Why You Should See the Sam Roi Yot National Park

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The Sam Roi Yot National Park, a marine park located in Kuiburi district between Hua Hin and Sam Roi Yot sub-district of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, is Thailand’s first national coastal park. It covers an area of about 98.8 square meters and boasts of beautiful small limestone islets namely the Sattakut Island, Kho Ram Island, Nom Sao Island, Rawing Island, Rawang Island and the Khi Nok Island. In addition, the Thung Sam Roi Yot, a large freshwater swamp covering an area almost half of the whole park, about 36.8 square meters in area, is also a famous feature of the park.

The Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, which means “Mountain with Three Hundred Peaks” in English, is most famous for its magnificent limestone rock formations jutting out of the Thailand Gulf to a height of 605 meters above the sea level. These wonders of nature never seem to amaze visitors from the world over and they continue to draw tourists every year. But what makes the park ecologically important are not the limestone formations but rather the coastal habitats and the freshwater marsh found within. Over all, there are ten distinct habitats inside: the scrub, salt pan, cultivated areas, mudflats, brackish waters, mangroves, sand beaches, offshore islets, limestone mountain and the open sea. The freshwater marsh, on the other hand, also provides great environment for over 300 species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and a variety of small mammals.

Because of the bio-diverse environment of the Sam Roi Yot National Park, it is not only a popular attraction for tourists, but also a favorite educational destination for many schools. Indeed, the sandy beaches, magnificent caves, breathtaking mountain viewpoints, offshore islands, forest trails, estuarine habitats and the mangrove coasts truly make the park one of the most interesting marine parks in the country.

It would be worth seeing the park if you’re in the area. The best time to visit is possibly between the months of September and November when migratory birds from China, Siberia and countries from Northern Europe are often seen in the area. The best locations to observe them are said to be from inside the park. Similarly, the marsh in the park is one of only two places in Thailand where you can see the Purple Heron bird breeds.

If you do visit, be sure to bring or apply mosquito repellant lotion, especially if you’re going to visit during the rainy season. A whole day would be enough to see and tour the whole park, but if you want to try the quieter beaches within, you might want to stay longer. An entrance fee, which is higher for foreigner than Thai tourists, is required to enter the premises.

So, if you love nature and would love to spend some time away from the town center, which often tends to get noisy and busy, and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Earth, you would definitely find the Sam Roi Yot National Park worthy of your time and visit.