Phang Nga Province

Phang Nga
พังงา
Province

Islets in Phang Nga Bay

Seal

Map of Thailand highlighting Phang Nga Province
Country  Thailand
Capital Phang Nga
Government
  Governor Phakkhaphong Thawiphat (since October 2015)
Area
  Total 4,170 km2 (1,610 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 53rd
Population (2014)
  Total 261,370[1]
  Rank Ranked 71st
  Density rank Ranked 69th
Time zone ICT (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code TH-82

Phang Nga (Thai: พังงา, rtgs: Phangnga, pronounced [pʰāŋ.ŋāː]) 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. Neighboring provinces are (from north, clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani, and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket Province, connected by a highway bridge.[2]

Geography

The province is on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes the many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many islands.[3] The Similan Islands and Surin Islands, two of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga Province.[2]

Phang Nga City Hall

History

During the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalang, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu Nga. In 1824, Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the invaders were expelled. King Rama III renamed the area Phang Nga and in 1933 the town was promoted to provincial status.

On the morning of 26 December 2004 the Andaman Sea coastline of the province was devastated by a tsunami and thousands lost their lives.

The Khura Buri District, particularly Ko Phra Thong, has been called a "smuggler's paradise" and thus a key entry point into Thailand for trafficked Rohingya, Uighur, and Syrian refugees.[4]

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the Phu Khao Chang mountains in the background, with city hall in front. It also shows a dredge to represent the tin mining in the province.[5]

The provincial slogan is, "Massive mining industry, Ban Klang Nam "floating house", delightful caves, strangely shaped hills, Jampun flower, rich in resources".[5]

The provincial tree is the Cinnamomum porrectum (hardy cinnamon), and the provincial flower is Anaxagorea javanica.

Administrative divisions

Phang Nga is subdivided into eight districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 48 communes (tambon) and 314 villages (muban).

  1. Mueang Phang Nga
  2. Ko Yao
  3. Kapong (Malay: Kampung)
  4. Takua Thung
  5. Takua Pa
  6. Khura Buri
  7. Thap Put
  8. Thai Mueang

Transportation

  • Hwy 4 is the main route that connects all districts in Phang Nga (except Kapong and Ko Yao).
  • Hwy 401 connects Phang Nga to Surat Thani.
  • Hwy 402 connects Phang Nga to Phuket Province.
  • Hwy 4090 connects Muang to Kapong District.

Tourism

Mushroom Rock Island and Ko Tapu (James Bond Island), Phang Nga Bay.

Sights

Culture

The majority of the population in rural areas is Muslim. Phang Nga however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Outside of the provincial town, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.

On the small island of Ko Surin is a community of Sea Gypsies who still live their traditional life as seafaring people. These sea gypsies speak Yawi dialect. However, just like the long-necked Karen in Mae Hong Son, some folk complain that their village resembles a bit like a human zoo with hoards of tourists walking around gawking at the villagers.

Festivals

References

  1. "Population of the Kingdom" (PDF). Department of Provincial Affairs (DOPA) Thailand (in Thai). 2014-12-31. Retrieved 19 Mar 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Phang Nga". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
  3. "Ao Phang-nga National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  4. Yongcharoenchai, Chaiyot; Na Thalang, Jeerawat (2015-09-20). "Tied up in a trafficking jam". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Symbol of Phang Nga". OSM Andamnan: The Office of Strategy Management for Southern Province Cluster. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  6. "Mu Ko Similan National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  7. "Mu Koh Similan National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  8. "Mu Ko Surin National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  9. "Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  10. "Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
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Coordinates: 8°26′23″N 98°31′5″E / 8.43972°N 98.51806°E / 8.43972; 98.51806

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