Phang-Nga Province. Thailand.

Phang-Nga Province

       Area located in Phang Nga Province was a resident of prehistoric human past from archaeological evidence that has discovered fragments of pottery and stone bracelets shell in the cave Wat Suwrrncoha at Amphoe Takua Thung and found color wall paintings at Khao Khean and so on. But the beginning of the historic of Phang Nga city was at Ban thung tuk,, Kor Khor Khao sub-district, Curaburi district. They have discovered ancient communities, beads and fracture fragments. Elderly villagers called the area “Ban Thung Tuk” as “Takora” city or “Takua Pa” city today. It was an important commercial port of western Peninsular Malaya. Ancient foreign merchants ,India, China and Arab, transported goods along Takua Pa River route then continued on the land for transporting goods to another side of Malaya easily faster. History on that day indicated that cities on Andaman Sea side such Takua Pa, Takua Thung and Thalang city was tributary of Srivichai kingdom. When the Sukhothai kingdom in power dominated Srivichai, they set up Nakhon Si Thammarat city as major city then three cities were included to Nakhon Si Thammarat city.

        Until the Rattanakosin period in the reign of Rama II in year 2352 B.E., Burma Army attacked provinces in southern Thailand and seized Takua Pa, Takua Thung and Thalang city respectively, as well as herd people into the barracks. Thalang city was burnt and destroyed. After that, Thai royal armies were moved from Bangkok to expel Myanmar till getting victory. When the war was end, general saw Thalang city that was very damaged. He had incorporated the refugee to move cross from Thalang to domicile in a Kra Phu Nga (means Pak Nam Phu Nga in Thai language) and be a dependency of the Nakhon Si Thammarat city. This was the beginning of the Pang-Nga city. Until the reign of Rama 3m he wanted to repair the cities on southern coast where was destroyed by Myanmar. He appointed Phraya Boriluck Phuthorn to the first prefect of the Phang Nga city and added Takua Thung to the city. In the reign of Rama XI in year 2383 B.E., Phang Nga city had promoted as the province. as times as Takua Pa. But when there was economic depression in the reign of Rama XII, Takua Pa province was demoted to be city and added to Phang Nga province in year 2474 B.E.

        Phang-Nga province is covering area about 4,170 square kilometres and its population is almost 239,000 persons. Most area is covered with tropical rain forest, seasides and islands.

        There are many attractive places such as Phang-nga Bay or Ao Phang-nga National Park, Mu Ko Similan National Park, Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, and Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park.