FESTIVALS
Free The Turtles Fair
is annually held in March at Thai Mueang Beach. A celebration takes place for 7 days. During the festival baby turtles raised by the Fisheries Department are released into the sea at Thai Muang Beach.
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Welcome to Phang-Nga
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Phang-nga, a seaside province by the Andaman Sea with scenic views of forests and islands. The province offers superb natural beauty both onshore and underwater.
The province of Phang-nga is located some 788 kilometres from Bangkok. It covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres. It is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe (districts): Muang, Khura Buri, Thap Put, Kapong, Takua Thung, Takua Pa, Thai Mueang, and Ko Yao.
Attractions
Khao Chang
Khao Chang is a huge mountain resembling a crouched elepant situated behind Phang-nga’s former city hall. It is considered a symbol of Phang-nga. Inside the mountain, there is a dark and long cave called Tham Phung Chang which is full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park
Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park covers a vast area both onshore and offshore of about 250,000 rais (100,000 acres), covering the areas of Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Takua Thung, and Amphoe Ko Yao. It was declared a national park on 29th April B.E. 2524 (1981). Ao Phang-nga National Park is the second seacoast national park after Tarutao National Park. It has striking scenic views because of a mass of limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. Also, as a result of natural changes; caves and rock formations have been formed. The park is also fertile with mangroves. Best time to visit is between December and April. The most popular way to visit is a boat ride to various islands
Phang-nga Wildlife Nursery Station
Phang-nga Wildlife Nursery Station is situated alongside Phetkasem Road, Tambon Tak Daet. From Phuket, the station is located on the route to Phang-nga Bay. It nurses rare and nearly extinct wildlife, particularly birds, including mynahs, parrots, hawks, pheasants, and peacocks. The station also houses some interesting animals such as mountain goats, monkeys, bears, and ducks. It is open daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 0-7641-3261.
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park is located in Tambon Nop Pring, and approachable by driving on Phang-nga - Krabi (Highway No. 4) route for 4 kilometres, then take a right turn for another 4 kilometres. The park contains shady cascades and small basins as well as a 2-kilometre nature trail.
Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area
Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area is situated in Tambon Song Phraek, on a route between Phang-nga town and Kapong district. To get there, visitors travel 5 kilometres from Phang-nga town along Highway No.4, then take a right turn at Ban Song Phraek for 10 kilometres. There, one finds shady plants, streams and a waterfall.
Transportation
Bus
There are daily bus services from Bangkok to Phang-nga. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal at the following times:
VIP Bus: 6.30 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 7.30 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 6.30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Travelling time is 12 hours. For more information call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel. 0 2435 1199-200 or the Phang-nga Bus Terminal at tel: 0 7641 2300, 0 7641 2014.
Car
a) First route: From Bangkok, take Highway No. 4, passing the provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Ranong, then drive straight to Phang-nga town. It is 788 kilometres from Bangkok. The trip takes around 12 hours.
b) Second route: From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 to Chumphon, from there, take Higway No. 41 to Amphoe Tha Chang, then go straight to an intersection where a right turn is made to Highway No. 401, keep driving to Amphoe Ban Ta Khun for about 50 kilometres, and then take Highway No. 415 for 30 kilometres, take a right turn to Phang-nga town. Visitors travelling from Phuket should use Highway No. 402, passing Sarasin Bridge to Ban Khok Kloi, take a right turn to Amphoe Takua Thung. It is 87 kilometres from Phuket. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Train
There is no direct train to Phang-nga. The State Railways of Thailand operates daily train services between Bangkok and Surat Thani. A trip to Phang-nga can be made by getting off at the Surat Thani Railway Station and then ride a bus for another two hours. For more information call Bangkok’s Hualamphong Railway Station at tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.srt.go.th.
Air
Thai Airways International operates Bangkok-Phuket flights daily. From Phuket, take a bus or rent a car to Phang-nga for about 58 kilometres. For more information, call Thai Airways at tel: 1566 or 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or visit www.thaiair.com.
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