Photos Post I

HUA HIN, THAILAND

KOH PHI PHI, KRABI, THAILAND

ELEPHANT VILLAGE, SURIN, THAILAND

CROCODILE SHOW, NAKORN SI THAMMARAT, THAILAND

BUDDHA IMAGE

Back to Island

Back to the west coast of Southern Thailand "Krabi" is one of the most ideal romantic beach resorts, with stunning scenery embraced by natural beauty, soft white sand beaches, crystal blue sea waters and spectacular limestone cliffs, reaching far out the Andaman sea. This is why Krabi is a destination best suited for those in search of pure relaxation and make the vacation on your way. 

The stunning of Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island) was the place that has been filmed the movie "The Beach"

About Krabi

One of the important provinces of the southern part of Thailand's Andaman seaboard, with perhaps the country's oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province's many cliffs and caves, it is thought that Krabi has been home to Homo Sapiens since the period 25,000 - 35,000 B.C. In recorded times it was called the 'Ban Thai Samor', and was one of twelve towns that used, before people were widely literate, the monkey for their standard. At that time, c. 1200 A.D., Krabi was tributary to the Kingdom of Ligor, a city on the Kra Peninsula's east coast better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Climate

Facing the Andaman sea, similar to Phuket, Krabi is subject to a 6-month rainy season between May and November often with sustained very heavy rains for days at a time during the monsoons.

Krabi's tourism

Much of the province has been the seat of several national parks. The topmost destinations are Hat Noppharat Thara, Ao Nang, Railay, Ko Phi Phi National Park. Yet over 80 smaller islands such as Lanta islands, or Koh Lanta, Phi Phi islands - made famous as the ideal location for adventurers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkelers and day-trippers from Phuket. Krabi is growing fast, in the last few years Tesco, HomePro, Big C have all opened and a new International hospital is in the final stages of construction. Krabi has a reputation of being a true Thai countryside location and with the now enlarged Krabi International airport is seen as the ideal balance between convenience and lifestyle. People are being drawn to Krabi in search of the idyllic beach life that Phuket and Koh Samui offered a decade ago but are in danger of losing as they get bigger. International residents are catered for, although on a smaller scale than Phuket, with regard to immigration services and English speaking staff in local government offices. Entertainment options are on the increase as are true International standard Hotels and attractions. To cater for the inward surge of potential residents, many real estate companies have emerged building high quality villas and homes specifically for foreigners.

The Ko Lanta National Park, also in Krabi province, includes several coral-fringed islands with well-known diving sites. The largest island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the site of park headquarters, and is also home to Chao Le, or sea gypsies who sustain themselves largely through fishing. The islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months of October through April.

Kayaking, sailing, birdwatching, snorkeling are also among top activities. In the interior, two predominantly mainland national parks, Khao Phanom Bencha and Than Bokk-horani, offer inland scenic attractions including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking, birdwatching and eco-tours.

The rock faces at Railay Beach near Aonang have attracted climbers from all over the world and each year are the venue for the Rock and Fire Festival. There are several Rock Climbing schools at Railay beach.

How to get to Krabi:

Krabi is located on the south-west coast of Thailand, around 800km from Bangkok and 170km from Phuket. It is easily accessible by road, air and sea. 

By plane - Flight from Bangkok to Krabi: There are now 2 airports in Bangkok, (BKK) Suvannabhumi Airport and Donmuang (DMK) to Krabi Airport (KBV). Krabi Airport is small and conveniently situated for just about everywhere in the province as it's on the main highway, Route 4.

For current flight schedules and ticketing, please visit the airline website. All of them offer online booking facilities; links are provided for your convenience, but please note that this webblog is not affiliated with the airlines in any way and cannot be held responsible for bookings made on these sites.

Currently you can fly directly to Krabi from four destinations: Bangkok, Koh Samui, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Flight time Krabi – Bangkok is 1hr 20 mins. There are now 2 airports in Bangkok, please make sure you have the right one if you have a connecting flight. Airport codes: DMK – Don Muang Airport (Bangkok); BKK – Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bankgok); KBV – Krabi Airport. If you do need to transfer between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi Airport, please allow at least 4 hours in peak periods.

Note: charter flights to Krabi also operate during the high season months (Nov – Apr) from Scandinavia, and sometimes Germany and Russia: please check your local travel agent for further details as these services change frequently.

Air Asia

Krabi Airport Office: +66 (0)75 701551

Air Asia is a budget airline that flies from Bangkok (DMK) to Krabi around 4 times daily and also from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi once a day.

Bangkok Airways

Krabi Office: +66 (0)75 701608

Bangkok Airways operates direct flights from Krabi to Koh Samui daily, with additional flights at peak times.

Thai Airways

Krabi Airport Office: +66 (0)75 701591-3

Thai Airways operates on the Bangkok (BKK) – Krabi route, with some flights under the name Thai Smile Air. There are 3 – 4 flights daily in total. They are the best choice if you have a connecting flight as they are a full service airline. Business class also available.

Tiger Airways

Call centre: 001 800 601 5637 (toll-free within Thailand)

Tiger Airways’ daily flight from Singapore gives you another option: instead of travelling via Bangkok, you can use Singapore as the inbound hub, especially if travelling from down under. Note: Tiger is also a budget airline, so allow plenty of time for connections.

By Bus

Bangkok's buses to Krabi leave from Bangkok’s Southern Bus terminal on Boromratch Chonnani Road. Most travel at night and cost from 626-920 THB. Depending on the levels of comfort inside. Journey time is about 10 hours long. Tickets rarely have to be booked in advance, excepting around Thai public holidays. There are also direct bus connections from Ko Samui (via Surat Thani); Had Yai; Phuket; Trang; and many other destinations, including Malaysia. Private tour buses also operate the same routes; contact an agent once you are here for more information. We have had many reports of thefts on private tourist buses, so keep all your valuables on you at all times. You should also note that not all buses have toilet facilities – please check before you travel!Buses all arrive in Krabi Town. Government buses go to the bus terminal in Talaat Kao; private tour buses arrive in the Andaman Wave Master station slightly out of town. From both of these places it is easy to catch a local bus or taxi to the beach areas, or to the pier if you are heading to the islands.

Driving to Krabi 

The road network in Thailand is excellent and there are easy to follow highways that will bring you to Krabi from either the north, south or east. The GPS coordinates you will need are N 8.08346, E 98.895437. These will bring to you to the main junction at Klong Chilat from where you can head into Krabi Town, or turn right to head to the various beach areas. These are clearly signposted from this junction (look out for the blue panel signage).Larger hotels will provide off-street parking; this is especially important if staying in the beach area of Ao Nang, where parking can be difficult.

By boat to Krabi

If you are travelling from Phuket, it is possible to come directly to Ao Nang on the ferry operated by Ao Nang Travel or the faster speedboat. Current schedule is below:

Phuket – Ao Nang

Ferry: 8.30, 13.30, 700 Baht

Boats leave from Rassada pier (paid pick-up service added on to ticket price available; count + 50 – 200 Baht, depending where on the island you are staying)

Speedboat: 15.00, 950 Baht (Nov – Apr only)

Boat leaves from Bang Rong pier and travels via Koh Yao (550 Baht).

Ao Nang – Phuket

Ferry: 10.30, 15.30, 700 Baht

Boats leave from Nopparat Thara pier (free pick-up bus from Ao Nang Beach), going via Railay beach / Tonsai beach.

Journey time 1 hr 45 mins, November – April only.

Speedboat: 11.00, 950 Baht (Nov – Apr only)

Boat leaves from Nopparat Thara pier (free pick-up bus from Ao Nang Beach) and travels via Koh Yao (550 Baht).

Koh Phi Phi can be reached by boat either from Krabi or Phuket.  In downtown Krabi you can take a boat at Chaofa pier.  The boat leaves for Koh Phi Phi daily.  Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents in the town.  It takes about 2 and a half hours for the journey. The fare is about 150 baht per person.  Regular boats from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi are also available.

Please note that there is no railway by Train to Krabi, so you can’t actually get there by train! But it’s a common misconception that you can, so we feel it’s worth noting, if you were planning to come by this route. The nearest train stations are actually in Surat Thani to the north-east and Trang to the south. From either of these stations, it is possible to continue your journey to Krabi by bus or taxi.