Phang Nga is situated 95 kilometres northeast of Phuket. By road from Bangkok is a distance of 788 kilometers, approximately 12 hours travel to the small town. The Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park forms the magnificent Phang Nga Bay.

Phang Nga town is a quiet little town with a great deal of charm. Khao Chang (Elephant Mountain) is a large hill in the form of a kneeling elephant and Phang Nga's landmark.

Phang Nga province is mountainous with few basin areas. It covers an area of 4,171 square kilometers. Over 50 % of the province is mangroves and green forest.

The province is divided into eight districts (Amphoe) Mueang Phang Nga, Kapong, Ko Yao, Khura Buri, Takua Pa, Takua Thung, Thai Muang and Thap Put. Which are further sub divided into communes (tambon) and villages (muban).

The spectacular limestone scenery rising from the sea, mangroves, sea caves with crystalline interiors and abundant wildlife. Plus the hundreds of tiny islands make it one of southern Thailand's most fascinating and scenic areas.

The Majoritly of the islands are uninhabited. Most of them have spectacular caves (hongs in Thai) which can only be reached by an inflatable or sea canoes.

Koh Ping gan made famous from its starring role in the James Bond movie (The Man With the Golden Gun) the island is indeed spectacular is a main tourist attraction  of the many 3 and 4 island tours that are available.

Its possible to see many of the bays attractions in a single day. There are boat tours from points along the east coast of Phuket plus many launch sites and piers. Located along the Phang Nga provinces coastline.

Ao Phang Nga National Park is a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea. The bay extremely sheltered and is ideal for sea canoes expeditions. The tours allow you to see things you cant see from the big tour boats. Such as the mangrove forests above.

The area around Phang Nga bay has a long history and is famed for its nature and beauty. Especially Koh Tabu, Koh Panyi, Tham Lot and Khao Phing Kan. The rock art in this area has always been an important attraction and attracts many climbers.

The many islands with caves hollowed out, where the centre of the island has collapsed, leaving small lakes open to the sky. The fantastic rock formations are usually only reachable through small caves opening into the sea. Some can only be entered when the tide is low.

Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park is the conservation forest for conserving the source of water for the Phang Nga province. The near perfect forest has a lot of wild animals. The park, covers a area of 125 square kilometers and has many stunning waterfalls and colorful tourist attractions. This area became the 66th national park on August 30th 1991 Named the Khao Lak Lam Ru Natitonal Park.

The majority of the park is covered by Tropical evergreen forest and consists of many moutains such as Lak mountain, Lam Ru mountain, Sang Tong mountain, Mai Kaeo mountain and Prai Bang Toa mountain. The highest peak is 1,075 meters above sea level and is the origin of important rivers in Phang Nga province.

Khao Lam Pee-Khao Tai Muang National Park was formerly called (Lam Pee Waterfall) prior to The Royal Forest Department established it as (Lam Pee Forest Park) it was assigned to the National Park Division on April 14th 1986 it covers an area of 72 Square Kilometers.

Thai Mueang Beach is a protected area. The beach is a nesting site for 2 species of sea turtles the Leatherback and the Olive Ridley. The females come a shore to lay their eggs between November and April.

Lam Pee Waterfall in the inland section of the park is surrounded by forested hills. The stunning waterfall is a local attraction and has a pool suitable for swimming at its base. Food and drinks can also be purchased from small stalls near the waterfall.

Mu Ko Ra - Ko Phra Thong National Park there is many piers near the visitor centre of Mu Ko Surin National Park. Offering tour trips to the parks islands. Kho Khao Island in Kuburi and Takuapah district, has long beach along the shore with coconut fields and villages and is worth visiting. 

Pling Island and Phota Island are close to each other. Both islands have many coral reefs, different plants and birds. The islands are idea for sailing and kayaking.

Si Phang-nga National Park is located in Amphoe Kuraburi and Takua Pa, Phang Nga province. The main area is moist evergreen forest, which has Dipterocarpus spp and Hopea odorata as dominant trees.

The fertile forest and river sources are abundant with wildlife and stunning waterfalls and well worth visiting. The Tamnang Waterfall the water flows all year and drops 63 meters over high stone cliff to emerald color stream.

Mu Ko Surin National park is situated in the Andaman sea approximately 60 Kilometers from the Coast of Phang Nga Province in the southern peninsula region. The park covers an area of approximately 135 Square Kilometers of protected area, of which 76% is sea.

The park comprises of 5 main islands. Koh Surin Nua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Ree (or Koh Satok), Koh Glang (or Koh Pachumba) and Koh Khai (or Koh Torinla). Koh Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai are the largest islands. Situated on a north south axis, a few kilometers to the north of the park is the Myanmar border. About 100 Kilometers to the south is Mu Ko Similan National Park.

Mu Ko Similan National Park consists of numerous islands with high and steep granite mountain, beaches and rocks formation of many shapes. The shoreline of each of the Similan Islands are of inconsistent curves. Since they are situated in the outer part of the Andaman Sea and eastern side of the Indian Ocean.

Koh Similan (Similan Island) is the largest island in the chain. The average depth of the waters around Similan is about 25 meters. The small bay on the western side is where spiny lobsters rest in crevices as well as sea fans. Above the sea lies the huge symbolic rock of Koh Similan. Its worth the hike to the top to enjoy the sweeping view of the sea.

National Parks Thailand

Thai Airways International and the regions Budget Airlines fly to Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani, then take a Taxi, Minibus or Bus to complete your Journey. Phuket is the shortest distance to Phang Nga.

There is no direct trains to Phang Nga. The State Railways of Thailand operates daily train services from Hua Lamphong Railway Station Bangkok to Surat Thani.

The journey to Phang Nga can be made by getting off at the Surat Thani Railway Station and then taking a bus for another two hours. For more information phone, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit their website.

VIP Air Conditioned Buses depart for Phang Nga mostly in the evening from the Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok. The journey takes about 12 hours. There are also air conditioned and regular buses departing from the Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok for Phang Nga every day.

There is also VIP Air conditioned and regular bus services from major southern provinces, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai (Songkhla), Ranong, Trang and Satun to Phang Nga. For further details, phone 0 2894 6122 or visit website.

Air, Rail and Bus Time Tables

Phang Nga town has very little in the way of shopping apart from a few local handicrafts. Some of the islands shops have a range of beach wear. Takuapa 20 kilometers north you will find markets, street stalls and shopping outlets. 

Phang Nga Bay is where you will find many popular Thai restaurants. Markets and food stalls offering an assortment of seafood and tasty snacks. There are also plenty of international restaurants offering a choice of anything from hamburgers to pizza as well as other popular western dishes.

Nightlife The many beach bars that can be found on main land beaches and islands provide many different types of entertainment and are all worth exploring.

Just about every leisure and sporting activities you can imagine is available around Phang Nga Bay and its surrounding islands. Phang Nga is world renown for its dive sites and scuba diving with many professional dive schools offering PADI programs from beginner to professional courses.

The islands and beach resorts offer the ultimate in leisure facilities and relaxation. Phang Nga's National Parks provide many sporting adventures such as white water rafting, trekking and jungle tours.

Phang Nga province has hotels and accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes, from luxury beach resorts, Spa hotels to simple beach huts.

There are many luxury bungalow resorts and guesthouses along with good dive resorts to be found on most of the islands.