Phangnga
is a land of tin mines and beautiful scenery nestled among mountains which
rise up around the town as if they were the town wall. The majority of
the area is mountainous with very little basin area. Phangnga covers the
area of 4,170.9 square kilometers, 57% of which is mangrove and evergreen
forest. Phangnga is 788 kms. from Bangkok, bordering on Ranong to the north,
Phuket to the south, Krabi and Surat Thani to the east, and the Indian
Ocean to the west. It is administratively divided into eight Amphoes :
Muang, Kapong, Khura Buri, Takua Pa, Takua Thung, Thai Muang, Thap Put
and Ko Yao.
Tourist Attractions
Tham Phung Chang This cave is located on Chang Mountain behind the provincial prison. Replicas of famous Buddha images are housed in this beautiful cave, in addition to strange stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Tham Nam Phud This cave is located near the foot hill of Khao Toy in Amphoe Muang, 2 kms. from Phangnga market place, and highly-revered by Phangnga inhabitants. A natural spring bubbles up near the cave mouth where a shrine is constructed as a residence of a spirit called "Chao Phun Thao Kong".
Tham Suwan Khuha This cave is located in Amphoe Takua Thung, 7 kms. before arriving in the Phangnga township area. The cave is a part of Wat Suwan Khuha or Wat Tham, and it houses Buddha images, prangs and pagodas in addition to a lot of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Nam Tok Toan Phangnga Also Called Nam Tok Toan, located in the area of Tambon Pa Kaw, Amphoe Muang. The Falls cascade from multi-levelled stone platforms on the mountain.
Nam Tok Lampee This waterfall, located in Amphoe Thai Muang cascades from a very high cliff into a wide reservoir below before flowing into a lower level stream.
Thai Muang Seashore The beach in this area stretches openly for a long distance, unobstructed by cliffs.
Khao Pilai Seashore It is located in the area of Tambon Khoke Kloi, Amphoe Takua Pa extending out towards the Thai Muang seashore. The beach is fine sand and the street is clean.
Stone carvings from Episode of Ramayana Epic Wat Khong, Tambon Leh, Amphoe Kapong is believed to have been the site of the ancient town of Takua Pa, and fine stone carvings of the God Narayana, King Laksha and Queen Sita of the Ramayana Epic can be seen. These are the oldest works of art found in Phangnga and it is presumed that Kaling Kharat tribal people who once lived along the Indian Ocean coast made the carvings.
Ancient Town of Ban Thung Tuk It is located in the area of Tambon Ko Kho Khao, 15 kms. from Amphoe Khura Buri Administrative Office. There are several ruins left in the area presumed to be the remnants of the first town constructed by ancient Indian settlers to the region.
Mu Ko Surin National Park Under the administration of Amphoe Khura Buri, Phangnga, Mu Ko Surin National Park is located in the Andaman Sea and covers the area of approximately 135 square kilometers for this four islets archipelago. To reach the park, tourists may start from three different point, but the most convenience and the least time taken is from Ban Hin Lad in Amphoe Krura Buri which takes about 4-5 hours journey. The islands' most attractions are long, beautiful beaches with smooth white sand, lines of perfect shallow water coral reef, and mainland inhabitted by sea-gysy. The National Park Division, Forestry Department provides accommodations in the from from of bungalow for tourist, and reservation can be made through by Tel. 579-0529, 579-4842. Note for the most suitable time to visit is from December-March of each year.
Mu Ko Similan National Park This park occupies an area of approximately 130 square kilometers. To get to the park, one can take a boat trip from the pier in Tambon Thap Lamu, Amphoe Takua Pa or from the pier in Amphoe Khura Bri. The trip takes about three hours. Similan, a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea, comprises nine islands. It is famous for both surface and under water beautiful scenery. The best time to make a trip for diving and angling is from late December to mid April.
Ao Phangnga National Park Located in the area of Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Takua Thung and Amphoe Ko Yao of Phangnga. The park covers the area of 400 square kilometers, mainly comprises of many isles of different shape and size. Caves and beautiful bays together with rock formations and mangrove are some of the park's major attractions. From Ao Phangnga, there are boat services at Tha Dan Pier in Amphoe Muang and at Surakun Pier in Amphoe Takua Thung for tourists to visit the islands and its many attractions.
Water Attractions in Ao Phangnga
Khao Khien Here, in a mountain cavern, primitive paintings depicting fish, water lizard, dolphin, believed to be several thousand years old, may be seen.
Ko Panyi This island is the location of 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 Ko Ok Meri, are located nearby Ko Panyi.
Ko Talu This island is just beyond Ko Nom Sao. The middle part of it has been eroded by water and boats pass among giant stalactites from one side of the island to the other through a water-filled cavern.
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 "Nail Island" in English, is a small island located in front of Khao Ping Kan. The Base of the rock is quite narrow but having a broad peak, giving the strang a beautiful apperance of a spike driven into the sea.
Tham Lot This cave is another spot of interest in Ao Phangnga area. Similar in appearance but larger than Ko Talu. The mouth of the cave is about 50 meters wide, 40 meters high, and small boats may pass through. There are beautiful stalactites inside the cave which its total length of about 100 meters.
Khao Machu Here on a hilltop, there is a rock formation resembling a chow.
Ko Yao Yai About two hours boat trip from Phangnga. Customs Landing, this island has an interesting pearl raising farm and excellent swiming and fishing with beautiful scenery.