| Tourist
Attractions in Amphoe Muang Phang Nga
Rusisawan Cave and Luk Sua Cave
These two caves are located on Khao Chang Road in the vicinity
of Muang Phangnga municipal area near Phetchakasem Highway,
slightly opposite to the Provincial Court. One can walk inside
from one cave through another. The Rusi Sawan Cave is in front
of Luk Sua Cave facing the edge of Phetchakasem Highway.The
municipality utilizes this area as a public park for the people.
Phung Chang Cave
This cave is located, in Muang Phangnga municipal
area, behind the Provincial Hall before entering Phangnga
Market area make a turn via a 500 meter asphalt road to Wat
Praphat Prajimkhet where one can walk to the cave.
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
This, also known as Sa Nang Manora Waterfall, is located in
the area of Tambon Nop Pring Amphoe Muang. To access the park
one has to use Phangnga-Krabi route (Highway No.4) for a distance
of five kilometers where a turn is made at the Electricity
Generating Station via a three kilometer late rite road to
the fall area. The park occupies an area of 180 rai and, in
general, it is a pleasant forest having various kinds of plant
and wood species. The outstanding characteristic of this park
is the fall originating from a stream flowing along the hillside
and cascading down to the big Reservoir all year round.
Ao Phangnga National Park
This marine park is situated in the vicinities of Amphoe Muang,
Takua Thung, and KO Yao occupying an area of 250,000 rai and
it was announced as the national park area on April 29, 1981.
To access AO Phangnga from the township area, one has to use
Highway No.4 heading southward to Tambon Khok Kloi passing
the Provincial Hall and when arriving at KM.8 make a left
turn for another four kilometer distance via Highway No.4144
to Ao Phangnga National Park. At the Customs Check Point Pier
one can find boating services operated by private enterprises
(besides this pier, one can use the Surakul Pier or Kasom
Pier in Amphoe Takua Thung). Those who travel as a big group
tour should use the boating service at the Customs Pier because
suitable vessels are available ihere. Sightseeing route will
commence from the pier passing Khao Machu, Khao Khian, Ko
Panyi and stops will be made at Tham Lot, Khao Tapu, Khao
Phing Kan.
Attractions in The Area of Ao
Phang Nga Natural Park are :
Ko Panyi
Ko Panyi is a small flat island of about one rai.
There are about 120 households and the majority of the population
earn their living from fishery, selling souvenirs and food
to tourists. There is one public school named Ban Ko Panyi
School, and the villagers are mostly Moslem.
Khao Phing Kan
This small hill is located in the area of Amphoe Takua Thung.
The origin of this name is that a rocky hill is broken apart
and the smaller piece slid down with the base sunk in the
earth while the upper part still abuts on another posing the
present leaning hills. Behind Khao Phing Kan the scenery is
very picturesque and when looking afar to the sea "Khao
Tapu" is seen amidst the sea. It looks like a nail, e.g.,
having a big top while the bottom part touching the sea is
slim.
Tham Lot
This cave is located in Ao Phangnga area. Stalactites
and stalagmites found in the cave are very beautiful.
Khao Machu
This rocky hill has a shape similar to a dog. It
is located on the way to Ko Panyi.
Khao Hong
Khao Hong comprises small and big hills situated
in a mixed-up manner like the stage partitions of a theatre.
Looking around on a boat when sailing in, one will feel like
staying in a big hall having two doors. Tourists mostly do
not visit Khao Hong because it is located outside the usual
sightseeing route. To visit it properly, careful timing must
be taken into consideration to match with the proper tide
level because its beauty will be decreased by too high a tide
while too Iowa tide requires smaller vessel for boating inside
the area.
Ko Phanak
Ko Phanak is a beautiful island having various stalactites
and stalagmites caves with small levelled waterfalls inside.
Tham Kaeo
This cave is a home of swallows and there are beautiful
reflecting rocks inside.
Khao Khian
It is located or1 the way to Ko Panyi and there are
various paintings of animal of different types. The Fine Arts
Department has studied and found that the ag~ of those paintings
is not less than 3,000 years and it is believed that those
paintings were made by seamen, in the ancient days, who stopped
over to hide from awheavy storm.
Tham Nak
The name of this cave is given in compliance with the shape
of stalagmites which look like a big curled up snake.
Ko Khai
There are two small islands named Ko Khai Nok and Ko Khai
Nai having beautiful beaches and rocks. There are also coral
reefs around the islands.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Ko Yao
Ko Yao
Ko yao covers an area of 137.6 square kilometers consisting
of 2 main islands, Ko Yao noi and Ko Yao Yai, and several
surrounding islets. Beautiful beaches include:
Hat Pa Sai
This clean white sandy beach is located seven kilometers
from the office of Amphoe Ko Yao. It is surrounded with pleasant
shady-trees and swimming can be done safely. Looking out from
the beach several islands of Krabi Province are seen.
Hat Tha Khao
This rocky beach is located five kilometers from
the office of Amphoe Ko Yao. There are colourful rocks and
gravels with various designs on the beach. Not so far from
the shore, there is a small island called Ko Nok where one
can access by walking during the low tide time. On the island
there are wild plants and orchids which are lovely to see.
Ao Tikut
This bay has white clean sand and . there is a picturesque
rocky cape at the northern area of the bay. Pine trees line
the shore making a pleasant shady area.
Ao Khiong Son
This clean white sandy beach is pleasant with shady
pine trees. There are small rocky cliffs and colourful rocks
on the left. Swimming can be done safely here and beautiful
coral reefs can be observed. During low tide one can pick
up beautiful shells for collection.
Loparaet
This is a shady beach surrounded with coconut groves. The
long beach is covered with white powdery sand. There is a
rocky cape located at the north of the bay. Swimming can be
done at any time here.
Laem Hat
This is a very long white powdery beach and looks pleasant
with shady coconut groves, chashew nuts, and pine trees. It
is conveniently accessible by road and by boat.
Ao Hin Kong
This beach is pleasant with shady Khiarn forest but it is
not good for swimming because of a huge number of ray fingerlings.
Laem Nok Ok
This cape has a beautiful beach with rocky cliffs and colourful
rocks and it is the place where one can swim at all times.
Ao Sai
This is a white powdery beach with beautiful rocky cliffs
and swimming can be done at all times.
Ao Lan
This is a beautiful sandy beach where swimming is possible
but the northern part of the cape is a steep cliff with deep
water under the cliff. Water transportation is more convenient
than land transportation to reach there.
To get to Ko Yao, you are recommended to travel by passenger
boat, chartered boat, or speed boat from Ao Po Pier, Phuket
Province. The travel takes about one hour and 15 minutes.
Chartered boat is also available at Ao Phangnga Pier and Learn
Sak Pier Amphoe Ao Luk, Krabi Province.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Thap Put
Tao Thong Waterfall
This waterfall is in the vicinity of Tambon Bo Saen. To access
the waterfall, the same route to Sa Nang Manora Park has to
be used but one has to go further to Mu 3, Tambon Bo Saen
where a laterite road of 11 kilometer distance branches off
to the fall.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Takua Thung
Wat Suwan Khuha
This monastery is located at Mu2, Tambon Krasom.
To get there one must use the Phangnga-Khok Kloi route (Highway
No.4) for a distance of seven kilometers to arrive at Mu 2
(KM. 31), Amphoe Takua Thung, a one kilometer asphalt road
branches off on the right.
This Wat Suwan Khuha is generally called, by the villagers,
"Wat Tharn" which is an interesting monastery having
the most importance in Phangnga due to its being an important
historical archaeological site. In the vicinity of the monastery
area, there is a mountain having several big and small caves
situated in both low and high locations. The important caves
are: Tham Yai, Tham Chaeng, Tham Mued, and Tham Kaeo.
Tham Yai is located at the lowest level where one must pass
through prior to entering other caves. The size of this cave
is larger than any other caves having a width of more than
20 meters, and a length of more than 40 meters. The cave floor
is flat while the ceiling has a semi-circle shape like a boat
roof. There are decorations with earthenware of various colours,
sizes, and designs along the entire cave length. Tham Yai
is used as a Vihara enshrining various sizes of stucco Buddha
images; the most important one is a very beautiful 15 meter
Reclining Buddha.
Raman Waterfall
This fall is situated near Wat Tham Suwan Khuha,
i.e., from KM. 31, there is a seven kilometer branch road
on the right leading to the fall. Raman Waterfall, medium
sized falls, is surrounded by thick jungle providing water
all year. There is a large sized rest pavilion but other facilities
are not available there.
Tha Nun Seashore
Branching Highway No. 4 through Highway No.402 to Phuket one
can see sandy beaches
on both sides of Pak Phra Channel before arriving at Phuket
Island. There are sea turtles laying eggs on these beaches
every year during the season.
Khao Pilai Seashore
This locality is situated in the vicinity of Tambon Khok Kloi
and it is adjacent to Tha Nun Beach. Even there are some rocky
cliffs on the white sandy beach, swimming can be done.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Thai Muang
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang National Park
This park covers an area of 45,000 rai and was proclaimed
as a national park area on April 14, 1986. Places of interest
in the vicinity of this national park are:
Lampi Waterfall
This fall is situated in Mu 6, Tambon Thai Muang,
along the Phetchakasem Highway (Highway No.4). Between KM.
32-33, a laterite road of 1.5 kilometers branches off on the
left to the fall. Lampi Waterfall, medium sized falls, has
three levels each of which is about 100 meters in height.
The falls exist all year round and more people like to visit
during rainy season.
Ton Phrai Waterfall
At KM. 28-29, a seven kilometer late rite road branches
off on the left but a foot trip is still needed for another
kilometer to view the fall. This is a large sized waterfall
with cascading water all year round and a trip to see this
waterfall should be made during the dry season for travelling
convenience.
Thai Muang Seashore
This is located in the vicinity of Thai Muang Sanitary
area where a 1.5 kilometer asphalt road branches off on the
right to join the beach road. for another five kilometer to
reach the office of the national par Thai Muang Beach is a
13 kilometer clean sandy beach paral to the Highway. The water
is clear, good for swimming; fro November to February sea
turtles will come up to the beach f laying eggs. This started
a tradition of walking to observe eg laying turtles in the
bright moon night. After the hatching peril there is also
a turtle releasing festival called "Turtle Walkil Tradition"
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Takua Pa
Bang Sak Beach
This beach is situated in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Muang
along the Phetchakasem Highway at KM. 75-76 where a one kilometer
road branches off on the right. Bang Sak Beach has clean white
sand and good weather. The grilled fish here is very famous
the same as at Rawai Beach of Phuket Island.
Khao Lak-Lam Au National Park
Declared national park in 1989, Khao Lak-Lam Ru covers a "
total area of some 93,750 rai of Amphoe Thai Muang, Amphoe
Ka Pong, Amphoe Ta Kua Pa, and Amphoe Muang and consists of
the following attractions :
Khao Lak
Taking the route No.4 (Thai Muang-Ta Kua Pa) for 25 kilometers
from Amphoe Ta Kua Pa then turning left between kilometer
markers 56-57, Khao lak Mountain with a shrine of Chao Pho
Khao Lak is situated opposite to khao Lak Seashore renowned
for its stony beach.
Lam Ru Waterfall
A 5-tiered yearlong waterfall on Kradai Range, Lam Ru Waterfall
is accessible by a branch road from the Highway No.4090 via
Amphoe Ka Pong with a 1-kilometer turn to the falls.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Ka Pong
Wat Narainikaram
Situated at Tambon Le, some 14 kilometers from Amphoe
Ka Pong, the monastery is where the sculptures of Narayana,
Laksaman, and Sita, all related to the historical backgrouhd
of "Takola" (former name of Ta Kua Pa), are enshrined.
They also attest to the spread of Indian culture to this region.
Ka Pong Hot Spring
The mineral spring of 65 degree c. is located at Tambon Tha
Na, 8 kilometers from Amphoe Ka Pong.
Tourist Attractions in Amphoe
Khura Buri
Ban Thung Tuk Ancient Town
This remains are located on the back part of Tambon Ko Kho
Khao, Mu 3 area, Amphoe Khura Buri between the ends of Muang
Thong Canal and Thung Tuk Canal which is the mouth of Takua
Pa River area. Characteristics of the area are sand, plain,
covered with trees and some spots are brushes. The reason
why it is generally called, by the villagers, "Thung
Tuk" is that there are at least three archaeological
remains. They look similar to a building or sanctuary , on
this sand plain in the brush area. Parts and components of
a Bhraman religious place and religious symbols, such as stone
carved into a pedestrian shape with a pit at the bottom, it
looks like a base whereupon a Siva Unga or an idol is places.
In addition, pieces of Chinaware, earthenware, coloured glass
containers as well as various types and colours of beads,
Indian coins are scatteredly found on the ground of this Thung
Tuk archaeological remains. The majority of archaeological
expert has resolved that Thung Tuk was a location of an ancient
port town where Indians, Arabians, and Malayans were so well
acquainted due to its being an important spice market situated
on the west bank of the Malayan Penninsula. It is located
in a suitable locality having appropriate natural circumstances
to anchor in safety from big storms. Besides its perfect natural
resources, it is situated nearby the deep open sea where big
vessels can access conveniently, and yet located on the mouth
of Takua Pa River which is also the center of water communication.
Mu Ko Similan National Park
This park occupies an area of 80,000 rai and was announced
as the national park area on September l' 1982. There are
two ways to access the Similan, i.e., taking a boat trip from
the pier in Ban Thap Lamu, Amphoe Thai Muang, through a distance
of 40 kilometers which takes about three hours or taking a
boat trip from a pier in Amphoe Khura Buri through an approximate
distance of 40 kilometers and it also takes about three hours.
Similan, a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea comprises
nine islands. It is appraised by the Skin-Diving Magazine
of USA as one of the top ten islands having both surface and
under water beautiful scenery.
A tourist can enjoy scuba diving or angling and it is convenient
to start the trip from Phuket where boat-hire service is available
for tourists. The best time to make a trip for diving and
angling is from late December to mid April. March is regarded
as the month with best weather, free from storm, and clear
water.
Some attractive islands of the
national park include :
Similan Island
With wonderful underwater scenery and rather shallow
sea level, the horseshoe-shaped island, partly encircling
a small bay in the west, is suitable for skin diving to look
at coral reefs and colourful fishes. In the north, large stones
of different shapes and sizes are noticeable from a distance.
Ko Similan is the largest island among the Similan Islands.
Ba Ngu or Hua Ka Lok Island
Ko Hua Ka Lok or Skull Island is the seventh island in the
Similan group. A rocky island of peculiar shape, it looks
like a skull when viewed from one certain point. Ko Hua Ka
Lok is renowned for its breathtaking underwater beauty on
a many-tiered seabed.
Hu Yong Island
Ko Hu Yong is well-known for its longest stretch of white
sandy beach where sea turtles lay their eggs.
Miang Island
With sufficient supply of fresh water. Ko Miang is
the second largest island where the office and guesthouses
of the Similan Marine National Park is located. The island
is famous for its beautiful beaches and colourful coral reefs.
Mu Ko Surin National Park
This park is situated at Mu 5, Tambon Ko Phra Thong,
occupying an area of 84, 375 rai. It was announced as a national
park area on July 9, 1981. To access Surin National Park,
the shortest distance between the park and Phangnga is to
use the fish marketing pier of Ban Hin Lat around the mouth
of Nang Yon Canal area (the folks there call it Thun Nang
Dam Canal). The access road to the fish marketing pier is
a one kilometer earth road which branches off from Ranong-Takua
Pa Highway at KM. 110 (from Ranong), 5 kms. from Amphoe Khura
Buri. To travel from this pier take only 4-5 hours Travelling
by boat from Phangnga (township area), it will take about
13 hours. If boating from Kapur of Ranong the time will be
seven hours approximately. The best time to visit Mu Ko Surin
National Park is only from December to March.
Attractions within the national
park are :
Surin Islands
The area consists of Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai
with more than 10 bays among which Mae Khai or Mae Yai Bay
is renowned for its serenity while Ao Luk or Deep Bay is famous
for its deep dark green waters with a most beautiful coral
reef in the shallows.
Seamen
Sing tribe, the last seamen living a primitive life
in their houseboats in Thailand, inhabit Ko Surin Tai beach.
Opposite to the national park office, there is a carved wood
sculpture similar to an American Indian totem. It is most
revered by the seamen tribe. The tribe convene here annually
for a 3-day gathering on the full moon night of the 3rd lunar
month to pay respect to their totem spirits.
REMARKS :
The most appropriate time to go sightseeing in the
Andaman Sea is from the beginning of November to mid summer
around the end of April. However, prior to starting each trip
information on weather status should be obtained from the
Weather Forecasting Division, Department of Meteorology (Tel:
2580437-9) in advance for safety. |
