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2025-11-20T11:13:33Z

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{{short description|Marine protected area in Phang Nga Province, southern Thailand}}
{{redirect|Similan|the ship|HTMS Similan}}

[[File:Similan islands.png|right|400px|thumb|Similan Islands]]

The '''Similan Islands''' ({{langx|th|หมู่เกาะสิมิลัน}}, {{RTGS|''Mu Ko Similan''}}, {{IPA|th|mùː kɔ̀ʔ si.mi.lan}}, [[Malay Language|Malay]]: ''Kepulauan Sembilan'') is a [[Archipelago#Continental archipelagos|continental archipelago]] in the [[Andaman Sea]] off the [[coast]] of, and part of, [[Phang Nga Province]] in southern [[Thailand]]. It is the maritime border between [[India]] and [[Thailand]]. It was established as '''Mu Ko Similan National Park''' in 1982 after a one-year assessment by the forestry department.<ref name="TAT">{{cite web|title=Similan Islands National Park|url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Similan-Islands-National-Park|website=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>

==Access and tourism==
Access to the Similan Islands is primarily through Tab Lamu Port, located just south of [[Khao Lak]] in Phang Nga Province. The park headquarters is situated in Tab Lamu, a small fishing village approximately {{convert|13|km|mi}} from Bang La On in Khao Lak. Regular boat services to the islands operate from the middle of October to the middle of May, with trips taking around three hours on standard boats and approximately 70 minutes by speedboat.

During the diving season, liveaboard dive boats frequent the Similan Islands. These boats, departing from Tab Lamu, [[Ko Lanta Yai|Ko Lanta]], [[Phuket]], and [[Ranong]], offer multi-day stays in the Similan National Marine Park.

The Similan Islands Park has experienced significant visitor traffic, making it one of Thailand's most overcrowded national parks. Data reported by the Department of National Parks (DNP) indicates that since October 2017, the park has received 883,438 visitors. The peak season, from mid-October to mid-May, typically sees five to six thousand visitors per day. The high visitor numbers have led to [[environmental degradation]], prompting increased regulatory measures.<ref name="Nation-20180531">{{cite news|last1=Rujivanarom|first1=Pratch|date=31 May 2018|title=Ban on overnight stays at Similan islands from Oct|work=The Nation|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30346622|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>

Annually, the park is closed during the rainy season, from 16 May to 15 October. Specifically, the island of Ko Tachai has been indefinitely closed to tourists since 15 October 2016 to facilitate environmental recovery.<ref>{{cite news|date=2016-05-16|title=Koh Tachai island off Phangnga closed indefinitely|work=Bangkok Post|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/975145/koh-tachai-island-off-phangnga-closed-indefinitely|access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref> Following its re-opening on 15 October 2018, the park implemented a daily visitor limit of 3,850 to mitigate environmental impact.<ref name="Nation-20181015">{{cite news|last1=Rujivanarom|first1=Pratch|date=15 October 2018|title=Tight curbs on visitors to Similan|work=The Nation|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30356430|access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref> This measure represents a reduction from the previous average of about 7,000 visitors per day. In 2017, the park attracted approximately 912,000 tourists. The introduction of these restrictions has elicited responses from tour operators, who express concerns over potential job losses.<ref>{{cite news|last1=WIpatayotin|first1=Apinya|date=16 October 2018|title=Parks officials refuse to budge over Similan quota|work=Bangkok Post|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1558530/dept-refuses-to-budge-over-similan-isles-visitor-quota|access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref> Additionally, as part of the rehabilitation efforts, all overnight accommodations on the islands have been removed.

==Geography==
[[File:Similan Island 01 (MK).jpg|thumb|center|upright=3.0|Ko Similan over Ao (bay) Kuerk]]
[[File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 k-9c.jpg|thumb|Map including the Similan Islands ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1989)]]
The islands are at {{coord|8|39|09|N|97|38|27|E|type:landmark}}

The park is an [[archipelago]] consisting of 11 islands, occupying an area of 87,500 rai ~ {{convert|140|km2}}<ref name="AREA NP">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/3b372140-f2bf-4811-8819-bb8a8b1a100a |title=ข้อมูลพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติ ที่ประกาศในราชกิจจานุบกษา 133 แห่ง |date=December 2020 |department=Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |language=Thai | trans-title=National Park Area Information published in the 133 Government Gazettes |access-date=1 November 2022 |postscript=, no 43}}</ref> with a land area of about {{convert|26|km2}}.<ref name=DNP>{{cite web|title=Mu Ko Similan National Park|url=http://portal.dnp.go.th/DNP/FileSystem/download?uuid=49278179-6ee5-4ac9-82e7-0a317a0aa3fd.pdf|website=Department of National Parks (DNP)|access-date=31 May 2016}}</ref> For convenience, the Thai Department of National Parks (DNP) has assigned numbers to the islands. From north to south, they are:<ref>{{cite web|title=ABOUT THE SIMILAN ISLANDS|url=http://similan-islands.com/about-the-similans/|website=Similan Islands|publisher=Mu Ko Similan National Park of Thailand|access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref>
* Island 11: Ko Tachai
* Island 10: Ko Bon, also known as Ko Talu
* Island 9: Ko Ba-ngu, also known as Ko Bayu
* Island 8: Ko Similan
* Island 7: Ko Hin Pousar
* Island 6: Ko Payu, also known as Ko Pa Yu
* Island 5: Ko Ha
* Island 4: Ko Miang, also known as Ko Meang. Park [[Headquarters|HQ]] is here.
* Island 3: Ko Payan, also known as Ko Pa Yan
* Island 2: Ko Payang, also known as Ko Pa Yang
* Island 1: Ko Huyong, also known as Ko Hu Yong

[[File:Crab similan islands.JPG|right|thumb|A hairy-legged mountain crab, Ko Miang]]
The Similans lie 70 kilometres off the coast of [[Phang Nga Province]]. "Similan" is a [[Kedah Malay|Yawi]] word meaning 'nine'. Ko Bon and Tachai were added to the national park in 1998.

'''Ko Similan''': Ko Similan is the largest island. The sea in the area has an average depth of 60 feet. Underwater it is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms, resembling such things as deer, leaves, brains, and mushrooms. Above the water are found many diverse species such as the Nicobar pigeon, mangrove monitor lizards, flying fox and more.

'''Ko Huyong''': Ko Huyong has the longest and widest beach in the park. However, the park prohibits any tourists from landing on the island as the beach is a place where turtles come to lay their eggs.

==Wildlife protection==
[[File:kosimilanpanorama.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|Ko Similan]]
Within the Similan and Surin National Parks, specific islands, namely Islands 1, 2, and 3, are restricted from public access. This measure is in place to support a turtle hatching protection program and to aid in reef conservation efforts. Notably, Island number 3 is privately owned by a member of the Thai royal family.

Although fishing activities are officially prohibited in both Similan and Surin National Parks to protect marine life and habitats, observations suggest that fishing boats frequently operate in and around these parks. Divers in the area often report encountering fishing nets entangled in the reefs and [[illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing|illegal fishing]] traps. Recent years have seen an increase in the discovery of such illegal fishing equipment, particularly in areas outside the most frequented dive sites. These traps have been found to contain a variety of marine life, including trevallies, batfish, [[barracuda]], golden pilot jacks, and [[triggerfish]]. Notably, the regions around Ko Bon and Ko Tachai have been identified as having a higher prevalence of these fishing traps.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

===Important Bird Area===
The archipelago has been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports a population of [[vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] [[pale-capped pigeon]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mu-ko-similan-iba-thailand|title= Mu Ko Similan|author= |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2 March 2021}}</ref>

{{Wide image|File:Similan-islands panorama20060318 restitched.jpg|align=center|1024px|Panorama from Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea|dir=rtl}}

{{Gallery|title=Ocean Animals at [[Mu Ko Similan National Park]]|width=170|height=120|align=center
| File:Turtle1 03.jpg|Turtle at Similan
| File:Similan Dive Center - great whale shark.jpg|Whale shark at Similan
| File:Phantom Bannerfish - Heniochus pleurotaenia 2.jpg|Phantom Bannerfish at Similan
}}

== 2004 tsunami ==
The Similan Islands were severely damaged by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]]. Scuba divers there reported being caught in a violent, swirling current suddenly while underwater. Local camcorder footage showed the tsunami surging inland and flooding camping equipment.

==Location==
{|role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|'''Mu Ko Similan National Park in overview PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat)'''
| 
|-
|[[File:MAP of PARO 5 Northwest (Nakhon Si Thammarat) EN.svg|thumb|900px|{{resize|150%|'''    12) Mu Ko Similan National Park in overview PARO 5'''}}]]
{| class= "wikitable" style= "width:30%; display:inline-table;"
|-
| style="width:3%; background:#00FF00;"| 
| style="width:27%;"|'''National park'''
|-
|  1 ||[[Ao Phang Nga National Park|Ao Phang Nga]]
|-
|  2 ||[[Hat Chao Mai National Park|Hat Chao Mai]]
|-
|  3 ||[[Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park|Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai]]
|-
|  4 ||[[Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park|Hat Noppharat Thara–<br>Mu Ko Phi Phi]]
|-
|  5 ||[[Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park|Khao Lak-Lam Ru]]
|-
|  6 ||[[Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park|Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang]]
|-
|  7 ||[[Khao Luang National Park|Khao Luang]]
|-
|  8 ||[[Khao Nan National Park|Khao Nan]]
|-
|  9 ||[[Khao Phanom Bencha National Park|Khao Phanom Bencha]]
|-
|10 ||[[Mu Ko Lanta National Park|Mu Ko Lanta]]
|-
|11 ||[[Mu Ko Phetra National Park|Mu Ko Phetra]]
|-
|12 ||Mu Ko Similan
|-
|13 ||[[Mu Ko Surin National Park|Mu Ko Surin]]
|-
|14 ||[[Namtok Si Khit National Park|Namtok Si Khit]]
|-
|15 ||[[Namtok Yong National Park|Namtok Yong]]
|-
|16 ||[[Si Phang Nga National Park|Si Phang Nga]]
|-
|17 ||[[Sirinat National Park|Sirinat]]
|-
|18 ||[[Tarutao National Park|Tarutao]]
|-
|19 ||[[Thale Ban National Park|Thale Ban]]
|-
|20 ||[[Than Bok Khorani National Park|Than Bok Khorani]]
|-
|}
{| class= "wikitable" style= "width:30%; display:inline-table;"
|-
| style="width=3%; background:#FFA400;"| 
| style="width=27%;"|'''Wildlife sanctuary'''
|-
|21 ||[[Kathun Wildlife Sanctuary|Kathun]]
|-
|22 ||[[Khao Pra–Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary|Khao Pra–Bang Khram]]
|-
|23 ||[[Khlong Phraya Wildlife Sanctuary|Khlong Phraya]]
|-
|24 ||[[Namtok Song Phraek Wildlife Sanctuary|Namtok Song Phraek]]
|-
|}
{| class= "wikitable" style= "width:30%; display:inline-table;"
|-
| style="width:3%; background:#FDE910;"| 
| style="width:27%;"|'''Non-hunting area'''
|-
|25 ||Bo Lo
|-
|26 ||Khao Nam Phrai
|-
|27 ||Khao Phra Thaeo
|-
|28 ||Khao Pra–Bang Khram
|-
|29 ||Khlong Lam Chan
|-
|30 ||Laem Talumpuk
|-
|31 ||[[Ko Libong]]
|-
|32 ||Nong Plak Phraya–<br>Khao Raya Bangsa
|-
|33 ||Thung Thale
|-
| || 
|-
| style="width:3%; background:#C65900;"| 
| style="width:27%;"|'''Forest park'''
|-
|34 ||Bo Namrong Kantang
|-
|35 ||Namtok Phan
|-
|36 ||Namtok Raman
|-
|37 ||Namtok Thara Sawan
|-
|38 ||Sa Nang Manora
|}
|}
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[List of islands of Thailand]]
*[[List of national parks of Thailand]]
* DNP - Mu Ko Similan National Park<ref>{{cite web |url=https://portal.dnp.go.th/Content/nationalpark?contentId=35102 |title=Mu Ko Similan National Park |department=Department National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
*[[List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Similan Islands}}
* [http://similan-islands.com/ Website, Mu Ko Similan National Park]

{{coord|8|39|09|N|97|38|27|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

{{National and forest parks in Thailand}}
{{ASEAN Heritage Parks}}
{{Recreational dive sites|reereg}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Geography of Phang Nga province]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes of Thailand|Similan]]
[[Category:Andaman Sea]]
[[Category:Islands of the Andaman Sea]]
[[Category:National parks of Thailand]]
[[Category:ASEAN heritage parks]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1982]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in Thailand]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Phang Nga province]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Thailand]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Thailand]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Indian Ocean islands]]

Similan Islands - Revision history

imported>SietsL: /* See also */