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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE MUANG PHANGNGA
Rusisawan Cave and luk Sua Cave(ถ้ำฤาษีสวรรค์และถ้ำลูกเสือ)
These two caves are located on Khao Chang Road in
the vicinity of Muang Phangnga municipal area near Phetchakasem
Highway, slightly opposite to the Provincial Court. One can walk
inside from one cave through another. The Rusi Sawan Cave is in
front of Luk Sua Cave facing the edge of Phetchakasem Highway.
The municipality utilizes this area as a public park for the people.
Phung Chang Cave(ถ้ำพุงช้าง) This cave is located, in
Muang Phangnga municipal area, behind the Provincial Hall
before entering Phangnga Market area make a turn via a 500
meter asphalt road to Wat Praphat Prajimkhet where one can walk
to the cave.
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park (อุทยานสระนางมโนราห์)
This, also known as Sa Nang Manora Waterfall, is located in
the area of Tambon Nop Pring Amphoe Muang. To access the
park one has to use Phangnga-Krabi route (Highway No. 4) for a
distance of five kilometers where a turn is made at the Electricity
Generating Station via a three kilometer laterite road to the fall area.
The park occupies an area of 180 rai and, in general, it is a
pleasant forest having various kinds of plant and wood species.
The outstanding characteristic of this park is the fall originating
from a stream flowing along the hillside and cascading down to
the big reservoir all year round.
Ao Phangnga National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา)
This marine park is situated in the vicinities of Amphoe Muang,
Takua Thung, and Ko Yao occupying an area of 250,000 rai and 
it was announced as the national park area on April 29, 1981. To
access Ao Phangnga from the township area, one has to use
Highway No. 4 heading southward to Tambon Khok Kloi passing
the Provincial Hall and when arriving at KM.8 make a left turn for
another four kilometer distance via Highway No. 4144 to Ao
Phangnga National Park. At the Customs Check Point Pier one can
find boating services operated by private enterprises {besides this
pier, one can use the Surakul Pier or Kasom Pier in Amphoe Takua
Thung). Those who travel as a big group tour should use the
boating service at the Customs Pier because suitable vessels are
available there. Sightseeing route will commence from the pier
passing Khao Machu, Khao Khian, Ko Panyi and stops will be made
at Tham Lot, Khao Tapu, Khao Phing Kan.
ATTRACTIONS IN THE AREA OF AO PHANGNGA NATIONAL PARK ARE:
 Ko Panyi (เกาะปันหยี)
Ko Panyi is a small flat island of about
one rai. There are about 120 households and the majority of the
population earn their living from fishery, selling souvenirs and
food to tourists. There is one public school named Ban Ko Panyi
School, and the villagers are mostly Moslem.
Khao Phing Kan (เขาพิงกัน)
This small hill is located in the
area of Amphoe Takua Thung. The origin of this name is that a rocky
hill is broken apart and the smaller piece slid down with the base
sunk in the earth while the upper part still abuts on another posing
the present leaning hills.
Behind Khao Phing Kan the scenery is very picturesque and
when looking afar to the sea "Khao Tapu" is seen amidst the sea.
It looks like a nail, e.g., having a big top while the bottom part
touching the sea is slim.
Tham Lot (ถ้ำลอด) This cave is located in Ao Phangnga
area. Stalactites and stalagmites found in the cave are very
beautiful.
Khao Machu (เขาหมาจู) This rocky hill has a shape similar to
a dog. It is located on the way to Ko Panyi.
Tham Kaeo(ถ้ำแก้ว) This cave is a home of swallows and there
are beautiful reflecting rocks inside.
Khao Khian (เขาเขียน) It is located on the way to Ko Panyi
and there are various paintings of animal of different types. The
Fine Arts Department has studied and found that the age of those
paintings is not less than 3,000 years and it is believed that those
paintings were made by seamen, in the ancient days, who stopped
over to hide from a heavy storm.
Tham Nak (ถ้ำนาค) The name of this cave is given in
compliance with the shape of stalagmites which look like a big
curled up snake.
Ko Khai (เกาะไข่) There are two small islands named Ko Khai
Nok and Ko Khai Nai having beautiful beaches and rocks. There
are also coral reefs around the islands.
For accommodations in the area of the national park,
contact the National Park Division, Foresty Department, Tel:
5790529, 5794842.
Khao Hong (เขาห้อง) Khao Hong comprises small and big hills
situated in a mixed-up manner like the stage partitions of a 
theatre. Looking around on a boat when sailing in, one will feel
like staying in a big hall having two doors. Tourists mostly do
not visit Khao Hong because it is located outside the usual
sightseeing route. To visit it properly, careful timing must betaken
into consideration to match with the proper tide level because
its beauty will be decreased by too high a tide while too low a
tide requires smaller vessel for boating inside the area.
Ko Phanak (เกาะพนัก) Ko Phanak is a beautiful island
having various stalactites and stalagmites eaves with small levelled
waterfalls inside.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE KO YAO
Ko Yao (เกาะยาว) Ko yao covers an area of 137.6 square
kilometers consisting of 2 main islands, Ko Yao noi and Ko
Yao Yai, and several surrounding islets. Beautiful beaches
include:
Hat Pa Sai(หาดป่าทราย) This clean white sandy beach is
located seven kilometers from the office of Amphoe Ko Yao. It is
surrounded with pleasant shady-trees and swimming can be
done safely. Looking out from the beach several islands of Krabi
Province are seen.
Hat Tha Khao (หาดท่าเขา) This rocky beach is located five
kilometers from the office of Amphoe Ko Yao. There are colourful
rocks and gravels with various designs on the beach. Not so
far from the shore, there is a small island called Ko Nok where
one can access by walking during the low tide time. On the island
there are wild plants and orchids which are lovely to see.
Ao Tikut (อ่าวตีกุด) This bay has white clean sand and
there is a picturesque rocky cape at the northern area of the bay.
Pine trees line the shore making a pleasant shady area.
Ao Khlong Son (อ่าวคลองสน) This clean white sandy beach
is pleasant with shady pine trees. There are small rocky cliffs and
colourful rocks on the left. Swimming can be done safely here
and beautiful coral reefs can be observed. During low tide one
can pick up beautiful shells for collection.
Loparaet (โละป่าแรด) This is a shady beach surrounded with
coconut groves. The long beach is covered with white powdery
sand. There is a rocky cape located at the north of the bay.
Swimming can be done at any time here.
Laem Hat (แหลมหาด) This is a very long white powdery
beach and looks pleasant with shady coconut groves, chashew
nuts, and pine trees. It is conveniently accessible by road and
by boat.
Ao Hin Kong (อ่าวหินกอง) This beach is pleasant with shady
Khiam forest but it is not good for swimming because of a huge
number of ray fingerlings.
Laem Nok Ok (แหลมนกออก) This cape has a beautiful beach
with rocky cliffs and colourful rocks and it is the place where one
can swim at all times.
Ao Sal (อ่าวทราย) This is a white powdery beach with
beautiful rocky cliffs and swimming can be done at all times.
Ao Lan (อ่าวล้าน) This is abeautiful sandy beach where
swimming is possible but the northern part of the cape is a steep
cliff with deep water under the cliff. Water transportation is
more convenient than land transportation to reach there.
To get to Ko Yao, you are recommended to travel by
passenger boat, chartered boat, or speed boat from Ao Po Pier,
Phuket Province. The travel takes about one hour and 15
minutes. Chartered boat is also available at Ao Phangnga Pier and
Leam Sak Pier Amphoe Ao Luk, Krabi Province.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE THAP PUT
Tao Thong Waterfall (น้ำตกเต่าทอง) This waterfall is in the
vicinity of Tambon Bo Saen. To access the waterfall, the same route
to Sa Nang Manora Park has to be used but one has to go further
to Mu 3, Tambon Bo Saen where a laterite road of 11 kilometer
distance branches off to the fall.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE TAKUA THUNG
Wat Suwan Khuha (วัดสุวรรณคูหา) This monastery is located
at Mu2, Tambon Krasom. To get there one must use the
Phangnga-Khok Kloi route (Highway No. 4) for a distance of seven
kilometers to arrive at Mu 2 (KM. 31), Amphoe Takua Thung, a
one kilometer asphalt road branches off on the right.
This Wat Suwan Khuha is generally called, by the villagers,
"Wat Tham" which is an interesting monastery having the most
importance in Phangnga due to its being an important historical
archaeological site. In the vicinity of the monastery area, there
is a mountain having several big and small caves situated in both
low and high locations. The important caves are: Tham Yai, Tham
Chaeng, Tham Mued, and Tham Kaeo.
Tham Yai is located at the lowest level where one must pass
through prior to entering other caves. The size of this cave is larger
than any other caves having a width of more than 20 meters, and
a length of more than 40 meters. The cave floor is flat while the
ceiling has a semi-circle shape like a boat roof. There are
decorations with earthenware of various colours, sizes, and
designs along the entire cave length. Tham Yai is used as a Vihara
enshrining various sizes of stucco Buddha images; the most
important one is a very beautiful 15 meter Reclining Buddha.
Raman Waterfall (น้ำตกรามัญ) This fall is situated near Wat
Tham Suwan Khuha, i.e., from KM. 31, there is a seven kilometer
branch road on the right leading to the fall. Raman Waterfall,
medium sized falls, is surrounded by thick jungle providing water
all year. There is a large sized rest pavilion but other facilities are
not available there.
Tha Nun Seashore (ชายทะเลท่านุ่น) Branching Highway No.
4 through Highway No. 402 to Phuket one can see sandy beaches
on both sides of Pak Phra Channel before arriving at Phuket
island. There are sea turtles laying eggs on these beaches every
year during the season.
Khao Pilai Seashore (ชายทะเลเขาปีหลาย) This locality is
situated in the vicinity of Tambon Khok Kloi and it is adjacent to
Tha Nun Beach. Even there are some rocky cliffs on the white
sandy beach, swimming can be done.
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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE THAl MUANG
Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาลำปี-หาดท้ายเหมือง) This park covers an area of 45,000
rai and was proclaimed as a national park area on April 14, 1986.
Places of interest in the vicinity of this national park are:
Lampi Waterfall (น้ำตกลำปี) This fall is situated in Mu 6,
Tambon Thai Muang, along the Phetchakasem Highway (Highway
No. 4). Between KM. 32-33, a laterite road of 1.5 kilometers
branches off on the left to the fall. Lampi Waterfall, medium sized
falls, has three levels each of which is about 100 meters in height.
The falls exist all year round and more people like to visit during
rainy season.
Ton Phrai Waterfall (น้ำตกโตนไพร) At KM. 28-29, a seven
kilometer laterite road branches off on the left but a foot trip is
stilt needed for another kilometer to view the fall. This is a large
sized waterfall with cascading water all year round and a trip to
see this waterfall should be made during the dry season for
travelling convenience.
Thai Muang Seashore (ชายทะเลท้ายเหมือง) This is located in
the vicinity of Thai Muang Sanitary area where a 1.5 kilometer
asphalt road branches off on the right to join the beach road.
for another five kilometer to reach the office of the national park.
Thai Muang Beach is a 13 kilometer clean sandy beach parallel
to the Highway. The water is clear, good for swimming; from
November to February sea turtles will come up to the beach for
laying eggs. This started a tradition of walking to observe egg
laying turtles in the bright moon night. After the hatching period
there is also a turtle releasing festival called "Turtle Walking
Tradition"
For accommodations in the area of the national park,
contact the National Park Division, Foresty Department, Tel:
5790529, 5794842.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE TAKUA PA
Bang Sak Beach (หาดบางสัก) This beach is situated in the
vicinity of Tambon Bang Muang along the Phetchakasem
Highway at KM. 75-76 where a one kilometer road branches off
on the right. Bang Sak Beach has clean white sand and good
weather. The grilled fish here is very famous the same as at Rawai
Beach of Phuket Island.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาหลักลำรู่) Declared national park in 1989, Khao Lak-Lam Ru covers a
total area of some 93,750 rai of Amphoe Thai Muang, Amphoe Ka
Pong, Amphoe Ta Kua Pa, and Amphoe Muang and consists of the
following attractions:
Khao Lak (เขาหลัก) Taking the route No. 4 (Thai Muang-Ta
Kua Pa) for 25 kilometers from Amphoe Ta Kua Pa then turning
left between kilometer markers 56-57, Khao Lak Mountain with
a shrine of Chao Pho Khao Lak is situated opposite to khao Lak
Seashore renowned for its stony beach.
Lam Ru Waterfall (น้ำตกลำรู่) A 5-tiered yearlong waterfall on
Kradai Range, Lam Ru Waterfall is accessible by a branch road from
the Highway No. 4090 via Amphoe Ka Pong with a 1-kilometer turn
to the falls.
TOURIST ATTRACTlONS IN AMPHOE KA PONG
Wat Narainikaram (วัดนารายณิการาม) Situated at Tambon
Le, some 14 kilometers from Amphoe Ka Pong, the monastery
is where the sculptures of Narayana, Laksaman, and Sita, all
related to the historical background of "Takola" (former name of
Ta Kua Pa), are enshrined. They also attest to the spread of Indian
culture to this region.
Ka Pong Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำพุร้อนอำเภอกะปง) The mineral
spring of 65 C is located at Tambon Tha Na, 8 kilometers from
Amphoe Ka Pong.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN AMPHOE KHURA BURI
Ban Thung Tuk Ancient Town (เมืองโบราณบ้านทุ่งตึก) This
remains are located on the back part of Tambon Ko Kho Khao, Mu
3 area, Amphoe Khura Buri between the ends of Muang Thong
Canal and Thung Tuk Canal which is the mouth of Takua Pa River
area. Characteristics of the area are sand, plain, covered with trees
and some spots are brushes. The reason why it is generally called,
by the villagers, "Thung Tuk" is that there are at least three
archaeological remains. They look similar to a building or sanctuary,
on this sand plain in the brush area. Parts and components
of a Bhraman religious place and religious symbols, such as
stone carved into a pedestrian shape with a pit at the bottom, it
looks like a base whereupon a Siva Linga or an idol is places. In
addition, pieces of Chinaware, earthenware, coloured glass containers
as well as various types and colours of beads, Indian coins are
scatteredly found on the ground of this Thung Tuk archaeological
remains. The majority of archaeological expert has resolved that
Thung Tuk was a location of an ancient port town where Indians,
Arabians, and Malayans were so well acquainted due to its being
an important spice market situated on the west bank of the Malayan
Penninsula. It is located in a suitable locality having appropriate
natural circumstances to anchor in safety from big storms. Besides
its perfect natural resources, it is situated nearby the deep open
sea where big vessels can access conveniently, and yet located
on the mouth of Takua Pa River which is also the center of water
communication.
Mu Ko Similan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน)
This park occupies an area of 80,000 rai and was announced as
the national park area on September 1, 1982. There are two ways
to access the Similan, i.e., taking a boat trip from the pier in Ban
Thap Lamu, Amphoe Thai Muang, through a distance of 40
kilometers which takes about three hours or taking a boat trip from
a pier in Amphoe Khura Buri through an approximate distance of
40 kilometers and it also takes about three hours. Similan, a small
archipelago in the Andaman Sea comprises nine islands. It is
appraised by the Skin-Diving Magazine of USA as one of the top
ten islands having both surface and under water beautiful
scenery.
A tourist can enjoy scuba diving or angling and it is convenient
to start the trip from Phuket where boat-hire service is available
for tourists. The best time to make a trip for diving and angling
is from late December to mid April. March is regarded as the month
with best weather, free from storm, and clear water.
Some attractive islands of the national park include:
Similan Island (เกาะสิมิลัน) With wonderful underwater scenery
and rather shallow sea level, the horseshoe-shaped island, partly
encircling a small bay in the west, is suitable for skin diving to look
at coral reefs and colourful fishes. In the north, large stones
of different shapes and sizes are noticeable from a distance.
Ko Similan is the largest island among the Similan Islands.
Ba Ngu or Hua Ka Lok Island (เหาะบางูกรือเกาะหัวกะโหลก)
Ko Hua Ka Lok or Skull Island is the seventh island in the Similan
group. A rocky island of peculiar sharp, it looks like a skull when views from one certain point. Ko Hua Ka Lok is renowned for its breathtaking underwater beauty on a many-tired seabed.
Hu Yong Island (เกาะหูหยง) Ko Hu Yongis well-known for
its longest stretch of white sandy beach where sea turtles lay their
eggs.
Miang Island (เกาะเมี่ยง) With sufficient supply of fresh water,
Ko Miang is the second largest island where the office and
guesthouses of the Similan Marine National Park is located. The
island is famous for its beautiful beaches and colourful coral
reefs.
For accommodations in the area of the national park, contact
the National Park Division, Foresty Department, Tel: 5790529,
5794842, or Mu Ko Similan National Park office, Mu 1 Tambon
Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Muang, Phangnga, Tel. (076) 411913-4
Mu Ko Surin National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์)
This park is situated at Mu 5, Tambon Ko Phra Thong, occupying
an area of 84, 375 rai. It was announced as a national park
area on July 9, 1981. To access Surin National Park, the shortest
distance between the park and Phangnga is to use the fish
marketing pier of Ban Hin Lat around the mouth of Nang Yon Canal
area (the folks there call it Thun Nang Dam Canal). The access
road to the fishmarketing pier is a one kilometerearth road
which branches off from Ranong-Takua Pa Highway at KM.110
(from Ranong), 5 kms. from Amphoe Khura Buri. To travel from
this pier take only 4-5 hours Travelling by boat from Phangnga
(township area), it will take about 13 hours. If boating from Kapur
of Ranong the time will be seven hours approximately.
The best time to visit Mu Ko Surin National Park is only from
December to March.
Attractions within the national park are:
Surin Islands (เกาะสุรินทร์เหนือและเกาะสุรินทร์ใต้) The area
consists of Ko Surin Nua and Ko Surin Tai with more than 10 bays
among which Mae Khai or Mae Yai Bay is renowned for its
serenity while Ao Luk or Deep Bay is famous for its deep dark
green waters with a most beautiful coral reef in the shallows.
Seamen (ชาวเล) Sing tribe, the last seamen living a primitive
life in their houseboats in Thailand, inhabit Ko Surin Tai beach.
Opposite to the national park office, there is a carved wood
sculpture similar to an American Indian totem. It is most revered
by the seamen tribe. The tribe convene here annually for a 3-day
gathering on the full moon night of the 3rd lunar month to pay
respect to their totem spirits.
For accommodations in the area of the national park,
contact the National Park Division, Foresty Department, Tel:
5790529, 5794842, or Mu Ko Surin National Park Office, Amphoe
Khura Buri, Phangnga.
REMARKS: The most appropriate time to go sightseeing in
the Andaman Sea is from the beginning of November to mid
summer around the end of April. However, prior to starting each
trip information on weather status should be obtained from the
Weather Forecasting Division, Department of Meteorology(Tel:
2580437-9) in advance for safety.
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