Krabi's fossil shell cemetery faces destruction by erosion

KRABI: -- Named “The 75 million year old shell cemetery”, this mollusk fossil site, one of the main tourist attractions in the Andaman coastal province of Krabi, is now facing erosion from strong currents, particularly during the monsoon season.

The flat platform of shell fossils is the remnant of what was once a freshwater swamp, abundant with shells, mostly pond snails. The weather and geological change caused seawater to flood to the inland area, leading to a limestone build-up which over millions of years formed the layers of a unique fossil deposit.

The shell fossil ‘cemetery’s’ geologic age is around 20-40 million years and it is one of the world’s three oldest known shell fossil sites.

As time goes by, to preserve the 40 centimetre thick fossil layer on the beach is a challenge to fight against the power of nature. Strong waves have eroded the fossil base and caused a burrow or eroded tunnels under the fossil platform.

The head of the shell cemetery national park protection unit said after the 2004 tsunami, more cracks appeared and five-metre wide fossil plates broke and collapsed into the sea.

Park rangers sealed the hole with rock and cement grouting in an attempt to save the shell fossil however, the man-made shield is has been seriously damaged by the waves in the monsoon season.

“At low tide, we made a wave breaker, like a wall. It worked temporarily. Finally, it cannot resist the power of the waves,” said Komate Plodkhao, head of the national park protection unit.

The local community is worried about the problem and wants agencies concerned to find a permanent solution to preserve the shell cemetery, a popular tourist destination. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-18

Could never see the point of this place really and it's certainly not worth the 200 bht fee to go and see it.

Could never see the point of this place really and it's certainly not worth the 200 bht fee to go and see it.

Please don't tell me they're charging to go in there these days, not worth a baht. Come to think of it, there was a funny little box in the entrance last time I was riding around aimlessly a couple of years ago, didn't think much of it, he must of been asleep, not that I care, I decided 20yrs or so ago when they started charging 10 - 20 times what the locals pay, that they can shove it, seen lots of 'em anyways.

It's a shell of a mess!

bad karma for charging foreigners ten times as much as Thais?

bad karma for charging foreigners ten times as much as Thais?

Maybe they they might drop the fee now there is nothing to see

bad karma for charging foreigners ten times as much as Thais?

Maybe they they might drop the fee now there is nothing to see

Nah, the less there is to see, the more it will cost to see it.

Lived in Krabi for a year and a half but never saw it.

I went with the Mrs and paid 40 baht for 2 of us, and they asked me for another 180. When I saw 20 for Thai, 200 for foreigners,

we laughed knowingly, then took the 40 back and left.

They didn't look like it was the first time people had done that. Seemed to be normal.

It's a park with some scruffy vendors, tacky shell souvenirs and a rock platform to suit scientists and students doing fossil projects.

Others are better off going to Railay Bay or Tonsai instead

It's these little worlds within a world, that make this Thailand so interesting.Thailand isn't happy with an unusual large amount of flora and fauna, Thailand has geologic and geographic places that are unique and worthy. If we don't deem something as important or viable for the future, when advanced minds are present and ignorance isn't universal!

Lived in Krabi for a year and a half but never saw it.

I went with the Mrs and paid 40 baht for 2 of us, and they asked me for another 180. When I saw 20 for Thai, 200 for foreigners,

we laughed knowingly, then took the 40 back and left.

They didn't look like it was the first time people had done that. Seemed to be normal.

It's a park with some scruffy vendors, tacky shell souvenirs and a rock platform to suit scientists and students doing fossil projects.

Others are better off going to Railay Bay or Tonsai instead

Often a local drivers licence etc will do the trick.