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 Than
Bokkhorani National Park
covers 37.5 rai (1 rai = 1600 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 Lod Neua-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.
Prah Cave
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.
Pet
Cave
is
located 3 kilometers from the Ao Luk Neua maket. 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.
Chao
Ley Cave
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.
Pi
Hua Toh or Hua Galohk Cave
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.
Song
Pi Nong Cove or Poon Neua Tai Cave
lies
west of Pi Hua Cave Toh. Inside were found human skeleton
remains, pottery, earrings, and bronze bracelets.
Hua
Galohk Nai Cave or Buhn 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.
Seua
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.
Seua
Nok 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.
Hong
Island
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.
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.
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