Phang Nga is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga.
History
Phang-nga was originally inhabited by small communities and named Kraphu-nga. During the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalung, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu-nga. In 1824, Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the invaders were expelled. King Rama III renamed the area Phang-nga and in 1933 the town was expanded to be a province.
On the fateful morning of December 26, 2004 Phang-nga Bay was devastated by a Tsunami disaster and thousands of people lost their lives.
Administrative divisions
Phang Nga is subdivided into 8 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 48 communes (tambon) and 314 villages (muban).
1. Mueang Phangnga
2. Ko Yao
3. Kapong
4. Takua Thung
5. Takua Pa
6. Khura Buri
7. Thap Put
8. Thai Mueang
Transportation
Roads
* Highway No. 4 is the main route that connects all districts in Phang-Nga (except Kapong & Koh Yao).
* Highway No. 401 connects Phang-Nga to Surat Thani.
* Highway No. 402 connects Phang-Nga to Phuket Province.
* Highway No. 4090 connects Muang to Kapong district.
Rail systems There is no rail method in Phang-Nga Province. The nearest railway station is at Phunphin district, Nakhorn Sithammarat.
Bus There's both non air-conditioned & air-conditioned buses to Bangkok & other provinces. There's also non air-condition inter-provincial buses.
Songthaew (public passenger pickup vehicle) The public passenger pickup vehicle is the most popular mode of public transportation in Phang-nga.
Motorbike-taxi These are found mainly in the town areas & are used mainly for short distances. The charges differ according to the distance travelled through the Motorbike-taxi.
Airport There is no airport in Phang-Nga Province. The nearest airport is Phuket International Airport.
Tourism
Situated on the Andaman Sea, Phang-nga province is famed for the natural beauty of its water, beaches, islands, mountains and forests.
Phang-nga was damaged in the 2004 Tsunami, although tourism has largely recovered.[citation needed]
[edit] Sights / Attractions
* Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา) 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.
* Mu Ko Similan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน) 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 (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์) 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 (เกาะพระทอง), 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 (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาหลัก-ลำรู่) 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 (เขาหลัก), which has the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine, Laem Pakarang (แหลมปะการัง) which has groves of pine, making it good for camping and relaxation and Namtok Ton Chong Fa (น้ำตกโตนช่องฟ้า) or Ton Chong Fa Waterfall.
* Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาลำปี-หาดท้ายเหมือง) 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 (น้ำตกลำปี) is a 6-tiered waterfall that runs all year round, Namtok Ton Phrai (น้ำตกโตนไพร) is a huge waterfall that runs all year round and Hat Thai Mueang (หาดท้ายเหมือง) being a long beach where the Sea Turtle Festival is held annually.
* Wat Suwannakhuha (วัดสุวรรณคูหา), 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 (เกาะยาว) 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 (ชายทะเลเขาหลัก), 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 (วัดราษฎร์อุปถัมภ์ หรือ วัดบางเหรียง), 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.
Activities
Elephant Cave Trekking
Elephant cave tours are usually made to Tham Phung Chang which is a cave with numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
Rafting
Rafting is considered to be an eco-tourism trip in the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area.
Rock Climbing
This is a popular activity which passes through the routes including high quality limestone, steep, pocketed walls, overhangs and hanging stalactites.
Kayaking
Phang-ngas coastline which composes of mangroves, limestone, small coves, caves and islands, and an interior with rivers lined with fascinating cave systems, has transformed the area into a haven for tourists wanting to try out kayaking. The most popular place of all is Khao Lak.
Bird Watching
Many rare birds are to be seen in Phang-nga such as: Gurneys, Finfoots, Bigwinged Brown Kingfishers, Egrets, and Herons.
Sailing & Cruising
Phang-nga has plenty of anchorages in Phan-nga for sailing and cruising.
Fishing
Fishers catch the likes of marlin, sailfish barracuda and tuna.
Jungle Trekking
Phang-nga’s forests and flora and fauna are good for trekking. Elephant riding is also popular.
Sea canoeing: Inflatable canoes squeeze into and under island.
Bamboo Rafting: This is a popular activity at Along Lamroo Canal at Khao Lak National Park
Golf
Over the past decade or so, the popularity of golf in Thailand has escalated; played both by local Thais and visiting foreign tourists and expatriates. There are two 18-hole golf courses in Phang-nga. There are two major golf courses in Khao Lak, which includes Tablamu Navy Golf Course and Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina.
Spa
Proper world-class spa services in Phang-Nga are located in hotels and resorts. Since a lot of these spas are accredited by the Thai Spa Operators Association, then the therapists have been properly trained.
Diving
The Similan Islands have one of Thailand’s most famous diving sites which lay claim to having one of the best diving sites in Asia. The Similans consist of 9 islands (Similan means 9 in Malay language) Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. The islands are famed for their reefs, coral and variety of marine life. Tourists like to spot chevron barracuda, giant trevally, manta rays, leopard sharks and rainbow runners.
* Surin Islands The Surin Islands are virtually untouched with reefs that slope to the seabed. The islands are situated 80 km west off Ranong province along the west cost of Thailand.Located near the Surin islands is the horseshoe shaped Richelieu Rock which is considered by hoards of divers to be the best dive site in the whole of Thailand.
* Khao Lak Khao Lak Marine National Park a palm fringed coastline with newly discovered reefs. The area is home to a plentitude of marine life and even a couple of wrecks.
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