Phang Nga (Thai: พังงา) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga.
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Phang-Nga bay is one of the most beautiful bays of the world. So it's not a surprise that many people visit the Ao Phang Nga bay. The best way to explore Phang Nga bay is by long tail motor boats or sea canoes.
Tour operators organize many different tours and most of them follow the standard route around the bay passing weird rock formations, limestone outcrops, hidden lakes, tiny beaches and caves. Tours usually go to Khao Ping Gan (Leaning Rock) which was featured in the James Bond Movie, The Man With the Golden Gun, as Scaramanga's hideaway. Koh Tapu in front of the James Bond Island is a popular rock. It is often used as a symbol of Phang Nga. Beware that on "the James Bond Island," the beach is littered with trinket vendors trying to sell you something and the experience of seeing the island may be somewhat disappointing and diluted.
The Phang Nga bay tour also takes you to, Ko Panyi, a village built on stilts. The mosque and the graveyard are the only places which are built on ground. It's a tourist trap during the day as many tours also stop here. Some tours will give you the option to stay overnight, which is preferable to really experience the village as the tourist trap disappears in the evening. If you go inwards you can see more of the village and eat at local stalls. There are specially in the morning and late afternoon many boats to and out of the island. In Ko Panyi there are now many people living and working from outside. It is not authentic any more. Many of those people come from the poor Isaan region. (This region is by the way seen by many Thais as the supplier of prostitutes, pimps, thieves and other unwanted elements in society) If you want to see a real fishing village go to Ko Ma Paay. Just like other parts of South-Thailand, the inhabitants of Ko Panyi are of Malay descendant.
You can make the Phang-Nga bay tour with Sayan (in the bus station) or MT Tour (in the Muang Thong hotel, 100 meters from the bus station). If you arrive at the bus station there is the usual harassment. But take your time time and don't believe everything the people tell you there because they want to force or lure you to their tour operator or hotel. So do not immediately buy a ticket when you get out of the bus. Talk with the different tour operators and see what's the best for you. Usually there are a couple of different trips available every day. Half day tours, full day tours and tours with a night in Koh Panyi. There are also trips with sea canoing. Tours booked from Krabi or Phuket are shorter and are more expensive
Phang Nga has also a beautiful landscape with many waterfalls, mountains, islands, rivers and hot springs. You can get a good map at M.T. Tour and visit the various attractions. Phang Nga has also special temples, each one with different characteristics. Some temples are on top or inside a mountain. Attractions near the city are: The elephant mountain (temple), Sanong Manora waterfall, Dragon cave, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park. Further away are: Namtok Lamru a 5-tiered waterfall, Khao Lak (beach), Ko Similan National Park (diving & snorkeling), Ko Surin National Park (diving & snorkeling). There are also jungle tours with rafting and temple tours.
