“A Guide to Exploring James Bond Island and Beyond”
A Guide to Exploring James Bond Island (Khao Ta Pu)
and Other Attractions in Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay, located in the Andaman Sea, is a beautiful bay characterized by stunning limestone karsts rising dramatically from the water, creating a breathtaking and world-renowned landscape. Phang Nga Bay was declared a national park in 1981, covering an area of approximately 400 square kilometers or 250,000 rai in Takua Thung District, Koh Yao District, and Mueang Phang Nga District.
1. Unique Shape
The most distinctive feature of Khao Ta Pu is its shape, resembling a giant nail stuck into the sea. The top of the island is bulbous, like the head of a nail, while the base is narrow, making it look unusual and wondrous. This shape is the origin of the name “Khao Ta Pu” in Thai, which means “mountain with a shape like a crab’s eye.”
Khao Ta Pu stands isolated in the sea, not connected to any other islands, making it stand out and appear unique. Contrasting with the emerald green sea and the azure sky,
2. Isolated Limestone Stack
3. Geological Formation
Khao Ta Pu was formed by geological changes and the erosion of seawater and wind over millions of years. The limestone that makes up Khao Ta Pu was formed from the accumulation of sediment in the sea. Later, the uplift of the Earth’s crust and erosion created the unusual and wondrous shape seen today.
Khao Ta Pu has a height of approximately 20 meters, making it visible from a distance. It is a prominent feature in the landscape of Phang Nga Bay.
4. Prominent Height
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
What makes Khao Ta Pu so special and memorable is its unusual shape, resembling a giant nail hammered into the sea. This towering limestone stack has a bulbous top, similar to the head of a nail, while its base is narrow, making it look like a nail driven into the emerald green water. Khao Ta Pu’s formation is the result of geological changes and the erosion of seawater and wind over millions of years, creating its strange and wondrous shape.
Khao Ta Pu is not just a limestone stack standing majestically in the sea; it holds significance in several aspects as follows:
Symbol of Phang Nga Bay: Khao Ta Pu is the most prominent symbol of Phang Nga Bay, an image featured on postcards, photographs, and various media related to Phang Nga Bay.
Influence from Film: Its appearance in the James Bond film made Khao Ta Pu world-famous and known as “James Bond Island.” This name itself attracts tourists from all over the world to visit.
Natural Beauty: In addition to its unusual shape, the area surrounding Khao Ta Pu offers beautiful scenery of Phang Nga Bay, including islands, cliffs, and the emerald green sea.
