Wa Ko

The Wa Ko Science National Park

Wa Ko
This locality has had historical importance since the fourth reign period. King Rama IV made a trip to that locality to witness the full moon eclipse. It is 12 kilometers from the township (Km. 335).
In Thailand, observation of solar eclipse has been made at varying degrees in different regions. Records show that total solar eclipse was observed in Thailand on five occasions. The first time was in the reign of King Narai the Great on April 30, 1688 at 9:27 a.m. The second was in the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) on August 18, 1868 at 12:13 p.m. at Wa Ko district in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The exact time and place for observation had been accurately calculated two years in advance by King Mongkut traveled by boat to observe the eclipse, together with foreign astronomers and dignitaries. It was during this trip that he caught malaria which caused his untimely death.

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Information

: Tourism Authority of Thailand, 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10100, THAILAND. Tel. : (66 2) 281-0422 (20 Lines), E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th : Tourist Service Center (TAT and Tourist Police), Tel. 1155 : Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center : TAT Central Office : Region 2 500/51 Phetkasem Rd., Amphoe Cha-am, Phetchaburi 76120 Tel.: (66 32) 471-005-6; Fax: (66 32) 471-502 E-mail : tatphet@tat.or.th Area of Responsibility : Phetchaburi (Cha-am), Ratchaburi and Phrachuap Khiri Khan