Sea and More

Krabi is long time reputed as calm and tranquil resort towns, and usually appear on a very first rank  on the list. Their increasingly popularities come from tourists’ impression of their white sand beaches, crystal-clean water and warm sunlight, and those are the reason why many visitors come come back and visit Krabi and Phang-nga again and again.

Krabi was established in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, and was under the administration of Nakhon Si Tammarat that time. Its initial name was Pakasai and when King Chulalongkorn elevated it as a town in 1872, Pakasai was renamed to the new name ‘Krabi.’

The name ‘Krabi’ was believed to come an event happened at the time of the town establishment. the villagers discovered two ancient swords, and delivered them to the governor. But since the construction of the town was not finished, the governor kept these 2 swords in the cave on Khao Khanab Nam as the town’s charm. today, the swords appear on the town’s symbol, together with the figure of Khao Khanab Nam, the town’s landmark. Another legend said that the name ‘Krabi’ may be come from the name of local  plant that can be found in the area - Lum Phi, and called this area Ban Lum Phi(Lum Phi Village). Later, Malays and Chinese who come to trade in this region distorted the pronunciation as Ka-Lu-Bi or Ko-Lu-Bi, which was converted to Thai pronunciation as ‘Krabi.’

The geography of Krabi can be characterized as the complex mountain range laying from the north to the south of the province. Its 160-kilometer long coastline faces to the Andaman Sea on the west. It also consists of more than 130 islands, however only 13 islands, people reside in.

Koh Lanta, one among those islands, is one district of Krabi which is also a tourist destination, located nearby the famous Phi-Phi islands.

Lanta island also offers a break from everyday frustrations with a variety of activities , from trekking, biking, and sunbathing, to snorkeling or diving down in to eye popping underwater world. No matter how many days or weeks you stay on the island, you will find that it’s easy to free your mind and get in touch with nature.

On the east side that faces the mainland, the local people of Lanta island maintain the same old way of living as they did some decades ago. The eastern shoreline consists of the town of Lanta and small communities dotted among abundant mangrove forest. Deeper inland from the seashore are the rubber plantation, one of the local people’s major source of income. On the southeast of the island, the sea gypsy village is a cultural attraction not to be missed.

Since Krabi has benn reserved as a major destination of ecotourism, its unspoiled and protected natural scenes both on the beachside, island and mainland usually attract tourists from nearby famous tourist attractions as an alternative place for something more original and adventurous.

Krabi Attractions

Phranang Beach

The beach of serenity, Phranang Beach can only be reached by boat from Ao Nang. Although visited by a number of tourists, the beach still retains its unspoiled nature and white soft sand suitable for various beach recreational activities.

Phranang Caves

One of the major attractions of the Krabi seashore, Phranang Caves (both Inner and Outer Caves and Phranang Lagoon) offers incredible views of marvelous nature.

Railay Bays

Split by a cape, Railay Bays are divided into two parts - east and west, connected to each other by a small walking trail. Both East and West Railay Bays offer ideal spots to hide away from crowded major beaches with various styles of comfortable accommodations available.

The most popular activity at Railay beaches is rock climbing, which attracts adventurers from around the world to test their strength and bravery. There are many institutes and companies providing climbing equipment and tuition for beginners and advanced climbers to ascend to the top of the mountain peak safely. The reward for those who overcome the height is the tremendous panoramic ocean view.

Koh Poda

Unique and charming, Koh Poda stands out from the pristine turquoise water that surrounds it. The island is one of several popular stopovers for swimming and sunbathing. Nearby is the location for the renowned “Talay Waek,” a beautiful sandbar connecting three small islands.

Kai Island

Unique and funny, this island is naturally shaped like a chicken head so it is called Koh Kai, literally translated as Chicken Island. Around the island is a good spot for snorkeling.

Hong Islands

Surrounded by limestone cliffs, the cove of a green lagoon and its surrounding area of Hong Islands is one of the best spots for kayaking as well as diving down to explore the vivid garden of coral reefs in Krabi.

Ao Tha Lane

Famous for canoeing, Ao Tha Lane is a perfect place for such recreation. Encompassed by limestone mountains and mangrove forests, the beautiful complex of nature always stuns its visitors.

Klong Muang Beach

Klong Muang Beach is a good option for more peaceful repose where you can enjoy pristine nature and an excellent ocean view. The combination of sandy and rocky beach creates beautiful scenes along the long shoreline. Klong Muang Beach offers various choices of accommodation to fit your style, ranging from budget to five-star luxury resorts. Many top-class hotels are being constructed and will be open soon.

Tubkaek Beach

Located near Ao Nang Beach but so isolated, Tubkaek Beach is an ideal place to hide away from any crowded scenes of famous destinations. The long beach of Tubkaek is clean and silent, giving a breathtaking view over the horizon where a group of islands called “Mu Koh Hong” lies ahead. So, Tubkaek Beach has a wonderfully charming sunset to die for. A few good accommodations are available right at the beachfront. Behind the seashore of Tubkaek is the mountainous area of the National Park where, to test your strength, a walking trail to the top viewpoint on the mountain begins.

Fantastic Koh Lanta

‘Moo Koh Lanta National Park’: features many small islands, which are surrounded by rich beautiful coral reefs such as in Koh Ha, Koh Rok, and Koh Hai. The main island is called Koh Lanta Yai, where the local national park head office is located.  The characteristics of the islands are rugged and mountainous with sandy beaches. The right time to visit Moo Koh Lanta National Park is during November to April. Besides, Koh Lanta Yai houses a village of Sea Gypsies or ‘Chao Lay’, an ethnic group who still maintain their original traditions and practice the old way of life. You can get to the islands by taking a two-and-a-half-hour journey by boat from Chao Fah Pier. Boats leave daily.

Saladan Pier
The first impression of Koh Lanta, Saladan Pier is the main town of the island and the major marketplace with some nice seafood restaurants, bars, and shops. It is the starting point for exploration where you can find travel information and services.

Lanta Lanta
An annual festival held on the island to portray pictures of Koh Lanta in the old days when merchant junks still filled its now abandoned port. Features in the festival are cultural shows, street art, performances, etc.

Old Town of Lanta
An ancient community that was established on the island long ago, today the old town has less movement but it is still worthwhile for exploration. Low-rise wooden buildings standing along the streets will remind you of the good old days of sea trading.

Lighthouse on Lanta
The symbol of solitude, the lighthouse tower of Lanta Island is located on the southernmost tip of the island called “Tanod Cape.” It is a spot that is not reached by many people, thus providing more immaculate nature.

Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Don Island
Phi Phi Don has long enjoyed a good reputation as a striking island destination for international tourists. The island has many marvelous bays and powdery sandy beaches with lots of fantastic accommodations. The viewpoint on the top of the island is worth the exhaustion when you can see a bird’s-eye view of the two magnificent bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalum facing each other.

Phi Phi Lay Island
A good spot for snorkeling, Phi Phi Lay Island is renowned for its underwater paradise with colorful and lively coral reefs as well as its steep cliffs and white sandy beaches. In the northeast of the island there is a big majestic cave called “Viking Cave.”

Maya Bay
Located on Phi Phi Lay Island, Maya Bay is the beach that appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster movie, “The Beach.” It is a superb location for the ultimate repose. The exquisite scenery of the bay includes high limestone hills with cliffs surrounded by white powdery beach and pristine emerald seawater.

Nopparat Thara Beach

The beach occupies almost three kilometers next to Ao Nang Beach. Nopparat Thara Beach is so attractive because of its natural setting. It is located on the mouth of a canal. When the tide is low, the canal route turns into a sand pathway stretching to a small island in front of the beach.

Natural Wonders

Limestone Mountains
Krabi is embraced by a number of huge limestone mountains. When traveling in Krabi, you will be fascinated by scenes of imaginative free-form massifs along the way, especially on the local road to Ao Nang Beach at Ban Saithai.

Seashell Cemetery
Due to geological changes in the earth, a large freshwater swamp that was home to millions of snails 75 million years ago has become a seashell cemetery.

Klong Song Nam
A unique natural phenomenon, Klong Song Nam is where two canals with two different tides meet causing magnificent natural beauty and bio-diversity amid the wetland forest.

Tarnbokkhoranee National Park
Covering a vast area of six hectares, located some 45 kilometers from town, the national park houses lush and shady forests with different species of trees surrounding a magnificent crystal clear pool call “Sra Bokkhoranee,” after a spring in Thai myth. The main attractions are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

Emerald Pond
Nature is always a wonder. The pond of clear emerald-like water in the middle of the jungle is one of Krabi’s fascinating mysteries that always successfully captured the imagination of visitors.

Hot Waterfall
Not far from the Emerald Pond is Krabi’s only hot waterfall where visitors can bathe in the natural Jacuzzi tub. Relieve your body and mind with warm mineral water from inside the earth.

Khao Phanom Benja National Park – Huay Toh Waterfall
Located 20 kilometers from town, Khao Phanom Benja National Park features natural wonders such as streams, waterfalls and wild animals hidden in the thick tropical rainforest. The most visited waterfall is Huay Toh Waterfall where the current of water runs down over rocks onto 11 huge pools.

Cultural & Historical Wonders

Wat Klong Thom Museum
Not only beads from some 5,000 years ago, the museum also houses various kinds of artifacts discovered during archeological excavations including stone tools and stone and earthen ornaments in the shape of animals. The museum provides evidence that proves the long establishment of human settlement in the area of Krabi.

Andaman Sea Festival
Krabi Buek Fa Andaman is the annual event held during the month of November to promote tourism in Krabi. There are many water sport competitions, cultural events and other fun activities.

Tiger Cave Temple
Besides being the sacred temple of the town, this temple is also the archeology site of 2 periods, pre-history and the early historic era. The mountaintop in the premise of the temple is also the best viewpoint to overlook the whole Krabi town.

Ban Natin
A small peaceful community located near Ao Nang Beach, Ban Natin is a handicraft village where tourists can see handmade products such as Batik fabric, pineapple-fiber paper, and decorative items made from coconut shells. The village is worthwhile for a stopover and home stay accommodations are also available if you want to get a closer view of the local lifestyle.

Phi Hua Toh Cave
If you dare to visit “Skull Cave”, you’ll find it on Phi Hua Toh (Big Headed Ghost) Mountain, surrounded by mangrove swamp. The cave features some pre-historic paintings apart from wondrous nature. The cave can be reached only by boat but on the way you’ll get fantastic river scenes.

Plan Your Trip to Krabi

By Private Car

From Bangkok
1st Option: Use Highway No. 4 passing Petchburi – Prachuab Khirikhan – Chumphon – Ranong – Phangn-ga – Krabi for a total of 946 kilometers.
2nd Option: Use Highway No. 4 as far as Chumphon, then take Highway No. 41 past Langsuan and Chaiya District, Suratthani to Viangsa District, then take Highway No. 4035 to Ao Luek District to get onto Highway No. 4 again, then to Krabi, for a total of 814 kilometers.

From Phuket

Use Highway No. 402 and No. 4 for a total of 185 kilometers, or approximately 3 hours.

By Public Bus

Bangkok – Krabi Buses operate every day from the New Southern Bus Terminal on Borommaratchachonnani Road. For more information please call +66 (0) 2434 5557-8 (non-air-conditioned) and +66 (0) 2435 1199, +66 (0) 2435-1200 (air-conditioned).

By Train

From Bangkok Train Station to Trang or Tungsong (Nakhon Si Thammarat), then take a taxi to Krabi. For more information please contact Travel Division at +66 (0) 2223-7010, +66 (0) 2223-7020.

By Air

Several airlines offer daily domestic flights to Krabi, such as Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia, and Orient Thai Airlines. For international flights, Tiger Airways operates from and to Singapore. For more information and flight schedules please contact the airlines offices below:

Thai Airways International      +66 (0) 2356 1111
Thai Air Asia                               +66 (0) 2515 9999
Orient Thai Airlines                  +66 1126
Tiger Airways            Thailand +66 (0) 2975 5333
Singapore +65 653-TIGER, +65 6538 4437
Krabi International Airport    +66 (0) 7563 6542 to 6549

From Krabi International Airport, use taxi service to Krabi Town and other attractions or rent a car from Avis, National Car Rent, or Budget Car Rent from the airport.

Getting Around

There are mini trucks or “Songtaew” from Krabi City to many attractions around Krabi such as Ban Huai Tai, Ban Nong Talay, Ban Khao Tong, Nopparat Thara Beach, Seashell Cemetery, Ao Nang, Ban Klong Muang, Ban Nai Sa, Khao Phanom, Nuea Klong, Klong Thom, Ban Bo Muang, Ban Hua Hin, Ban Klong Phon, Lamtub District, Ao Luek District, and Plai Phraya District. For these destinations you can get on a mini truck from Vogue Department Store on Maharat Road. For other destinations you can go by taxi or car rental from travel agents in Krabi City.