Phang-nga Attractions

Phang Nga town is a quiet little town with none of Phuket's hubbub a great deal of its own charm.

Khao Chang is a mountain resembling a crouched elephant situated behind Phang-nga's former city hall. It is considered a symbol of Phang-nga. Inside the mountain, there is a dark and long cave called Tham Phung Chang which is full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park covers a vast area both onshore and offshore of about 250,000 rais (100,000 acres), covering the areas of Amphoe Mueang, Amphoen Takua Thung, and Amphoe Ko Yao. Ao Phang-nga National Park is the second seacoast national park after Tarutao National Park. It has striking scenic views because of a mass of limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. Also as a result of natural changes; caves and rock formations have been formed. The park is also fertile with mangroves. Best time to visit is between December and April. The most popular way to visit a boat ride to various islands, which include.

Ko Panyi a small island made from limestone hills and plains. This is an interesting Muslim community. There are about 200 households of fishermen. On the island, there are many restaurants and souvenir shops.

Khao Phing Kan named so because of its nature of being split into two halves. The smaller rock slid down, with its foundation stuck under the ground and the upper partsstill leaning against each other. Behind the mountain is a superb scenery. Looking into the sea one finds "Khao Tapu", a nail-shaped island, a solitary pillar in the sea. It is most remarkable attraction of Ao Phang-nga Nationl Park.

Khao Ma-chu a striking appearance rock formation is located on the way to Ko Panyi. It resembles a dog: its head, body with a bushy tail.

Khao Khian is on the way to Panyi Island. On the cliff which stands above the sea, there are pre-historic paintings featuring various kinds of animals. A study by the Department of Fine Arts has indicated that these paintings are over 3,000 years old. They are assumed to have been painted by seamen who use this place to escape from the monsoon.

Tham Lot (Lot Cave) is a lofty limestone cave with a giant hollow whereby boats can pass through. In a hollow , there are numerous stalactite formations on its ceiling, beyond the hollow is a beautiful sight of the mangrove forest.

How to get there??
Ao Phang-nga National park is situated 12 kilometers from Phang-nga town. Travel 8 kilometers from the town via Highway No.4 then turn lift into Highway No. 4114 and continue for 4 kilometers to the Ao Phang-nga national park's headquarters where visitors can obtain tourist information. The trip can also be made by riding a local bus from Phang-nga town. Several tour operators in Phang-nga and Phuket a nice day trip to Phang-nga Bay.

Amphoe Khura Buri
Mu Ko Sinilan National Park "Similan" is a Yawi of Malay word. Which means nine or a group of nine islands. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south. respectively, namely: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Payu, Ko Similan, Ko Miang, Ko payan, Ko Pyang, and Ko Huyong.

The National Park office is located on Ko Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometers from Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November and April.

Accommodation : there are bungalows and tents as well as restaurants available on the island. For more information contact Mu Ko Similan National Park, Mu 1 Thap Lamu, TAmbon Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Mueang, Phang-nga 82120. Tel. 0 7642-1365 or 0 7659-5045.

Mu Ko Surin Nationpark located in Tanbon Ko Phra Thong and covering an area of 84,375 rais (33,750). This is an archipelago of 5 islands: 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 sea border, to the west coast of Thailand. There are beautiful. The area is suitable for snorkeling. The best time to visit is from November to April.

Accommodation:
There are lodges bungalows, tents, and restaurants available. Admission fee is 200 baht. Scuba diving equipments are available for rent. For more information contact Mu Ko Surin National Park Tel: 0-7649 1378, 0-7641 9028

Si Phang-nga National Park: Covering the areas of Amphoe Khura Buri and Amphoe Takha-Pa and Situated 100 Kilometers from Phang-nga town. The park was established in honor of His Majesty the King on his 60th birthday anniversary flora and fauna. Getting to the park, visitors can take Highway No.4 (Takua Pa - Ranong) and then take a right turn at Km. 756 for another 5 kilometers.

Interesting attractions in the park include: Tam Nang waterfall, Ton Toei waterfall, Ton Sai waterfall and etc.

Amphoe Kapong:
Namtok Lamru this 5-tiered waterfall is located within the areas of the National Park. It is 9 kilometers from the District office on the way to Lamru village, and another kilometer to Lamru waterfall.

Namtok Saeng Thong: on the opposite side of Kapong Hospital, is the access road to the waterfall, 6 kilometers further on. It is a medium-sized waterfall, having 11 levels altogether. The falls run all year round.

Amphoe Thap Put: Namtok Tao-thong located in Tambon Bo Sen, 19 Kilometers from Phang-nga town or 8 kilometers before Thab Put district. This shady waterfall originates from a stream flowing from a dark cave.

Amphoe Thai Mueang:
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, the park is very interesting attractions in the park include: Namtok Lampi, Namtok Ton Phrai, and Hat Thai Mueang ( beach)

Amphoe TAkua Thung:
WAt Suwannakhuha, located in Mu2, Tanbon Krasom. Take Hightway No.4 (Phang nga- Ban khok Kloi route for 7 kilometers and upon reaching the kilometer 31 marker at Amphoe Takua Thung, there is an asphalt road going to the right to the temple, one kilometer away. The locals call this temple "Wat Tham". This is an interesting temple of all in Phang nga since it is of historical and archaeological importance. Within the boundary of the temple is a mountain with numerous caves. Tham Yai ( Big Cave) is located at the lowest level and inside the total length of the cave walls is decorated ceramic tiles, bowls as well as terra cotta ware and Benjarong ware. It is also used as a temple and houses various manners of Buddha image. You can also see many.

Amphoe KoYao:
Ko Yao covers area of 137 square kilometers. The majority of the population are Muslim. The island is made up of 2 large islands: Ko Tao Yai and Ko Yao Noi.
Attractions on Ko yao Yai include: Ao Ti Kut, Ao Klong son, ect....Ko Tao Noi include: Hat Pa Sai and Hat Tha Kao.

Festivals

Free the Turtles Fair is annually held in March at Thai Mueang beach. A celebration takes place for 7 days. During the festival baby turtles raised by the Fisheries Department are released into the sea at Thai Mueang Beach.