Current view: Text account
Site description (2004 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA comprises Ko Pra Thong, a large island off the coast of Kuraburi district, Phang-nga province, which forms part of a spectacular natural harbour in the Andaman Sea. Habitats at the site comprise grassy flats, freshwater pools and mangroves. In spite of there being no permanent sources of freshwater on the island, it supports four human settlements. In 2001, Ko Pra Thong was proposed for designation as a marine national park.
Ko Pra Thong is the last remaining site in Thailand known to support a significant breeding population of the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. Over half of the total number of Lesser Adjutants recorded annually in Thailand occur at the site. In addition, the site supports significant populations of the globally threatened Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea and three globally near-threatened species: Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon Treron fulvicollis, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus and White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum. A fourth globally near-threatened species, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, has also been recorded at the site but not in significant numbers. In addition, the site supports populations of a number of nationally threatened species, such as Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus, Orange-breasted Pigeon Treron bicincta and White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis.
The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports one species (Pale-capped Pigeon) restricted to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09) and two species (Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon and White-chested Babbler) restricted to Sundaic Lowland Forests (Biome 14).
Non-bird biodiversity: No information is available about other globally threatened species at the site.
The IBA comprises Ko Pra Thong, a large island off the coast of Kuraburi district, Phang-nga province, which forms part of a spectacular natural harbour in the Andaman Sea. Habitats at the site comprise grassy flats, freshwater pools and mangroves. In spite of there being no permanent sources of freshwater on the island, it supports four human settlements. In 2001, Ko Pra Thong was proposed for designation as a marine national park.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats to biodiversity at the site are collection of Lesser Adjutant nestlings (for food) and unsustainable tourism development. Disturbance resulting from increasing tourism has recently caused the Lesser Adjutants to leave their nests. In addition, tourism developments are encroaching into natural habitats at the site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ko Phra Thong (Thailand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ko-phra-thong-iba-thailand on 23/11/2024.
