The  Origin  of  Phang nga

Formerly named Muang Phu Nga after the name of Nga hill or phangnga hill located in the present town, the province was in the reign of King Rama ll of Bangkok affiliated to Muang Nakorn Sri Thammarat.

The word Phu in Thai terminology means a hill or a mountain. Perhaps, the name Muang Phu nga was expected to correspond with Muang Phuket, its neighbouring town.

Later during the the tin mining boom, foreigners who entered the town for their tin business purpose wrote the town’s name as Phunga or Punga which could be pronounced as either phu-nga, phang-nga or phang-ga.

Pre-historic

As one of Thailand’s oldest provinces, Phang nga, from archaeological evidences like ancient tools and  cave  paintings discovered  in  Amphur Muang and Amphur ThapPut and polished stone axes, weapons made of beasts’ bones and earthen wares found in Amphur Takua Pa, used to be the habitation of prehistoric humans over thousand years ago.

Historic

The discovery of an idol of Vishnu or Phar nari and pieces of idols atop the Wiang hill in Amphur Pakong witnesses that voyagers, merchants, brahmans and artisans from India landed at the ancient community of Takua Pa.

In addition, the legend of Muang Nakhon Sri Thammarat states, “Muang Takua Thalang is the community of tin miners.” Thus, Muang Takua Thalang at that time likely covered the present area of Amphur Takua Pa and Amphur Takua Thung of Phang Nga and Amphur Thalang of Phuket.

Ayudhya Period

During Ayudhya period, Takua Pa of which  Mueang  Phangnga was under the supervision was one of the  southern towns affiliated to Muang Nakhonsrithammarat.  In 1785 when the 9-troop war took place, the name of  Takua Pa was recorded in the history of the Thai-Burmese conflict.

Rattanakosin Period

During  the  9-troop  war  occurring in the  early  Rattanakosin  period,  Muang Takuapa ,  MuangTakua and  Muang Thalang  were  intruded  by  one  of  the  Burmese  troops.

Until 1809 when King Rama l of Bangkok passed away,  these three southern towns were occupied by Burmese  troops. Under the command of King Rama ll, a new  community was establishes at Kra Phunga ( Malay  terminology denoting the water forest of Phunga)  situated at the mouth of the Phangnga River. In the  reign of King Rama lll, after the merger of Muang  Takuathung and the newly-established community   under the name of Muang Phangnga, Phraya Borirak  Phuthon (Sang  Na Nakhon) was appointed the first  governor of the new town (Maung Phangnga) which was  directly under the supervision of Bangkok.

Later from 1894 to the reign of King Rama VII, Mueang  Phangnga and Muang Takuapa were affilaited with  Monthon Phuket. Blessed with natural resources, in  particular tin, Muang Phangnga has considerably enjoyed  its continual economic growth. And eventually, Mueang Takua Pa was merged with Mueang Phangnga in the  reign of King Rama VII.

Since 1981, affer the fall of the tin industry, Phangnga  including its neighbouring towns, such as Phuket, Trang,  Ranong and Krabi has placed an emphasis upon the  development of tourism, resulting in the province's  economic continuous growth.

Back to Phang Nga Guide

Reference

• The official Thailand Travel website
• http://www.phangnga.go.th