Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park

Contact Location : Khao Laem Ya National Park - Mu Ko Samet 79, Moo. 1 Ban Kon Ao, Mae Ramphung - Phe Beach Road, Phe Sub-district, Mueang Rayong District, Rayong Province 21160
Telephone Number : (+66) 3 865 3034   Fax: (+66) 3 865 3034
Email : np_samet2@hotmail.com
Facebook : Khao Laem Ya National Park - Mu Ko Samet

Information  

       Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park is located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Klaeng District, and Mueang District, Rayong Province, covering areas on the shore, in the sea, and various islands, including Ko Samet, Ko Chan, Ko Talu, Ko Kudi, Ko Makham, and Ko Plaitin, as well as Khao Laem Ya Mountain and the west coast of Khao Laem Ya Mountain. The most well-known location is Ko Samet or Ko Kaeo Phitsadan, which is mentioned in Phra Aphai Mani literature. The natural beauty of this national park is recognized by visitors and is very suitable for relaxation.

Background        

         In 1975, a group of capitalists requested to lease Ko Samet from Rayong province to make it as a tourist destination. And they planned to build a cable car across from Khao Laem Ya to Ko Samet to serve tourists. But the project had to be suspended because of protests by a large group of university students from many institutions. In the same year, the Society for the Preservation of Art and the Environment submitted a letter No. 538/2518 dated December 24, 1975 to the Governor of Rayong Province, stating that Ko Samet (or Ko Kaeo Phitsan in the story of Phra Aphai Manii, which is Sunthorn Phu's literary masterpiece) should be preserved as the property of the general public by establishing a marine park because of its historical importance. The National Park Board consequently resolved in a meeting No.1/2519 on April 21, 1976 approving the Royal Forest Department to coordinate with Rayong Province to consider establishingKo Samet as a national park. 

        At that time, Ko Samet was under the responsibility of the Royal Thai Navy. The Royal Forest Department requested, via letter No. Ko So 0808/1713 dated January 31, 1979, the area to be placed under the Royal Forest Department's supervision instead. The Royal Thai Navy then had a letter No. Ko Ho 0352/6405 dated March 30, 1979, without objection to allowing the Royal Forest Department to take care of Ko Samet. Later, the National Environment Board passed a resolution at meeting No. 5/2522 on December 19, 1979, to inform the Royal Forest Department to conserve Ko Samet as a marine national park.

       The National Park Division, Royal Forest Department, issued an order No. 82/2523 dated January 14, 1980, for Mr. Somboon Wongphakdi to survey the forest area around Khao Laem Ya and nearby areas which are located in Ban Phe, Mueang District, Rayong Province, in order to designate the areas as a national park and to establish the Khao Laem Ya Forest Park. According to the survey, Khao Laem Ya is comprised of low gravel hills along the western coast and a large sandy beach with a beautiful long curve. The water is so clear that beautiful coral reefs can be seen clearly. Ko Samet consists of white sand beaches around the island, which are suitable for vacation. Moreover, there are numerous beautiful, large and small islands scattered throughout. Aslo, it is appropriate for the establishment of a national park.

       The National Park Division, the Royal Forest Department, brought the survey results to the National Park Committee, which resolved in its meeting No. 4/2523 on December 23, 1980, that it was expedient to issue a royal decree specifying the area of Khao Laem Thian Forest, Khao Plet, Khao Laem Ya, Ko Samet and nearby islands in Phe Sub-district, Mueang Rayong District and Klaeng Sub-district, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, approximately 81,875 rai or 131 square kilometers, to be a National Park. The Government Gazette, special issue, volume 98, part 162, dated October 1, 1981, announced the establishment of Thailand's 34th national park.

Note : After paying the entrance fee to the National Park, please carry the receipt for inspection.

81,875 rai (131 square kilometers).

Ko Kudi

Ko Talu

Ko Samet

Khao Laem Ya

Sai Kaeo Beach

Mae Ramphueng Beach

Ao Pakarang

Ao Phrao

Ao Luk Yon

Ao Wong Duean

 


     Nature trails ⇔ Observe flowers/plants ⇔ Snorkeling ⇔ Camping


Welfare shop : (coffee, drinks, snacks) is open daily from 08:00 - 17:00 hrs.


Mobile phone signal :

1. National Park Headquarters area and Ko Samet area: AIS, TRUE, DTAC
2. Khao Laem Ya Pier area : AIS (Unstable signal)
3. Ko Talu area : DTAC

 

 

 

  

         Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park is classified as a coastal national park mixed with oceanic islands. It is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The sea area is about 123 square kilometers, or 94 percent of the total area. The terrain consists of granite mountains, consisting of Khao Plet and Khao Laem Ya, with a height of 108 meters above sea level, and a long stretch of sandy beaches and shallow seas, known as Hat Mae Ramphueng Beach, which is approximately 12 kilometers long. Ko Samet is characterized by mountains and low hills, including Khao Krachom, Khao Phloi Waen, and Khao Phra Chedi The western side of the island has a significantly steeper slope than the eastern side. The east has a slight slope and there is a continuous, long sandy beach along the eastern side. The North is about 2,500 meters wide, with a length to the end of the island of about 6,500 meters. The central part of the island is not very high, and there is a plain on the shore where the villagers' houses are primarily located on the north and eastern sides. At the southern tip of the cape, there are three smaller islands nearby, consisting of Ko Chan, Ko San Chalam, and Ko Hin Khao. Additionally, eight islands are located near the coast, including Ko Plaitin, Ko Klet Chalam, Ko Makham, Ko Kruai, Ko Kudi, Ko Thai Khangkhao, Ko Talu, and Ko Yung Kluea. 

        Khao Laem Ya National Park - Mu Ko Samet has an average annual rainfall of about 1,500 millimeters. The monsoon season is between May and September, and it has extremely strong winds, so sometimes traveling is prohibited. In one month, there will be strong waves and winds for about 15 days on average. Between December and March, there may be monsoon winds and heavy rain that make traveling by sea impractical. The average temperature is 29 degrees Celsius. The hottest season lasts from March to June, while the coldest season lasts from November to January.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

      Flora and wildlife The distribution characteristics of plant species in Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park vary according to the topography, which can be classified into : Dry evergreen forest is primarily found in the national park, both on the mainland such as such as On the mountains of Khao Laem Ya, Khao Plet, and Khao Tian, and on the islands. The forest condition is relatively sparse, with large trees not found due to destruction and cutting. The plant species found include Atalantia monophylla DC., Cleistanthus gracilis, Memecylon myrsinoides Blume, Velvet tamarind, Tomentose Wrightia, Ptercarpus macrocarpus Kurz., Common Fig (Ficus carica), Adenanthera pavonina, Lagerstroemia duperreana Pierre ex Gagnep., Lai, Vitex peduncularis Wall. ex Schauer, Terminalia triptera Stapf, Horseradish tree, Drumstick, Antidesma puncticulatum Miq., Artocarpus lacucha, Black plum, Indochinese Tanoak, Ixora cibdela Craib, Caryota urens, Bamboo, and Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi (Breda) Blume & Rchb.f.
        Beach forest covers the coastal areas where the land is sandy and the sea cannot reach , or the rocky area along the coast. The soil is quite saline, combined with the salty air from the sea. Plants generally found are bushy trees whose trunks are very crooked, and branching. Branches are short and leaves are thick, and stiff. Plant species include Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrê, Siamese rough bush, Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem., Terminalia catappa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Seashore screwpine, and Goat's foot creeper. 

         From a survey of wildlife diversity in Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park, it was found that there are at least 144 species of vertebrate animals, including Lesser Mouse-Deer, Masked Palm Civet, Crab-eating Macaques, Finlayson's Squirrels, Berdmore's Ground Squirrel, Northern Treeshrew, Lyle's flying fox, Pacific Reef Heron, Accipiters, Asian Palm Swift, Barn Swallow, Black Drongo, Crow-billed Drongo, Common Myna, The Indo-Chinese Rat Snake, Colubrid Snake, Monitor Lizard, Butterfly Lizard, Orange-winged Flying Lizard, Common House Gecko, Speckled Forest Skink, Tokay Gecko, Asian Common Toad, Asian Bullfrog, Common Tree Frog, Banded Bullfrog .

          For aquatic resources, coral reefs are found around Ko Samet, the Ko Kudi area, and Ko Talu. Highly fertile corals are at Khanna Rock, Ao Phai Rock, Ao Chek, Ao Kio Na Nai, Ko Chan, Ko Plaitin, Ko Kudi, and Ko Talu. Diverse marine species found include Staghorn Corals, Shrub Corals, Rock Corals, Brain Corals, Mushrooms Corals, Soft Corals, Sun Corals, Barrel sponge, Black Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Green Turtles, Sea Anemones, Clownfish, Eight-striped Butterflyfish, Pennant Coralfish, Blue-ring Angelfish, Parrotfish, Wrasse, Ray-finned Fish, Yellowback fusilier, Serranidae, Selar, Shark catfish, Mable Goby, Stolephorus, Sillago, Giant Clams, Nile Top Shell, Serpent's-head Cowry, Cone Shell, Clams, Muricidae, Ghost Crabs, and Brown Crabs.


How to get there by car :  

          From Bangkok to Rayong Province, take National Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit Road), a distance of about 220 kilometers, or take National Highway No. 36, which separates from National Highway No. 3 at the milestone No. 136th, which will shorten the distance about 35 kilometers. After reaching Rayong city, continue for another 12 kilometers. Turn right at the milestone No. 231st- and drive for another2 kilometers heading to Ban Phe to take a boat to Ko Samet. On Ko Samet, there is only one road that was initially used as a walkway. The road is 6 kilometers long and begins in the northern part of Ao Tubtim and winds its way down to Sai Kaeo Beach via Anodad Pond, Sai Kaeo Beach is approximately 800 meters from Ban Ko Samet.

        How to get there by boat Traveling to Ko Samet requires a boat ride from Ban Phe, where there are three passenger piers. There are boats of various sizes that can accommodate from 10 to 100 people. The travel time is approximately 30 minutes, and it is open daily from 06.00 - 17.00 hrs. The three piers on Ko Samet (on the island) are located at the islands' tip: Ao Wong Duean (the eastern part of the island), Ao Phrao (the western part of the island). Certain operators in the smaller bay area prefer to transport visitors from Ban Phe to their resorts via private speedboats.


- National Park Ranger Station Yo So No. 1 (Ao Pakarang)
- National Park Ranger Station Yo So No. 2 (Laem Luk Yon)
- National Park Ranger Station Yo So No. 3 (Ko Kudi)

Accommodation : Laem Ya 104 (Sinsamut 1)
                        : Laem Ya 105 (Sinsamut 2)