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.
The provincial capital of Phang Nga is a small town of the same
name, set amidst spectacular limestone crags near the coast of Phang
Nga Bay itself. The limestone geology of the area has forged many
natural attractions; sheer cliffs, fascinating rock formations and
many caves for the visitor to explore.
Around the mangrove-fringed bay are hundreds of
striking limestone karsts protruding from the sea, surrounded by an
abundance of coral reefs below the clear waters. A classic example
of these limestone karsts can be found at the famous Koh Phing Kan
or 'James Bond Island', with its renowned over-hanging rock used as
part of the set in the movie "The Man With the Golden Gun".
There are many places of interest within minutes
of Phang Nga province, making it centrally positioned for
attractions in southern Thailand. From Khuraburi you can reach the
remote Surin and Similian Islands, or from Takua Pa you can head
east to Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani. In the district of
Thai Muang is Thai Muang Beach National Park, where sea turtles come
to lay eggs between November and February, Thap Lamu, about 23 km
north of Thai Muang has a pier with boats to the Similian Islands.
About 25 km south of Takua Pa, the beach at Khao
Lak is a pretty stretch of sand studded with granite boulders. An
off shore coral reef, suitable for snorkeling is 45 min away by long
- tail boat. Khao Lak - Lamru National Park immediately south of
Khao Lak is a stretch of 125 sq km where there is a vast collection
of cliffs, mountains, beaches, estuaries, forest valleys and
mangroves. Wildlife in the area includes hornbills, tigers, tapirs,
gibbons, monkeys and the Asiatic black bear among others.
Two islands that are becoming increasingly popular
with travellers to the area are those of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao
Yai. Here the islands are very un-developed and the lifestyle hardly
touched by modernisation (electricity having only been linked to the
islands since the 1990's, before that everything was run off
generators).
Accessible from Phuket Island , Krabi and Ao Luk,
Koh Yao Noi is the more commercial of the two islands, having a
hospital and post office as well as a high school and a reasonably
stocked village for basic shopping needs. There are no banks or ATM
machines on either islands therefore visitors are advised to ensure
they have enough money for their stay. Although the beaches are only
swim-able at high tide, the popularity of these two islands is their
accessibility to the other islands of the Phang Nga area and the
excellent mountain bike and trekking areas available.
