Ko Klang
Ko Klang (Thai: เกาะกลาง) is in tambon Klong Prasong, 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.
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 Klong Prasong
- Moo 3: Ban Klongkam
- Moo 4: Ban Bang Kanun
(*Moo = group; Ban = village)
Transport
Cars are not used on the island, the locals use only motorbike, bicycle or tuk-tuk.
Community
The population of the island currently stands at around 4,700 people (2010), composed of 915 families. Seventy percent of the population are indigenous island people. The inhabitants are 98 percent Muslim and 2 percent Buddhist. The call to prayer can be heard all over the island from each of the mosques, all of which serve for worship and gatherings.
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 specialise 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 been 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.
Tourism
Ko Klang is a quiet place with very few tourists. Locals are interested in developing eco-tourism on the island with the help of the local government. They provide local activities such as batik, visiting fish farms, taking a trip in the mangroves with a longtail boat, catching prawns, and exploring caves. The island is rich with wildlife, and tourists can bird watch in one of the two bird huts off the beach. These birding huts provide views of the surrounding islands, such as Chicken Island and Ko Jum.
Tourists can spend the night in one of the many home-stays on the island, all of which integrate their guests with the local community.
Because the island is primarily Muslim, guests are asked to respect the people and their culture, to refrain from drinking, and to dress modestly (long trousers and skirts, covered shoulders).