Than
Bokkhorani National Park
covers 37.5 rai (1 rai = 160 square meters) in
Tambon Ao Leuk Tai, one kilometer from the
Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market intersection on the
Ao Luk Sak road. The park is forested by many
different species of trees growing around the
attractive pool after which the park is named,
the Sa Bokkhorani .Species include the wild
gardenia, asoka, and Apocynaceae. The Sah Bohk
Korani flows through a winding passage in the
mountain. At the north end of the pool is a
footprint of the Buddha carved in wood near the
little temple sacred to Jao Pho To Yuan - To
Chong.
Tham
Phi Hua To or Tham Hua Kalok
This big cave is situated on a mountain
surrounded by water and mangrove forests. It is
said that the cave was once home to a ghost with
an impressively large skull, from which comes
its name – pihua toh means big-headed ghost.
The walls of the cave are decorated with
prehistoric, coloured pictures of men, animals,
and various limbs and organs. Shells in great
numbers, one on top of the other, can be found
in this cave. To visit Pi Hua Toh, board a ferry
at Bor Tor Pier.
Tham
Phra
This is the location of the Kao Phra Suhn Yah
Tah Rham Meditation Centre. It is about 2
kilometres from the district offices of Ao Luk.
Inside the cave, there is an ancient Buddhist
effigy. This has two other statues of equal size
flanking it. These were placed at a later date.
The base is surrounded with smaller wooden
figures.
Tham
Phet
This is a cave 3 kilometers from the
intersection at Ao Luk Nua market. The cave
front has Buddhist statues. The cave walls are
of a stone that reflects light with the dazzling
beauty of diamonds. It is from these walls that
the cave gets its name – Pet is Thai for
diamond. To visit the cave, procure a guide from
the Tarnbohk Korani National Park and be sure to
bring a flashlight or torch.
Tham
Lod Nua - Tham Lod Tai
These are 2 kilometers from the district offices
on the Ao Luk-Laem Sak road near the watercourse
of Klong Ta Prahng. There are two caves :
* Tham Lod Nua : This beautiful cave winds back
on itself like an elbow.
* Tham Lod Tai : is a limestone tunnel longer
and narrower than one of the same name in
Phang-nga Bay. The cave mouth has stalactites
and stalagmites and a boulder shaped like the
quarter moon lying on its side. Visit this cave
when the water is low by boarding a long tail
boat at Bor Tor Pier; the journey takes only 10
minutes.
Tham
Chao Le
It lies west of Laem Sak Cape on a beautiful bay
surrounded by limestone mountains. Inside the
cave, there are stalactites and stalagmites, as
well as prehistoric paintings of people,
animals, and geometric figures. These paintings
are thought to be more recent than those found
in Pi Hua Toh Cave. To visit the cave, take a
regularly scheduled boat from the Sapan Pla of
Fishing Pier at Laem Sak Cape; travel time is
about 15 minutes.
Song
Pi Nong Cave or Poon Nua Tai
This cave lies west of Pi Hua Cave Toh. Human
skeleton remains, pottery, earrings, and bronze
bracelets were found inside the cave.
Hua
Galok Nai Cave or Bun Mak Cave
This cave was discovered by a villager named Bun
Mak and lies one hundred meters from Pi Hua To
cave. It is a large, dark cave filled with
stalactites and stalagmites. A large number of
prehistoric pottery shards were found in layers
on the cave wall near the entrance. These have
distinctive line designs, and are thicker and
coarser than those found elsewhere.
Toh
Luang Cave
This cave, located in Ban Nop, Tambon Klong Hin,
has three levels. Each level abounds in
stalactites and stalagmites. While some resemble
Buddhist monks, others look like legendary multi
headed serpents. Jao Por Toh Luang is said to
have stayed here, after whom the cave was named.
Sua
Noi Cave
This cave is 2 kilometers from Hua Galok cave in
Ban Bor Tor and is the site of a monastery and
meditation centre. A broad outcropping in the
hill forms the front. Many old pottery remains
have been found here.
SuaNok
Cave or Thep Nimit Cave
It is here that the Nimit Monastery is located.
A tunnel that runs below the cave lets in sea
water. This makes the walls thick with shells.
Above is another larger, dark cave, and fifty
meters from it is another cave, the Orahan Cave.
This has more strangely shaped stalactites and
stalagmites than anywhere else. They shine like
lights, making the cave look more
out-of-the-world.
Klong
Chai Kao
This is like Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi. A long
tail boat can be taken through the cave to the
other side in about five minutes.
Garos
Island
It is off the eastern tip of Laem Sak. Ancient
paintings of men and animals are on the cliff
walls facing Hin Bai Bay.
Talu
Island
A 45 metre high hill stands at the centre of
this island. The hill is perforated by a 30
meter hole, and thus its name – Talu means to
pass through. The island is noted for the
presence of swifts in large numbers that make
the precious swallow bird's nests. These nests
are used in the Chinese delicacy, Bird's Nest
Soup.
Daeng
Island
This island has a fine sandy beach that is 25
meters long, and a passage through the cliff 70
meters wide and 20 meters high.
Mu
Ko Hong
( Hong Island )
It comprises a number of large and small
limestone islands. The largest of these is the
Ko Hong, also known as the Lao Billeh Island.
These rugged islands are shaped like half
circles, forming bays with both shallow and deep
water. Makes perfect conditions for diving and
fishing. The best known islands besides Hong
Island are : Lakkah or Sakkah; Lao Riem; Pakka;
and Lao Lahding Island. Boats leave for the Hong
Islands from Ao Nang Beach; the trip takes about
one hour
|