Its dramatic bay may be iconic, but the province of Phang Nga still flies largely under the radar.

At times I could hear the sound of elephants wandering in the bushes, and waited for a glimpse.

Alas, one never arrived.

A muay thai boxer performs a kick to the camera

Former Muay Thai boxing champion Sahayot Bangprong gives a lesson at Six Senses.Credit:Ulf Svane

I slept above the water the villas at the resort500Raiare strung along a pier over the lake.

From $900 per person per day.

Rock formations off the coast of Yao Noi island in Thailand

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a hotel pool, and one showing people having lunch on a restaurant terrace

Water lilies in a pond in Thailand

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a small temple, and one showing batik dresses

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a fruit vendor, and one showing a mosque minaret

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a spice drawers in a pharmacy, and one showing a courtyard sitting area

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing fabric, and one showing a bowl of chicken and noodles

Paddleboarders seen through the window of a hotel in Thailand

A restaurant space at the Six Senses Yao Noi hotel

Rock formations off the coast of Yao Noi island in Thailand

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a hotel pool, and one showing people having lunch on a restaurant terrace

Water lilies in a pond in Thailand

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a small temple, and one showing batik dresses

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a fruit vendor, and one showing a mosque minaret

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing a spice drawers in a pharmacy, and one showing a courtyard sitting area

Pair of photos from Thailand, one showing fabric, and one showing a bowl of chicken and noodles

Paddleboarders seen through the window of a hotel in Thailand

A restaurant space at the Six Senses Yao Noi hotel