Things to do in Phang Nga Province
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Wicked Diving
An exceptionally well-run and environmentally conscious outfit that runs diving and snorkelling overnight trips offering a range of live-aboard options including Whale Sharks & Mantas, Turtle & Reefs and Sharks & Rays conservation trips, run in conjunction with Ecocean. It does all the PADI courses, too.
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Viking Steakhouse
Offering a fine line in pizzas, pastas and Nordic meat feasts, this is a longstanding favourite. The cosy, open-fronted interior features all sorts of welcome trimmings.
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Ao Phang-Nga National Park
Established in 1981 and covering an area of 400 sq km, Ao Phang-Nga National Park is noted for its classic karst scenery created by fault movements on the mainland that pushed massive limestone blocks into geometric patterns. As these blocks extend southwards into Ao Phang-Nga, they form over 40 islands with huge vertical cliffs.
The bay itself is composed of large and small tidal channels that originally connected with the mainland fluvial system. The main tidal channels - Khlong Ko Phanyi, Khlong Phang-Nga, Khlong Bang Toi and Khlong Bo Saen - run through vast mangroves in a north-south direction and today are used by fisherfolk and island inhabitants as aquatic highway…
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Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park
Established in 1981 and covering an area of 400 sq km, Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park is noted for its classic karst scenery, created by mainland fault movements that pushed massive limestone blocks into geometric patterns. As these blocks extended southward into Ao Phang-Nga, they formed more than 40 islands with huge vertical cliffs. The bay itself is composed of large and small tidal channels that originally connected with the mainland fluvial system. The main tidal channels – Khlong Ko Phanyi, Khlong Phang-Nga, Khlong Bang Toi and Khlong Bo Saen – run through vast mangroves in a north–south direction and today are used by fisherfolk and island inhabitants as aquati…
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Ko Phing Kan (James Bond Island)
The biggest tourist drawcard in the park is the so-called '', known to Thais as Ko Phing Kan (literally 'Leaning on Itself Island'). Once used as a location setting for The Man with the Golden Gun, the island is now full of vendors hawking coral and shells that should have stayed in the sea.
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Sea Dragon Dive Center
Specialises in live-aboards and is one of the few centres to reliably offer trips year-round. It has an impeccable reputation.
Diving or snorkelling day-excursions to the Similan and Surin islands are immensely popular, but if you can, opt for a live-aboard. Since the islands are around 60km away from the mainland (about three hours by boat), you'll have a more relaxing trip as well as be able to experience the islands sans day-tripper crowds if you stay the night or longer. Although geared towards divers, all dive shops cater to snorkellers who can hop on selected dive excursions or live-aboards for a discount of around 40%.
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Similan Diving Safaris
The speciality here is the high-quality four-day live-aboard (18,800B all-inclusive) that regularly attracts return customers. Knowledgeable staff and amazing food sweeten the deal. As far as live-aboards are concerned, this is probably the best bang for your baht. Day trips are also available.
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Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
The fairyland setting at this beautiful and little-visited park is nothing short of fantastic. Moss-encrusted roots and rocks, dense rainforest and rattan vines provide a delicious backdrop for swimming in pools beneath multilevel waterfalls. The park’s name comes from a local folk belief that the mythical Princess Manora bathes in the pools when no one else is around.
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'Post Tsunami Experience' Tour
The worthwhile 'Post Tsunami Experience' Tour leaves from Nang Tong Supermarket in central Khao Lak and includes an authentic Thai lunch. Proceeds and anything you buy along the way help support local economies. Also stop by the centre for drop-in Thai cooking or language classes at 15:00 every Wednesday, and check the schedule for occasional craft and dancing classes.
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Khao Lak/Lam Ru National Park
The area immediately south of Hat Khao Lak has been incorporated into the vast 125-sq-km Khao Lak/Lam Ru National Park, a collage of sea cliffs, 1000m-high hills, beaches, estuaries, forested valleys and mangroves. Wildlife includes hornbills, drongos, tapirs, gibbons, monkeys and Asiatic black bears. The visitors centre, just off Hwy 4 between the Km 56 and Km 57 markers, has a very nice open-air restaurant on a shady slope overlooking the sea. From the restaurant you can take a fairly easy 3km round-trip nature trail that heads along the cape and ends at often-deserted Hat Lek beach.
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Khao Khian
Khao Khian is probably the most visited of the park's rock art sites. The images contain scenes of human figures, fish, crabs, shrimp, bats, birds and elephants, as well as boats and fishing equipment - it's obvious this was some sort of communal effort tied to the all-important harvesting of sustenance from the sea.
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Grassroots HRED
Grassroots HRED is in Takua Pa, 25km north of Khao Lak. This human rights organisation strives to help the Burmese people in Thailand, particularly in the tsunami-affected areas. Their successful summer camps programs are a great way to lend a helping hand.
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Sea Dragon Diver Center
One of the older operations in Khao Lak, Sea Dragon has maintained high standards throughout the years and continues to offer top-notch day trips and live-aboards. The penny-pincher three-day live-aboard goes for 11,800B (not including park fees and equipment).
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Tsunami Volunteer Center
The most well-known organisation on this coast is the excellent, Thai-run Tsunami Volunteer Center in Khao Lak. Volunteers are needed to teach English or work on village projects, and you can simultaneously take Thai language and cooking courses.
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Cha-Leang
The best – and often busiest – eatery in town cooks up a smorgasbord of well-priced seafood dishes – try the clams with basil leaf and chilli or ‘edible inflorescence of banana plant salad’. There’s a pleasant verandah out back.
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Beach Trails
Between Khao Lak and Bang Sak is a network of sandy beach trails - some of which lead to deserted beaches - which are fun to explore on foot or by rented motorcycle. Most of the hotels in town rent out motorbikes.
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Bismilla
With dishes like ‘yum fish’s spawn’ on the menu, how can you resist a night at this basic, Thai-Muslim outfit? The food is good, the prices are excellent and the crowds are boisterous.
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Pizzeria
By Giorgio, these Italian dishes are phenomenal! Stuff your face with authentic eats like homemade gnocchi or thin-crust pizzas, and we guarantee you’ll be back for seconds.
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Hat Bang Niang
About 2.5km north of Hat Khao Lak, Hat Bang Niang was also flattened by the tsunami, but is well worth a trip if you are looking for a little more peace and quiet.
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Happy Snapper
Wooden statues lie frozen as patrons bop their heads to the nightly live-music acts. There’s a small Thai canteen attached to the bar that serves up tasty usuals.
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Scuba Groupie
Friendly bartender dispenses post-dive drinks. Located on the ground floor of the ‘big yellow building’ (you can’t miss it).
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Stémpfer Café
Great coffee, tasty sandwiches, and a speedy wireless internet connection – what more could an email junky ask for?
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Mama’s
Mama whips up honest-to-goodness home-cooked meals. Located next to the 7-Eleven in Bang Niang.
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Takua Pa Market
This colourful market 25km north of town is a great place for snacking.
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Ko Phetra Marine National Park
Ko Phetra Marine National Park is a stunning archipelago that includes Ko Khao Yai, Ko Lao Liang, Ko Bulon Leh (the park’s only island with privately run accommodation; see p720) and 19 other furry green isles.
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