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Located northeast of
Phuket, Phang-nga is renowned for its
island-studded bay of haunting natural beauty.
Typically, the approach to this wondrous
seascape is via a river estuary where mangrove
swamps evoke a primeval mood. The eeriness takes
a dramatic turn as the estuary widens and the
bay is suddenly revealed sprouting countless
weirdly limestone outcrops swathed in tangles of
creepers and shrubs. Some rise sheer from the
water, others are humped or jagged and all
present an unearthly aspect.
Several of the
islands have notable features, such as Khao
Khian, where prehistoric rock paintings can be
seen on the cliffs; Panyi Island, where there is
a Muslim fishing village on stilts, Phanak
Island with beautiful caves, and James Bond
Island, which is famed as the location for the
movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
While Phang Nga is
most famous for its island-studied bay, the
province's mainland offers a number of excellent
beaches that are mostly overlooked by
international travellers. Best of them all is
Khao Lak, a delightful stretch of sand studded
with granite boulders. Khoa Lak is becoming more
and more popular among tourists. Further
interest lies in an offshore coral reef, 45
minutes away by boat, where the conditions are
ideal for snorkeling.
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