| Laemson National Park is
situated on the Andaman sea coast in Ranong and
Phangnga provinces. The park consists of approximately
60 km of coastline and 15 islands and is the 6th
largest national park in Thailand.
 The coastal section stretches from Ao
Ang mountain (264m) to the North to Pak Triam mountain
(155m) to the South. The coastal section of the park
extends inland about 2 km, but in several places
stretches no further than high water mark.
All the parks islands are situated nearshore, the
furthest being 12 km offshore. These islands are
unspoilt with no permanent habitation although they
occasionally act as a refuge for fishing boats during
monsoon storms.
The sea around the islands and offshore is rich in
marine life with many habitats present including;
coral reefs, open water, seagrass beds, mangrove
swamp, estuarine and beach. The park includes some
very important nursery grounds for economically
important species. There preservation ensuring
continued supply in the Andaman sea offshore
fisheries.
Due to the proximity of the shore the water in the
park is very often turbid with sediment thus
restricting coral growth to a few locations in the
park. The best coral occurs at the northern end of Mu
Ko Kam island, but these reefs are very stunted
compared to the corals present offshore at nearby Mu
Ko Surin National Park. Wildlife The park
bird list currently stands at 138 species, with 80
resident, 54 winter visitors and 4 passage migrants.
The best time to visit the park for bird watching is
between December to February, with many migrating
birds present and the optimum weather conditions.
How to get to Laemson National Park? Laemson
National Park is reached by following highway no.4
south from Ranong town on the road to Kapoe. After
about 46 km a signposted road on the right leads to
the park headquarters after a further 10 km.
Beaches and Islands
 Bang Ben
Beach is a long and wide fine sandy beach with a
fringing pine forest. The headquarters of the National
Park are situated here.
Laemson Beach is situated about 4 km north
along the coast from the park headquarters. The beach
is very clean with beautiful white sand and is an
excellent location for watching shorebirds.
Ko Kam Yai (Island) is the most beautiful
island in the park. The island has excellent white
sandy beaches and is a popular tourist location.
Nearshore are some good reefs suitable for snorkling.
To reach the islands boats can be hired from Bang Ben
beach, the journeyy takes approximately 90 minutes.
Ko Khang Khao (Island) has good sandy
beaches and coral reefs suitable for snorkling. To
reach this island is about a 40 minute boat ride from
Bang Ben beach.
Prapas Beach is located behind Kamphuan
village, near to Ko Kam Nui Island. This beach is very
long and wide, and cover with a fringing pine forest.
Ao Khoei Beach is just north of Khao Pak
Triam, approximately 15 km north of Kuraburi town. The
beach is very long and wide and is the quietest beach
in the park.
|
About 16 kilometres to the north of
Ranong town is Punyaban waterfall. A fast rushing fall
with nice cool shady areas to sit, relax and enjoy the
nature.
Situated about 12 kilomatres south of
Ranong and opposite the grass mountain is Ngao
Waterfall National Park. The park comprises the
magnificent waterfall cascading down from an enormous
height, which is visible for many miles around. There
is a gentle trail through some of the forest around
the waterfall with a rest area which gives a
commanding view of the grass mountain. There is also a
guest house.