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 In 1980 Mr
Sanae Wattanathorn the governor of Phuket surveyed the province to
identify sites worthy of preservation. He considered both the
tourist potential and the local villagers needs at all sites. One
location visited was at Saku village on the North Western coast of
Phuket island, centered upon an area of community grazing land, the
adjoining beach and bay. This site appeared to be suitable for
preservation so it was recommended to the Royal Forest Department as
a possible site for the creation of a National Park. The Royal
Forest Department came and undertook several surveys to assess the
site's potential . They realized that although the forest in the
area was not especially diverse and in some areas had been replaced
by fruit tree plantations, they did discover two large healthy coral
reefs in the bay. They also noted the overall natural state of the
site the clean water and its historic importance as a sea turtle
nesting beach. The Royal Forest Department produced and filed a
report with the government for the inclusion of the site as a
National Park. Had Nai Yang as the site became known, was officially
opened by Royal decree on 13th July 1981. It became the 31st
National Park of Thailand and covered the area of coastline and
extended 5 kms out to sea.
In 1992 the Royal Forest Department changed the name of the park in
commemoration of the 60th birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit.
The park name was changed to Sirinath Marine National Park. The
boundary covers a total area of 90 sq. kms. of which 68 sq. kms.
(76%) is marine and
 22 sq. kms.
(24%) is terrestrial.
Topography
There’re many white sand beaches with range of Casuarina and beach
trees. Furthermore, there’s coral reef located around National Park
office at Hat Nai Yang.
Climate
Sirinath National Park located in the coast of Andaman sea, that’s
why it rains all year round. There’s wet season from May to
September and its time of northeast monsoon, which bring the cold
wind into this area from November to April. It doesn’t low down the
temperature but the rain from Ao Thai cool down the area.
Flora and Fauna
Forest: types can divided into 2 main groups as follow:
Beach forest: This forest
type is characteristic of the more exposed beachfronts around the
coast of Thailand and is dominated by Casurina pines. Due to the
severe  water
stress occurring above the beach zone the tree density and total
species diversity in beach forest is low when compared to other
forest types. This forest type covers approximately 2 sq. kms. and
has a moderately rich bird fauna. Birds species recorded include
Magpie robin, Common myna, Spotted dove, Asian fairy bluebird,
Blacknaped oriole, Greater racket-tailed drongo, and several Bulbul
species, There are also many Marine cicades which can be heard
calling in the trees, this insect only occurs in this forest type.
Beach forest provides good shade with good ventilation due to the
low tree density and thus makes an excellent location for picnic
trips, with many people visiting during the holidays. These trees
also provide a windbreak thus reducing the impact of tropical storms
inland probably saving a considerable quantity of fruit each year.
The trees also help to stabilize beach deposits.
The principle tree species occurring within the beach forest is;
Common Ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia) other species include;
Tulip tree (Thespesia populnea), Tropical almond (Terminalia catappa),
White Barringtonia (Barringtonia asiatica), Cajeput tree (Melaleuca
leucadendra), Alexandrian laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), Screwpine
(Pandanus odoratissima), Asoka tree (Saraca indica), Black Poum
(Eugenia cumini), Dillenia indica and Convolvulus (Ipomoea sp.).
Mangrove forest
: This
forest type is an evergreen forest type. It is restricted to the
area where freshwater and seawater mix and cannot survive in pure
freshwater or pure seawater. This forest type occurs in sheltered
locations such as the mouth of streams and rivers flowing into the
sea and especially in estuaries. At Sirinath National Park mangrove
covers a total area of approximately 1 sq. km. Although this area is
small the mangrove forest which occurs here is the most natural and
unspoilt mangrove forest occurring on the island. Mangrove forest
provides a protected
 habitat for
many species, birds recorded include; Collared kingfisher, Roseate
tern, Sanderling, Terek sandpiper, Bar-tailed godwit, White-breasted
waterhen, Slaty-breasted rail, White-bellied sea-eagle, Brahminy
kite and Large-billed crow, also Monitor lizards, Snakes including
Mangrove snake, Turtles, Shrimps, Shellfish, Crabs, Fish including
Mudskippers, Mullet, Groupers, and Garfish etc. Mangrove forest
preservation is important as mangroves trees with their extended
root systems are important in preventing erosion of the mudflats,
they also act as a global sink for carbon dioxide a major greenhouse
gas.
Tree species recorded include; Red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata),
White mangrove (Avicennia officinalis), Olive mangrove (Avicennia
marina), Black mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), Rhizophora
apiculata, Ceriops spp., Xylocarpus granatum, Xylocarpus moluccensis,
Lumnitzera racemosa, Heritiera littoralis, Finlaysonia maritima and
Derris trifoliata.
Marine Environment :
The marine environment of Sirinath is quite diverse and the coral
reefs present in the bay are some of the most pristine found in
Phuket province. The reefs are located about 700 to 1000m away from
the shore near the park restaurant. The coral reefs are found in
water between 4 to 7 m deep. Some of the marine species occurring
include; Plate corals, Soft corals, Sea fans, Tree corals and Sea
anemones.
Getting there
From
Phang Nga province, cross Sarasin
Bridge (Thep Ka Sat Tri bridge), turn left and drive for 3
kilometers you’ll find Tha Chat Chai National Park office which
located in the north part of Sirinath National Park. You can walk
across Sarasin Bridge and follow the highway No.402 to the airport,
then turn left and have a 3 kilometers walk to Si Ri Nat National
Park. It’s 876 kilometers from Bangkok to Phuket.
For local people, you can go there by follow highway No.402 for
about 32 kilometers, turn left to the airport for 2 kilometers and
you’ll reach the National Park.
There’re other ways which will lead you to Sirinath National Park
such as
Mai Khao village, Hat Nai Yang,
Hat Nai Thon and Ko Ta for instance.
 Facilities
Accommodation - Bungalows are available.
Camping site/Tent - Campground is available for visitors.
Parking - National Park provides parking lot for visitors.
Food services - The restaurant open during 08.30 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
Soft drink kiosk - Coffee/tea/soft drink Kiosk can be found in the
Park
Visitor center - Visitor Center is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30
p.m.
Others - 1 Natural study route at Tha Chate Chai
1
Natural study Mangrove forest at Tha Chate Chai
Source & contact:
Sirinat National Park
89/1, Mu 1 Ban Nai Yang, Sakhu Sub-district, Amphur Thalang Phuket
Thailand 83140
Tel. 0 7632 8226, 0 7632 7152 Fax 0 7632 7152 E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th
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