Namtok Lamru
Namtok Lamru This 5-tiered waterfall is located within the area of the National Park. It is 9 kilometres from the branching road from Highway No. 4090, passing Kapong District office on the way to Lamru village, and another kilometre to Lamru waterfall.
Namtok Saeng Thong
Namtok Saeng Thong On the opposite side of Kapong Hospital, is the access road to the waterfall, 6 kilometres further on. It is a medium-sized waterfall, having 11 levels altogether. The falls run all year round.
Wat Narai Nikayaram
Wat Narai Nikayaram, situated at Mu 3, Tambon Le, 14 kilometres from the Kapong district office. The temple houses stone carvings of the God Narai, Phra Lak, and Sida, from the Ramayana Epic. These sculptures are related with “Takola” town (the former name of Takua Pa) and the proliferation of Indian culture into this region.
Amphoe Khura Buri
Ko Phra Thong
Ko Phra Thong , located in Tambon Phra Thong. It is a large island northwest of Phang-nga. The island is an ideal holiday paradise containing unspoilt natural beauty as well as wonderful beaches. There is a large fresh water reservoir on the island. You can charter a boat ride from Khura Buri pier to the island. The trip takes just over an hour. Private accommodation is available.
Mu Ko Similan National Park
Mu Ko Similan National Park “Similan” is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands. It is located in Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Amphoe Khura Buri, occupying an area of 32,000 acres. It was declared a national park on 1st September 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively, namely: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. The National Park’s office is located on Ko Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometres from Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November and April.
Interesting attractions in the National Park include:
Ko Similan or Ko Paet is the largest island in this group of islands. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very beautiful and diving around here will let you see a lot of fishes and coral. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Duck’s head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal lookout point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.
Ko Ba-ngu is the ninth island of the Similan group of islands. It has a strange feature. Looking from one point, the shape of a skull can be seen. Underwater is as beautiful as a valley full of coral reefs, deep gorge, and various sizes of fish.
Ko Huyong , the island offers the whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands. During turtles’ egg laying season, from November to February, there would be tracks on the beach from turtles that come onshore to lay eggs, resembling centipede tracks.Ko Miang is the second largest island among 9 islands after Similan Island. It is where the office of the National Park is located. The island offers a scenic beach which is suitable for camping.
Diving Spots
There are several diving spots that suit both snorkelling and scuba diving. The famous scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the west of Ko Tachai where whale sharks can be seen, Ko Bon, Christmas Point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao Kwang En (to the east of Ko Paet), etc. Snorkelling spots are scattered around these nine islands. The interesting points are by the sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island.
Amphoe Ko Yao
Ko Yao
Ko Yao covers an area of 137 square kilometres. The majority of the population are Muslim. The island is made up of 2 large islands: Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai.
Attractions on Ko Yao Noi include:
Hat Pa Sai , situated 7 kilometres from the District Office on Ko Yao Noi. This white sandy beach is covered with shady trees. From Hat Pa Sai, a scenic view of the islands of Krabi province can be seen in the distance.
Hat Tha Kao , situated 5 kilometres from the District Office on Ko Yao Noi. The beach features boulders, rocks, and pebbles of various shapes, size, and coloration. During the low tide, you can walk to another small island nearby.
Attractions on Ko Yao Yai include:
Ao Ti Kut, located at Ko Yao Yai. This bay has a white sandy beach. To the north of the bay, there is a beautiful rocky cape with a beach lined with pine trees.
Ao Klong Son Offering a beach of fine, white sand and shady pine trees. On the left end of the beach is a colourful rock formation with equally beautiful multi-coloured pebbles. Swimming and snorkelling to see beautiful coral is recommended.
Ao Hin Kong , situated on Ko Yao Yai. It is a shady beach lined with Cotyletobium trees. This bay is home to young rays, which makes it unsuitable for swimming. Ao Hin Kong is also a habitat of Muslims who earn their living from fishing.
Ao Lan , the bay offers a beautiful beach, ideal for swimming. To the north, there is a cape which has a steep cliff and at the base of the cliff, the water is quite deep. Boat riding is the most convenient mode of transport to get there.
Ao Sai is blessed with powdery white sand. The bay also has beautiful rock formations. Swimming can be enjoyed.
Hat Lo Pa Raet features a long stretch of a white sandy beach teeming with groves of coconut trees. To the north of the bay is a cape with a beautiful rock formation and the water around the cape is suitable for swimming.
Laem Nok Ok , located on Ko Yao Yai. The beach here has rock formations and pebbles of many colours. Swimming is recommended.
Amphoe Muang
Khao Chang
Khao Chang is a huge mountain resembling a crouched elepant situated behind Phang-nga’s former city hall. It is considered a symbol of Phang-nga. Inside the mountain, there is a dark and long cave called Tham Phung Chang which is full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park
Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park covers a vast area both onshore and offshore of about 250,000 rais (100,000 acres), covering the areas of Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Takua Thung, and Amphoe Ko Yao. It was declared a national park on 29th April B.E. 2524 (1981). Ao Phang-nga National Park is the second seacoast national park after Tarutao National Park. It has striking scenic views because of a mass of limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. Also, as a result of natural changes; caves and rock formations have been formed. The park is also fertile with mangroves. Best time to visit is between December and April. The most popular way to visit is a boat ride to various islands, which include:
Ko Panyi a small island made from limestone hills and plains. This is an interesting Muslim community. There are about 200 households of fishermen. On the island, there are many restaurants and souvenir shops.
Ko Phanak is a beautiful island with caves that house stalactite and stalagmite formations as well as small cascade, which flows onto several tiers.
Khao Phing Kan Named so because of its nature of being split into two halves. The smaller rock slid down, with its foundation stuck under the ground and the upper parts still leaning against each other. Behind the mountain is a superb scenery. Looking into the sea one finds “Khao Tapu”, a nail-shaped island, a solitary pillar in the sea. It is the most remarkable attraction of Ao Phang-nga National Park.
Khao Machu , a striking appearance rock formation is located on the way to Ko Panyi. It resembles a dog; its head, body, with a bushy tail.
Khao Khian , is on the way to Panyi Island. On the cliff which stands above the sea, there are pre-historic paintings featuring various kinds of animals. A study by the Department of Fine Arts has indicated that these paintings are over 3,000 years old. They are assumed to have been painted by seamen who use this place to escape from the monsoon.
Tham Lot is a lofty limestone cave with a giant hollow whereby boats can pass through. In a hollow, there are numerous stalactite formations on its ceiling, beyond the hollow is a beautiful sight of the mangrove forest.
Ko Hong , with big and small mountains. Sailing to this island gives you a feeling of being surrounded in a large hall with two doors. It will give you an immense feeling of the power of nature’s creation.
Phang-nga town
Phang-nga town is a quiet little town with none of Phuket’s hubbub but a great deal of its own charm.
Phang-nga Wildlife Nursery Station
Phang-nga Wildlife Nursery Station is situated alongside Phetkasem Road, Tambon Tak Daet. From Phuket, the station is located on the route to Phang-nga Bay. It nurses rare and nearly extinct wildlife, particularly birds, including mynahs, parrots, hawks, pheasants, and peacocks. The station also houses some interesting animals such as mountain goats, monkeys, bears, and ducks. It is open daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 0-7641-3261.
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park is located in Tambon Nop Pring, and approachable by driving on Phang-nga - Krabi (Highway No. 4) route for 4 kilometres, then take a right turn for another 4 kilometres. The park contains shady cascades and small basins as well as a 2-kilometre nature trail.
Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park
Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park is opposite the former city hall. This is a beautiful public park surround by limestone mountains. There are two adjoining caves called Tham Ruesi Sawan and Tham Luk Suea , in which a stream and formations of stalactites and stalagmites are found.
Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area
Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area is situated in Tambon Song Phraek, on a route between Phang-nga town and Kapong district. To get there, visitors travel 5 kilometres from Phang-nga town along Highway No.4, then take a right turn at Ban Song Phraek for 10 kilometres. There, one finds shady plants, streams and a waterfall.
Amphoe Takua Pa
Hat Bang Sak
Hat Bang Sak , located in Tambon Bang Muang on Phetkasem Road, on the Thai Mueang - Takua Pa section, between Km.76-77 and going down a side road for another hundred metres. The beach of Bang Sak has clean white sand and stretches along a grove of shady pines. Accommodation and restaurant are available on the beach.
Hat Khao Lak
Hat Khao Lak , 32 kilometres from Takua Pa, is now an interesting destination for domestic and overseas tourists. It has an advantage of beautiful, long beach of Andaman Sea and green mountain of Khao Lak-Lamru National Park parallel to the coast. The accommodation of Takua Pa along Khao Lak and Bang Sak Beach are built in the original southern architecture style. With the combination of the hospitality of local people who love in nature and environment, seaside town of Khao Lak –Takuapa has its unique and charms of attracting tourists to the area.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park was declared a national park in August 1991. The park occupies a vast area of 150 square kilometers and covers Amphoe Thai Mueang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa, and Amphoe Mueang.
There are many interesting attractions:
Khao Lak , the mountain is located 25 kilometres from Amphoe Takua Pa, on Route No. 4 (Thai Mueang - Takua Pa), taking a left turn between Kilometre markers 56 and 57. Before reaching Amphoe Thai Mueang, the mountain - Khao Lak - can be seen. On the mountain, there is the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine. Opposite Khao Lak lies a stony beach with rocks and boulders of all sizes strewn all over the beach.
Laem Pakarang , located on the Takua Pa - Khao Lak route. Driving from Takua Pa town on Phetkasem Road, the cape will be on the right, another 5 kilometres down the side road. It is a sandy beach piled with deer coral washed up on the beach by strong waves – thus giving the beach its name. The beach is blessed with groves of pine, making it ideal for camping and relaxation.
Namtok Ton Chong Fa is located on the Takua Pa - Khao Lak route like Laem Pakarang. Driving from Takua Pa town, the waterfall will be on the left, a right turn and going for another 5 kilometres. The cascade runs all year round and the surroundings are blissfully calm and cool under the trees’ shade.
Amphoe Takua Thung
Namtok Raman
Namtok Raman , located near Wat Suwannakhuha, take a right turn at Kilometre 31 marker and keep going for another 7 kilometres. The medium size cascade is set amidst a grove of big trees and the falls run all year round.
Tha Nun Beach
Tha Nun Beach From Highway No. 4, proceed towards Phuket using the Highway No. 402. Before you reach Phuket island, you will arrive at the Pak Phra straits, on both sides, you will see the beach. Every year, sea turtles would come to lay their eggs at this beach.
Wat Suwannakhuha
Wat Suwannakhuha , located in Mu 2, Tambon Krasom. Take Highway No. 4, (Phang-nga - Ban Khok Kloi route) for 7 kilometres and upon reaching the kilometre 31 marker at Amphoe Takua Thung, there is an asphalt road going to the right to the temple, one kilometre away. The locals call this temple “Wat Tham”. This is an interesting temple of all in Phang-nga since it is of historical and archaeological importance. Within the boundary of the temple is a mountain with numerous caves. Tham Yai (Big Cave) is located at the lowest level and, inside, the total length of the cave walls is decorated ceramic tiles, bowls as well as terra cotta ware and Benjarong ware. It is also used as a temple and houses various manners of Buddha images, one of which is a splendid reclining Buddha image. You can also see many Royal Monograms inscriptions on the walls of the cave.
Amphoe Thai Muang
Ban Bo Dan Hot Springs
Ban Bo Dan Hot Springs , located in Tambon Na Toei, on the Andaman coast. If you are coming from Phuket, pass through Khok Kloi intersection, and keep going straight on. At the kilometre 6 marker, you will see the entrance, then go another 3 kilometres further. The water of the natural hot springs are laden with minerals such as sodium and calcium, which are believed to relieve rheumatism, numbness, and help lessen the tension of both body and mind, as well as being beneficial to your complexion and hair. Mineral baths are available daily.
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park The park occupies an area of 45,000 rais (18,000 acres). It was declared a national park on April 14, 1988. Interesting attractions in the park include:
Namtok Lampi , located at Mu 6, Tambon Thai Mueang, on Phetkasem Road (Highway No.4), between kilometre markers 32 and 33, and taking an unpaved access road for another 1.5 kilometres. It is a 6-tiered waterfall that runs all year round.
Namtok Ton Phrai You can get to this attractive waterfall by taking a 7-kilometre unpaved access road between kilometre markers 28 and 29 and then continue on foot for another kilometre. It is a huge waterfall that runs all year round. Visitors are encouraged to visit the falls in the dry season, as access will be easier.
Hat Thai Mueang, located in the Thai Mueang Sanitary area. Going into the area, take the right-hand road for about 1.5 kilometres, then drive another 5 kilometres on the beach road to the National Park office. The 13-kilometre long beach has fine white sand and runs along the Highway. The area is blessed with crystal clear water. The recommended time to visit is between November and February. Sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the shore, thus creating a tradition of walking on the beach to watch turtles lay their eggs on a moonlit night. When the eggs hatch, you can join in releasing them into the sea during the “ Sea Turtle Festival” in March each year.
The Chulabhorn Underwater Park Conservation Centre
The Chulabhorn Underwater Park Conservation Centre , near Thap Lamu pier, provides knowledge on undersea natural resources to visitors and the public. The Centre is housed in a 2-story building and exhibits the value and importance of undersea natural resources and environment, the new aspects of marine eco-tourism, and the wonders of the undersea world. Call 0-7644 -3299-300 for more information.
Amphoe Thap Put
Namtok Tao Thong
Namtok Tao Thong , located in Tambon Bo Sen, 19 kilometres from Phang-nga town or 8 kilometres before Thap Put district. This shady waterfall originates from a stream flowing from a dark cave.
Wat Rat Uppatham or Wat Bang Riang
Wat Rat Uppatham or Wat Bang Riang , located in Tambon Bang Riang, 11 kilometres from the Thap Put District office on Phetkasem Road. The temple, situated on Khao Lan hill, contains several structures including an elaborate bell-shaped pagoda called Chedi Phutthathambanlue. The hilltop pagoda overlooks surrounding undulating mountains and hills as well as a huge Buddha image and a Guan-yin Chinese Goddess statue.
