Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park

Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet (Thai: เขาแหลมหญ้า-หมู่เกาะเสม็ด) is a Thai marine national park in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of Rayong, approximately 180 km southeast of Bangkok.^[1]^[2]

In 1981, the Royal Forest Department declared the archipelago of Ko Samet, along with nine other small islands, the headland of Khao Laem Ya, and the 11 kilometre Mae Rampeung Beach to be a national park, and thus these areas are under the jurisdiction of the national parks department. In August 2013 more than 500 national park officials were deployed to destroy three resorts—Muk Samet, Unseen, and Ploy Samet—which had been built illegally in the park.

Geography

The park covers an area of 131 square kilometres of land and sea in Mueang Rayong District (Thai: เมืองระยอง), Rayong Province. The major and minor landmarks of the park are:

Khao Plet (Plet Hill and valley)
Khao Laem Ya (Leam Ya Hill and valley)
Mae Ram Phung Beach and mountain

and the islands of:

Ko Samet
Ko Kudi (Monk's Chamber Island)
Ko Kruai (Cone Island)
Ko Makham (Tamarind Island, also called Ko Kham)
Ko Plai Tin (Foot's Tip Island)
Ko Chan (Moon Island)
Ko Talu (Hole Island)
Ko Klet Chalam (Shark Scale Island)
Ko Thai Khang Kao (Bat's Bottom Island)

Park corruption

In September 2016, the park chief and 79 other officials were removed from their posts for corruption. Investigations found that 200,000 baht per month was paid to park officials as kickbacks. The Department of National Parks (DNP) found that all businesses on Ko Samet "valued at over 100 million baht per month" were operated by "mafia groups", some linked to police officers. Since the removal of corrupt officials, revenues at the park have increased, rising to 4.8 million baht in October 2016, compared with 1.2 million baht in October 2015.^[3]

References

↑ "Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park". Bangkok Post. n.d. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
↑ "KHAO LAEM YA - MU KO SAMET NATIONAL PARK". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 18 November 2016.
↑ Wipatayotin, Apinya (18 November 2016). "Samet beset by graft, probe finds". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 18 November 2016.

National parks, forest parks and wetlands in Thailand

National parks	Budo-Su-ngai Padi Chae Son Chaloem Rattanakosin Doi Inthanon Doi Khun Tan Doi Luang Doi Pha Hom Pok Doi Phu Kha Doi Phu Nang Doi Suthep-Pui Erawan Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai Huai Nam Dang Kaeng Chet Khwae Kaeng Krachan Kaeng Krung Kaeng Tana Khao Khitchakut Khao Kho Khao Laem Khao Lak–Lam Ru Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang Khao Luang Khao Phanom Bencha Khao Phra Wihan Khao Sok Khao Yai Khlong Lan Khlong Phanom Khlong Wang Chao Khuean Srinagarindra Khun Chae Khun Khan Khun Nan Kui Buri Lam Nam Nan Lan Sang Mae Charim Mae Ping Mae Wa Mae Wong Mae Yom Mukdahan Nam Nao Nam Phong Namtok Chat Trakan Namtok Mae Surin Namtok Phlio Namtok Sam Lan Op Luang Pa Hin Ngam Pang Sida Pha Daeng Pha Taem Phu Chong–Na Yoi Phu Hin Rong Kla Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham Phu Kradueng Phu Pha Man Phu Phan Phu Ruea Phu Sa Dok Bua Phu Sang Phu Soi Dao Phu Toei Phu Wiang Ramkhamhaeng Sai Thong Sai Yok Salawin Si Lanna Si Nan Si Phang-nga Si Satchanalai Sirinat Ta Phraya Tai Rom Yen Taksin Maharat Tat Mok Tat Ton Thale Ban Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan Thap Lan Thong Pha Phum Thung Salaeng Luang Wiang Kosai

Marine national parks	Ao Phang Nga Phang Nga Bay Hat Chao Mai Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet Khao Sam Roi Yot Laem Son Mu Ko Ang Thong Mu Ko Chang Mu Ko Lanta Mu Ko Phetra Mu Ko Similan Mu Ko Surin Tarutao

Forest parks	Khao Kradong Phae Mueang Phi Phu Chi Fa Phu Langka Phu Phra Bat Buabok Pranburi Sa Nang Manora

Wetlands	Bueng Boraphet Don Hoi Lot Krabi River Estuary Kraburi River Estuary Phayao Lake Kuan Ki Sian of the Thale Noi Non-hunting Area

Coordinates: 12°35′27″N 101°25′01″E / 12.59083°N 101.41694°E / 12.59083; 101.41694

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