Travel: KRABI 101

A small yet attractive destination that offers much more than rustic jutting limestone formations, bustling lives in the thick mangrove forests and the crystal clear waters as far as the eye can see.

Although most visitors would instantly head for the beaches and the islands offshore, this 4,709sq km little province has much more to offer.

The busiest commercial centres in Krabi province have to be Krabi Town, the provincial capital, and Ao Nang beach. It is situated at the mouth of the five kilometre-long Krabi River, connecting with Yuan and Chi Lat Rivers.

Meanwhile, Ao Nang beach is the most popular gateway point for travellers to visit other beautiful islands in the nearby areas.

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Morgan Jt

Krabi Town

Fishing used to be the primary industry here, but commerce, the government and tourism have been influencing significant changes.

Today, resorts, hotels, guest houses and hostels of all sizes and ranges populate the town. Since the town has no beach, popular activities in this area include kayaking in the mangrove forests and caves exploration at Khao Kanab Nam. Weekends belong to the Walking Street night market which is strewn with an array of handicrafts, beautiful clothing, souvenirs and street food stalls that line the Chao Fah Pier. Walking Street night market opens every FridaySunday from 6pm-11pm.

There are also intriguing public art, traffic light sculptures strategically placed on the streets featuring pieces like a flying hawk, a prehistoric apeman, an elephant raising the sword with its trunk and the giant Black Crab Monument along the Krabi River banks symbolising the local reverence for the mangrove forests.

Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang beach is a popular mainland destination where vacationers spend the least time. It is one of the busiest hop-off points to famous offshore islands including Koh Hong, Koh Poda, Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Koh Phak Bia, and many more. The beach is vast, and the expansive area is populated with resorts, hotels, guesthouses and hostels of all sizes. There is a wide variety of dining choices here from local street food stalls to food markets to fine-dining restaurants on both sides of the roads towards the Ao Nang Walking Street. The night market opens daily from 5pm-11pm. Some of the most popular activities in the area include sailing, snorkelling and kayaking. There are many eco-tours and trekking excursions available in the national parks located further inland such as rock climbing actions in Railay Beach.

Phi Phi Islands Phi Phi Islands are a group of islands dotted between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca with 12.15sq km area. The islands were registered as a national park under Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi in 1983 by the Department of National Park Thailand (DNP) covering 387sq km of land and ocean.

Bruce Scott

There are six islets in the Phi Phi Islands, and the most visited are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le with Phi Phi Don being the larger and more popular of the two with beautiful Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay. The Phi Phi Le Island has no beaches and is uninhabited though the scenic coves are some of the favourites among snorkelers and divers.

One of the most surveyed locations is the beautiful Maya Bay. Over 4,000 visitors are flocking to this pristine strip of white sandy beach daily. This is the reason why Maya Bay is closed to tourists and boats for 120 days a year, from June to September, to allow the corals and sea lives to recover and regenerate.

Visitors can travel by boat from Chao Fah Pier or Khlong Jilad Pier to Phi Phi Islands. It takes about 1.30 hours to 2.30 hours from the pier to the islands.

Than Bok Khorani National Park

Around 50km north from Krabi Town is Than Bok Khorani National Park. It encompasses over 100 sq km of majestic and jagged limestone mountain ridges and coastal mangrove forests. The area is famous for its breathtaking scenery and is very suitable for kayaking.

A nature trail from Ao Luek visitor centre leads to the Than Bok Khorani Waterfall which is the park’s main attraction. Both locals and visitors stop by this location for both relaxation and a good swim in pools that are believed to have therapeutic qualities.

Baan Bor Thor is a small village located a few kilometres south of Krabi Town with the local economy focusing around taking visitors on the longtail boat rides or guided kayaking trips in the surrounding mangrove forests.

The main attraction here is the Tham Phi Hua To or ‘Ghost Head Cave.’ Prehistoric human remains were excavated in the 1950s along with the 238 cave-wall paintings found throughout the complex. The only known fact is that these cave dwellers inhabited these parts about 3,000 years ago.

One wall features Khun Lai Sen, a kangaroo-like horned figure with a striped body. The painting most likely depicts a shaman wearing a costume and conducting rituals of some sort. The cave is believed to be an ancient cathedral used mainly for religious purposes.

The mystic figure can be seen throughout this area of Krabi province and has become something of an unofficial mascot for the city. Other cave painting subjects include birds, lizards, fish and a pair of human hands—one of them with six fingers.

The park opens daily from 8:30am-4:30pm and has no accommodation. However, there are small resorts and homestays nearby with a few floating seafood restaurants close to the kayak rental offices.

Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam

These coastal areas of Krabi province are populated with a network of winding waterways. One of the most popular is Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam or ‘Two Water Canal.’

It is on the southern side of the Than Bok Khorani National Park covered with abundant mangrove forests and banyan trees. The main feature is the freshwater that pours off a nearby limestone mountain mixes with salt water as it flows towards the ocean, creating crystal clear, emeraldtinged river water flowing through a course of twisted tree roots. Visitors can walk along the raised wooden walkway through the park and take a break by dipping their feet into the clear water to fully enjoy the leisure trek. There is a small natural pool perfect for a swim in the middle of a peaceful oasis of greenery.

Emerald Pool

This pool of emerald green water is located in the Khlong Thom to the south of Krabi Town near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve.

Bruce Scott

The main draw here is a series of thermal hot springs emerging from underground volcanic chambers, perfect for taking a dip. It’s usually quite crowded and noisy.

Khlong Thom Hot Springs is another reputable site in the area with a series of naturally formed hallowed-out bathtubs in the smooth stone. These ‘bathtubs’ are filled with fresh running spring water at a temperature of 35-42 degrees Celsius.

The nature reserve opens daily from 8:30am-5pm and the admission is B200 per person.

National Parks: • Khao Phanom Bencha National Park • Namtok Huai To • Phanom Bencha Mountain • Khaopra-Bangkhram Wildlife Sanctuary • Emerald Pool hot spring and mineral bath • Tiger Cave Temple • Than Bok Khorani National Park • Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam

Top Attractions: • Maya Bay • Phi Phi Viewpoint • Ban Si Raya • Hat Tham Pra Nang • Hat Nopparat • Phi Phi Islands • Lanta Islands • Wat Tham Suea • Tham Khao Maikaew • Viking Cave • Sa Phra Nang