PHANG NGA, the capital of the province of the same name, is celebrating 200 years with a series of events from May 1 to May 7.
A parade on the May 1 public holiday will mark the start of a week of celebrations, says Provincial Governor Yiamsuriya Pausuk.
''We hope the week will help us through the economic crisis,'' he said. Other events are likely during the big birthday year.
Concerts, a fair and games will be held in Phang Nga every night during the first week of celebrations, with food as the constant highlight.
Governor Yiamsuriya told Phuketwan that a difficult period for tourism gave the environment a good chance to recover.
Phang Nga's major resorts along the Andaman coast report quite good business from Scandinavia, Germany and other European countries.
''If you want natural attractions, Phang Nga is a good place to come,'' the governor said.
Phang Nga remains the popular choice for a tourism tower to attract visitors to the province, an idea that the governor supports.
One of the key news stories from the province last year was the warning that erosion continues to undermine the province's best-known natural landmark, James Bond island.
Phang Nga, with Takuapa and Khao Lak as the two Andaman coast district centres, has fully recovered from the 2004 tsunami.
With jetskis, vendors and loungers banned from its beaches, the province offers a different experience to Phuket's action-packed coastal centres.
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A parade on the May 1 public holiday will mark the start of a week of celebrations, says Provincial Governor Yiamsuriya Pausuk.
''We hope the week will help us through the economic crisis,'' he said. Other events are likely during the big birthday year.
Concerts, a fair and games will be held in Phang Nga every night during the first week of celebrations, with food as the constant highlight.
Governor Yiamsuriya told Phuketwan that a difficult period for tourism gave the environment a good chance to recover.
Phang Nga's major resorts along the Andaman coast report quite good business from Scandinavia, Germany and other European countries.
''If you want natural attractions, Phang Nga is a good place to come,'' the governor said.
Phang Nga remains the popular choice for a tourism tower to attract visitors to the province, an idea that the governor supports.
One of the key news stories from the province last year was the warning that erosion continues to undermine the province's best-known natural landmark, James Bond island.
Phang Nga, with Takuapa and Khao Lak as the two Andaman coast district centres, has fully recovered from the 2004 tsunami.
With jetskis, vendors and loungers banned from its beaches, the province offers a different experience to Phuket's action-packed coastal centres.
Tower Power? Phuket Dreams Go Up and Up
Latest Does Phuket need an Eiffel Tower or a Big Ben? Probably not. A tropical island paradise is best not being confused with the cities that holidaymakers are keen to flee.
Tower Power? Phuket Dreams Go Up and Up
James Bond Island To Topple: Ban on Tour Boats
To save James Bond Island, boats have now been banned from venturing close. Yet sadly, the collapse of a nearby stack shows that the end for the iconic outcrop is just a matter of time.
James Bond Island To Topple: Ban on Tour Boats
Andaman ' Luxury Destination of Year' Accolade
Latest The New York Times, still rated as one of the world's great newspapers, labels the Andaman 'The Luxury Destination of the Year' in an article that praises Phuket and Khao Lak.
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Andaman's Top Resort? Check Out the Cher Fah
Take the Tour Album Two tsunamis and a succession of name changes have failed to diminish a rave resort that offers, so they say, a three kilometre pool swim among its quality attractions.
Andaman's Top Resort? Check Out the Cher Fah
Tsunami Tourist Attraction Sinking Behind Sand
Piles of sand now obscure one of Phang Nga's most significant tourist attractions, the navy patrol boat that was swept inland during the 2004 tsunami; Phang Nga, Krabi resorts report occupancy.
Tsunami Tourist Attraction Sinking Behind Sand
