Phang Nga

Daily

Attraction Details :

It covers a total area of approximately 250,000 rai in Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Amphoe Takua Thung, and Amphoe Ko Yao. It is Thailand’s second marine national park where most of the area is sea water 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. It was declared a national park on 29 April, 1981. 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:
Ko Panyi is a small island with a plain of approximately 1 rai and 200 houses. 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 centre, as well.

Ko Phanak is a beautiful island with stalactite and stalagmite caves and a small tiered waterfall inside.

Khao 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 Khao Phing Kan is very picturesque with “Khao Tapu”, otherwise known as “James Bond Island” is seen in the sea in the background, looking like a nail – Tapu – stuck into the water. Admission for climbing Khao Phing Kan is 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children.

Khao Ma Chu is on the way to Ko Panyi and looks similar to a dog, with a head, body, and a hairy tail.

Khao Khian or Rock Paintings is on the way to Ko Panyi and 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 Fine Arts Department, the paintings are at least 3,000 years old.

Tham Lot is a mountain similar to Ko Thalu. The opening of the cave is approximately 50 metres wide and 40 metres high, through which a small boat can sail to the other end of the cave. There are weird stalactites on the cave’s ceiling.

Ko Hong features undulated hills hugging the sea, looking like a large chamber with 2 doors and housing beautiful coral reefs.
 
To Get to Ao Phang Nga National Park:
By car, the Park is approximately 8 kilometres from the provincial town. Take Highway No. 4 and turn left for some 4 kilometres into Highway No. 4144 until reaching the Customs Checkpoint Pier. A boat for rent is available from the pier. Otherwise, take a Song Thaeo from the provincial town to the Customs Checkpoint Pier. This is available daily.
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. 08 1894 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 Pier provides boats of many sizes.
 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 changeable.

Accommodation: The Park provides 8 bungalows for visitors.
  For 4 persons   700 Baht
  For 8 persons   1,000 Baht
  For 10 - 12 persons   1,200 Baht
  For 15 Persons  1,500 Baht
 
In case visitors bring their own tents, a fee of 20 Baht each will be charged for showering.

For further details, please contact the Ao Phang Nga National Park, 80 Mu 1 Tambon Ko Panyi, Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Phang Nga 82000, Tel. 0 7641 1136, 0 7641 2188, or National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tel. 0 2562 0760, or visit www.dnp.go.th.