About Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga National Park covers a vast area onshore and offshore, with approximately 250,000 rai (100,000 acres) covering Muang District. Takua Thung District and Koh Yao District It was declared a national park on 29 April 1987 B.E. 2524 (1981)
Ao Phang Nga National Park, located in the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, has long been a popular destination for travelers worldwide. Ao Phang Nga National Park (Ao Phang Nga) covers an area in Takua Thung District, Koh Yao District, and Mueang Phang Nga District It consists of many beautiful large and small islands.
Ao Phang Nga National Park is world-famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. In addition to the abundant natural beauty Archaeological sites have also been found in the area, which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. The remaining material evidence for prehistoric human activity includes prehistoric paintings on the cliffs. stone tools pottery, etc.
The park covers an area of 400 square kilometers. including Thailand's largest native mangrove forest along the mainland and islands Popular cities and nearest attractions are Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Khao Lak, and Ko Lanta.
In addition to natural beauty, The park also has a few archaeological sites that are more than 1,000 years old, but there are also some prehistoric paintings on the cliffs. Stone tools and pottery were found in some areas.
Phang Nga Bay is approximately 35 km from Rassada Pier in Phuket. in Krabi about 50-65 km and about 70 km from Khao Lak.
Wild Animals
The indigenous mangrove forests along the coast of Phang Nga Province, which are dominated by Ao Phang Nga National Park, are the largest in Thailand. Mangrove forests are home to specific species of animals.
Some of the mangrove plants found along the coast are Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia alba, Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera parviflora, Xylocarpus granatum, and Xylocarpus moluccensis. The island is covered with Hopea ferrea, Parkcateia timoriana (bean plant), Mulberry, Artocarpus lacucha, Garcinia cowa, Morinda coreia, Colocasia gigantea, Pandanus monotheca, and Cycas ingas.
About 180 species of birds were recorded in the park. Some of the rare birds are the Kamchatka leaf warbler, Von Schrenck's parrot, and brown-winged kingfisher. crimson outer woodpecker spotted owl Malay woodpecker little eagle Thick-mouthed spider hunters, red crown thorns, chestnut-bellied Malkoha. Novice fish and a little cuckoo.
This park is a great place to find mangrove birds. The park is also a great place to find seven different species of kingfishers. The Great Hornbill and the Pied Hornbill are the only species of hornbills found in the park. The headquarters area is an easy place to tick most mangrove birds. But there is limited access to the garden from there.
There used to be gibbons and white-handed gibbons in this garden. but was extinct for a while Some of the mammals found in the park include the smooth-coated otters, the black-leafed macaques, and the crab-eating macaques.
An old survey in 1991 referred to 18 species of reptiles found in the park. Cloudy monitors and mangrove vipers are common in national parks.
The number of dugongs in the Andaman Sea has decreased. but probably still found in the waters of Phang Nga Bay There are also records of sightings of borderless dolphins in the park's waters.
Activity
The park's top attraction, without a doubt, is James Bond Island, a distinctive limestone island that rises directly between the two islands. Featured in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” from 1974, it's a must-see place for most people. tourists who visit the national park
The park's crystal clear waters are a great place for canoeing and snorkeling. which is a popular activity in the park It's without a doubt the best canoeing destination in the country. There are many lagoons on the islands. That can be reached by canoeing through the sea-level caves.
There are few islands with beautiful beaches and other caves. Few more places for cave exploration They can also join tours that offer overnight camping on the beach. Allows you to explore the surrounding wildlife.
This may be because most of the park's popular attractions are on smaller islands. Little is known among tourists that the northern part of both Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai lies within the borders of Ao Phang Nga National Park. Although the northern part of Koh Yao Yai can only be reached by boat. The northern part of Khao Yao Noi can be reached by car/motorcycle. And there are a few white beaches.
The park's mainland area is also a great place for birdwatching to find mangrove species.Group and private tours offered by companies Usually include canoeing. Beach activities, snorkeling, and caving in the itinerary.
Nearest Port
- Klong Khian Pier - The closest pier in Takua Thung District, Phang Nga Province, is located south of the park and north of Phuket Island. It can be reached by car from all nearby cities.
- Rassada Pier - Phuket - located in the east of Phuket Town. It is the main port on Phuket Island.
- Nopparat Thara Pier - Located in the northwest of Nopparat Thara Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi Province.
- Railay Floating Pier - Located in the east of Railay Bay.
- Klong Jilad Pier - is located in the south of Krabi town.
How To Get There
By plane:
The nearest airport is Phuket International Airport, which is 60 km from the park office. The other two cheaper domestic airports are Krabi Airport (90 km) and Surat Thani Airport (130 km).
By Public Transport:
Buses and Vans from Phuket to Krabi Phuket to Surat Thani or Khao Lak to Krabi stop at the main bus station in the center of Phang Nga. From there, it's easy to change the minibus to Tha Dan, a small village. The National Park Headquarters is located along the coast. It is about 6 km from the city.
Very easy to arrange a bus or van from the hotel. Most hotels help organize various transportation systems. Some operators offer direct hotel transfers.
By Car/Motorcycle
while driving north from Phuket Drive south from Bangkok or drive from Krabi to the north/west Take Highway No. 4 (Petchkasem Road) between Phuket and Krabi. From Phang Nga, go west for about 3.5 km, take Route 4144 south and follow the signs for about 2.5 km until you reach the park office.
Join The Tour
It is easy to join a group park tour from all nearby attractions such as Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta. Tours can be arranged upon arrival from the reception of most hotels or from travel agencies in nearby towns.
Typical tours to the islands include visits to James Bond Island-, Hong Island- and Panak Island. The activities offered on these tours are usually caving, canoeing, beach trips, swimming, and snorkeling.
Admission Fees and Opening Hours
Admission: 200 baht for adults, 100 baht for children.
The park is open during the high season from October 15 to May 15 and closed in the rainy season from May 16 to October 14 each year.
Live
It is possible to stay overnight in a few hotels at Koh Panyee (Island) or the village of Tha Dan where the park office is located.
Beach camping can only be done through tours. because there are no restaurants on the island The tour, therefore, includes food and beverages.
Conservation Issues
as well as other popular tourist destinations in the vicinity of the Similan and Phi Phi islands. Phang Nga Bay is also experiencing a lot of tourism problems. The environmental impact of mass tourism has led Fodor's Travel to place the park on a "No List" for 2018, recommending that tourists skip the park to recover.
Phang Nga Bay attractions
Featured in the 1974 James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”, James Bond Island is a narrow 20-meter tall limestone formation rising from the water just 40 meters from Khao Phing Kan Island.
All private/group tours include a visit to this limestone. Koh Khao Phing Kan is so small that it becomes very crowded when boats are moored and anchored for tourists to quickly catch a glimpse of this iconic limestone cast.
James Bond Island (Tapu Island) is also featured in Tomorrow Never Dies (Vietnam Story), another James Bond movie, and Quo Vado? which is an Italian film (story in the Philippines)
Panak Island is one of the largest islands in Ao Nang. The island is ideal for canoeing, swimming, cave exploring, and wildlife viewing.
There are at least 11 important caves on Panak Island. Most are located at the northern end of the island. Some caves are quite easily accessible and even at sea level. There are numerous lagoons on the island which can be reached by canoeing through some of these caves.
Known locally as the island, it is a 120-meter long cave at the northern tip of a small beach on the northeast coast of Panak Island. The cave consists of a single horizontal sub-gallery. It is about 5 meters above sea level and ends at an open lake (lagoon).
Koh Panak Cave is a 253-meter-long cave with a narrow passageway. The cave is located at the southern end of a small beach. same with ice cream cave
Tham Phet, known locally as Tham Phet, is a sea-level cave about 70 meters long, located on the east coast of Panak Island. Away from the cave to the south a little.
Oyster cave
Oyster Cave, also known as Tham Man Hoi or Oyster Cave, is a 50-meter sea-level cave leading to a small lake. The cave is located northwest of Panak Island.
Tham Kham Khao is located south of Oyster Cave on the west coast of Panak Island. It is a 150-meter-long sea-level cave leading to the lake.
Mangrove cave
The Mangrove Cave, also known as the Mangrove Cave, is a sea-level cave 100 meters long into the lake. The cave is located on the northeast side of Panak Island.
Hong Island
Hong Island is the second most popular destination on the island. Because it is one of the best canoeing spots in Phang Nga Bay. The island has a sea-level cave leading to a lagoon.
There are go-karts/small islands. Many of them are covered with forests in the vicinity of Koh Hong. causing a narrow canoeing path between them
Swan (Hong) Cave
Used by canoe tour companies It is a sea-level cave passage that leads to a lagoon deep in the island.
Go Panyee
Technically, Koh Panyee is not managed by the park rangers. Not part of a national park but within the parking area, It is a popular island and a tourist destination. There are houses next to each other as stilts from the sea or on the island. The northern end of the island is steep limestone. Transportation to all the park attractions can also be arranged from Koh Panyee. There are hotels, shops, and restaurants on the island.
Other caves
There are also some caves on the mainland.
Lod Nai Cave
Located in a mangrove forest on the mainland, Lot Nai Cave is a 110-meter-long cave where a river cuts through a limestone island. which is not far from the headquarters area and can only be accessed by boat. The cave is at sea level. It can be reached by boat through a 40-meter-wide corridor. The cave is partially decorated.
Naga Cave
Tham Nak is known for its rock paintings. It is located south of Lot Nai Cave and west of Koh Panyee. On a limestone hill by another river, The cave is about 50 meters long and consists of a large opening (the opening on the “roof”) into the mangrove forest...