 Ton
Sai Waterfall
A small falls, over which pours a great volume of water during
the rainy season. The trees, watercourses, and pools nearby provide
one of Phuket's loveliest scenes. The park headquarters and a small
restaurant with an excellent view are also at Ton Sai. Located
near Thalang Town, 22 km. from Phuket Town.
 Sirinat
National Park
Located near Phuket International Airport, the national park covers
an area of 90 square kilometers. The park stretches all the way
to the island's northern tip. There are a number of interesting
places to visit :
Nai Yang Beach,
Nai Ton Beach,
Mai Khao Beach,
Sai Kaew Beach,
Mangrove Forest.
 Khao
Phra Taeo Wildlife Park
22.28 square kilometers of virgin forest are coverd
by this park, which also actively conserves a number of wild animals;
they would
otherwise be extinct in fast-growing Phuket. It is a center for
study of the environment and the forest vegetation is spectacular.
Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with creepers
and climbers of every description. One species of palm, the Governor's
Palm or White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially
rare. Langurs, barking deer, mouse
deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and many species
of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Taeo also serves as one
of Phuket's most important water sources.
 Mangrove
Forest
Situated in Sirinat National Park, near Ta Chatchai
on Phuket's northern tip, the mangroves--saltwater swamps with
unique eco-systems
much prized by scientists searching for clues about adaptation
and evolution--cover about 800 rai. Anyone with an interest in horticulture
will be interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here:
mountain ebony (kong
kang bai lek), red cycas (prong daeng), black myrsina (samae dam),
the Lady's Nails quisqualis (leb mue nang), and various creepers
and climbers are among the more significant. There are also many
mangrove-dwelling animals with unique evolutionary characteristics.
A nature trail has been cleared for the convenience of visitors
with signs indicating and explaining the various species.
 Khao
Rang
A great view of Phuket Town, the
southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can
be obtained by going to
the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the town's northwest border. There
are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the
city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable,
expanse of grass at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya
Ratsada Nupradit, the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama
V's reign.
The information above is courtesy
of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. |
