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Ao Phang-Nga National Park or
Phang-Nga Bay |
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อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา |
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Description: |
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The marine national park covers a total area of approximately
25,000 acre in Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Amphoe Takua Thung, and
Amphoe Koh Yao. It was declared a national park on April 29,
1981 and became Thailand’s second marine national park where
most of the area is seawater and islands of Limestone Mountains
of different shapes and beauty. It is also the home of mangrove
forest and a breeding area of marine animals. December to April
is the most appropriate period to visit the Park whereas May to
October is the period of heavy rainfalls and strong waves.
Interesting Attractions within the National Park:
Koh Panyi is a
small island with a plain of approximately 0.5 acre and 200
houses of sea villagers. Most of the dwellers are Thai Muslims,
earning their living by fishing and selling souvenirs and food
to visitors. There is a school and public health center as well
the giant floating football stadium that is listed as one of the
most fascinating football stadium around the world.
Koh Phanak is
a beautiful island with stalactite and stalagmite caves and a
small-tiered waterfall inside.
Koh Phing Kan
is an island on the beach that derives its name from the fact
that a stone mountain split in two and the smaller part slid
down, so that its base was buried into the soil while the top
parts still lean against each other. The scenery behind Koh
Phing Kan is very picturesque with “Koh Tapu”, otherwise known
as “James Bond Island” is seen in the sea in the background,
looking like a nail—Tapu—stuck into the water.
Koh Ma Chu is
on the way to Koh Panyi and looks similar to a dog, with a head,
body, and a hairy tail.
Koh Khian or Rock Paintings is on the way to
Koh Panyi. It houses rock paintings on the cliff of various
animals believed to have been painted by sailors who moored
their ships here to take shelter from the monsoon. According to
the Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, the paintings are at least
3,000 years old.
Tham Lot is a mountain similar to Koh Thalu. The opening
of the cave is approximately 50 meters wide and 40 meters high,
through which a small boat can sail to the other end of the
cave. There are weird stalactites on the cave’s ceiling.
Koh Hong
features undulated hills hugging the sea, looking like a large
chamber with 2 doors and housing beautiful coral reefs.
Accommodation: The Phang-Nga Bay Resort near the Tha Dan pier
offers comfortable rooms while national park itself also has
bungalows and tents for rent. The national park bungalows has
room for 4-15 persons and rates range from 700-1,500 baht. In
case visitors bring their own tents, a fee of 20 baht each will
be charged for showering. For more information contact Ao
Phang-Nga National Park at 80 Mu 1, Tambon Koh Panyee, Amphoe
Mueang, Phang-Nga 82000 or tel. 076-411-136, 076-412-188.
Opening hours: 8am-5pm
Admission: 300 baht for adult and 100
baht for children
Getting there:
By car, the
Park is approximately 8 kilometers from the provincial town.
Take Highway No. 4 and turn left for some 4 kilometers into
Highway No. 4144 until reaching the Customs Checkpoint Pier. A
boat for rent is available from the pier. Otherwise, take a
daily Song Thaeo (minibus) from the provincial town to the
Customs Checkpoint Pier.
Boat Cruises in Ao Phang Nga is available
from various piers, as follows:
·
Customs Checkpoint Pier, near the Phang Nga Bay Resort,
boats of different sizes are available. Contact Khun Han Karaket
at Tel. 081-894-1499—Boat for 1 - 8 persons 1,200 Baht / Boat
for 8 - 20 persons 2,000 Baht / Boat for 20 - 40 persons 4,500
Baht. The cruise takes about 3 - 4 hours.
·
Surakun or Kasom Pier, Amphoe Takua Thung, provides boats
for rent of different sizes.—Boat for 1 - 10 persons 1,200 Baht
/ Boat for 1 - 20 persons 1,500 Baht / Boat for 1 - 30 persons
1,600 Baht
· Ao
Phang-nga National Park’s pier, speedboats and long-tail boats
available. For more information , contact 076-411-136,
076-412-188.—Boat for 2 - 6 persons 1,000 Baht / Boat for 7 - 12
persons 1,500 Baht / Boat for 35 - 45 persons 4,500 Baht The
Cruise takes about 3 - 4 hours. Note: Boat rental rates are
subjected to change without prior notice. |
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Province |
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Phang Nga |
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District |
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Mueang |
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City |
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Ko Panyi |
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Genre |
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Scenary |
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Opening time |
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n/a |
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Entry fee |
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Free |
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Coordinates: |
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8.398349 N |
98.506009 E |
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THAILAND THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY 
