Phang Nga Bay

Islets in Phang Nga Bay

Ko Tapu, also known as James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay (Thai: อ่าวพังงา, RTGS: ao phangnga, Thai pronunciation: [ʔàːw pʰāŋ.ŋāː]) is a 400 km² bay in the Strait of Malacca between the island of Phuket and the mainland of the Kra Isthmus of southern Thailand. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The park is in Phang Nga Province, at 08°17'N 098°36'E.

Limestone cliffs with caves, collapsed cave systems, and archaeological sites are found about Phang Nga Bay. Around 10,000 years ago, when sea levels were lower, it was possible to walk from Phuket and Krabi.

Etymology and history[]

Phang Nga is the modern Thai transliteration of the Malay word pangan, literally 'heathen, pagan, primitive people,' or as proper noun, Pangan in reference to a generalised tribe or people typically inhabiting jungle areas of the Malay Peninsula^[1] and its offshore islands. Historically, in 1824 when Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the challengers were expelled, King Rama III renamed a major area adjacent to the bay phang-nga. This bastardisation of Malay pangan offers vivid indication that the entire region was likely populated by Orang Asli or other aboriginal people.

Ramsar site[]

Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park was declared a protected Ramsar Site (no. 1185) of international ecological significance on 14 August 2002. Phang Nga is a shallow bay with 42 islands, comprising shallow marine waters and intertidal forested wetlands, with at least 28 species of mangrove; seagrass beds and coral reefs are also present.

At least 88 bird species, including the globally threatened Malaysian plover (Charadrius peronii) and Asiatic dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), can be found within the site, as well as 82 fish species, 18 reptiles, three amphibians, and 17 mammal species. These include the dugong (a vulnerable species), white-hand gibbon (Hylobates lar), the endangered serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), and the black finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides).

A number of diverse cultures co-exist in local communities, which practice fishing, harvesting Nypa palm fronds for thatch, and catering to an international tourist presence drawn both by the natural beauties and by the archaeological sites, which have paintings more than a thousand years old.^[2]

In pop culture[]

The most famous of the many islands in the bay is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the film The Man with the Golden Gun & Tomorrow Never Dies as a stand-in location for Ha Long Bay in Vietnam Nearby villages include Ao Luk.

In Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the bay was used as main photography for the planet Kashyyyk.

Gallery[]

Karst landscape, Phang Nga Bay.
Karst formations, Phang Nga Bay.
Karst formations, Phang Nga Bay.
Tropical lagoon.
Sunrise over limestone islands, Phang Nga Bay.

References[]

^ Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Newbold (1807–1850), army officer in the East India Company and oriental scholar. Malay: pangan, a tract of forest (Oxford Dictionaries).
^ "The Annotated Ramsar List: Thailand", The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

External links[]

Ao Phang Nga National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage

Coordinates: 8°17′N 98°36′E / 8.283°N 98.600°E / 8.283; 98.600

[1] Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Newbold (1807–1850), army officer in the East India Company and oriental scholar. Malay: pangan, a tract of forest (Oxford Dictionaries).

[2] "The Annotated Ramsar List: Thailand", The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

[1]

[2]

v t National parks, forest parks and wetlands in Thailand
National parks	Budo–Su-ngai Padi Chae Son Chaloem Rattanakosin Doi Inthanon Doi Khun Tan Doi Luang Doi Pha Hom Pok Doi Phu Kha Doi Phu Nang Doi Suthep–Pui Erawan Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai Huai Nam Dang Kaeng Krachan Kaeng Krung Kaeng Tana Khao Khitchakut Khao Kho Khao Laem Khao Lak–Lam Ru Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang Khao Luang Khao Phanom Bencha Khao Phra Wihan Khao Sok Khao Yai Khlong Lan Khao Nam Khang Khlong Phanom Khlong Wang Chao Khuean Srinagarindra Khun Chae Khun Khan Khun Nan Khun Phawo Kui Buri Khwae Noi Lam Nam Nan Lan Sang Mae Charim Mae Ping Mae Wa Mae Wang Mae Wong Mae Yom Nam Nao Nam Phong Namtok Chat Trakan Namtok Chet Sao Noi Namtok Huai Yang Namtok Mae Surin Namtok Phlio Namtok Sam Lan Op Luang Pa Hin Ngam Pang Sida Pha Daeng Pha Taem Phu Chong–Na Yoi Phu Hin Rong Kla Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham Phu Kradueng Phu Laen Kha Phu Pha Man Phu Phan Phu Pha Thoep Phu Pha Yon Phu Ruea Phu Sa Dok Bua Phu Sang Phu Soi Dao Phu Toei Phu Wiang Ramkhamhaeng Sai Thong Sai Yok Salawin Si Lanna Si Nan Si Phang Nga Si Satchanalai Sirinat Ta Phraya Tai Romyen Taksin Maharat Tat Mok Tat Ton Thale Ban Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan Thap Lan Thong Pha Phum Thung Salaeng Luang Ton Sak Yai Wiang Kosai
Marine national parks	Ao Phang Nga Phang Nga Bay Hat Chao Mai Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi Hat Wanakon Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet Khao Sam Roi Yot Laem Son Mu Ko Ang Thong Mu Ko Chang Mu Ko Lanta Mu Ko Phetra Mu Ko Similan Mu Ko Surin Tarutao
Forest parks	Khao Kradong Phae Mueang Phi Phu Chi Fa Phu Langka Phu Phra Bat Buabok Pran Buri Sa Nang Manora
Wetlands	Bueng Boraphet Don Hoi Lot Krabi River Estuary Kraburi River Estuary Phayao Lake Phru To Daeng Kuan Ki Sian of the Thale Noi Non-hunting Area