Muko Chumphon National Park, Surat Thani

Owing to the richness of various natural resources, abundant coral reefs, and spectacular nature at the beach and the island, in 1989, the Royal Forest Department managed the survey as a preparation for announcing “Sai Ri National Park” a national park. On February 24, 1999, it was announced as a national park and was renamed “MuKo Chumphon National Park.” It covers 317 square kilometers, 165,969 Rai of which are water. MuKo Chumphon National Park has various types of natural resources which are still abundant. It is important as the place where the heredity of living things are kept and as the source of knowledge for study and research. Mangrove forest, which is still abundant, covers around 17,375 Rai. They are found in Khlong Chumphon, Khlong Sawee, and Khlong Sawee Thao. Tropical Rain Forest is found only on the mountain and on large island, such as Ko Samet, Ko Mattra, Ko Kula, etc. The specie of plant that is found here is Dipterocarpaceae like Kiam (Cotylelobium Lanceolatum), Iron Wood (Hopea Odorata), Mesawa (Anisoptera Costata), and Khai Kheo(Parashorea Stellata). Beach Forest has many species of the plant which mostly are small, bushy, bent trunk, short spreading branches, and thick hard leaves with thorns. These species include Fish Poison Tree (Barringtonia Asiatica), Samet (Melaleuca Cajuputi), Krathing (Calophyllum Inophyllum), Jambolan plum (Syzygium Cumini), and Manao Phee (Atalantia Monophylla). Source of seagrasses is a form of marine plant community found along the peaceful coast side. At present, the only plant found is Halophila Beccarii. Since the areas in Mu Ko Chumphon National Park have different landscapes, including mangrove forest, mountain, island, cave, beach, and sea, there are many types of animals in each of the important areas. For example, seabirds, like egrets, gulls, ibises, and swifts; reptiles, like monitor lizards, water monitors, snakes, pythons, hawksbill sea turtles, green sea turtles, and sea snakes; mammals, like crab-eat