Phang Nga Province
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Phang Nga พังงา |
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| Province | ||
Islets in Phang Nga Bay
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 Map of Thailand highlighting Phang Nga Province |
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| Country |
 Thailand
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| Capital | Phang Nga | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Phakkhaphong Thawiphat (since October 2015) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4,170 km2 (1,610 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 53rd | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 261,370 | |
| • Rank | Ranked 71st | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 69th | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-82 | |
Phang Nga (Thai: พังงา, rtgs: Phangnga, pronounced [pʰāŋ.ŋāː]) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore of the Andaman Sea to the west and Phang Nga Bay to the south. Neighboring provinces are (from north, clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani, and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket Province, connected by a highway bridge.
The province is on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes the many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many islands. The Similan Islands and Surin Islands, two of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga Province.
During the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalang, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu Nga. In 1824, Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the invaders were expelled. King Rama III renamed the area Phang Nga and in 1933 the town was promoted to provincial status.
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