Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ROCK ART IN AO PHANG-NGA
Many of the limestone islands in Ao Phang-Nga feature prehistoric rock art painted on or carved into the walls
and ceilings of caves, rock shelters, cliffs and rock massifs. In particular you can see rock art on Khao Khian, Ko
Panyi, Ko Raya, Tham Nak and Ko Phra At Thao. Khao Khian (Inscription Mountain) is probably the most vis-
ited of the sites. The images contain scenes of human figures, fish, crabs, prawns, bats, birds and elephants, as
well as boats and fishing equipment, and seem to reference some sort of communal effort tied to the all-import-
ant sea harvest. The rock paintings don't fall on any one plane of reference; they may be placed right-side up,
upside-down or sideways. Most of the paintings are monochrome, while some have been traced in orange-yel-
low, blue, grey and black.
Sights & Activities
Ko Phing Kan
ISLAND
(James Bond Island)
The biggest tourist drawcard in the park is the so-called James Bond Island, known to
Thais as Ko Phing Kan (literally 'Leaning on Itself Island'). Once used as a location set-
ting for
The Man with the Golden Gun,
the island is now full of vendors hawking coral
and shells that should have stayed in the sea. It's much wiser to venture further afield.
John Gray's Seacanoe
( 0 7622 6077;
www.johngray-seacanoe.com
)
John Gray was the first kayak outfitter in the bay
and remains the most ecologically minded. He's constantly clamouring for more protec-
tion for his beloved
hôrng
among local park rangers and their supervisors in Bangkok.
His
Hong by Starlight trip
(per person 3950B)
dodges the crowds, involves plenty of sunset pad-
dling and will introduce you to Ao Phang-Nga's famed bioluminescence once night falls.
BOATING
Getting There & Around
From the centre of Phang-Nga, drive about 6km south on Hwy 4, turn left onto Rte 4144
(the road to Tha Dan) and travel 2.6km to the park headquarters. Without your own trans-
port you'll need to take a
sŏrng·tăa·ou
to Tha Dan (30B).
From the park office, you can hire a boat (1500B, maximum four passengers) for a
three-hour tour of the surrounding islands.
