Phang Nga province

The province, located on the western side of the Malay Peninsula, encompasses the islands within Phang Nga Bay. Among these, Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu, often referred to as "James Bond Island", gained prominence following their appearance in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. In this film, Khao Phing Kan serves as the base for the antagonist, with the distinct, needle-shaped limestone formation of Ko Ta Pu, situated approximately off the main beach, featuring significantly. To safeguard these and other islands, the Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981. The province also includes the Similan Islands and Surin Islands, notable diving destinations in Thailand. The total forested area of the province is approximately , accounting for 32.4 percent of its total area. ==Toponymy==

Phang Nga derives its name from the ancient Malay term "Pangan", which translates to 'jungle' in contemporary Thai. This term historically referred to a broad category of indigenous peoples, colloquially known as 'orang Pangan' in Malay. This phrase was used to describe communities perceived as 'heathen, pagan, or primitive', typically residing in the dense jungle regions of the Malay Peninsula and its adjacent islands. ==History==

During the reign of King Rama II, the region surrounding Thalang (currently known as Phuket) fell under Burmese occupation, leading to a significant influx of refugees into Kraphu Nga. Following the successful expulsion of Burmese forces by Siamese troops in 1824, King Rama III renamed the area adjacent to the bay as Phang Nga. This adaptation from the Malay word "pangan" suggests the historical presence of Orang Asli or other indigenous groups in the region. In 1933, the town was elevated to the status of a province. On the morning of 26 December 2004, the Andaman Sea coastline of Phang Nga Province experienced severe devastation due to a tsunami, resulting in extensive loss of life. Khura Buri District, and particularly Ko Phra Thong, referred to as ''smuggler's paradise'', has been identified as a critical point of entry for illegal activities in Thailand, including human trafficking. This area is reportedly a transit route for various groups, including Rohingya, Uighur, and Syrian refugees seeking entry into Thailand. ==Symbols==

of Phang Nga The official seal of the province features an illustration of the Phu Khao Chang mountains, set as a backdrop to the depiction of the city hall. Additionally, the seal includes an image of a dredge, symbolizing the province's history of tin mining. The provincial slogan encapsulates various aspects of the region's identity and heritage: "Massive mining industry, Ban Klang Nam 'floating house', delightful caves, strangely shaped hills, Jampun flower, rich in resources". This slogan reflects the diverse elements that define the province, from its industrial past to its unique natural and cultural features. In terms of regional flora, the province has designated Cinnamomum porrectum, commonly known as hardy cinnamon, as its official tree. The provincial flower is Anaxagorea javanica, further emphasizing the area's rich botanical diversity. Many beaches in Phang Nga are marine turtle nesting grounds, and on the ground, the provincial aquatic life is the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). ==Administrative divisions==

Provincial government Phang Nga is divided into eight districts (amphoes), which are further divided into 48 subdistricts (tambons) and 314 villages (mubans). Local government As of 26 November 2019, there are: one Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organisation ('') and 15 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Phang Nga and Takua Pa have town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 13 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 36 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (''). ==Transportation==

Transportation in Phang Nga Province is primarily facilitated through a network of highways. • Roads: Highway 4 is the main artery connecting most districts within the province, excluding Kapong and Ko Yao. Highway 401 provides a route to Surat Thani, while Highway 402 links Phang Nga with Phuket Province. Additionally, Highway 4090 connects Muang to Kapong District. • Railways: Rail transport is absent in Phang Nga Province. The closest railway station is located in the Phunphin District of Surat Thani Province. • Bus: These services in the province offer frequent connections to Bangkok and other regions. Intra-provincial travel is supported by non-air-conditioned buses. • Public transit: Songthaews are the predominant form of public transit within Phang Nga, offering accessible transportation options to the local population. • Motorbike-taxi: They are primarily found in Phang Nga town, cater to short-distance travel, with fares varying based on distance. • Airport: As of now, Phang Nga Province does not have an airport. The nearest facility is Phuket International Airport. Plans for a new airport in Phang Nga have been proposed, with the intention of serving not only Phang Nga but also neighboring Krabi Province and as an alternative to Phuket's existing airport. ==Human achievement index 2022==

Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at the sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017. ==National parks==

Region 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) of Thailand's protected areas encompasses a total of twenty national parks, six of which are located in Phang Nga province and are particularly notable. These parks are characterized by their diverse ecological landscapes and natural features. The region, renowned for its environmental variety, includes parks that range from coastal and marine environments to mountainous and forested areas. Each park serves as a habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. • Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park (), officially designated on 29 April 1981, spans an area of approximately , equivalent to 250,000 rai. This park is distinguished by its picturesque landscapes, notably featuring a multitude of limestone formations rising majestically from the sea near the coast. These geological structures also account for the high concentration of caves within the park's boundaries. The area is rich in mangrove forests, contributing to its ecological diversity. Additionally, the park encompasses several islands, each contributing to the overall scenic and biological richness of Ao Phang Nga National Park. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 530,204. • Mu Ko Similan National Park () was declared a national park on 1 September 1982. The park, spanning around Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 578,535. The park covers an area of approximately , equivalent to 88,282 rai. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 77,609. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 78,355. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 72,765. Visitors in fiscal year 2024: 21,509. ==Wildlife sanctuary==

There is one wildlife sanctuary, along with three other wildlife sanctuaries, makeup region 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) of Thailand's protected areas. • Namtok Song Phraek Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an area of 138,712 rai ~ . The wildlife sanctuary was previously known as Ton Pariwat wildlife sanctuary and covers Kapong district, Mueang Phang Nga district, and Thap Put district. ==Gallery==

File:Phang Nga, Dusty road, Thailand.jpg|Dusty road around Phang Nga town File:Phang Nga Bay, River, Thailand.jpg|Northern entrance to Phang Nga Bay File:Mu Ko Similan National Park Phang Nga Thailand.jpg|Mu Ko Similan National Park File:เสม็ดนางชี 2.jpg|Limestone islets in Phangnga Bay File:1025 Ao Phang Nga 1.jpg|Limestone islets in Phangnga Bay, Ao Phangnga National Park File:Emerald tropical lagoon in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand.jpg|Emerald lagoon in Phang Nga Bay File:1043 อุทยานเเห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน.jpg|Cardisoma carnifex at Similan Islands File:Dolphins! it's time to show off!.jpg|Dolphins at Surin Island File: Rueangrit 0011.jpg|Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park File:ทิวทัศน์จากสิมิลัน เกาะ8.jpg|View from Similan Island to Andaman Sea File:อ่าวไม้งาม 2.jpg|Mai-Ngam beach, Surin Islands National Park File:เขาหลัก อุทยานแห่งชาติลำดับที่24 อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาหลัก-ลำรู่.jpg|Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park ==References==