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Phang Nga Province

Provincial Emblem Flag Province

. Government Governor: Narong Phonla-iat (since October 2016) Capital: Surat Thani Royal capital: - Population: 1,040,230 (2014) Area: 12,891.5 km2 Administrative divisions Phang Nga is divided into eight (), which are further subdivided into 48 communes () and 314 villages (). Surat Thani 1. Mueang Phang Nga 2. Ko Yao 3. Kapong (Malay: Kampung) 4. Takua Thung 5. Takua Pa 6. Khura Buri 2

7. Thap Put 8. Thai Mueang Geography The province is on the west side of the , and includes the many islands of the . The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many islands. The and , two of 's main diving destinations, are also part of . History Phang Nga is the modern Thai transliteration of the archaic Malay word pangan, literally 'jungle'. The phrase orang pangan denotes 'heathen, pagan, primitive people', in reference to a generalised tribe or people typically inhabiting jungle areas of the Malay Peninsula and its offshore islands. Historically, during the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalang, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu Nga. In 1824 when Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and they were expelled, King Rama III renamed the area adjacent to the bay phang-nga. This bastardisation of Malay pangan offers indicates that the entire region may have been populated by Orang Asli or other aboriginal peoples. In 1933 the town was promoted to provincial status. On the morning of 26 December 2004 the coastline of the province was devastated by a tsunami and thousands lost their lives. The Khura Buri , particularly , has been called a "smuggler's paradise" and thus a key entry point into Thailand for human trafficking, Rohingya, Uighur, and Syrian refugees particularly. Symbols The provincial seal shows the Phu Khao Chang mountains in the background, with city hall in front. It also shows a dredge to represent the tin mining in the province. The provincial slogan is, "Massive mining industry, Ban Klang Nam 'floating house', delightful caves, strangely shaped hills, Jampun flower, rich in resources". The provincial tree is the Cinnamomum porrectum (hardy cinnamon), and the provincial flower is Anaxagorea javanica. National parks . Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was declared a national park in 1981. It has scenic views and features mass limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. The same factors contribute to the density of caves in the area. The park is fertile with and there are a number of islands in the vicinity. 3

. Mu Ko Similan National Park was declared a national park in 1982. Similan is a group of nine islands. Off-season is 16 May–31 October. . Mu Ko Surin National Park is an archipelago of five islands: Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Khai, and Ko Klang. It was declared a national park on 9 July 1981. The archipelago is in the Andaman Sea, near the Thai-Burmese oceanic border. . Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park was declared a national park in August 1991. The park occupies an area of 150 square kilometers (58 sq mi) and covers , , , and Mueang District. The interesting attractions are: Khao Lak, which has the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine, Laem Pakarang which has groves of pine, making it good for camping and relaxation, and Namtok Ton Chong Fa or Ton Chong Fa Waterfall. . Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park The park occupies an area of 18,000 acres (7,300 ha). It was declared a national park on 14 April 1988. Interesting attractions in the park include: Namtok Lampi is a 6-tiered waterfall that runs all year round; Namtok Ton Phrai, a huge waterfall that runs all year round; and Hat Thai Mueang, a long beach where the Sea Turtle Festival is held annually