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James Bond Island is the biggest tourist attraction at Phang Nga Bay National Park. This is where the 1974 James Bond movie starring Roger Moore, Man with the Golden Gun, was shot. Phang Nga Bay National Park is located on the northeast of Phuket.
James Bond Island (13 July 2004)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
There are in fact two islands, side by side, that vie to be called James Bond Island. The one generally accepted as the true title holder is Koh Khao Phing Kan (also variously written as Khao Phing Kan, Koh Ping Kan, Khao Phing Gan), whose name means Island of the Leaning Mount. It is a butterfly-shape island comprising two islets joined together by a sandy isthmus. It got its name from an immense sheer wall of limestone that appears to lean to one side. In addition , there are also grottoes to explore. Koh Khao Phing Kan is where actual location shot of the James Bond movie was done.
As Koh Khao Phing Kan has a beach, tourist can land on it. Tourists arriving at James Bond Island by motorboat and speed boat disembark at a pier a short distance away, while those coming by longtail boat are dropped off directly on the shore. The arrival of tourists is rarely unaccompanied, so too has souvenir vendors descended on Koh Khao Phing Kan. The only strip of beach on the island is now given away to a row of souvenir stalls that sell seashells by the seashore, and hordes of other trinkets.
Tim and Chooi Yoke at James Bond Island (12 May 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
But most tourist come to Koh Khao Phing Kan for one singular purpose: to pay homage to the famous James Bond landmark. That, however, is not on Koh Khao Phing Kan itself, but right out in the sea. That's the other island also called James Bond Island, and it's the most iconic, well-recognized rock formation in all of Thailand. This little islet is much smaller than Koh Khao Phing Kan, and it juts out of the sea like the head of a nail. No wonder its Thai name is Koh Tapu (also written Koh Tapoo), meaning Nail Island. There is a story how Nail Island got its name which you can read here.
In the James Bond movie, this is where the villian Scaramanga hid his laser weapon - what George Bush would call "weapon of mass destruction". It must be the most photographed island in all of Phang Nga. As most tourists regard it as the James Bond Island, and of late it has gathered acceptance as the true James Bond Island.
Many people visiting James Bond Island express disappointment at seeing Koh Tapu. The majority whom I have spoken to expected it to be bigger, taller. Seeing it to be smaller than what they had expected comes as a bit of an anticlimax after the thrill boat trip through Phang Nga National Park. My advise to would-be visitors is not to harbour too much expectation, and simply enjoy the scenery - Koh Khao Phing Kan is actually quite scenic, if you ignore the souvenir stalls. But if you think you are going to be disappointed, then do not visit James Bond Island.
Getting there
The James Bond Island is located in Phang Nga National Park, which is on the northeast of Phuket. There are day trips to Phang Nga National Park, some includes a visit to James Bond Island and some don't. If you wish to visit James Bond Island, be sure to specify it to your tour operator. Nevertheless, other places in Phang Nga National Park are also worth visiting, and I'll describe them all separately.James Bond Island Location Map
The pier on James Bond Island, Koh Khao Phing Kan, from with the majority of the visitors disembark.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Long tail boats transport visitors straight to the bay.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The sheer rock wall that gives Khao Phing Kan its name.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Seashell souvenir stalls crowding the narrow strip of beach at Khao Phing Kan.
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The two islands vying to be James Bond Island are in close proximity - Koh Tapu on the left, Khao Phing Kan on the right.The two islands vying to be James Bond Island are in close proximity - Koh Tapu on the left, Khao Phing Kan on the right.
A close-up shot of Koh Tapu shows that its vegetation is mostly limestone scrub forest reminiscent of a bonsai rock garden.The two islands vying to be James Bond Island are in close proximity - Koh Tapu on the left, Khao Phing Kan on the right.
Group shot of AsiaExplorers members on the trip to explore James Bond Island.The two islands vying to be James Bond Island are in close proximity - Koh Tapu on the left, Khao Phing Kan on the right.
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