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Krabi Information |
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Krabi in brief
Area : 4700 sq km
Population : Province 300.000
Krabi Town 17.000
Religion : 60% Buddhist, 40% Muslim
Economy : Fishing, rubber, palm oil, shrimp farming and
tourism.
Climate : Sunny and dry from December to March, rain and sun
from May to September and monsoon season from September to November.
Average temperature is 23 to 34 degrees Celsius.
THE PHI PHI
NATIONAL PARK
Krabi's major attractions are located largely along its extensive
coastline, which contains several wellknown beaches and bays, and
numerous offshore tropical islands. Most such attractions fall
within the aegis of national parks. Major islands include the Phi
Phi cluster which is popular with yachtsmen, scuba-divers,
snorkellers and day trippers from Phuket. The islands are
characterised by rocky cliffs, tranquil seas, dazzling underwater
life, birds' nest caves and fine white sandy beaches. The park
contains extensive mainland beaches, over 80 lesser islands, and two
islands of outstanding physical yet contrasting beauty which have
become the symbol of the perfect tropical island. The boat ride to
Phi Phi Le and Phi Phi Don from Krabi Town's Chao Fah
Bridge Pier, at the right time of year, November to April, is a
pleasant journey and can take anything from an hour and a quarter to
three hours depending on the size of boat taken. The rest of the year
conditions in the Andaman Sea can be choppy and the weather can cause
involuntary changes of travel plans while at sea. Accommodation is
available on Phi Phi Don island. |
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THE KHO LANTA
NATIONAL PARK
Conveniently accessible by regular boat services from Phi Phi Don
island, offers several coral-fringed islands, and prime diving sites,
and comparative solitude. The largest island, Ko Lanta Yai, is
the site of park headquarters, and is also home to Chao Le, or sea
gypsies who sustain them-selves largely through fishing. The islands
are best visited during the non-monsoon months of October through
April. |
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AO NANG
is Krabi mainland’s most popular beach. It is still much less
developed than Phuket and Koh Samui. For that reason it is a pleasant
laid-back beach of great charm, spectacular sea views to the Poda
Island group, and a varied choice of accommodation. New restaurants,
scuba diving services, shops and day tours are being established all
the time. Ao Nang is more a tourist beach than a traveller’s one. Many
families from Northern Europe holiday here Nov-April. The sea gradient
is shallow and suitable for children. The eastern end of the beach
around Last Cafe is more relaxing with better tree shade and a greater
distance from longtail boats. It is possible to walk around the cape
at low tide from Last Cafe to deserted and untouched Pai Plong beach.
Compared to Railay, Ao Nang offers a better choice of eating,
drinking, and shopping facilities.
The Railay/Phra Nang headland, 2km boat ride along the coast, however,
has finer sand and more imposing cliff scenery. It is easy to stay in
Ao Nang and visit Railay/Phra Nang beach by boat during the day,
returning before dark. Longtail boats between Ao Nang and Railay leave
Phra Nang Inn comer in Ao Nang 6am to 6.30pm daily. The trip costs
Bt20 per person one way. It's a memorable 15 minute boat ride on
turquoise waters past dramatic limestone crags. Due to monsoon weather
this boat ride is usually only available Nov-April.
Dining in Ao Nang
The best place for atmosphere and food is the little beachside
lane running from Ao Nang Seafood to Krabi Resort. The lane, known
locally as Soi Sunset, has a number of open-air restaurants and bars.
They have names like Kon Thai, Jacob's, Bei Freddy, La Luna, Blue
Marlin, Moon Terrace, and Sala Thai. In the evenings the breeze from
the sea mingles with aromas of seafood barbecues, kebabs and Thai
curries wafting past. Soi Sunset has something of a night village feel
after dark. Artists paint batik beside Kon Thai in the evenings.
Although open all day, the strip is definitely the place to hang out
after 6pm in high season. Other Ao Nang restaurants noted for their
food and atmosphere include Schlemmer Garten near Soi Sunset, Gift's
in the middle of the beach, the barbecue and draft beer corner at Phra
Nang Inn, and Tyfon international restaurant.
Money exchange
The Siam City booth at Phra Nang Inn comer is open 9am-4pm
daily. Across the road the Thai Military Bank mobile exchange is open
4.30-8pm. Both open in high season Nov - April only.
Sea canoeing
The combination of clean water, sea cliffs, and mangrove-rimmed
canals has made Krabi a popular setting for kayakers. Four operators
offer options from beach rentals by the hour to full daytrips (with
lunch) into spectacular and remote mangrove channels where there is a
good chance of seeing monkeys, eagles and otters. The kayakers also
paddle into Krabi River opposite town, and out to the Koh Hong island
group. Kayaking is highly rewarding, informative, and when supervised
properly, an environmentally friendly way to experience Krabi's
coastal beauty.
Scuba diving
There is less price cutting competition between the dive shops
in Ao Nang compared to Phi Phi. Prices in Ao Nang are accordingly
about 10-15% higher than most dive shops on Phi Phi. The real issue is
not a few hundred Baht here or there - the quality of equipment and
the ability of instructors to communicate is more important. Diving
from Ao Nang has the advantage of nearby sites in the Poda Island
group, where water visibility is better than the mainland, but not as
good as Phi Phi. There are 15 dive sites off Ao Nang, all reachable
with a 20 to 60 minute boat ride. For experienced divers there is a
50-metre long cave at 5-12 meters depth at Yawabon island behind Poda.
Best water visibility is Nov - April. Some Ao Nang dive shops close
during low season, May to October, but some (Ao Nang Divers for
instance) open all year long.
Snorkeling
Dive shops provide mask/snorkel/fin hire at Bht 150 a set per
day (Bt500 deposit).
Mountain biking
Mountain bikes cost Bht 80 per day from Coke Big Bike (637
099).
Tennis
Krabi Resort has a tennis court at Bht 150 per hour. Racquets &
balls Bht 100 a game.
Fishing
Line fishing with bait and soft drinks supplied costs Bht l,000
for each boat. The trips are around 150 minutes long. Departs 6am and
4.30pm. Max two people per boat. Money refunded if you don't catch
anything! Book at Green Park bungalows.
Motorbike & car rentals
Many bungalows have 90cc step-thru bikes for hire at Bht
120-200 for 24 hrs. Coke Big Bike has them at Bht 200. It also has
400cc choppers (Bht 500), 750cc (Bht 750), and off-road DT 200cc
Yamahas at Bht 350. You deposit your passport. Helmets are free.
Suzuki Caribian 4-wheel drive jeeps with air-con rent at a pricey Bht
1200 per day. Krabi Ann Car Rent (01-722 0096) also does 4hr rentals
for Bt600.
Speed boat rental
Expensive game: Barracuda Tour on the beach front have a
5-seater boat for Bht 6,000 per day, a 12- 15 seater for Bht 10,000.
Island trips from Ao Nang
Longtail boat rides to Railay and Phra Nang headlands cost Bht
20 per person each way. Travel shops in Ao Nang sell island tour
tickets which pool strangers into the one boat. This has brought two
daytrips within reach of most pockets: 4 island tour (Phra Nang & Poda
island group) for Bht 190 per person, and 5 island (Koh Hong group)
for Bht 250 per person. The price includes snorkel, mask, lunch of
fried rice, water and fruit. Each boat leaves around 9am and returns
about 4pm. Booking is available in most bungalows an travel counters. |
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HAD NOPPARAT THARA
The
Isaan and seafood stalls under casuarina trees at Had Nopparat Thara
3kms west of Ao Nang sell delicious hoi chakteen mussels, king prawns,
spicy som tam salads, and cold Singha during the day. This setting is
very popular with Thai tourists. The adjacent national park visitor
center is somewhat disappointing however the nearby tidal islands and
Klong Son fishing village are, however, very scenic. White songtaew
minibuses service the Krabi/Ao Nang/Shell Cemetery area and all stop
at Nopparat Thara. |
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HAD TON SON BEACH
Cross the river at Had Nopparat Thara by boat (Bht 10 max per person)
to reach four simple bungalow resorts along ultra peaceful Ton Son
(Pine Tree) beach. The long sandy strip is virtually deserted, its
gradient shallow and there are few if any longtail boats to disturb
the calm. |
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Information
provided by T.A.T
(Tourism Autority of Thailand) |
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