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General Description
- TNP was established as a marine national park in 1974 and is located at the southernmost part of Thailand off the coast at Satun province in the Andaman Sea. The southern side of the national park is 4.8 km from the Thai-Malaysia border. The park consists of 51 islands within two groups: Tarutao Group to the east and Adang-Rawi Group to the west. There are three archipelagos in the park: Tarutao Archipelago, Klang Archipelago, and Adang Archipelago.
- The name Tarutao derives from Pulau Tertua (means “the island of old”), which was the original name of the main island. Tarutao island is one of Thailand’s most important historical sites as it was used as a “correctional facility” for a number of famous political prisoners in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Geological diversity of Tarutao Island is one of the fundamental factors supporting biodiversity of marine ecosystems. Limestone coastline on the west of Tarutao Island results in a mudflat and mangrove swamp ecosystem, while sandstone and sandy sedimentary rock on the east of the island results in a long sandy beach. The highest peak in the park is on Tarutao Island at 708 metres above sea level (masl). In addition, sandstone and granite on offshore islands from Ko Kai to Adang-Rawi group results in surrounding sand dune that support shallow coral reefs.
- Coral reefs are an important resource and ecosystem of TNP and harbour significant marine biodiversity as well as serve as spawning and nursing ground for fisheries resources. TNP has over 1,800 hectares of coral reefs and can be divided into two zones: a zone near shore on Tarutao Island, and an off-shore zone or the Adang-Rawi Islands zone. Coral reefs in Tarutao National Park have relatively high resilience with ability to resist above average temperature and ability to recover naturally.
- TNP was declared as the first marine ASEAN Heritage Parks for Thailand in 1982. The park was also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1990 and 2010. Due to its global significance in terms of geology, TNP is part of Satun Geopark, Thailand’s first UNESCO global Geopark on 17 April 2018.
- At least 48 species of mammals and 268 species of birds have been recorded in TNP. Three species are near-threatened including dobson’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus yunanensis), naked bat (Cheiromeles torquatus), and long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The mammal community in this island environment is one of the most diverse and pristine. This might be due to the island being relatively large (Tarutao island: 65 km2, Adang and Rawi 25–30 km2) and disturbance is limited in small areas. The park also covers a wide range of habitat from mangrove forest, beach forest, and evergreen forest to limestone vegetation area.
- Tarutao Island is also the type locality of several mammal subspecies such as bats and mouse deer. It has been recognised for its biogeographical importance and its unique fauna. In addition, the biogeographical pattern of ecological release reflects the very high density of some particular taxa. For example, the density of both greater and lesser mouse deer (Tragulus napu and Tragulus kanchi) was around 200 individuals per km2.
- TNP has outstanding marine and coastal resources and is very rich in terms of marine biodiversity. The survey found more than 930 species of marine life, including more than 426 species of marine fish, 237 species of molasses, 95 crustacean species, with all major marine ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass, mangrove forests, beach forests, as well as nesting beaches for sea turtles.
- Several globally threatened marine species were also reported such as Bryde’s whales, Kuvier whales, toothless dolphins, killer whales, false killer whales, whale sharks and manta rays
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Primary Threats
- Climate change, erosion of bird islets, inadequate infrastructure, marine debris, adverse effects of tourism, illegal fishing, escalating shipping activities around TNP, energy exploration.
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