Ao Phang Nga National Park
| Ao Phang Nga National Park | |
|---|---|
Ao Phang Nga National Park | |
| Location | Phang Nga Province, Thailand |
| Nearest city | Phang Nga |
| Coordinates | 8°21′0″N 98°29′0″E / 8.35000°N 98.48333°E |
| Area | 400 km2 (150 sq mi) |
| Established | 29 April 1981 |
| Visitors | 999,035 (in 2019) |
| Governing body | Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) |
| Official name | Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park |
| Designated | 14 August 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1185 |
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. The park is predominantly maritime, featuring a section of the Strait of Malacca dotted with numerous limestone tower karst islands. 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. 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.