Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay (Thai: อ่าวพังงา, RTGS: ao phangnga [ʔàːw pʰāŋ.ŋāː]) is a 400 km² (150 sq mi) bay in the Andaman Sea 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 8°17′N 98°36′E / 8.283°N 98.600°E / 8.283; 98.600.

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 may be the pair of Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu, the so-called James Bond Island; in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun, Khao Phing Kan is the home base of the villain, with the needle formed limestone rock of Ko Ta Pu, 20 metres (22 yd) off the main beach, featured prominently. Ko Ta Pu also featured in the 1997 Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, in which Phang Nga Bay served as a stand-in 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, the home of the Wookiees, including Chewbacca.

Gallery

Karst landscape, 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
Carolyn Cowan (18 June 2024). "Beekeeping helps villagers tend coastal forests in Thai mangrove hotspot". Mongabay.

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

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v t e 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 Kok 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 Khan 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