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 Than Bokkhorani National Park
covers 37.5 rai (1 rai = 1600 square meters) in Tambon Ao Leuk
Tai, one kilometer from the Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market intersection
on the Ao Luk Sak road. The park is shady and forested by many
different species of trees growing around the attractive pool
after which the park is named, the Sa Bokkhorani
Species include the wild gardenia, asoka, and Apocynaceae.The
Sah Bohk Korani flows through a winding passage in the mountain.
At the north end of the pool is a footprint of the Buddha
carved in wood near the little temple sacred to Jao Pho To
Yuan - To Chong
Tham Lod Neua-Tai
lie 2 kilometers distant from the district
offices on the Ao Luk-Laem Sak road near the watercourse of Klong
Ta Prahng. There are two caves :
* Tham Lod Nua : This beautiful cave winds back on itself like
an elbow.
* Tham Lod Tai : is a limestone tunnel longer and narrower than
one of the same name in Phang-nga Bay.
The cave mouth has stalactites and stalagmites
and a boulder shaped like the quarter moon lying on its side.
Visit this cave when the water is low by boarding a long tail
boat at Bor Tor Pier ; the journey takes only 10 minutes.
Prah Cave
is the site of the Kao Phra Suhn Yah Tah Rham Meditation
Center. It is about 2 kilometers distant from the district
offices of Ao Luk. Inside the cave is a Buddhist effigy
of great antiquity. This has two other statues of equal
size flanking it placed at a later date, and the base is surrounded
with smaller wooden figures.
Pet
Cave
is located 3 kilometers from the Ao Luk Neua maket.
The cave's front has Buddhist statues and the cave walls are of
a stone that reflects light with the same dazzling beauty as diamond,
hence the name; Pet is Thai for diamond. To visit the cave,
procure a guide from the Tarnbohk Korani National Park and be
sure to bring a flashlight or torch.
Chao
Ley Cave
is west of Laem Sak Cape in a beautiful bay surrounding with
limestone mountains. Inside are stalactites and stalagmites,
as well as prehistoric paintings of people, animals, and geometric.
These paintings are thought to be somewhat more recent than those
found in Pi Hua Toh Cave. To visit the cave, take a regularly scheduled
boat from the Sapan Pla of Fishing Pier at Laem Sak Cape; travel
time is about 15 minutes.
Pi
Hua Toh or Hua Galohk Cave
This is a big cave with many grottos in a mountain surrounded
by water and mangrove forests. Formerly a ghost with an impressively
large skull resided in the cave, from which comes its name; pihua
toh means big-headed ghost. Also of interest are the
many prehistoric colored pictures of men, animals, and various limbs
and organs that decorate the walls. Shells in great numbers,
on top of the other, are another feature of this cave. To
visit Pi Hua Toh, board a ferry at Bor Tor Pier.
Song
Pi Nong Cove or Poon Neua Tai Cave
lies west of Pi Hua Cave Toh. Inside were found human
skeleton remains, pottery, earrings, and bronze bracelets.
Hua
Galohk Nai Cave or Buhn Mak Cave
is only one hundred meters from Pi Hua To cave. It was
discover by a local villager maned Bun Mak. It is a large,
dark cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A large
number of prehistoric pottery shards were found in layers on the
cave wall outcropping near the entrance. These have distinctive
line designs, are thicker, and coarser than those found elsewhere.
Toh
Luang Cave
in Ban Nop, Tambon Klong Hin. This cave has three levels,
each of which abounds in stalactites and stalagmites. Some
resemble Buddhist monks, others look like legendary multi headed
serpents. Here stayed Jao Por Toh Luang, after whom the cave
took its name.
Seua
Noi Cave
This cave is 2 kilometers distant from Hua Galok cave in Ban Bor
Tor and is the site of a monastery and meditation center.
The front is formed by a broad outcropping in the hill. The
area outside is peaceful and quiet; inside, the cave is beautiful.
Many old pottery remains have been found here.
Seua
Nok Cave or Thep Nimit Cave
houses the Nimit Monastery, a tunnel below the cave lets sea
water enter so the walls are thick with shells. Above is another
large, dark cave, and off to the side of that another fifty meters
is Orahan Cave, which has more strangely shaped stalactites and
stalagmites than anywhere else. They shine like lights and
are very beautiful.
Hong
Island
comprises a number of large and
small limestone islands. Ko Hong also called Lao Billeh Island is
the largest. These rugged islands are shaped like half circles,
forming bays in which there is both shallow and deep water coral.
Perfect for diving and fishing. The
best known islands besides Hong Island are : Lakkah or Sakkah; Lao
Riem; Pakka; and Lao Lahding Island. Boats leave for the Hong
Islands from Ao Nang Beach; the trip takes about one hour.
Klong
Chai Kao
is like Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi. A long tail boat can be taken
through the cave to the other side in about five minutes.
Garos
Island
is off the eastern tip of Laem Sak. Ancient
paintings of men and animals are on the cliff walls facing Hin Bai
Bay.
Talu
Island
The center of this island has a 45 meter high hill, perforated
by a 30 meter hole, thus its name; Talu means to pass through.
The island is noted for the presence of swifts in large numbers
that make the precious swallow bird's nests used in the Chinese
delicacy, Bird's Nest Soup.
Daeng
Island
Here is a fine sandy beach 25 meters long, and a passage through
the cliff 70 meters wide and 20 meters high.
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