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History
of Phang-Nga
While
the war was raging some of the local people took refuge at a place then
called Kra Pu-nga (Malay for river mounth of Pu-nga) protected on all sides
by mountains. After the razing of Thalang, it was the government’s
view that Thailand’s hold on the area had weakened, and that a new town
should be established in its stead. Thus the citizenry lift in the
Thalang area was instructed to move to Kra Pu-nga and register them as
being resident there. There is still a village in what is today Takuatung
District called Thalang founded by those immigrants from Phuket.
The new city was put under the administration of the government in Nakorn
Sri Thammarat.
Daring
the reign of Rama III, the central government thought to strengthen the
southwest coastal town that were prey to successive Burmese attacks by
appointing a governor for the province who reported directly to Bangkok.
Praya Borirak Puton (Sang Na Nakorn) thereby became first governor of Phang-nga
in 1840. In the same year, Takuatung was reduced in status and became
merely a district of Phang-nga.
All
during this period tin mining was booming, and as one of the most tin-rich
of Thailand’s tin bearing locales, Phangnga attracted increasing attention
from the central government because of its importance as a foreign exchange
earner. When the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s struck.
Travel
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By road from
Bangkok, take Route 4,passing Prachuab Khirikan, Chumpon, and Ranong.
Total distance is 788 kms. And travel time to Phang-nga Town is approximately
12 hours. |
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By road
from Phuket, use route 402, pass the parallel spans of Sarasin and Thao
Thep Krasatri Bridges. You are now in Phang-nga Province. To
go on to the provincial capital, go north to the town of Koke Kloy.
Turn right (at Bangkok Bank), and follow Route 4 to Phang-nga Town.
You will pass Takuatung along the way and cover a distance of 87 kms.
Travel time is about 90 minutes. |
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Both air-conditioned
and non air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal Tel: (02)
435.1195 |
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Ban
Bor Dan Hot Springs
The
waters here are heavy with sodium, calcium, iodine chloride and other minerals
good for relief of arthritis, beriberi, mental and physical stress-they
even make skin fresher and hair healthier. Open for bathing and soaking
daily; the service costs just 10 baht. Located in Tambon Na Toey
on the Andaman Coast: from Phuket go north through the Koke Kloy intersection
in Phang-nga Province (do not turn right at the intersection) and proceed
to approximately Kilometer Stone 6. Look for a road running beside
Ban Bor Dan School, and proceed down it for about 3 km.
Kao
Khien: The islet of
writings is what the name means. Indeed, there are ancient depictions
of animals and boats, which the Fine Arts Dept. has dated back no less
than 3,000 years. Low on the mountain walls just above the tideline
of this shore less island, they were presumably drawn by voyagers long
ago who took refuge thee during storms. The island lies on the way
to Koh Panyee.
Tone
Prai Waterfall: is
a large waterfall with water flowing year round. At km. 28-29 of
Petch Kasem Rd. is a gravel road intersection. Turn left and go 7 kms;
park your vehicle. Then continue on foot another kilometer.
The hike to the falls is most enjoyable during dry season.
Tam
Lod Grotto: This cave
in Takua Thung has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The long
tail boat can go through another side of the cave. |
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Yao
Islands: consists
of two large islands, Yao Noy Island and Yao Yai Island, surrounded by
many smaller islands. The total area is 137.6 sq.kms. Largely
unaffected by booming development is nearby Phuket, Yai Island retains
it’s traditional Muslim culture almost unchanged. There are a few
bungalow operations providing basic but very charming accommodations.
Rental vehicles are not an option, although sometimes you can strike a
deal with one the people at the bungalow to use their motorcycle.
Besides, you can charter Tuk Tuk for sightseeing around the islands.
Similan
Island: is the largest
island. It has a long curving bay, and beneath the waters coral reefs
remain pristine. The beach is composed of fine grain sand.
Diving to look at the fishes and corals is strongly recommended.
At the island’s north end are bizarrely shaped big boulders; one looks
like a soldier’s boot, another is shaped like a sailboat. Here also
is an excellent view. |
| Suwan
Kuha Temple: Local
people call Wat Suwan Kuha simply Wat Tam, which means cave temple.
It is in a Limestone Mountain, or karst, riddled with caves large and small.
The individual caves in the temple itself have names: Tam Yai or Big Cave;
Tam Jaeng or Bright Cave; Tam Meud or Dark Cave; and Tam Kaew or Crystal
Cave. The big cave is the lowest and serves as the entrance.
It is much bigger than the other caves: 20 meters wide and 40 meters long.
The cave’s length is decorated in variously sized tiles of Lai Kram and
Benjarong, which are tropically Thai art forms. Inside Tahm Yai,
which is used as a vihara, or shrine, are stucco figures of the Buddha.
The most important is a 15 meter long Reclining Buddha of great beauty.
Rat
Oupatam Temple (Wat Bang riang)
Surrounded
by thickly forested hills, this temple is noted for its cool, shady environment.
Inside the temple are various important Buddhist artifacts including the
Phra Mahathat Chedi Buddha Dhram Banleu on the Mountain’s peak. This
is shaped like a bell turned upwards with a base all around. Located
in Tambon Bang Riang off Petch Kasem Rd., on the stretch between Tapput
and Panom, 11 km. from the Tapput District offices. |
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