Ao Phang Nga National Park

Ao Phang Nga National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา) is in Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand. It includes coastal sections of Mueang Phang Nga District and Takua Thung District.[3] Most of the park consists of an area of the Strait of Malacca studded with numerous limestone tower karst islands.[4] The best known of these islands is Khao Phing Kan, popularly called "James Bond Island" because it was used as a location for the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

Ao Phang Nga National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Map of Thailand
LocationPhang Nga Province, Thailand
Nearest cityPhang Nga
Coordinates8°21′0″N 98°29′0″E
Area400 km2 (150 sq mi)
Established29 Apr 1981
Visitors175,562[1] (in 2011)
Governing bodyNational Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
Official namePhang Nga Bay Marine National Park
Designated14 August 2002
Reference no.1185[2]

The dramatic appearance of the islands with their sheer sides has made the area a popular tourist attraction.[1] The park also protects the largest area of native mangrove forest remaining in Thailand.[3]

Rivers and mangrove forest at sunset

History

The park was created by royal decree and announced in the Royal Gazette under proclamation number 98, section 64, 29 April 1981.

Environment

The effects of mass tourism on the park prompted Fodor's Travel to place the park on their "No List" for 2018, suggesting that tourists skip the park in order to allow it to recuperate from being loved to death.[5]

References
  1. "Tourism Statistic". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  2. "Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. "Ao Phang-nga National Park". National Park website. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  4. "Thailand: Ko Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island), Ao Phang Nga (Phangnga Bay) National Park, Phang Nga Province". Pictures from History. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  5. "Fodor's No List 2018". Fodor's Travel. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 31 December 2017.


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