In Phang
Nga Town
Far and near in Phang Nga province, you can
enjoy the wondrously beautiful nature. Just before
reaching Phang Nga town, the first natural wonder of
the province waits to welcome you at your first
visit; it is Khao Chang or Elephant Mountain.
This mountain became the landmark of Phang Nga for
its resemblance to the kneeling elephant.
Behind the Provincial Hall, in the compound of
Wat Prajimkhet, there stands Phung Chang, or
Elephant Belly Cave which represents itself as
the stunning chef d’oeuvre of nature. Inside,
there are the spectacular formations of stalactites
and stalagmites which are never found elsewhere. The
dazzling stalactites and stalagmites
form themselves in different shapes; one in a form
of hundreds of elephant walking one after another in
circle; the others are a stalagmite protruding like
a sitting elephant under a royal umbrella and a
terraced stalagmite in gold color which became
glistering when reflected with the light. In
addition, there is a stream running through the cave
all year round, offering moisture and coolness to
the cave. The cave is located in the middle of Khao
Chang. Visiting in the cave is a kind of adventure;
you have to walk in the water, raft or canoe to
appreciate its beauty inside, the trip in the cave
takes about one hour, yet it is rewarding, indeed.
Reusi Sawan and Luk Seua Cave is another
place to appreciate the striking beauty of
stalactites and stalagmites and relaxing amidst the
tranquility beside the twisty stream which trickles
therein. You can walk from one cave through the
other as they are connected; Reusi Sawan Cave is in
front before reaching Luk Seua Cave. The cave stands
in Somdej Pra Sri Nakarin Park on the opposite side
of the Provincial Courthouse.
Surprisingly, only in town where is normally
reserved for residence, Phang Nga town possesses two
Parks sharing its territory and natural fertility.
One of the two is Sa Nang Maonara Park
which houses the long range of limestone mountain
stretching in the northeast to south direction. The
Park is covered with the rain tropical forest
abundant of flora and fauna. With the different
levels of its terrains, small waterfalls were
created around the areas. The outstanding spots in
the Parks are firstly Sa Nang Manora waterfall.
The fall is characterized by its medium-size ponds
which are abundant of waters all year round with the
small flows trickling down. Also, there is a
two-kilometer- nature trail on which you can walk to
appreciate the Park’s flora and fauna in close-up
without guide within an hour. The Park is located in
Nob Pring sub-district, 4 kilometers from town. To
reach there, follow Route 4, Phang Nga-Krabi Road
about 3 kilometers, and then turn right at the fork
road for about 4 kilometers.
Now it comes to the leading star of Phang Nga and
also the co-star of Roger Moore in James Bond movie,
The Man with the Golden Gun- that is Phang Nga
Bay National Park where the so-called James Bond
Island or Khao Tapoo is located. It was declared a
National Park in April 29, 1981, covering the
boundary over Phang Nga town and Takua Tung district
with the area of about 400 square kilometers. The
Park is composed of dense forests, mangroves, and
more than 120 exceptionally strange
looking islands, creating the wondrous landscape of
Phang Nga Bay. Tourists often visit Phang Nga Bay to
see its strange characteristic of each island; while
floating in the bay, you will feel like being in the
topiary garden due to its likeness of its shapes to
different things, requiring your imagination of what
they should be like. Places of interest in the Park
include:-
- Koh Panyee (Gypsy Village Island) is
the smallest island in Phang Nga bay, but it
houses a 500-households-community of Gypsy
people. Their houses are built on stilts
submerging in the sea water. These gypsy people
are mostly Muslims who earn their life fishing
and retain their own culture untouched by the
mainland for hundred years. On the island, there
are several souvenir shops lining around.
- Khao Ping-Gan literally means leaning
mount. It is a huge rock spilt in two; the
smaller half has slid down and the remaining one
appears now to be leaning. A little bay of Khao
Ping-Gan faces the most outstanding island in
Phang Nga Bay, Khao Tapoo or the famous James
Bond Island. Tapoo means nail which describe
well its formation. The shore less island juts
out from the sea with its flat and wide top and
its narrow base at the waterline, making it the
striking sight. It got more reputation when the
James Bond movie was partially filmed here.
- Khao Khien has the meaning of its name
as writing. There are ancient depictions of
animals and boats which the Fine Art Department
has dated back not less than 3,000 years; they
are presumed to have been drawn by voyagers who
took refuge there during storms. The island lies
on the way to Koh Panyee.
- Tham Lod Grotto is a huge cliff
punctured with a hole through which a small boat
can pass until reaching the other side of the
cave. The ceiling of the cave is adorned with
the impressively glittering stalactites. You can
paddle to admire its beauty inside by a canoe
boat.
- Panak Island is a beautiful island
composed of a cave which houses the
extraordinary formation of stalactites and
stalagmites.
- Hong Island which literally means room
conceals the fabulous realm inside. The towering
limestone cliffs enclose the small sea with
wonderful sandy beach, teemed with the unspoiled
mangrove forest, allowing an excellent habitat
to wild animals and aquatic creatures.
Underneath the crystal clear water, there are
the abundant beds of corals, creating excellent
site for snorkeling. The best way to appreciate
the island is to enter by boat. While floating
into a hollow, you feel like floating in an
enormous reception hall with two doors, hugged
by the sheer limestone cliffs with the roof
opened to the bright blue sky above.
- Yao Island is made up of two islets,
Yao Yai and Yao Noi Islands (Big Long and Little
Long Islands), surrounded by many other small
islands. The total area is 137.6 square
kilometers, covered with forests, beaches and
rocky headlands, backed up by the scattering
karst formations in Phang Nga Bay. The Island is
largely unaffected by the overdevelopment form
outside, it offers thus pristine beauty of
nature. Inhabited by a large amount of Muslims,
the way of life of people here is still
traditional. You can charter Tuk Tuk to see the
rustic scenes around the Island. On Yao Yai
Island, there are interesting beaches with its
great beauty along the shore, for example,
Tikood Bay, Ao Klong Son, Ao Sai, Ao Larn, Ao
Hingong, Lo Ra Raed Beach, Laem Nok, Hat Tha
Khao and Hat Pasai. Travel to Yao Island is
hiring a boat from Phang Nga, Krabi, and Phuket,
but leaving from Phuket is the most convenient.
- Khai Island is known for its beautiful
rocks, corals, and secluded beaches. Its clear
greenish water and colorful coral beds are good
for snorkeling or skin-diving.
Located about 8 kilometers form Phang Nga town,
the Phang Nga Bay National Park can be reached by
different ways.
Take the Route 4 from Phang Nga town toward Koke
Kloy district and go about 8 kilometers. Turn left
to Route 4144. The national park office is about 4
kilometers further on. Those who do not own a car
can take a local bus from Phang Nga town to the
different piers which have boats for traveling to
the Park.
There are many places where boats can be rented
to viewing the islands in Phang Nga Bay:
Tha Dan Sullakakorn Pier or Tha Dan Pier
(Customs Pier) is located near Pang-Nga Bay Resort.
Boats from small to large size can be rented here.
Surakoon (Ka Sohm) Pier lies in Takua Tung
district. Long-tail boats with seats for about 6
persons each are available for renting.
The pier in the area of National Park
provides long-tail boats seating 8 persons each. It
takes approximately three hours to view Phang Nga
Bay. Trip to Phang Nga Bay is an on-going activity
due to its calm sea all year round. The trip can be
transported by other modes such as sea canoes and
Chinese junk, offered by travel agencies. Those who
wish to explore on their own can charter a boat and
can check the rental fee listed on the signboard at
the pier.
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