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The Surin Islands (, ) is a continental archipelago of five in the Andaman Sea, from the Thailand mainland. Administratively, the islands are part of Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Khura Buri district, in Phang Nga province, Thailand.
Geographically, the Thai-Burmese oceanic border lies a few kilometers north of Ko Chi. Christie Island, which marks Myanmar's southernmost point, is situated north of Ko Surin Nuea. To the south, approximately away, lies the Mu Ko Similan National Park.
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A hot season runs from mid-February to May. The rainy season is from mid-May to October, the rainiest month. The annual average rainfall is with average humidity of 71 percent and 104 rain days. Highest average wind speeds are observed in December with .
The Moken belong to one of three distinct tribes living along the Andaman Coast of Myanmar and Thailand. These include the Moken of the Mergui Archipelago, the Moklen of Phang Nga Province, and the Urak Lawoi, who reside from Phuket Province down to Satun Province. These groups, having Austronesian origins, are known for their distinct languages (Moken language, Moklen language, Urak Lawoi'), culture, and lifestyle. They have a history of peaceful coexistence with their mainland neighbors. Traditionally, the Moken, particularly those in the Mergui Archipelago and along Thailand's North Andaman coast, led a nomadic life, spending much of their time on traditional houseboats known as kabang. This way of life allowed them to move from bay to bay, following the wind and weather patterns. The last kabang was reportedly built in 2006, with efforts to revive this traditional practice emerging around 2018.
The Moken community, which does not have a written language, relies on oral lore to preserve and pass down their cultural heritage and knowledge.
Within the Moken community, familial bonds are notably strong and reliable. Linguistically, the Moken language lacks terms for individual possession, which is reflective of their cultural emphasis on sharing and communal living.
The Moken traditionally do not adhere to any formalized religion. Their practices include ancestor worship, which is evident in their funeral customs. In accordance with their traditions, deceased family members are buried beneath the family's house, accompanied by sea shells and other offerings as part of their ritualistic practices. The Moken possess a profound understanding of and respect for their natural environment and resources. Historically, they engaged in a subsistence lifestyle as hunter-gatherers, relying on the trade of shells, sea cucumbers, and fish in exchange for rice and other essentials. They have demonstrated extensive knowledge of local flora, utilizing 83 plant species for food, 33 for medicinal purposes, 53 for the construction of huts, boats, and tools, and 54 species for various other uses.
| 2012 | 16,711 |
| 2013 | 17,086 |
| 2014 | 11,055 |
| 2015 | 15,563 |
| 2016 | 52,517 |
Access to the park is typically through day trips using speedboats from Khao Lak and Khura Buri, or via multi-day cruises. Visitors can pay the entrance fee at several locations, including the Surin Islands Visitor Center in Khura Buri, the park's headquarters at Chong Kaad Bay on Ko Surin Nuea, or directly to staff at Richelieu Rock. Accommodation options on Ko Surin Nuea include camping at Mai Ngam beach and a limited number of lodgings at Chong Kaad Bay. Besides the Moken village and park facilities, there are no other buildings on the islands, and most of the land areas, except for the Moken village and designated campsite, are restricted to visitors. During the high season, the park receives approximately 450 to 800 visitors daily. Mu Ko Surin National Park is typically open from 15 October to 15 May annually, although it may close earlier depending on weather conditions.
Ecological surveys of the park have identified a rich biodiversity:
BirdLife International has designated Mu Ko Surin National Park as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This designation is due to the park's support of several bird species of conservation concern. These include the near-threatened Nicobar pigeon and Beach stone-curlew, the vulnerable Large green pigeon, and various nationally threatened or near-threatened species in Thailand, such as the Green imperial pigeon, Pied imperial pigeon, and Orange-breasted green pigeon.
The best time for diving is from December to April with dry conditions, minimum wind and an average water temperature at around . All dive sites are only accessible by boat. While sightings of large pelagic species like manta ray and whale shark are rare, February to April is the best time to spot them. Due to marine conservation initiatives diving is not allowed in certain areas of the national park.
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| Richelieu Rock | reef | ||
| Ko Khai | slope | ||
| Pak Kaad | night | ||
| Turtle Ridge | slope | ||
| Prebens Platon | reef | ||
| Suthep Bay | slope | ||
| Ko Glang | slope | ||
| Hin Kong | rocky islet | ||
| Ko Chi | slope |
Richelieu Rock is a solitary limestone pinnacle standing from around depth with its peak right below the sea surface at low tide and home to some of the largest marine life species in Thailand.
Forewarned by this knowledge, the entire Moken population on these islands was able to move to higher ground for safety. Those who were conducting snorkeling tours with tourists took immediate action to steer their boats away from the shore, thus avoiding the impact of the waves. Despite these precautionary measures, the tsunami resulted in the destruction of their homes and other belongings. Only about half of their boats survived the disaster. In the aftermath, the community rebuilt and consolidated into a single village named Ao Bon Yai in Ko Surin Tai.
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