Ao Phang Nga National Park

Ao Phang Nga National Park
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Map
LocationPhang Nga Province, Thailand
Nearest cityPhang Nga
Coordinates8°21′0″N 98°29′0″E / 8.35000°N 98.48333°E / 8.35000; 98.48333
Area400 km2 (150 sq mi)
Established29 April 1981
Visitors999,035 (in 2019)
Governing bodyDepartment of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP)
Official namePhang Nga Bay Marine National Park
Designated14 August 2002
Reference no.1185[1]

Ao Phang Nga National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา), located in the Phang Nga Province of the Southern Thailand, encompasses parts of Mueang Phang Nga District and Takua Thung District.[2] The park is predominantly maritime, featuring a section of the Strait of Malacca dotted with numerous limestone tower karst islands.[3] Among these islands, Khao Phing Kan stands out as particularly well-known, having gained the nickname 'James Bond Island' due to its use as a filming location for the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.

The park's landscape is characterized by its islands, which have steep, sheer sides. This topography has contributed to the area becoming a sought-after tourist destination.[4] In addition to its geological features, Ao Phang Nga National Park is significant for its environmental conservation efforts. It is recognized for protecting the largest expanse of native mangrove forest remaining in Thailand. [2]

Rivers and mangrove forest at sunset
  1. ^ "Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Ao Phang-nga National Park". National Park website. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Tourism Statistic". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2012-08-13.