Situated as it is by the Andaman Sea Phang-Nga’s scenic views of forests and islands, green waters, blue skies and rugged cliffs attract Nature lovers who are mesmerized by its beauty. It has many national parks, the most famous being Phang-Nga National Park. This is a geological wonder with islets, sunken, caverns and exotic rock formations rising sheer out of the sea: The Bay being sheltered is ideal for sea canoe exploring. Hat Khao Lak near Phang-Nga district has a beautiful long beach along the Andaman Sea. The green mountains of Khao Lak – Lumru National Park, parallel to the coast, are full of birds, mammals and scenic waterfalls. This was where the December 2004 Tsunami wreaked havoc though many hotels have come up again. Phang-Nga’s main landmark is a large hill looking like a kneeling elephant. The town’s beautiful old building is the Provincial Hall. The Phung-Chang Cave is behind the City Hall. You will see beautiful stalagmites and stalactites in this cave Khao-Ngum Cave lies across from its entrance. Here too you see stalactites and stalagmites.
Phuket is a take off point for Phang Nga Bay Cruises with a trip to the “James Bond Island” or the island of Scaramanga in the film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. This is an eco tour like no other. As you sail into the waters of the Andaman Sea, spectacular scenery unfolds before your eyes. Green water with massive limestone rocks streaked with red and green greet you while pristine beaches and virgin islands add to the beauty. Phang Nga Bay is sheltered from the northeast and southwest Monsoons and hence has calm waters year round making it a sailor’s paradise.
The fishing village of Koh Pan Yee built on concrete stilts over the sea sits guarded by a gigantic rock, another James Bond movie landmark, as the guide tells you. Explore the village or perhaps pick up a souvenir from the hundreds of tiny shops which exist only for tourists. Sailing to the Kaho Hong at Phang Nga National Park is a mystical experience A “hong” is a hollowed out island or collapsed cave, open to the sky so as you enter the Kaho Hong by boat (provided the tide is right) you feel as though you are entering a big reception hall with towering limestone walls. Sea canoeing is a major eco-tourism activity as you can go around hundreds of limestone islands dotting the Andaman sea. A rafting trip from Phuket includes sightseeing at the Phang-Nga Wildlife Park, elephant rides and rafting in the Parivat wildlife conservation area.
On Khao Lan Hill in Tambon Bang Riang is the temple- “Wat Bang Riang” with an elaborate bell shaped pagoda, Chedi Putthathambanlue, overlooking a huge Buddha image and one of Guan-yin, a Chinese goddess. An interesting thing to buy in Phang-Nga town is artificial flowers made by village women out of rubber tree leaves. The town is also famous for shrimp paste (kapi) and dried shrimp. So enjoy Thai food while you visit and shop for shrimp delights to take back home.
For more information Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi , Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel:+66-022505500, Fax:+66-022505511, email: center@tat.or.th and website: http://www.tourismthailand.org
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