blue panchax, etc.

Location and Journey

Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park Mu 5, Thai Muang Sub-district,, Thai Muang, Phangnga, Thailand 82120 Tel. : 08 4059 7879, 0 7641 7206 Fax : 0 7641 7206 Head's name : Wattana Pornprasert Position : Forestry Technical Officer, Professional Level

By Car

Follow road 4 past Thai Mueang town and take the last right turn (from which you can see the ocean). This road will lead you to the park entrance.

By Airplane

Since the park is only 63 km. from Phuket, it is easiest to fly into Phuket and then rent a car or get a taxi up road 4 until Thai Mueang town and national park. From the airport, it is 57 km. to Thai Mueang’s central market and then 6 km. to park headquarters.

By Bus

From Bangkok you can either take the Bangkok-Phang Nga line, and then a bus from Phang Nga town to Thai Mueang, or the direct bus from Bangkok to Thai Mueang.

Accommodations

Booking accommodation at the park can be arranged either by telephone (at +66 2562 0760) or by money transfer. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Payment to the Krung Thai Bank must be made up to 2 days after the reservation is made. Visitors who book from outside of Thailand must transfer the accommodation fee amount (excluding the bank service charge) to Krung Thai Bank, Thailand, account number 039-6-02816-0. After making a reservation, you must e-mail The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation at np_income@dnp.go.th with the following information: 1) booking code, 2) name of the person who made the booking (as shown in the booking information), and 3) name of national park where you will be staying.

Status = Online Reservation

Zone	Service Name	Bed rooms	Bath rooms	Guests/ Unit	Price/ Night	Facilities	Reserve
Zone 1	1. Thai Mueang 102/1 (Jik Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, fan, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	2. Thai Mueang 102/2 (Jik Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	3. Thai Mueang 102/3 (Jik Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	4. Thai Mueang 102/4 (Jik Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	5. Thai Mueang 104/1 (Son Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	6. Thai Mueang 104/2 (Son Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	7. Thai Mueang 104/3 (Son Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , towel, glass, drinking water,
Zone 1	8. Thai Mueang 104/4 (Son Thale)	1	1	2	1,000	mattress (3.5 feet bed), air condition, television, refrigerator, water heater, dining table, vanity table, vacuum bottle , glass, drinking water,

Note : Extra visitors will be charged as follows: bungalow or terrace house 100 baht /person/night, dormitory 50 baht/person/night. Bedding will not be provided.

Zone	Zone Name	Zone Detail
Zone 1	Thai Mueang 101-102/1-4	Bungalow, Terrace house, Headquarters area, Thai Mueang Beach
Zone 1	Thai Mueang 103-104/1-4	Bungalow, Terrace house, Headquarters area, Thai Mueang Beach

Online Reservation's Calendar Click here Online Reservation Click here

Meeting Room

Status = Online Reservation , = Contact National Park for Reservation

Zone	Service Name	Guests/ Unit	Price (baht)	Facility	Reserve
Zone 1	1. Khao Lampi 011 - Meeting Room (09.00 - 12.00 am)	30	300	meeting room (fan) less than 30 people, amphifier, microphone, chair
Zone 1	2. Khao Lampi 011 - Meeting Room (18.00 - 21.00 pm)	30	300	meeting room (fan) less than 30 people, amphifier, microphone, chair
Zone 1	3. Khao Lampi 011 - Meeting Room (13.00 - 16.00 pm)	30	300	meeting room (fan) less than 30 people, amphifier, microphone, chair

Zone	Zone Name	Zone Detail
Zone 1	Khao Lampi 011 - Meeting Room	Meeting Room, Headquarters area

Historical

Mining Machine A testament to Khao Lak’s industrial past, the remains of the tin mine illustrate the region’s prosperity. This location houses Thailand’s first concrete tin dredge. During the mining era which ended in 1977, there was an influx on Burmese and Chinese workers in the area, leading to the development of the Chinese quarter in Thai Mueang town.

Activities : Historical Sight Seeing

Beautiful Nature

Lampi Waterfall The inland section of the park offers you the chance to see the Lampi waterfall, surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest. The waterfall is a local attraction and has a natural pool suitable for swimming at its base. Its overall height reaches 40 m. The path to the waterfall is well paved and easily accessible right off of the parking lot. There is also a 1 km. nature trail which follows along waterfall to its peak. Meals, drinks, and souvenirs can be purchased at several small stalls near the waterfall. Located 14 km from the park headquarters, to get there turn left at the junction into Thai Mueang and continue for about 10 km. until you see a blue sign for the waterfall. Turn right at the sign and continue up the track for about 2 km.

Activities : Waterfall Traveling flowers admiring

Na Yak Mountain This area accessible by truck or ATV offers breathtaking views of the beach and the savannah. It is located 6 km. from the park headquarters and has swimming and snorkeling areas.

Activities : Nature trail study Activities on Beach View Camping

Thai Mueang Beach One of the few five star rated beaches in Thailand, Thai Mueang beach is a fantastic place to spend the day. Spanning, 10 km. the beach provides ample opportunities for swimming and sunbathing in seclusion. A recently discovered coral reef 700 m. off the coast provides unparalleled scuba diving and snorkeling. Thai Mueang Beach is a protected nesting site for two species of sea turtles, the Leatherback and the Olive Ridley. The females come ashore to lay their eggs between November and April. Unfortunately the number of sea turtles falls every year and fewer are coming to nest during the nesting season. During the nesting season, park rangers patrol the beach and relocate the eggs from the nests to a nursery (on the beach by the sentry box). This practice is necessary to protect the eggs, as poaching is still prevalent in the area. The eggs incubate for about 60 days after which the hatchlings are released into the sea. Please do not go out looking for turtles on your own. You are welcome to join a patrol; ask a ranger at the office. If you are interested in learning more about sea turtles, there is more information available at the visitor center. Sea turtles are protected worldwide because they are crucial to the marine eco-system. Thai law forbids taking stuffed turtles or shells into other countries. You can help protect the turtles by not eating turtle eggs or buying souvenirs made from turtle shells. Right outside the park and along the beach there are many seafood restaurants and a sea conservatory that raises sea turtles and fish (free admission, donations recommended).

Activities : Activities on Beach Biking Trail View Camping

Ton Phri Waterfall With a height of 40 m., this waterfall offers an impressive and refreshing experience. The waterfall is located at the end of a 650 m. trail through a fertile jungle, which is well paved and easily manageable. The pool at the base of the waterfall is suitable for swimming and many visitors snorkel to see fresh water fish. The waterfall is less visited than Lampi and looks pristine and untouched. There is a proposed three hour trail that will connect Lampi and Ton Phri waterfalls. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2010.

Activities : Waterfall Traveling flowers admiring

Nature Education

Pang Nature Trail Five km. north of the park headquarters, around the tin mining area and ranger station, there is a series of nature trails with informative signs describing the park’s indigenous flora. Perfect for bird watching, these two trails pass through 3 different ecosystems: beach forest, swamp forest, and mangrove forest. Both trails start and end on the road by the Ranger Station, and follow a half circle loop. The first is 1 km., and the second 500 m. Crossing the bridge on the first trail leads to the mangroves and the river where you can go out on the canoes in the mangrove forest.

Activities : Nature trail study Canoeing-Kayaking flowers admiring View

Ton Phri Nature Trail The 650 m. trail that takes you to the Ton Phri waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation and smaller waterfalls. All of the longer upward and downward hikes are paved making the trail manageable even when wet.

Activities : Nature trail study flowers admiring

Facilities

Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park Mu 5, Thai Muang Sub-district, Amphur Thai Muang Phangnga Thailand 82120 Tel. 08 4059 7879, 0 7641 7206 Fax 0 7641 7206 E-mail lampi_np@hotmail.com