Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The overgrown ruins of the camp for political prisoners can be seen at
Ao Taloh Udang
, in
the southeast of the island, reached via a long overgrown track. The prison camp for ci-
vilian prisoners was over on the eastern coast at
Ao Taloh Waw
, where the big boats from
Satun's Tammalang pier now dock.
Next to the park headquarters at Ao Pante Malacca, a steep trail leads through the
jungle below a limestone karst dripping with precipitation, and up a series of steps that
have been chiselled from the stone to the top of
Toe-Boo Cliff
, a dramatic rocky outcrop
with fabulous views towards Ko Adang and the surrounding islands.
Ao Pante Malacca has a lovely alabaster beach shaded by pandanus and casuarinas. If
you follow the large stream flowing inland, you'll reach
Tham Jara-Khe
(Crocodile Cave),
once home to deadly saltwater crocodiles. The cave is navigable for about 1km at low
tide and can be visited on long-tail tours from the jetty at Ao Pante Malacca.
Immediately south of Ao Pante Malacca is
Ao Jak
, which has another fine sandy beach,
and
Ao Molae
, which also has fine white sand and a ranger station with bungalows and a
camp site. A 30-minute boat ride or 8km walk south of Ao Pante is
Ao Son
, an isolated bay
where turtles nest between September and April. You can camp here but there are no fa-
cilities. Ao Son has decent snorkelling, as does
Ao Makham
further south. From the small
ranger station at Ao Son you can walk inland to
Lu Du Falls
(about 1½ hours) and
Lo Po Falls
(about 2½ hours).
Sleeping & Eating
There's accommodation both at Ao Pante Malacca and Ao Molae, open mid-November
to mid-May. Water is rationed, rubbish is (sporadically) transported back to the mainland,
lighting is provided by power-saving lightbulbs and electricity is available between 6pm
and 7am only.
The biggest spread of options is at Ao Pante Malacca, conveniently near all the facilit-
ies, where there are
bungalows
(800-1000B)
, simple
longhouse rooms
(550B)
sleeping up to four
people with shared bathrooms, and
camp sites
(with/without tent rental 375/150B)
.
Ao Molae is quieter, much more isolated and arguably prettier. But that's splitting
hairs. Basic and reasonably clean (but not spotless) one- and two-room
duplexes
(r 600-1000B)
are right on the beach. Accommodation can be booked at the
park office
( 0 7478 3485)
in
Pak Bara. National park entry fees can be paid at Ao Pante Malacca or Ao Taloh Waw.
