Eco Tourism Island Opens In Phuket

[george]

Eco tourism island opens in Phuket

PHUKET: -- There’s a new tourist attraction not far from world-famous Phuket island. It’s a virgin island home to rare hornbills, yet also beaches and a secluded lush environment.

The 23 acres of Tapaonoi island in Phuket has been a closed island under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy since 1919. The hydrographic department set up a lighthouse for sailing. It’s the country’s third oldest lighthouse at 109 years old.

The island has not seen much ‘people traffic’ so the forest is thick and a large number of various kinds of bird including hornbills are found on the island. The beaches are beautiful and shallow coral is abundant. The top of Tapaonoi mountain is a good location for viewing Phuket town.

The Navy’s hydrographic department had the idea of opening the island as a tourist site, one of the few eco tourism sites on Phuket.

“The forest here is lush and green. There are a large number of birds, particularly several couples of hornbills. There are long stretches of sandy beaches around the island where tourists can enjoy swimming or snorkeling," said Capt. Chakkrit Malikhao.

Located one kilometer off Phuket or a 20-minute boat-ride, Tapaonoi island is now another option for holidaymakers in Phuket.

--TNA 2008-02-22