Phang Nga province

Phang Nga (Thai พังงา) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga.

Geography The province is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands in the Andaman Sea. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the movie The Man With the Golden Gun[?]. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands.

History In the 18th century there were three cities of comparable status in the area - Takuapa, Takuatung and Phang Nga. The city Phang Nga was probably created in 1809 during the reign of King Rama II[?], during one of the wars with neighboring Burma. The city Thaland on Phuket was razed, and the citizens were ordered to relocate to Phang Nga. In order to strengthen the defense in the strategic important area in 1840 Phang Nga became a province, and Takuatung was reduced in status as a district. In 1931 Takuapa was also incorporated into the province.

Symbols

Administrative divisions

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (http://www.tat.or.th/province/south/phangnga/index.htm)
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=s7)