Cheap Phang Nga Hotels & Beach Resorts, Map & Attractions, Online Hotel Reservation & Travel Guide, Phang Nga Thailand

Phang Nga is a primarily agricultural province in the south of Thailand. The chief cash crop is rubber, and rubber plantations cover a considerable area, especially noticeable along the roads. Aside from that, however, large areas are also given to food crops. Considerable amounts of rice, vegetables and fruits are produced in Phang-Nga. Phang-Nga province has an area of 4,170 sq. kms., a large part of which is forest.

History:
Ancient records reveal that before establishment of the current dynasty in the late 18^th Century, the area called Phang-nga was a district attrached to Takuapa, the leading town thereabouts. Then with the beginning of the Rattanakosin Dynasty, during the reign of Rama I, Phang-nga was given equal status with Takuapa and another nearby town, Takuatung, and all three were removed from the government's Harbor Department and put under the Ministry of Defense.

The best evidence indicates that Phang-nga was officially established in 1809 during the reign of Rama II, when one of the periodic wars with Burma was reging. The king there, Padung Kasatri, appointed Ah Terng Woon to lead an invasion force for attack on Thailand's southern towns. The ship-borne army carried off the populations of Takuatung, and Thaland (in Phuket). Thalang was razed to the ground. An army under the direction of a royal prince was therefore sent from Bangkok to drive of the attackers.

While the war was raging some of the local people took refuge at a place then called Kra Ph-nga *(Malay for river mount of Pu-nga) protected on all sides by mountains. After the razing of Thalang, it was the government's view that Thailand's hold on the area had weakened, and that a new town should be established in its stead.

Thus the citizenry left in the Thalang area was instructed to move to Kra Pu-nga and register themselves as being resident there. There is still a villages in what is today Takuatung District called Thalang founded by those immigrants from Phuket. The new city was put under the administration of the government in Nakorn Sri Thammarat.

During the reign of Rama III, the central government thought to strengthen the southwest coastal town that were prey to successive Burmese attacks by appointing a governor for the province who reported directly ot Bangkok. Praya Borirak Puton (Sang Na Nakorn) thereby became first governor of Phang-nga in 1840. In the same year, Takuatung was reduced in status and became merely a district of Phang-nga.

All during this period tin mining was booming, and as one of the most tin-rich of Thailand's tin bearing locales, Phang-nga attracted increasing attention from the central government because of its importance as a foreign exchange earner. When the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s struck.

Thailand, Phang-nga's status was further enhanced by incorporation of Takuapa as a district (1931). One of Phang-nga Town's most beautiful old buildings is the Provincial Hall. The first such structure was built in Ban Chai Kai; a larger one was constructed in 1930 at Ban Tai Chang. The present structure near Poong Chang Cave was built in 1972.

*Pronunciation of Phang-nga's name is thought to have resulted from foreign tin buyers' and operators' confusion with the way it was formerly written on maps, Pu-nga in which the old long '00' sound is not clearly expressed. If pronounced with a short '00' it is very close to present pronunciation.

Attractions:
Tham Phung Chang This cave, which houses numerous stalactite and stalagmite formations, and replicas of famous Buddha images, is located at the Khao Chang Hill near the town.

Tham Rusi Sawan and Tham Luk Sua These two adjoining caves with shady surroundings developed into a lovely public park is situated opposite the provincial Court near the town.

Tham Nam Phut This is located at Khao Thoi 2 Kms from the town. In front of the cave there are natural springs and the shrine of Chao Pun Kong.

Sa Nang Manora Forest Park The park contains shady cascades and a basin with cool and clear water. To get there travel along the Phangnga -Krabi route for 5 kms. and continue along the 3 kms. access road.

Tha Nun Beach The sandy beaches on both sides of the Pak Phra Channel near Highway 402 before arriving at Phuket is where sea turtles lay their eggs from November to February.

Khao Pilai Beach This hillside sandy beach which extends towards the Tha Nun Beach is located in the area of Tambon Khok Kloi, Amphoe Takua Thung.

Ao Phangnga National Park The park is 12 kms. from town and covers an area of 400 square kilometres. It mainly consists of a mass of limestone islands, rock formations and evergreen mangroves. Boats are available at some landings near the park office to explore a number of interesting islands. These include:

Khao Khien This mountain cave, which contains primitive rock paintings of various animals such as fish, water lizards and dolphin, is believed to be some 3,000 years old.

Ko Panyi Around this island, there is an entire Muslim fishing village of about 500 households built on stilts on stilts in the sea and connected by wooden bridges.

Ko Thalu This island with a big cave eroded by sea water offers a spectacular scene of enormous stalactites when boat trips are made through the water-filled cave.

Khao Phing Kan This gigantic cliff appears to be cloven in two ; the halves supported by leaning against each other offers a sight of rare and exquisite beauty.

Khao Tapu This spectacular tall island stands in front of Khao Phing Kan. Its broad peak and narrow base gives the strange appearance of a spike driven into the sea.

Tham Lot Similar in appearance but larger than the cave at Ko Thalu, this cave is about 100 metres long and a small boat may pass through it.

Khao Machu Here on a hilltop, there is a rock formation resembling a dog.

Ko Yao It takes 2 hours by boat from Phangnga or 1 1/2 hours from Ao Po, Phuket. Ko Yao covers an area of 137 square kilometres consisting of two main islands: Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai. There are several beaches on the islands including Hat Pa Sai, Hat Tha Khao, Hat Ao Tikut, Hat Khlong Son and Hat Loparaet. Bungalows are available.

Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang National Park This park, covering an area of 72 square kilometres, comprises both sandy beaches and shady forested mountains. Attraction in the area include:

Hat Thai Muang This sandy beach near Amphoe Thai Muang can be reached along a beach road from the district. From November to February, sea turtles come up to lay their eggs on the beach.

Namtok Lampi This three-level waterfall with a good flow of water all year round is located near Km. 32-33 of Highway No. 4.

Namtok Ton Phrai It is a huge waterfall containing water all year round that is 7 kms. off Km. 28-29 of Highway No. 4 The access to the waterfall is convenient only in the dry season.

Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park This park covers a total area of 125 square kilometres and comprises the following attractions:

Khao Lak Bench This stony beach next to the Knao Lak Mountain is 5 kms. south of Amphoe Ta Kua Pa on Highway No. 4.

Namtok Lam Ru This a 5-tiered waterfall on the Kradai Range is accessible by an access road off Highway No. 4090 via Amphoe Kapong

Wat Narai Nikayaram The old monastery in Amphoe Kaspong believed to be the ancient town of Takua Pa houses fine stone carvings of the God Narayana, Phra Lak and Nang Sida of the Ramayana Epic. These are the oldest works of art found in Phangnga, and it is presumed that the Kalingkharat tribal people who once lived along the Indian Ocean coast made the carvings

Ban Thung Tuk Ancient Town it is located in the area of Tambon Ko Kho Khao 15 kms. from Amphoe Khura Buri. The ruins found in the area are presumed to be the remnants of the first town constructed by ancient settlers to the region.

Mu Ko Surin National Park This is an archipelago of 5 islets covering an area of 135 square kilometres and is home to sea gypsies. Its major attractions are white sandy beaches and shallow water coral reefs which reveal their natural beauty during December to March. The nearest departure is from Ban Hin Lat, Amphoe Khura Buri where a chartered boat is available. It takes 4 - 5 hours for the trip to the islands. Tourists are recommended to contact travel agents in Phuket for cheaper boat trips to the islands.

Mu Ko Similan National Park This idyllic mariner park occupies an area of 130 square kilometres in the Andaman Sea. The Similan Archipelago consists of nine islands. It is highly blessed with both surface and underwater beautiful scenery. The best time for diving and angling is from December to April. Chartered boats are available at Thap Lamu , Amphoe Takua Pa, but it is more economical for a tourist to join from Phuket. Boat trips to the island take about three hours.

Si Phangnga National Park Situated in Amphoe Khura Buri, 100 kms. to the north of Phangnga, the park covers an area of 246 square kilometres and was established in honour of His Majesty the King on his 60th birthday anniversary. This forested piece of land is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, and boasts three beautiful waterfalls: Namtok Tam Nang, Namtok Ton Ton Toei and Namtok Ton Ton Sai.

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