Phang Nga Bay, Ao Phang Nga National Park

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Phang Nga Bay or Ao Phang Nga, is one of the most beautiful places in southern Thailand. It is a place of majestic karst islets scattered across a bay area northeast of Phuket. Due to its significance, Phang Nga Bay was designated a forest park in 1974, under the name Si Phang Nga Forest Reserve. On 29 April 1981, it was elevated to national park status, and is now known as Ao Phang Nga National Park, or Phang Nga Bay National Park.

Phang Nga Bay National Park covers an area of 400 square kilometers and encompasses the largest tract of mangrove forest in Thailand. It stretches from Muang Phangnga District to Takua Tung District. Within this area are about 42 islands, the most famous being Koh Khao Phing Kan (better known as James Bond Island), Koh Tapu and Koh Pangyi.

The topography of Phang Nga Bay is characterized by several fault lines, the most apparent being the Klong Marui Fault. Within the bay are massive karst outcrops that extend southward into Phang Nga Bay, where they jut out of the sea as towering limestone islets. Many of these karst islands have almost vertical cliffs. The bay itself slopes southwards and composed of large and small tidal channels fed by the rivers.

Mangrove forests cover much of Phang Nga Bay and provide a habitat for gibbons, monkeys, otters, dolphin, terrapin, 120 species of birds including the little heron and the Pacific reef egret, 24 species of fish, 14 species of shrimp, 15 species of crabs, and a wealth of plankton.

Getting there

Phang Nga Bay is best explored through an ecological tour package which can be arranged with a responsible tour agent in Phuket. There are day trips, some including kayaking expeditions, that enter Phang Nga Bay either directly from Phuket or via Phang Nga Province mainland.