South Thailand / Phang Nga
The town of Phang Nga is the capital of Phang Nga Province, a land of tin mines. The region is mountainous with few basin areas. Phang Nga Province covers an area of 4,171sqkm (1,610sqmi), 57 % of which is mangroves and green forest. Phang Nga Province is 788km (493mi) from Bangkok and divided into eight districts: the town of Phang Nga, Kapong, Khura Buri, Takua Pa, Takua Thung, Thai Muang, Thap Put and Ko Yao.
Accommodation
Lak Muang 1;
1/2 Phetkasem Rd
Tel 41-1125, 41-1512
23 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250 (f, ac)
Lak Muang 2;
540 Phetkasem Rd
Tel 41-1218, 41-1500 to 1
21 rooms, sgl/dbl 230-480 (f, ac)
Muang Thong;
128 Phetkasem Rd
Tel 41-1132; 11 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)
Phang Nga Valley Resort;
Phetkasem Rd
Tel 41-1201, 41-1353, 41-1393
15 rooms, sgl/dbl 600
Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park
Bkk Resv Tel 579-0529, 579-4842
Phang Nga Bay Resort;
20 Tha Dan Rd
Tel 41-1067 to 70; 90 rooms, sgl/dbl 665-1,700 (ac)
Bkk Resv Tel 259-1992 to 4; Fax 25-91995
Rak Phang Nga;
98 Phetkasem Rd
Tel 41-1090; 36 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)
Thawi Suk;
147 Tambon Thai-Chang
16 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-180 (f)
Places of Interest
Phang Chang Cave
Replicas of famous Buddha images are housed in this beautiful cave in the Chang Mountain behind the provincial prison. The cave also has several strange stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Nam Phun Cave
A natural spring bubbles up near the cave mouth where a shrine has been constructed as a residence for a spirit called Chao Phun Thao Kong. The cave is near the foot of Khao Toy, 2km (1.25mi) from the Phang Nga market.
Suwan Khuha Cave
The cave, near Takua Thung 7km (4mi) south of the town of Phang Nga, is part of Wat Suwan Khuha or Wat Tham. It houses Buddha images, small Prangs and pagodas, in addition toa great number of very beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Toan Phang Nga Waterfall
This waterfall is in Tambon Pa Kaw, near the town of Phang Nga. The water cascades from multi-level stone platforms on the mountain.
Lampee Waterfall
At this fall near Thye, water cascades from a very high cliff into a wide reservoir below before flowing into a lower level stream.
Phang Nga Bay National Park
The park with an area of 400sqkm (154sqmi) lies merely 75km (47mi) northeast of Phuket and is one of the world’s scenic wonders. Verdant limestone islands, honeycombed with caves and aquatic grottoes, soar perpendicularly, some 300m (984ft) high, from almost perpetually calm green waters.
Few islands are inhabited and except for the occasional fishing village, the bay is largely untouched by human hand. Visitors are awed by the bay’s silent, primeval atmosphere which has remained constant for untold centuries and which, barring unimaginable catastrophes, will remain so far into the foreseeable future.
The bay’s many moods range from early morning when mists evoke masterful Chinese paintings to spectacularly, riotously colored sunsets.
Boats for Phang Nga Bay can be hired at Tha Dan (Dan Pier) and at Surakun Pier near Takua Thung. Among the sights are:
Khao Khien
Here, in a mountain cavern, primitive paintings depicting fish, water lizards and dolphins may be seen. They are believed to be several thousand years old.
Panyi Island
On this island is an entire Thai Muslim fishing village of about 500 households built on stilts in the sea and connected by wooden bridges. There is one school in the village and a plot of land with a mosque and burial ground.
Ko Nom Sao
These twin islands, also called Meri Islands, are near Panyi Island.
Ko Talu
This island is just beyond Nom Sao Island. Boats pass among giant stalactites from one side of the island, whose center has been eroded, to the other through an imposing water-filled cavern.
Tham Lod
Similar in appearance but larger than Ko Talu, the mouth of Tham Lod is about 50m (164ft) wide and 40m (131ft) high, and boats can get inside the cave. Inside the cave and for its total length of about 100m (328ft) are beautiful stalactites.
Ko Khao Ping Kan
Here may be seen a spectacular high cliff that appears to have been cloven in two, the halves supported by leaning against each other - a sight of rare and exquisite beauty.
Ko Tapu
Ko Tapu means Nail Island in English, and the designation is appropriate. The base of the rock is quite narrow but has a broad peak, giving the strange but beautiful appearance of a spike driven into the sea. The small island is in front of Ko Khao Ping Kan (Ping Kan Hill Island).
Ko Yao Yai
About two hours by boat from the Phang Nga Customs Landing, this island has an interesting pearl farm as well as excellent swimming and fishing possibilities.
Transportation
Bangkok - Phang Nga
Buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal on Pinklao - Nakhon Chaisi Road (in Thonburi); 879km, non-aircon 152 Baht, 8:00, 16:00; aircon 294 Baht, 19:00, 19:50
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