As most people in the colder areas of the world are huddling indoors to avoid the chilly weather outside in November, December, January, February and March the people in Thailand’s coastal provinces such as Phang Nga, Krabi, and the sought-after Phuket are living their lives in a completely opposite way. It’s the high season for tourism in those provinces. Discerning travelers are being welcomed to have a whale of a time sunbathing along the white sand beach or wearing colorful and sexy swimsuits and walking hand in hand with a beloved one. It’s great to have a vacation by the azure sea; warm sun, warm sea and white sand are all you can feel. It’s so wonderful that people in the temperate zone might well be envious of you.

Starting on Highway Number 4 (Takua Pa-Thai Muang), you will see beautiful Bang Sak Beach, the first beach of Phang Nga that is a continuation of the beach from neighboring Ranong Province. You can fully enjoy your bathing here with no fear because Bang Sak Beach has a very gradual slope into the sea with a large shallow area. If you get tired, just lay back to enjoy the beautiful view under the pine trees or stroll along the beach to see the distinctive scene of Goat’s Foot Creeper growing there.

To fill your stomach, don’t miss one of the most popular dishes such as “Hoi Chak Teen” (Shells with Spicy Condiment) that can easily be found in nearly every corner of the road along the beach. It’s a very satisfying experience to munch fresh shells while enjoying a beautiful sunset.

The nearby beach is Laem Pakarang (Coral Cape), where you can see dead corals shattered in a long line to the sea. Laem Pakarang was once famous for unspoiled beautiful coral before it was ravaged by a heavy storm. This is also the best viewpoint to see flocks of sea birds living along the beach.

Only five kilometers from Laem Pakarang is Kheuk Khak Beach (Beach of Enjoyment) where you can rest on the wide expanse of soft white sand and feel the enjoyment. Although the word “Kheuk Khak” in Thai implies liveliness and noise, the beach belies its name with a serene and tranquil atmosphere. It is excellent for people who wish to spend their vacation peacefully with their lover or family. From the middle of the beach stretching to the south, there is an unscathed forest that is great for ambling. The end of the beach adjacent to Bang Nean Beach is teeming with small natural canals. When the tide ebbs, travelers can easily walk across between two banks, especially during late afternoon until dusk.

Talking about Bang Nean Beach, it’s one of the most popular beaches of Khao Lak as you can easily find an array of restaurants, convenience stores, tourist centers, and many facilities along the beach. Within a short walk is Nang Thong Beach, the beach that has many inland curves or small bays. Various styles of accommodation such as Bali style or just local style are ubiquitous along the beach. One of the most outstanding things is guesthouses that are mostly built on the valley of mountains, allowing you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Andaman Sea stretching as far as your eyes can see.

If you drive past Khao Lak National Park, you will then see a junction. To the right leads to Khao Lak Beach, the most famous and beautiful beach of the province. Its sand is very fine and clean, serene, and not too sloped, suitable for swimming.

Khao Lak Beach is not too long, making it an ideal hideaway for discerning travelers to feel like they are hopping with family on a personal beach. You can see the Phang Nga Royal Naval Base, which is adjacent to Thab La Mu Pier, the passenger pier for travelers who wish to switch to Similan Islands, beautifully unspoiled islands with spectacular underwater scenery that attracts divers from around the world.

If you need to distance yourself from the bustle and hustle of Khao Lak, the Khao Lam Pi-Thai Muang National Park might be your next stop. Certainly, you will be amazed at the beautiful Thai Muang Beach, the longest beach of Phang Nga that stretches as long as 13 kilometres along the highway. Thai Muang Beach is the most important beach for the lives of sea turtles. During November to February, there will be a number of sea turtles coming from the sea to lay their eggs. So, don’t miss the chance to see them while laying eggs on the beach during that time. For the month of March, it’s the time for concerned humans to help release the newly hatched juvenile turtles into the sea.

Aside from Thai Muang Beach, the national park also features other natural attractions such as a peat swamp forest, white Myrtaceae field, Lam Pi Waterfalls, and Tonsai Waterfalls waiting for visitors to come to explore.

You can also go out at night to see the wonderful fireflies or lightening bugs at Tha Noon to make your trip more romantic. It’s a captivating activity before bidding goodbye to Phang Nga with a backward glance. Tha Noon is located between Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge, the bridge that links between Phang Nga and Phuket.

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga is a southern Thai province best known for its land and sea attractions, as it is home to a diverse selection of naturally magnificent sites. The most famous of its offerings is located offshore between Phuket and Krabi, Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park, which is comprised of an area of more than 400 square kilometers of turquoise water dotted by over 40 islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea.

Apart from the Permian limestone karsts Phang Nga Bay also features abundant mangrove swamps, while visitors can witness local traditions on Panyee Island, a small Muslim community often described as the floating village of Thailand. It is this diverse composition of attractions that makes Phang Nga Bay one of the most spectacular settings of its kind in South East Asia.

There are several islands in the bay, with one of the most popular having appeared on the silver screen of the James Bond series - The Man with the Golden Gun - some 30 years ago. Khao Tapu’s striking limestone rock formation has become the symbol of the bay since the film was released and continues to attract visitors from all around the world today.

Phang Nga Bay is easily accessed by long-tail boat services from many piers on the mainland of Phang Nga Province and Phuket. Buying a one-day long-tail tour package is a good way to explore the bay and its many wonders. Another option for nature lovers looking to get close to the hidden mangrove forests and limestone caves is to view them from a sea canoe; many major travel companies in Phuket offer a one-day canoe exploration excursion in Phang Nga Bay.

Must-do in Phang Nga Bay

• Visit James Bond Island (Khao Tapu)
• Explore caves and mangrove swamps by sea canoe
• Visit Panyee Island to experience the local way of life, enjoy lunch at a seafood restaurant and shop for local products