Ang Thong Marine National Park
Ang Thong Marine National Park, so designated in 1980, was the second of Thailand's National Marine Parks; the first, Koh Tarutao, had been established in 1974. The Marine Park lies some 30 kilometers northwest of Koh Samui, and covers an area of 102 square kilometers. It comprises an archipelago of over 41 forest-covered, eroded-limestone formations, ranging in size from small rocky outcrops to towering islets.
Above water the Ang Thong Park is in a relatively healthy condition. A contributory reason for this is that the Royal Thai Navy was once responsible for the area's upkeep. Indeed, it still has rights to return and make use of it for military operations.
The flora of the larger islands can be divided into two categories. The lower elevations are covered with lush semi-everygreen deciduous trees while the higher levels feature hardier scrub forests.
Diving in the Ang Thong National Marine Park
Coral growth is restricted by high sedimentation, most of it caused by the Tapi Phumduang River. However, the strong porite species of corals have survived and continue to flourish, but the weaker branch corals are severely restricted.
The Marine National Park designation has undoubtedly reduced the rate of further deterioration of the underwater environment, but there is no escaping the fact that the Park has been over-fished. The corals show some evidence of dynamite fishing and bottom trawling and large anchors of cruise ships have caused some additional damage, even though at first sight this does not seem to be directly to the corals. The huge anchors of these vessels are embedded in the sand and other loose particles so that when they are hauled up, the flowing waters distribute the particles over a wide area, up to a kilometer away.
The best diving in Ang Thong Park is around the northern of Koh Wao Yai and Hin Nippon, where the corals flourish more abundantly, as they are less affected by freshwater runoff. The best time to visit Ang Thong Park for scuba diving is between February and May.
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