Located in Takua Pa district in Phangnga, Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park has resumed its service to welcome visitors since the beginning of this month.
The park can be a choice of travel destination for travellers, especially after Phangnga joined the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension programme on Aug 16. The programme allows fully vaccinated international travellers to stay in Phuket for seven days and can visit other destinations for another seven days if the second test of the Covid-19 is negative. The extension areas they can visit include Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai, Railay beach in Krabi, Koh Yao and Khao Lak in Phangnga, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani.
The Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is located on Khao Lak beach. It covers an area of 125km² of the beach area, mangrove forest and fertile evergreen forests. The park is also the main source of fresh water in the province.
The park is also home to numerous species of plants and animals including hornbills, red giant flying squirrels and bearcats. The park recently reported the rediscovery of a rare purple crab (Gecarcoidea humei), known in the Thai language as pu kai kam riao, pu kai, pu khon and pu phukhao.
It is a large inland crab and can grow up to 15-20cm wide. It has a purple-brown colour, slender legs of similar colour and light grey claws. It can be found at night when it comes out for finding food in moist areas in the forest.
Purple crab.
In addition, the park also has nature trails to Ton Chong Fa waterfall. The trails are 5km and 7km routes, which can take about three to five hours walk. An experienced guide is needed. Accommodation and tents are also available.
The Khao Lak-Lam Ru national park is about 73km north of Phuket International Airport.
For more information, visit http://park.dnp.go.th or its Facebook page at bit.ly/3DmRTFM or call the park at 076-485-243 and 076-410-241.
