| Amphoe
Ao Luk |
 |
Than Bokkhorani National Park |
| |
covers 37.5 rai (1 rai = 160 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 Phi Hua To or Tham Hua Kalok |
| |
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.
|
|
|
|
Tham Phra |
| |
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.
|
|
|
|
Tham
Phet |
| |
is 3 kilometers from the intersection
at Ao Luk Nua market. 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.
|
|
|
|
Tham
Lod Nua - Tham Lod 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.
|
|
|
|
Tham Chao Le |
| |
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.
|
|
|
|
Song Pi Nong Cave or Poon Nua Tai |
| |
lies west of Pi Hua Cave Toh.
Inside were found human skeleton remains, pottery, earrings, and
bronze bracelets.
|
|
|
|
Hua Galok Nai Cave or Bun 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.
|
|
|
|
Sua 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.
|
|
|
|
SuaNok
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Mu Ko Hong |
| |
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. |
