25 February 2002

KOH PHRA THONG

A few days ago we went down south to visit Koh Phra Thong, an island off the coast of Khura Buri, Phangnga province. Nope, it's not that kind of holiday paradise you see on tourism promotion posters. Apart from a resort on the western side of this 90-square-kilometre-or-so island, there's no accommodation or other facilities available. Actually, at this dry time of year, it doesn't even have a visible source of freshwater!

But ecologically speaking, this is a very, very special place.

Take a look at the accompanying pictures while you read the rest of this article and you'll get some idea why we think Koh Phra Thong is not just another island.

The picture on the left is a beach on the nearby Ra island, where a survey team of the Royal Forest Department has been camping out over the past several months. (The team's task is to explore the flora and fauna on Koh Phra Thong, Koh Rah and surrounding areas, as well as to try to win understanding from local people about why the RFD is trying to have these places designated as a national park.)

Anyway, it took us roughly half an hour on a speed boat to travel from that beach on the northern tip of the mountainous Koh Ra southwards to the flat Koh Phra Thong _ our destination.

Fringed with mangrove forest, Koh Phra Thong consists of several expanses of grasslands separated from one another by strips of evergreen vegetation.
 

So, look at the second and third pictures: You'll see that as soon as you emerge from the shady mangrove you'll find a vast field of open grasslands which look very much like those on the flat-top sandstone mountains in the Northeast. In fact, several plant species that occur on those highlands _ including pitcher plants and other carnivorous flora like yard nam khang, also thrive here. From what we saw, it's so easy to forget that we're on an island in the Andaman Sea.

The grasslands are home to large mammals like sambar deer and wild pigs. Their footprints are virtually everywhere. It's a pity the swamps the RFD team took us to have all dried up, and we didn't have enough time, nor drinking water, to scout other parts of the island for the animals' secret waterholes.

However, we did see the rare lesser adjutant flying over the mangrove canopy. A ranger also told us that years ago he used to hunt for young saltwater crocodile in these mangroves. Young crocodiles are rarely seen these days, but his fishermen friends confirm they still spot the big ones from time to time.

Now, the bad news. Look at the photo on the left and you'll see that there is illegal logging on the island. Hunting is also a problem. As a matter of fact, we heard a gunshot while we were crossing one of the grasslands.

It's obvious the RFD team will have to continue their hard work before this magnificent island can be protected as a national park.

We are grateful for their dedication and sincerely wish they soon succeed.