Phang Nga (, ) is one of the southern provinces (Changwat) of Thailand, on the shore of the Andaman Sea to the west and Phang Nga Bay to the south. Neighbouring provinces, from north and moving clockwise, are Ranong, Surat Thani, and Krabi. Towards the south of Phang Nga is the Phuket province, connected by the Sarasin Bridge.
Geography
The province, located on the western side of the Malay Peninsula, encompasses the islands within Phang Nga Bay. Among these, Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu, often referred to as "James Bond Island", gained prominence following their appearance in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. In this film, Khao Phing Kan serves as the base for the antagonist, with the distinct, needle-shaped limestone formation of Ko Ta Pu, situated approximately off the main beach, featuring significantly. To safeguard these and other islands, the Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981. The province also includes the Similan Islands and Surin Islands, notable diving destinations in Thailand. The total forested area of the province is approximately , accounting for 32.4 percent of its total area.
Toponymy
Phang Nga derives its name from the ancient Malay term "Pangan", which translates to 'jungle' in contemporary Thai. This term historically referred to a broad category of indigenous peoples, colloquially known as 'orang Pangan' in Malay. This phrase was used to describe communities perceived as 'heathen, pagan, or primitive', typically residing in the dense jungle regions of the Malay Peninsula and its adjacent islands.
History
During the reign of King Rama II, the region surrounding Thalang (currently known as Phuket) fell under Burmese occupation, leading to a significant influx of refugees into Kraphu Nga. Following the successful expulsion of Burmese forces by Siamese troops in 1824, King Rama III renamed the area adjacent to the bay as Phang Nga. This adaptation from the Malay word "pangan" suggests the historical presence of Orang Asli or other indigenous groups in the region. In 1933, the town was elevated to the status of a province.
On the morning of 26 December 2004, the Andaman Sea coastline of Phang Nga Province experienced severe devastation due to a tsunami, resulting in extensive loss of life.
Khura Buri District, and particularly Ko Phra Thong, referred to as smuggler's paradise, has been identified as a critical point of entry for illegal activities in Thailand, including human trafficking. This area is reportedly a transit route for various groups, including Rohingya, Uighur, and Syrian refugees seeking entry into Thailand.
Symbols
thumb|left|220px|[[Seals of the provinces of Thailand|Provincial seal of Phang Nga]]
The official seal of the province features an illustration of the Phu Khao Chang mountains, set as a backdrop to the depiction of the city hall. Additionally, the seal includes an image of a dredge, symbolizing the province's history of tin mining.
The provincial slogan encapsulates various aspects of the region's identity and heritage: "Massive mining industry, Ban Klang Nam 'floating house', delightful caves, strangely shaped hills, Jampun flower, rich in resources". This slogan reflects the diverse elements that define the province, from its industrial past to its unique natural and cultural features. one Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organisation (') and 15 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Phang Nga and Takua Pa have town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 13 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 36 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (').
Transportation
Transportation in Phang Nga Province is primarily facilitated through a network of highways.
- Roads: Highway 4 is the main artery connecting most districts within the province, excluding Kapong and Ko Yao. Highway 401 provides a route to Surat Thani, while Highway 402 links Phang Nga with Phuket Province. Additionally, Highway 4090 connects Muang to Kapong District.
- Railways: Rail transport is absent in Phang Nga Province. The closest railway station is located in the Phunphin District of Surat Thani Province.
- Bus: These services in the province offer frequent connections to Bangkok and other regions. Intra-provincial travel is supported by non-air-conditioned buses.
- Public transit: Songthaews are the predominant form of public transit within Phang Nga, offering accessible transportation options to the local population.
- Motorbike-taxi: They are primarily found in Phang Nga town, cater to short-distance travel, with fares varying based on distance.
- Airport: As of now, Phang Nga Province does not have an airport. The nearest facility is Phuket International Airport. Plans for a new airport in Phang Nga have been proposed, with the intention of serving not only Phang Nga but also neighboring Krabi Province and as an alternative to Phuket's existing airport.
Human achievement index 2022
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:400px;"
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| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Health
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Education
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Employment
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Income
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| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 21
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| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 77
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 24
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| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Housing
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Family
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Transport
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| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 10
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| colspan="4"; style=" background: black; color: white;"| Province Phang Nga, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6432 is "average", and occupies place 36 in the ranking.
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Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at the sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017. This park is distinguished by its picturesque landscapes, notably featuring a multitude of limestone formations rising majestically from the sea near the coast. These geological structures also account for the high concentration of caves within the park's boundaries. The area is rich in mangrove forests, contributing to its ecological diversity. Additionally, the park encompasses several islands, each contributing to the overall scenic and biological richness of Ao Phang Nga National Park. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 530,204.
- Mu Ko Similan National Park () was declared a national park on 1 September 1982. The park, spanning around Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 578,535. The park covers an area of approximately , equivalent to 88,282 rai. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 77,609. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 78,355. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 72,765. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 21,509. The wildlife sanctuary was previously known as Ton Pariwat wildlife sanctuary and covers Kapong district, Mueang Phang Nga district, and Thap Put district.
{|role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|<strong>Location protected areas of Phang Nga</strong>
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|thumb|900px|
{| class= "wikitable" style= "width:30%; display:inline-table;"
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| style="width:3%; background:#00FF00;"|
| style="width:27%;"|National park
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| 1 ||Ao Phang Nga
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| 2 ||Khao Lak-Lam Ru
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| 3 ||Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang
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| 4 ||Mu Ko Similan
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| 5 ||Mu Ko Surin
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| 6 ||Si Phang Nga
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{| class= "wikitable" style= "width:30%; display:inline-table;"
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| style="width=3%; background:#FFA400;"|
| style="width=27%;"|Wildlife sanctuary
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| 7 ||Namtok Song Phraek
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Gallery
<gallery>
File:Phang Nga, Dusty road, Thailand.jpg|Dusty road around Phang Nga town
File:Phang Nga Bay, River, Thailand.jpg|Northern entrance to Phang Nga Bay
File:Mu Ko Similan National Park Phang Nga Thailand.jpg|Mu Ko Similan National Park
File:เสม็ดนางชี 2.jpg|Limestone islets in Phangnga Bay
File:1025 Ao Phang Nga 1.jpg|Limestone islets in Phangnga Bay, Ao Phangnga National Park
File:Emerald tropical lagoon in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand.jpg|Emerald lagoon in Phang Nga Bay
File:1043 อุทยานเเห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน.jpg|Cardisoma carnifex at Similan Islands
File:Dolphins! it's time to show off!.jpg|Dolphins at Surin Island
File: Rueangrit 0011.jpg|Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park
File:ทิวทัศน์จากสิมิลัน เกาะ8.jpg|View from Similan Island to Andaman Sea
File:อ่าวไม้งาม 2.jpg|Mai-Ngam beach, Surin Islands National Park
File:เขาหลัก อุทยานแห่งชาติลำดับที่24 อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาหลัก-ลำรู่.jpg|Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park
</gallery>
References
External links
- Provincial website