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29 Agustus 2011

Sirinath Marine National Park - Take in the Splendour of Phuket

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Exotic Phuket is Thailand's island of sun and revelry. Surrounded by the warm waters of the sparkling Andaman Sea, it is a popular beach resort island. As a matter of fact only two of its cities are landlocked. Boasting cheap shopping, delicious local cuisine, terrific nightlife and animated and friendly locals, Phuket is a top global holiday destination.



High on the list of things to do on the island is visiting the Sirinath Marine National Park. The park occupies an area of about 90 square kilometres, but only 24 percent of that is terrestrial with the rest lying under the warm and lively waters of the Andaman. Some of the best beaches of the land- Nai Thon, Mai Khao (which is also the famous breeding grounds for several protected species of turtles) and Nai Yang- fall under its domain. The marine park runs from the west of Phuket International Airport all the way to the northern tip of the island. The entrance lies near the northern tip, in the Phang Nga province.



The type of forestry found here can be divided into two categories. The Beach forest areas consists mostly of Casurina pines. Since these areas are close to the sea, there is very little foliage making it an excellent spot for a picnic. The Mangrove forest area sports more dense canopy and occurs around the mouths of rivers and streams. These areas are also rich in fauna and visitors are likely to spot kingfishers, monitor lizards and even snakes. Tourists are also sure to enjoy the richness of marine life found off the coast of Phuket.



The park also has a few camp sites where visitors can pitch tents, and there are even a few bungalows that can be rented. However, the facilities are pretty basic. For those who would prefer Phuket Villas complete with all the luxuries and amenities of the modern world, the Anantara Phuket, Thailand is an excellent place to stay. The Phuket Resort consists of 83 villas each with their private pools, scattered along the pristine Mai Khao beach. Coupled with the lush greenery of the Sirinath National Park in the background, it is the ideal place to enjoy nature’s bounty.