Krabi - Amphoe Ao Leuk

Amphoe Ao Leuk

● Than Bokkhorani National Park
covers 37.5 rai (1 rai = 160 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 Phi Hua To or Tham Hua Kalok
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.


● Tham Phra
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.

● Tham Phet
is 3 kilometers from the intersection at Ao Luk Nua market. 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.

● Tham Lod Nua - Tham Lod 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.

● Tham Chao Le
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.

● Song Pi Nong Cave or Poon Nua Tai
lies west of Pi Hua Cave Toh. Inside were found human skeleton remains, pottery, earrings, and bronze bracelets.

● Hua Galok Nai Cave or Bun 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.

● Sua 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.

● SuaNok 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.

● 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.

● Mu Ko Hong
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.


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