ThongTeaw

Phang-nga, a seaside province by the Andaman Sea with scenic views of forests and islands. The province offers superb natural beauty both onshore and underwater. The province of Phang-nga is located some 788 kilometres from Bangkok. It covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres. It is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe (districts): Mueang, Khura Buri, Thap Put, Kapong, Takua Thung, Takua Pa, Thai Mueang, and Ko Yao.

How to get there
There are many ways to reach Phang-nga as follows:

Car
1) First route: From Bangkok, take Highway No. 4, passing the provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Ranong, then drive straight to Phang-nga town. It is 788 kilometres from Bangkok. The trip takes around 12 hours.

2) Second route: From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 to Chumphon, from there, take Higway No. 41 to Amphoe Tha Chang, then go straight to an intersection where a right turn is made to Highway No. 401, keep driving to Amphoe Ban Ta Khun for about 50 kilometres, and then take Highway No. 415 for 30 kilometres, take a right turn to Phang-nga town. Visitors travelling from Phuket should use Highway No. 402, passing Sarasin Bridge to Ban Khok Kloi, take a right turn to Amphoe Takua Thung. It is 87 kilometres from Phuket. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Bus
There are daily bus services from Bangkok to Phang-nga. Travelling time is 12 hours. For more information call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel. 0 2435 1199-200 or the Phang-nga Bus Terminal at tel: 0 7641 2300, 0 7641 2014 or visit www.transport.co.th.

Rail
There is no direct train to Phang-nga. The State Railways of Thailand operates daily train services between Bangkok and Surat Thani. A trip to Phang-nga can be made by getting off at the Surat Thani Railway Station and then ride a bus for another two hours. For more information call Bangkok's Hualamphong Railway Station at tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.

Air
Thai Airways International operates Bangkok-Phuket flights daily. From Phuket, take a bus or rent a car to Phang-nga for about 58 kilometres. For more information, call Thai Airways at tel: 1566 or 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or visit www.thaiairways.com.

Festivals
Free The Turtles Fair
Free The Turtles Fair is annually held in March at Thai Mueang Beach. A celebration takes place for 7 days. During the festival baby turtles raised by the Fisheries Department are released into the sea at Thai Mueang Beach.

information provided by T.A.T (Tourism Autority of Thailand)