Hat Chao Mai National Park
The Hat Chao Mai National Park ( Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติ หาด เจ้า ไหม ) is a national park in the southern region of Thailand.
The 401 km ² park was opened in October 1981.
Geography
The Hat Chao Mai National Park is located in the northwest of Trang province in the district ( Amphoe ) Sikao. It consists of a large part of the Andaman Sea about 137 km ² and a slightly smaller land area of about 94 km ².
- The great part comprises the mainland coast and a total of nine islands of Ko Meng ( เกาะ เม ง ) on the northern border of the park, Ko Chueak ( เกาะ เชือก ), Ko Pling ( เกาะ ปลิง ), Ko Waen ( เกาะ แหวน ), Ko Muk ( กาะ มุก ต์ ) down to Ko Kradan ( เกาะ กระดาน ) and Ko Cha May, the southern boundary of the park. The western boundary of the park runs between Ko and Ko Ngai Chueak which no longer belongs to the park. Underwater there are numerous coral reefs, so the islands are a popular area for divers.
- The other part is on the mainland. He retires from Changlang, a small fishing town on the coast, about 15 km inland to the Tambon Bo Nam Ron, where there is also a hot spring is located. This part consists mostly rugged limestone cliffs and some low mountains where rivers rise, which combine to Khlong Bang Sak. The Khlong Bang Sak opens later in the Trang River. Between the mountains there are grassy plains and rainforest, to the coast mangrove forest and beach forest.
Climate
Hat Chao Mai is affected by the northeast and southwest monsoon, which brings almost throughout the year a lot of rain. There can be distinguished two seasons: January to April takes the hot season, during the rainy season stretches from May to December. The average temperatures in March and April are at 35.2 ° C, the lowest temperature of 21.2 ° C are measured in January and February. The relative humidity during the year is over 80%. The average rainfall is estimated at 2187.3 mm. In September, the most rain, with an average 158.8 mm.
Flora and Fauna
Plant species
The vegetation can be divided into five groups:
- Rainforest - located primarily on the mainland but also in the east of Ko Muk. Here mainly grow wings fruit plants such as Dipterocarpus chartaceous, in between there are large areas with Burma grass ( Neyraudia reynaudiana, English:. Burma reed, silk reed ), a grass with about 25 cm long leaves.
- Mixed forest - growing lacel on the different islands, for example, dragon trees (Dracaena lourieri ), date palm (Phoenix paludosa ) and Euphorbia. Also, orchids can be found here.
- Beach forest - Schachtelhalmblättrige casuarina ( Cassuarina equisetifolia )
- Mangrove forest - Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops tagal and Xylocarpus granatum. On the seeabgewandten page can be found Nipapalmen ( Nypa fruticans ) and Heritiera littoralis.
- Aquatic plants such as seaweed and kelp.
Species
- Mammals ashore: Capricornis sumatraensis, Presbytis melalophos, Muntiacus muntjac and Tragulus javanicus, the predators are rare Felis bengalensis and Aonyx cinerea
- Mammals in the sea: The Dugong ( Dugong dugon ), is rare in Thailand, he is only here in Trang. Therefore, he is protected under the Endangered Species Protection Convention. He finds his food on the vast seagrass meadows, which are located off the coast.
- Birds: the unofficial emblem of the park is the almost extinct giant stork ( Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus ), which feeds on crabs and clams. In addition to 1990, 55 different species of birds have been spotted, including Waders, snow egrets, Tüpfelgrünschenkel and Bernsteinseeschwalben.
- Of the reptiles to have been spotted here which also endangered Batagur turtles. There is also Tiger Python and Reticulated Python.