Krabi กระบี่

Krabi, Thailand (4 November 2005)


Krabi กระบี่ (GPS: 8.05011, 98.81599) is a small fishing village in the midst of mangrove swamps that has become one of Thailand's major tourist destinations. However, Krabi joined the tourism trade rather late, if compared to Phuket and Ko Samui.

Krabi Town, or Mueang Krabi, which is one of the 8 districts or amphoe, and provincial capital of Krabi Province. It is located at the mouth of the Krabi River, which meanders through the swampy coastline to empty into Phang Nga Bay. The town has a population of around 30,000 people (2011 estimate). Apart from the tourist strip of Aonang, the town itself has maintained its rural Thai character.

What made Krabi hidden was access. Krabi was without an airport until 1999, before which the only convenient access was via Phuket, a good two hours' drive away.

Krabi Town is on the Map of Krabi Province, Thailand

About Krabi

Visitors to Krabi will find an abundance of natural beauty. The province is characterized by spectacular karst outcrops that seem to leap out of the ground like gargantuan mounts.

Although Krabi is located within a mangrove area, there are pockets where the water is crystal clear, such as Sra Morakot (Crystal Pool) and Tha Pom (Crystal River).

The provincial capital, Krabi town (all provincial capitals in Thailand share the same name as the province themselves) is a short distance from the sea, on the estuary of the Krabi river. It is a neat town with a waterfront, from where one may take a ferry or hire a boat to explore the surrounding islands.

The main attraction of Krabi - for most Western visitors at least - must surely be the beach. Soft white sandy beaches are lapped by the waves of the Andaman Sea, with a backdrop of verdant rainforest and dramatic limestone cliffs, some soaring to 1000 ft or more. There are three stretches of beach in Krabi: Aonang, Nopparat Thara and Laem Phra Nang.

Aonang is a bay about 18 km away from Krabi Town. As it is the most accessible part of Krabi, it has been developed with good tourist infrastructure. Next to it is Nopparat Thara, which has more of a local feel to it. This is where the local population come out to play and picnic during weekends, where hawkers sell ice cream, kites and charboiled cuttlefish. Within Noppharat Thara, and close to Ao Nang, is Susaan Hoi, the seashell cemetery.

Probably the most scenic is Laem Phra Nang, a cape that juts out into the emerald sea.Laem Phra Nang, although the most scenic, is not accessible by land, as a ridge of high peaks cuts it off from the main coastline. The only option is by boat. The cape has three sides, and each overlooks a beach. To the south is Phra Nang beach, while on opposites sides of the cape are west Railay beach and east Railay beach. At the southern end of Phra Nang beach is Tham Phra Nang Nok, or Princess Cave. Dedicated to an ancient fertility deity, the cave contains a combination of large phallic symbols, garlands and offerings in the hope of increased potency and prosperity. Local fishermen still leave offerings although it's now becoming a local tourist attraction.

Klong Thom Hot Waterfall, Krabi (30 August, 2003)


Tha Pom Crystal River, Krabi (19 November, 2005)


Wat Thamsua, Krabi (30 August, 2003)

Climate of Krabi

Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17ºC and 37ºC.

Muslim food vendors in Krabi (5 November, 2005)

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