PHANG-NGA

Phang-nga is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga province. It is located 788 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres

Map of Phang-nga province, Thailand, with the district (Amphoe) numbered.
1. Mueang Phang-nga
2. Ko-yao
3. Kapong
4. Takua Thung
5. Takua Pa
6. Khura Buri
7. Thap Put
8. Thai Mueang

Sights

Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park

was declared a national park in 1981. It has scenic views and features mass limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. The same factors contribute to the density of caves in the area. The park is fertile with mangroves and there are a number of islands in the vicinity.

ko Panyi

a Muslim Fishing Village on stilts.

Mu Ko Similan National Park

was declared a national park in 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south and is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater.

Mu Ko Surin National Park

is an archipelago of 5 islands: Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Khai, and Ko Klang. It was declared a national park on July 9, 1981. The archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea, near the Thai-Burmese oceanic border, to the west of Thailand. There are coral reefs and the area is suitable for snorkeling.

Ko Phra Thong

located in Tambon Phra Thong. It is a large island northwest of Phang-nga. The island has many beaches. There is a large fresh water reservoir on the island.

Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

was declared a national park in August 1991. The park occupies a vast area of 150 square kilometers and covers Amphoe Thai Mueang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa, and Amphoe Mueang. The interesting attractions are: Khao Lak , which has the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine, Laem Pakarang which has groves of pine, making it good for camping and relaxation and
Namtok Ton Chong Fa or Ton Chong Fa Waterfall.

Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park

The park occupies an area of 18,000 acres (Template:Convert/rais). It was declared a national park on April 14, 1988. Interesting attractions in the park include: Namtok Lampi is a 6-tiered waterfall that runs all year round, Namtok Ton Phrai is a huge waterfall that runs all year round and Hat Thai Mueang being a long beach where the Sea Turtle Festival is held annually.

Wat Suwannakhuha

located in Tambon Krasom, is a temple in Phang-nga. It is of historical and archaeological importance. Within the boundary of the temple is a mountain with numerous caves out of which one is also used as a temple and houses various manners of Buddha images. There are also Royal Monograms inscriptions on the walls of the cave.

Ko Yao

covers an area of 137 square kilometres (34,000 acres). The majority of the population are Muslim. The island is made up of 2 large islands:Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai.

Hat Khao Lak

located 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Takua Pa, is a long scenic beach along the Andaman Sea set beneath the green mountain of Khao Lak-Lamru National Park, parallel to the coast. The accommodation of Takua Pa along Khao Lak and Bang Sak Beach is built in the original southern architecture style.

Wat Rat Uppatham or Wat Bang Riang

located in Tambon Bang Riang, the temple, situated on Khao Lan hill, contains several structures including an elaborate bell-shaped pagoda called Chedi Phutthathambanlue. The hilltop pagoda overlooks surrounding undulating mountains and hills as well as a huge Buddha image and a Guan-yin Chinese Goddess statue.