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Home > Thailand Info > Southern Region
Southern
Region
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PHANG-NGA |
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 Phang-nga
is a province with two characters - land and sea
- and packed with national parks that guard magnificent
scenery with immensely different attractions.
Most
famous is Phang-nga Bay National Park, a geological
wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and
startling rock formations rising sheer out of
the sea. Tour boats visit many of the most popular
attractions: Panyi, an island famed for its Muslim
village built entirely on stilts; James Bond Island
(Khao Ping Kan) with its split cliffs leaning
against each other; Thalu island and its wondrous
sea caverns; and Khao Khien, home to the rare
swimming iguana.
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The bay is extremely sheltered, ideal for expeditions
of sea canoes to explore the many fascinating caverns
(hongs) with their own eco-systems. Many of the larger
islands have bungalow accommodation.
Phang-nga's
Andaman coast offers parks of a different kind. The island
groups of Surin and Similan are renowned for their
beautiful unspoilt beaches and spectacular underwater
scenery, attracting divers from around the world.
Khao
Lak is a coastal park full of birds, mammals and scenic
waterfalls, with a number of hotel developments
at the nearby beach; Si Phang-nga also offers interesting
waterfalls and superb scenery.
Famous
for its beautiful beaches, excellent offshore dive sites
and superb sailing opportunities, Phuket is Thailand's
and Asia's premier holiday resort. The best beaches
are on the west coast, facing the Andaman Sea, with fine
sands and clear water. Patong and Kata/Karon are
the most popular, thanks also to numerous
resort hotels, fine restaurants and an extensive
nightlife.
The
west coast is also home to many dive companies which arrange
expeditions to a wide variety of offshore diving
areas, including the Surin,Similan
and Racha island groups that are rated world-class
for their colourful corals, clear waters and myriad
sea creatures.
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Phuket
is also a regional centre for yachting, while the
annual King's Cup
Regatta is a top international event. Other
activities include sea canoeing among
the rock formations in Phang-nga Bay and windsurfing.
In the island's interior, environmentalists
can find forests, mountains,waterfalls and a national
park. Eco-tour companies take out large groups every
day on elephant trekking, hiking, canoeing and visiting
places like the Gibbon |
Rehabilitation
Sanctuary. Phuket town offers good shopping, restaurants,
hotels and interesting architecture, with old Thai,
Malaysian, Portuguese, and Chinese- influenced
buildings an indication of the island's heritage.
Every October, the town's Chinese temples host
the famous Vegetarian Festival, during which worshippers
forego meat and alcohol, and mutilate their bodies with
metal spikes as a sign of devotion.
For
those who prefer more relaxing pleasures, the island
has some of the best spas in Asia, offering superb
Thai massage and therapy treatments. While Phuket FantaSea
theme park puts on a popular cultural stage show each
night.
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Phatthalung
is
characterised by towering limestone mountains,
home to myriad caves used for meditation,
and flat rice growing areas. The popular shadow
plays, using puppets carved from buffalo
hides, and the famous Nora dance originated here.
The
town is dominated by an unusual outcropping, Ok
Thalu (Broken Chest) with a large hole in
it, while nearby is Hua Taek,
a formation resembling a broken head. Legend
has it that these are injuries suffered by two
jealous women fighting over their lover.
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Wat
Kuhasawan sits at the foot of a large limestone
peak where interlinked caves contain votive
tablets dating back to the 8th century Srivijaya
period. While just northwest of the town
is Malai Cave, an illuminated complex full of
enormous stalactites and stalagmites.
The
province's most famous attraction is Thale Noi
Waterfowl Sanctuary, an extension of Songkhla
Lake and Thailand'slargest water park. Early morning
is the best time to see the hundreds of birds
species by longtail boat
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