Wild,
mostly uninhabited and pristine, the Tarutao National Park consists
of 51 islands containing wildlife sanctuaries where dusky langurs,
crab-eating macaques, flying lemurs, fishing cats, monitor lizards,
pythons, cobras and coral snakes, live in undisturbed comfort
with around 100 different bird species and a few human residents.
Diving is superb and the Adang-Rawi group of islands in the western
corner of the national marine park area, has a diverse coral reef
with an estimated 25% of the world's fish species, including sharks,
rays, and marine mammals like dugongs and dolphins.
There are very few facilities, no entertainment, and food is local.
Accommodation - simple bungalows or rustic bamboo longhouses with
outside shared bathroom, is basic. Bring your own tent or hire
one from the Park Office at a nominal charge. Visitors must contact
the national park office at Phante Malacca Bay on Tarutao and
ask for permission to stay. Facilities include a restaurant, a
small shop and exhibition centre.
Tarutao, as demonstrated in the TV series "Survivor"
is not for the faint hearted, but dense mangroves, rainforest
and limestone cliffs offer the adventure-oriented, and outdoors
enthusiast one of the few places to experience "nature in
the raw."
Mainstream tourist facilities don't exist, but kayaking are becoming
an ecologically friendly way to explore the islands and the mangroves.
Operators in Phuket offer eco-tours from 4 - 8 days ranging from
Hardcore Survivor type - eating edible plants, to more gentle
programmes which include snorkelling and bird watching.
Best time to visit
November to April when the sea is calm as the islands get buffeted
by heavy winds and rains during the monsoon season - May through
October.
For reservation of accommodation on Tarutao Island, please contact
the Royal Forestry Department of the National Park Division at
Tel ++ 662-5790529, ++ 662-5794842 or ++ 662-5795269.
Getting There
Tarutao is part of a marine national park close to the border
between Thailand and Malaysia in Satun province. You can drive
to the port of Pakbara port in Satun Province on the mainland
then take a boat. Two boats leave from Pakbara daily at 10:30
and 14:00. returning from Pante Bay in Tarutao at 09:00 and 14:00.
Alternatively take a kayaking/bird watching tour which includes
accommodation and transfers.
Hat
Yai is a bustling, car-filled city close to the Malaysian border.
It's not a place where many westerners stay, but it's hugely popular
with holiday-makers from Malaysia and Singapore, who come for
the shopping, entertainment, markets and food. The city has lots
of accommodation located in the centre of town, within easy walking
distance of shopping facilities. Leather goods, Asian food
items, fruit, watches, clothes, Thai music and souvenirs. The
stall holders set up at around 10am and don't clear away until
after dark. Some of the more unusual Chinese dishes including
traditional Chinese "cures" and " restoratives"
can also be found here. Songkla, a sleepy fishing town with a
pleasant promenade, is close by.
Located
close to Had Yai this sleepy Gulf town has a thriving fishing
community, few western tourists and a small expatriate community
attached to the offshore oil industry. Samila beach has some great
seafood restaurants. There's also a replica of the Copenhagen
landmark - "The Little Mermaid" statue on the seashore.