Phang Nga

Phang Nga Province

Phang Nga is one of Thailand's southern provinces and borders the Andaman Sea on its west coast. It sits between the better known Krabi and Surat Thani provinces. There you'll find many astounding tourist attractions such as the infamous Phang Nga Bay and the well-known James Bond Island. About an hour's drive south of Phuket, this tiny province holds a significant place in Thailand history. During the Burmese-Siamese Wars, it was a safe-haven for those who were fleeing the violence.

The province sits on what is known as the Malay-Peninsula. It was once inhabited by a primitive Siamese tribe who lived in the jungle that flourishes in the area. The term "Phangnga" is a modern Thai translation of the Malay word Pangan, which translates literally as The Jungle. The primitive tribes who once inhabited the province were often referred to as Orang Pangan, meaning heathen, pagan, primitive people.

Much like Phuket, the province is divided into districts (Amphoe): whereas Phuket has three, and Phang Nga has eight. There are 48 communes (Tambon) and 314 villages (Muban) within the province. Though this is a much larger province than Phuket, it is still very much a rural area with many small shops and housing districts spaced far apart. There are no big malls or retail outlets!