Phang Nga Bay is one of the world’s great scenic wonders. It covers an area of 400 sq km (154 sq miles) and consists of verdant limestone islands, some of which reach 300m (984ft) high. The area is famous for its caves and aquatic grottoes. Apart from the occasional village, few of the islands are densely populated. The most famous of the islands in the bay are Ko Ping Kan (more commonly known as James Bond Island) and Koh Pannyi. The former featured in the James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, whilst the latter, which literally means ‘Sea Gypsy Island’, is a village built out over the water on stilts, guarded by a giant rock monolith. The area suffered badly during the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 but has recovered well.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Office, Region 4, 73-75 Phuket Road, Amphoe Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Tel: (07) 621 1036 or 621 7138 or 621 2213
Website: www.phukettourism.org

Air: Phuket International Airport. Water: Boat: Many tourists visit Phang Nga Bay by boat; local companies operate day trips to the islands. Rail: Train: Surathani Station. Road: Bus: Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town. Car: Hwy-402 (Tepkassatri Road, from Phuket), then Route 4.

Kan Tong Teow Hang Prated Thai (Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Le Concorde Building, 202 Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok 10310, Thailand
Tel: (o2) 694 1222. Fax: (o2) 694 1220/1.
E-mail: info1@tat.or.th (information section)
Website: www.tat.or.th or www.tourismthailand.org
Tourism Authority of Thailand ( UK & Ireland)
49 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JR, UK
Tel: (09063) 640 666 (consumer enquiries; calls cost 60p per minute) or (0870) 900 2007 (brochure request line) or (020) 7499 7679 (trade only).
Fax: (020) 7629 5519. E-mail: info@thaismile.co.uk
Website: www.thaismile.co.uk

Thailand