Phang Nga Guide

As most people in the colder areas of the world are huddling indoors to avoid the chilly weather outside in November, December, January, February and March the people in Thailand’s coastal provinces such as Phang Nga, Krabi, and the sought-after Phuket are living their lives in a completely opposite way. It’s the high season for tourism in those provinces. Discerning travelers are being welcomed to have a whale of a time sunbathing along the white sand beach one. It’s great to have a vacation by the azure sea; warm sun, warm sea and white sand are all you can feel. It’s so wonderful that people in the temperate zone might well be envious of you.
Starting on Highway Number 4 (Takua Pa-Thai Muang), you will see beautiful Bang Sak Beach, the first beach of Phang Nga that is a continuation of the beach from neighboring Ranong Province. You can fully enjoy you bathing here with no fear because Bang Sak Beach has a very gradual slope into the sea with a large shallow area.

Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga is a southern Thai province best known for its land and sea attractions, as it is home to a diverse selection of naturally magnificent sites. The most famous of its offerings is located offshore between Phuket and Krabi, Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park, which s comprised of an area of more than 400 square kilometers of turquoise water dotted by over 40 islets, sunken caverns and starting rock formations rising sheer out of the sea.
Apart from the Permain limestone karsts, Phang Nga Bay also features abundant mangrove swamps, while visitors can witness local traditions on Panyee island, a small Muslim community often described as the floating village of Thailand. It is this diverse composition of attractions that makes Phang Nga Bay one of the most spectacular settings of its kind in South East Asia.

There are several islands in the bay, with one of the most popular having appeared on the silver screen of the James Bond series – The Man with the Golden Gun – some 30 years ago. Khao Tapu’s striking limestone rock formation has become the symbol of the bay since the film was released and continues to attract visitors from all around the world today.
Phang Nga Bay is easily accessed by long-tail boat services from many piers on the mainland of Phang Nga province and Phuket. Buying a one-day long-tail tour package is a good way to explore the bay and it’s many wonders. Another option for nature lovers liking to get close to the hidden mangrove forests and limestone caves is to view them from a sea canoe; many major travel companies in Phuket offer a one-day canoe exploration excursion in Phang Nga

Must-do in Phang Nga Bay
- Visit James Bond Island (Khao Tapu)
- Explore caves and mangrove swamps by sea canoe
- Visit Panyee island to experience the local way of life, enjoy lunch at a seafood restaurant and shop for local products.

Similan Island
The Similan complex or islands is located in the Andaman Sea, 70 kilometers off the mainland of Phang-Nga Province. “Similan” means “nine” in Malay as the archipelago consists of nine islands, but Sumilan is also the name given to the eighth island in th group. All nine islands have official name: Koh Hu Yong, Koh Payang, Koh Payan, Koh Miang, Koh Ha, Koh Bayu, Koh Hin Pousar, Koh Similan, and Koh Ba Ngu accordingly. Instead of the Malay names, most sailors prefer to call these islands by numbers one to nine from south up to north.
Besides many white sandy beaches that surround every island, beneath the prisitine seawater of Similan lies the complex of colorful marine creatures and coral reefs. The beautiful underwater scenes mark Similan one of the exceptional diving spots on earth.The best way to access the island is to fly to Phuket international Airport. From Phuket, there are plenty of tour agencies that offer tour packages to Similan islands.

Going to Similan Island
There is an overnight public bus from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Tublamu Pier, the nearest point to the island, It is available daily, From the pier, you may rent a boat or buy an island package from a local tour agent.Similan National Marine Park is closed during the monsoon season on 16 May to 15 November each year. The best time to visit the islands is during 16 November to 15 May every year.