Krabi
Krabi's major attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline, which contains several well-known beaches and bays, and numerous offshore tropical islands.
This coastal province covers an area of 4,709 square kilometres and is located 814 km. south of Bangkok. Krabi's major attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline, which contains several well-known beaches and bays, and numerous offshore tropical islands.
Krabi History
From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that Krabi was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating from the prehistoric period. It is also believed that Krabi was once the town of Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that used a monkey as the town symbol. Krabi was a dependency town of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom.
Another legend indicates that the town may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that says an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city's founding. Later, the sword became a symbol of Krabi.
Krabi Geography
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains on the mainland; the provincial administration also covers more than 130 large and small islands in the Andaman Sea. Natural forest cover is chiefly mangrove and Cassia trees.
Krabi's sandy clay soil is perfect for a variety of agricultural produce, including rubber trees, palms, oranges, coconuts, and coffee. The Krabi River flows 5 kilometres through the town and empties into the Andaman Sea at Tambon Pak Nam.
Krabi Attractions
Khao Khanap Nam
Khao Khanap Nam is regarded as the symbol of Krabi. It sits before the city and can be visited by long-tail boat from Chao Fa Pier. Travel time is about 15 minutes. From the boat, one climbs a staircase to see caves with stalactites and stalagmites. A boat can be rented for 300 baht per trip to visit Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove forests and the Ko Klang fishing village.
Susan Hoi or Fossil Shells Beach
Situated at Ban Laem Pho, 17 kilometres from town. The area was once a large freshwater swamp, home to a kind of snail. Over eons dating from the Tertiary Age, about 40 million years ago, these snails lived and died by the millions.
Eventually, weather changes caused the swamp's disappearance, but by then the layer of fossilised snail shells was 40 centimetres thick, resting on 10 centimetres of lignite below which is the subsoil. Because of geographic upheavals, the fossilised shells are now distributed in great broken sheets of impressive magnitude on the seashore at Laem Pho.
Ao Nang
This bay is situated some 20 km. from town. Its white sandy beach stretches to the foot of a prominent limestone range. Accommodation is available along the beachfront. Other facilities include diving shops, boats for rent and sightseeing by canoe.
From Ao Nang, tourists may hire boats to visit nearby attractions such as Hat Rai Le, Tham Phra Nang located on the land to the east of Ao Nang, as well as other offshore isles such as Ko Poda, Ko Kai, Ko Mo and Ko Thap.
Hat Noppharat Thara
This is a 3-km. long sandy beach located 6 km. from Ao Nang. The beach, paved with tiny seashells, was formerly called "Hat Khlong Haeng" by locals, which means "dried canal beach". The canal will dry up during low tide and the area turns into a long beach.
The headquarters of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park are situated here. The park covers a large area both onshore and offshore. Website: www.dnp.go.th
Hat Rai Le
This beach is generally divided into two sections, east and west. West Rai Le offers a broad sandy beach. Although it has less facility to offer than Ao Nang, West Rai Le is quieter and more peaceful.
Across the peninsula from West Rai Le is East Rai Le, which varies from the other beaches in the area. It could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially during low tide. Even so, it does offer some rather remarkable views. One end of the beach is covered with mangroves.
Hat Tham Phra Nang
Accessible only by boat, this sweeping beach offers fine-grained white sand and crystalline waters, as well as magnificent cliffs and caves. Although visitors flock to this beach year-round, it is still extremely pristine, and considered to be the most attractive one in the area.
The Inner and Outer Phra Nang Caves, and Phra Nang Lagoon are close by, and offer some truly spectacular views. Accommodation is available over a wide price range. Despite the fact that it is reachable only by boat, this area offers plenty of recreational activities.
Wat Tham Suea
This temple, also known as "Tiger Cave", is 9 km. north of Krabi Town. The inside of this cave features tiger prints captured in stone, and it's in the middle of a lush forest, with enormous, ancient trees. As well as serving as a temple, this site is also very significant archaeologically, as many artefacts have been found on the premises, including tools, pottery, and a mould for the Buddha's footprint. In addition, there are several other caves in the surrounding hills.
Tham Sadet
This cave is at Ban Nong Ngok, 7 km. from Krabi town. The villagers named it to mark the visit of King Rama IV (before he ascended to the throne). The cave features marvellous stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Krabi Horticultural Centre
This agro tourism attraction, supported by the Department of Agricultural Extension, is some 20 km. from Krabi on the way to Amphoe Ao Luek. The centre covers a large area and boasts a collection of local fruits, flowers and plants.
Mu Ko Phi Phi
Phi Phi Mu Ko is located an equal distance from both Krabi and Phuket, about 40 km. Made up of six small and large isles, the main features are sheer limestone cliffs and rocks. Some have beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The best time for a visit is between November and April.
Ko Phi Phi Don covers an area of 28 sq. km. Laem Tong in the north offers beautiful marine nature. Diving can be done as well at Laem Hua Raket, Hat Yao and Hin Phae. A number of accommodations are available.
Ko Phi Phi Le is a lovely island that covers an area of only 6.6 sq. km. It is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and high hills with jutting cliffs. On average, the sea is 20 metres deep and the deepest point to the south of the island is around 34 metres.
Ko Phi Phi Le is blessed with scenic bays such as Ao Pi Le, Ao Maya, and Ao Lo Sa Ma. In the northeast of the island is a large cave called Tham Viking. The cave was renamed "Tham Phaya Nak" or "Serpent Cave" by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej because of a stone resembling the mythical creature, which His Majesty saw when he paid a visit here in 1972.
The cave is considered sacred to locals who come here to collect swallows nests. Inside the eastern and southern parts of the cave are ancient colour paintings of elephants and various types of boats, including an Arabian sailboat, a European sailboat, a sampan, a Chinese junk, and a steamboat. It is believed the paintings were the works of sea merchants or pirates because the study of west-to-east ship routes indicates that this area may have been a stopover for boats seeking shelter from storms, transferring cargo or making repairs.
Ko Yung is north of Ko Phi Phi Don. The island has a stone beach to the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. It is teeming with various kinds of colourful coral reefs.
Ko Phai is north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung. Marvellous beaches are in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs with antler corals, in particular, stretches from north to south of the island. The best time to visit Ko Phi Phi is during the monsoon-free season, which is from November to April.
Ferries depart from Chao Fa Pier in Krabi town to Ko Phi Phi at 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The 21/2 hour trip costs about 150 bah per person.
Heading back, the ferries leave Ko Phi Phi at 9 a.m. and Viewpoint of Ao Phra Nang 1 p.m. A one-day trip on a speedboat is available at Ao Nang. The trip runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tel. 0 7563 7152-3 for more information.
Andaman Wave Master Co., Ltd. operates boat services, departing Chao Fa Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tel. 0 7563 0471 (Krabi Office) or 0 2281 1463-5 (Bangkok Office).
On arrival to Ko Phi Phi Don, trips to the surrounding islands can be made in a long-tail boat. Visitors travelling from Phuket can contact tour operators who organise a one-day trip to Ko Phi Phi.
