The wonders of Phang Nga at Phung Chang Cave, see the strangely shaped stalactites and the most adventurous trip. If you are interested in entering Phung Chang Cave, you can contact the staff directly because the private sector has taken over the adventure tourism service at Phung Chang Cave. There will be young people to provide services in front of the cave.
The word Phang Nga is said to have been distorted from Phu Nga (Kra Phu Nga), which means Khao Chang. If you come to Phang Nga, you must stop by to visit Khao Chang because it is a mountain that is a symbol of the city and is the location of the Khao Chang Shrine. In the middle of the mountain is a deep, cool cave. Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni visited there a long time ago. There is still a royal signature imprinted in front of the cave. Tourists can take a rubber boat and walk through the water to visit. There is a legend that has been passed down about Phung Chang Cave as follows:
Long ago, there was a man named Taimdueng (a very strange name). He was a vagrant who asked to live with Ta Chong Dong, who had a beautiful daughter. Taimdueng was hardworking and diligent. Ta Chong Dong gave him his daughter. When he got married, he separated and started a family. He worked in the garden and farmed and had a lot of produce. Unfortunately, when the harvest season was approaching, a herd of wild elephants trampled and destroyed the produce. Taimdueng was very angry and grabbed a spear to chase the herd of wild elephants. On the way, he encountered Tang Ngum’s elephant and mistook it for a wild elephant. He killed the elephant and used the spear to drag out its liver, intestines, and stomach to cook. He also cut off its tusks. When the innocent elephant was killed, it became an elephant horn or an elephant-shaped horn. The elephant belly cave was created because of the wound that Taimdueng had used the spear to stab.
Tham Phung Chang is located in the area of Wat Phraphas Prachim Khet or Tham Phung Chang Temple. There is a shrine of Father Khao Chang, a sacred object that the people of Phang Nga pay homage to. The Father Khao Chang Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 5th lunar month. The people of the community join in organizing activities to celebrate Father Khao Chang.
At present, only a part of the Phung Chang Cave is open for visitors. It is approximately 1.2 kilometers long. It takes about 1.5 hours to visit. You start by taking a rubber boat into the cave, then a bamboo raft because the narrow space is inconvenient for paddling a boat. Then you walk through the water to see the strange and wonderful things inside the cave. There is a cool breeze blowing through the whole way. You may also see animals living in the cave, such as fish or turtles.
Highlights inside the cave
Stone pillar named Chedi Chang
Bright heart, dark heart caused by shadows falling when exposed to light
Inverted lotus stone
Sacred well
Erawan stone, resembling a three-headed elephant
Golden curtain stone
Giant turtle stone
Dinosaur stone
Jellyfish stone
Coffee straw
Child-shaped stone
Egret-shaped stone
The magical white elephant
In addition, in front of the Phung Chang Cave, there is also a group of cute monkeys welcoming tourists. The monkeys are often playful and do not stay still, climbing trees and jumping into the water as if they want to please the visitors.
