Phang Nga's Andaman coast offers equally stunning national parks of a different kind; the island groups of Surin and Similan are renowned for their beautiful, unspoiled beaches and spectacular underwater scenery, attracting divers from around the world. On the Phang Nga mainland, Khao Lak features a coastal park full of rare birds, exotic mammals, and scenic waterfalls, as well as many luxury and budget hotels along the spectacular coast that was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami but has since been completely rebuilt.
Not to be confused with Koh Phangan, the island in the Gulf of Thailand, Phang Nga province lies on the Andaman coast on the Thai mainland immediately north of Phuket.
Phang Nga is renowned for its spectacular beauty, particularly Phang Nga bay, which contains hundreds of island including Koh Tapu (James Bond Island), where the film The Man with the Golden Gun was shot, and Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, which feature laid back communities that allow for cultural home stay experiences. Phang Nga is also the province that includes two groups of islands considered the most beautiful in Thailand: Mu Koh Similan and Mu Koh Surin National Marine Parks.
Along Phang Nga’s Andaman seashore lies Khao Lak, a stunning coastline of expansive beaches that bore the brunt of the 2004 Tsunami but has greatly recovered, and -- these two islands are little visited, yet well worth the effort. Although part of Phang Nga province, they are best visited from either Phuket or Krabi provinces. The big attraction in the bay is the spectacular karst scenery that is found through out the north of the bay.
WHERE TO TRAVEL
Ao Phang-nga Designated a marine national park in 1981, Ao Phang-nga covers a coastal and
offshore area. Mangrove forests are found along the shoreline. However, the most
striking feature is the bay, which is dotted with more than 100 islands, weirdly
shaped limestone outcrops swathed in tangles of creepers, shrubs, and mostly
uninhabited. Some rise sheer from the water, others are humped or jagged and all
present a haunting aspect. Many have notable features, such as Khao Khian, where
prehistoric rock paintings can be seen on the cliffs; Ko Panyi where there is a
Muslim fishing village built on stilts; Ko Phanak with beautiful caves, and
“James Bond Island” which is famous for the location of the movie “ The Man with
the Golden Gun.”
Mu Ko Similan Mu Ko Similan are also preserved as a national marine
park, extending over an area of 32,000 acres. Set in the Andaman Sea about a
3-hour boat ride from the mainland, the nine islands of the archipelago are
quite distinct from those of Phang-nga. The islands are of granite, not
limestone which makes them a rare beauty. The formations are also uniquely
different. Together with hiking trails and other onshore attractions, however,
Similan’s reputation is its 30 excellent and dissimilar diving sites. Coral
walls, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, rock reefs, swim-throughs and other
underwater features offer a wide variety of opportunities for experiencing,
while plenty of shallows afford excellent conditions for snorkelling.
Mu Ko Surin This National Marine Park, comprising five islands and covering more than
33,000 acres, is located north of the Similans. The islands are best reached
from the Khura Buri Pier (125 km. north of Phang-nga town), and takes 4 hours.
Again the main attractions are scuba-diving and snorkelling, as the coral
formations are spectacular. However, the two largest islands, Ko Surin Nuea and
Ko Surin Tai (North and South islands, respectively) have good potential for
exploring on land, with several hiking trails and, on Ko Surin Tai, a Sea Gypsy
village.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park Extending over a vast area, the park encompasses both mountain and coastal
environments and includes a number of interesting features such as Hat Khao Lak,
Hat Nang Thong, Hat Bang Niang. Khao Lak Mountain is famous for the shrine of
Chao Pho Khao Lak and also the 5-tier waterfall of Lam
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park The National Park covers an area of 18,000 acres. The main features are
Namtok Lampi (a medium-sized cascade with three levels reaching a height of
about 100 metres) and Ton Phrai (a large waterfall with a powerful flow
year-round.)
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น