In the past few years, the area around Phang Nga Bay and Krabi
Province has become world renowned for its spectacular scenery.
Sheer limestone cliffs covered in rich jungle foliage rise
vertically out of rice paddies and aquamarine seas alike.
White sandy beaches, clear aquamarine waters, mangrove ecosystems
all come together in this magical area that has to be seen.
The whole of this area was declared a National Park and wildlife
sanctuary in 1982 and lies directly south of Khaolak.
In the shallow, sheltered bay, more than 80 islands stand
in an amazing variety of weird and beautiful shapes, some
reaching up to 300 meters in height. The region was created
by the erosion of the mainly limestone formations which are
festooned with tropical vegetation.
The outskirts of the bay are inhabited by Muslim fisherman,
more of Malay extract than Thai yet fully integrated into
Thai society. Their villages dot the many estuarine mangrove
swamps that are found in the north of the bay. This unusual
biosphere is limited to the tropics and exists as a nursery
or permanent living area for numerous animals and therefore
is of important ecological significance.
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