Phang-nga is a province with two characters -land and sea - and packed with national parks that guard magnificent scenery with immensely different attractions.

Most famous is Phang-nga Bay National Park, a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and shlrtling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea. Tour boats visit many of the most popular attractions: Panyi, an island famed for its Muslim village built entirely on stilts; James Bond Island (Khao Ping Kan) with its split cliffs leaning against each other; Thalu island and its wondrous sea caverns; and Khao Khien, home to the rare swimming iguana.

The bay is extremely sheltered, ideal for expeditions of sea canoes to explore the many fascinating caverns (hangs) with their own eco-systerns. Many of the larger islands have bungalow accommodation.

Phang-nga's Andaman coast offers parks of a different kind. The island groups of Surin and Similan are renowned for their beautiful unspoilt beaches and spectacular underwater scenery, attracting divers from around the world.

Khao Lak is a coastal park full of birds, mammals and scenic waterfalls, with a number of hotel developments at the nearby beach; Si Phang-nga also offers interesting waterfalls and superb scenery.

There are many ways to reach Phang-nga as follows:

Car
1) 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.

2) 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.

Bus
There are daily bus services from Bangkok to Phang-nga. 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 or visit www.transport.co.th.

Rail
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.railway.co.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.thaiairways.com.

Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts

Festivals

Free The Turtles Fair
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 Mueang Beach.