Ko Klang

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Ko Klang (Thai: เกาะกลาง) is in tambon Khlong Prasong, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Province, Thailand.

Orientation[]

Ko Klang is on the west coast of southern Thailand, at the mouth of Krabi River in the Andaman Sea. It is the closest island to Krabi town, on the right side of the Krabi River. The island is connected only by longtail boats from two piers: Chaofa Pier (centre of Krabi town) and Tara Pier (south of Krabi town). Crossings take less than 10 minutes.[1]

The island has an area of 26 square kilometres (16,250 rai) and is divided into four areas, with one village and one mosque in each:

  • Moo 1: Ban Ko Klang
  • Moo 2: Ban Khlong Prasong
  • Moo 3: Ban Khlongkam
  • Moo 4: Ban Bang Kanun

(*Moo = group; Ban = village)

Transport[]

The Department of Rural Roads plans to build a 1.95 km suspended bridge connecting Ban Hua Hin in Ko Klang District to Ko Lanta. If approved, the bridge will be completed by 2025.[2] Cars are not used on the island, the locals use only motorbike, bicycle or tuk-tuk.

Community[]

The population of the island was around 4,700 people in 2010, composed of 915 families. Seventy percent of the population are indigenous island people. The inhabitants are 98 percent Muslim and two percent Buddhist.[citation needed]

Economy[]

The sea is the primary resource of the island. Many of the people are boatmen and transport local people to and from Krabi town, or transport tourists to the surrounding islands. A majority also fish in the river or in Andaman Sea. Prawns, fish and crab, when they can be found, are caught in local waters. There are fish farms on the island. Handicrafts, such as batik fabrics, are also produced locally. Some men specialize in the construction of miniature longtail boats, most of which are sold to tourists as souvenirs.

Environment[]

The environment is varied, from mangrove forests to rice fields. On the island the visitor can find caves, beaches, and Krabi's famous limestone mountains.

Mangrove forest occupy 80 percent of the island and are on the north and east coasts of the island. The flora is rich in this area, with plenty of mangrove trees such as Rhizophora mucronata, the mangrove date palm Phoenix paludosa, and plants such as Lumnitzera.

The fauna is also diversified and include the long-tailed macaque, the Oriental small-clawed otter, and several snake species.

Many species of birds can be spotted along the coastline such as the endangered Chinese egret, Egretta eulophotes. Birds such as the grey heron, the masked finefoot, the spotted greenshank, the roseate tern, the sea eagle, the kingfisher and the stork make their home on the coastline.

Crabs and shell-dwelling molluscs also share the beaches, and can be seen moving about the sand at low tide.

On the water the number of fish decreases from year to year because of pollution and overfishing. Despite this, there are still fish species such as the milkfish, the barramundi, and the Indo-Pacific tarpon.

The island itself is flat and has many canals. It is an ideal place for rice fields, which play a very important role for the village and its economy. Coconut trees are in abundance. Raising both fish and ducks is common. Water buffaloes and goats are also seen grazing year round.

Climate[]

The tropical climate of Thailand has only two seasons: the dry season from November to May and the rainy season from June to October. The average temperate is 28 degrees Celsius, though temperatures can rise up to 34-37 degrees during the hot season.

References[]

  1. ^ David Luekens (14 October 2018). "Ko Klang". Travelfish. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. ^ Jarnjanatawe, Karnjana (26 November 2020). "Koh Lanta bridge on the cards". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 28 June 2021.

Coordinates: 8°02′26″N 98°56′14″E / 8.040640°N 98.937093°E / 8.040640; 98.937093

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