Mu Ko Phetra is a marine national park in the Strait of Malacca off Thailand, covering mostly intact coastal line, open water, and about 30 islands of the southern part of Trang Province and the northern part of Satun Province. Established on 31 December 1984, it is the 49th national park and 14th marine national park of Thailand.
The majority of the park, about 94.74% or out of is open water. The two largest islands of the park are Ko Phetra () and Ko Khao Yai (). Several islands are marine turtle egg laying sites. Rich coral reefs are present around islands. Many of the islands consist of steep limestone rocks and little beaches. They are used as temporary refuges by fishermen during fishing season.
In the caves of the cliffs high above the ground on some of the islands are where swiftlets build their nest and breed. Several islands were placed under concession for decades to collect bird nests. They are highly valuable and closely guarded with firearms. Traveling to those islands should be done with local tour companies as their boats are recognized and ignored by guards.
The Thai name Phetra comes from Malay Pulau Petra (the island of Petra).
The continued existence of the park is threatened by the proposed Pak Bara deepwater seaport.
Trang islands
Ko Lao Liang consists of two similar islands separated by just 300 m. The smaller, northernmost island, Ko Lao Liang Nuea () (also known as Ko Lao Liang Nong; ), and the larger island to the south, Ko Lao Liang Tai () (also known as Ko Lao Liang Phi; ). Both have rather small beaches and are bird nest gathering concessions. Around the islands are shallow reefs.
Satun islands Ko Phetra ( / Malay: Pulau Petra) is an island with odd-shaped cliffs. A bird nest concession island, the surrounding sea is available for diving. Ko Lidi ( / Malay: Pulau Lidi) is a large island with beach. Ko Khao Yai (), the biggest island with castle-like limestone rocks. Part of the island is the Ao Kam Poo (), a 700 m wide bay with waterfall and stream. The shores of the bay are a turtle egg-laying sites. Ko Bulon ( / Malay: Pulau Bulan), a popular tourist island with clear water and coral reef.
Satun beaches Rawai Beach (), not to be confused with a beach of the same name in Phuket Province, is a 3.5 km long beach on the mainland. It is popular camping spot.
Location Mu Ko Phetra National Park in overview PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) National park 1 Ao Phang Nga 2 Hat Chao mai 3 Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai 4 Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi 5 Khao Lak–Lam Ru 6 Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang 7 Khao Luang 8 Khao Nan 9 Khao Phanom Bencha10 Mu Ko Lanta11 Mu Ko Phetra12 Mu Ko Similan13 Mu Ko Surin14 Namtok Si Khit15 Namtok Yong16 Si Phang Nga17 Sirinat18 Tarutao19 Thale Ban20 Than Bok Khorani Wildlife sanctuary21 Kathun22 Khao Pra–Bang Khram23 Khlong Phraya24 Namtok Song Phraek Non-hunting area25 Bo Lo26 Khao Nam Phrai27 Khao Phra Thaeo28 Khao Pra–Bang Khram29 Khlong Lam Chan30 Laem Talumpuk31 Ko Libong32 Nong Plak Phraya–Khao Raya Bangsa33 Thung Thale Forest park34 Bo Namrong Kantang35 Namtok Phan36 Namtok Raman37 Namtok Thara Sawan38 Sa Nang Manora
See also List of national parks of Thailand DNP - Mu Ko Phetra National Park List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand
References
External links Mu Ko Petra National Park from National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Mu Ko Petra National Park from Ministry of Defense (Thai only)