Haad Chao Mai National ParkGeneral Information
Haad Chao Mai National Park covers an area of Sikao District and Kantang District in the Andaman Sea. Consists of mangrove forest, seagrass, islands with white sandy beach long about 20 km and sea pine naturally beautiful.Haad Chao Mai National Park with an area of approximately 230.87 square kilometers or 144,292.35 rais.
Topography
Haad Chao Mai National Park,located in Sikao District and Kantang District,Trang Province.
Territory : North contact with Khao Jongjan(Jongjan Mountain) Kantang District,Klong Meng(Meng Canal) and Klong Lamyao(Lamyao Canal) Maifad Sub-district,Sikao District,Trang Province.
South contact with the Andaman Sea, Koh Libong and Kantang Estuary.
East contact with Khuan Din Daeng,Khuan Medjoon,Khuan Lu and Khuan Daeng.
West contact with the Andaman Sea, Koh Ngai, Koh Ma of Lanta National Park.Haad Chao Mai National Park is divided into two parts include;
Coastal areas of the island Including Koh Mook,Koh Kradan,Koh Whaen,Koh Chuak,Koh
Meng,Koh Pling And Koh Chao Mai.This coastal area include limestone escarpment. East side of the North has Jongjan Mountains,Khuan Medjoon Moutains,Khuan Daeng Mountains which is the source of the streams are combined into Klong Bang Sak(Bang Sak canal). Flows into Trang River.The sea covers an area of approximately 137.22 square kilometers.As the deep sea with an average depth of 20 meters.
Climate
Chao Mai National Park is situated in a tropical climate, alternating moisture. Influenced by the southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon from both sides. Thus making rains throughout the year, resulting in the two seasons, summer and rainy season. The summer starts from January to April, the rainy season runs from May – December,hot tropical weather to moist. Annual average temperature is about 27 degrees celsius, more than 2,100 mm of rainfall per year.
Vegetation and wildlife
Plant communities found in Haad Chao Mai National Park can be divided into ;
Rainforest covers an area of coastal in mountainous regions , hot spring, eastern of the beach is the most common.Also on Koh Mook. Plants found consists;Dipterocarpus chartaceus(Yangwaad),Hopea ferrea Heim(Takianhin),Hopea odorata(Takianthong),Fagraea fragrans(Tam Sao,Anan, Tembusu, Common Tembusu),Intsia bakeri Prain(Hlumpoa),Nephelium hypoleucum(Korlan),etc.Ground flora as rattan and vines.
Limestone mountain forests found the west side of Koh Mook,Koh Chuak,Koh Whaen, Koh Pling,Khao Baena,Khao Yong Ling,Khao Meng and Khao Chao Mai.Consists endemic vegetation such as Dracaena lourieri(Junpha),Phoenix apiculata(Peng),Triangular Spurge(Sluddai),Morinda coreia Buch.Ham(Yawpa),Teaykhao,Cycas pestinate Buch.-Ham.(Prongkhao),Different types of orchids and Colocasia esculenta(Elephant ear,Bon) etc..
Forest Beach is a narrow strip along the beach and rocks at sea not reach flooded.Important vegetation such as Terminalia catappa(Sea almond, Beach almond,Tropical Almond, Bengal almond, Indian almond),Casuarina equisetifolia(Common Ironwood, She Oak, Beefwood, Queensland Swamp Oak),Calophyllum inophyllum(Alexandrian laurel, Beautiful - leaf, Bornero mahogany, Indian laurel,Krathing),Antidesma velutinosum Blume(Mao).Flat area of the beach is sparse forest composed of stunted trees. Important vegetation include Cotylelobium melanoxylon Pierre(Resak tembage,Khiem),Peltophorum pterocarpum(Copperpod, Golden Flamboyant, Yellow Flamboyant, Yellow Flame Tree, Yellow Poinciana, Radhachura),Syzygium gratum (Wight) S.N. Mitra var. gratum(Sameddeang),Morinda coreia Buch.Ham(Yawpa),Catunaregam spathulifolia Tirveng(Hnamtang),Gmelina philippensis(Wild sage,Chongmaew) and various grasses.
Mangrove forest found in the area next to the beach and back into the area behind the National Park throughout the streak from Pakmeng Beach to Chaomai Beach. And distribution in the Gulf of Mook island(Koh Mook).The major plants include Rhizophoraapiculata(Mangrove trees,small leaves),Rhizophoramucronata(Mangrove trees,big leaves),Ceriops tagal(Prong),Xylocarpus granatum(Taboon),Xylocarpus rumphii(Tabun),Excoecaria agallocha(Tatoom Thale),Phoenix paludosa(Peng Thale),Acanthus ebracteatus(Sea Holly),Nypa fruticans Wurmb(Mangrove Palm),Flagellaria indica(Wai Ling) and etc.
Society of water plants, including seagrass and seaweed. Which Chao Mai National Park covers a large area of sea grass fields about 3,975 rais between Leam Yong Ling (Yong Ling Cape)and Koh Muk. The survey found the eight types of seagrass include Thalassia hampriehii,Enhalus acoroides,Cymodocea rotundata,Cymodocea serrulata,Halodule uninervis,Syringodium isoetifolium,Halodule pinifolia and Halophila ovalis.
Animals found in Haad Chao Mai National Park is divided;
Mammals Total found 51 species,including Dugong(Sea Cow),Serow,Banded Langur,Dusky langur(Dusky leaf monkey,Spectacled langur),Barking deer(Muntjac),Lesser mouse-deer(Chevrotain),Asian golden cat(Temminck's cat),Leopard cat(bengal cat),Oriental small-clawed otter(Asian small-clawed otter),Large-spotted Civet,Burmese Stripe Squirrel,Yellow rajah rat(Red spiny rat) and various bats, etc..
Birds Total found 137 species,including Black-necked stork,Lessor adjutant stork,Chinese Egret(Egretta eulophotes),Nordmann’s Greenshank, Chinese Crested Tern,Great Hornbill(Great Indian Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill),Pitta and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo etc..
Reptiles Found 29 species, including Yellow-headed Temple Turtle,fox gecko(Indo-Pacific gecko, Garnot's house gecko),Kuhl's flying gecko,Oriental garden lizard(Eastern garden lizard, Changeable lizard),Butterfly lizard(Small-scaled lizard, Ground lizard,Sand lizard), Water Monitor, Bowring's Supple Skink,Reticulated python,Bocourt's Water Snake and Mangrove Viper(Shore Pit Viper,Mangrove Pit Viper), etc..
Amphibians Found 9 species,including Barking Toad(Giant jungle toad, Asian giant toad),Dwarf Toad,Dark Sided Frog,Common Bush Frog,Painted Bullfrog(Painted Burrowing Frog,Asian painted frog, Chubby frog, Banded bull frog, Rice frog, Bubble frog) and etc..
Aquatic animals Haad Chao Mai National Park is ecologically important seagrass and mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs. Is a source of habitat,food, refuge and nursery for variety of larval aquatic animals.Such as Salt March Crab,Blue swimming Crab(Lower Crab, Blue Crab,Blue Manna Crab,SandCrab),Oyster,Leather donex,Wing Shell(Dog Conch),Brown Spotted Grouper(Esstaury Grouper),Butterflyfish and Dolphin,etc..
