Ko Klang

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

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 = group; Ban = village)

Cars are not used on the island, the locals use only motorbike, bicycle or tuk-tuk.

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.

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.

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.

...
Wikipedia