| Mu Ko Phetra National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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View of Ko Phetra from Ko Lao Liang Nuea |
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| Location | Trang Province and Satun Province, Thailand |
| Area | 494.38 km² |
| Established | 1984 |
Mu Ko Phetra is a marine national park in Andaman Sea side of Thailand, covering mostly intact coastal line, open water, and about 30 islands of southern part of Trang Province and northern part of Satun Province. Established on 31 December 1984, it is the 49th national park and 14th marine national park of Thailand.
The majority of the park, about 94.74% or 468.38 km² out of 494.38 km² are open water. Two largest islands of the parks are Ko Phetra (Thai: เกาะเภตรา), where the name of the park is derived from, and Ko Khao Yai (Thai: เกาะเขาใหญ่). Several islands are the site where marine turtles lay eggs. Rich coral reef is also present around islands. Many of the islands consist of steep limestone rocks and little beaches. They are still used as temporary residence by fishermen during fishing season.
In the caves of the cliffs high above the ground in some of the islands are where swiftlets build their nest and breed. Several islands were placed under concession for decades to collect bird nests. They are highly valuable and closely guarded with firearms. Traveling to those islands should be done through local tour companies in the provinces as their boats are recognized and ignored by the guards.
The name Phetra is a Thai corruption of its original Malay name, Pulau Petra (the Island of Petra).
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