KRABI

KRABI

One of most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand is located 814 kms. from Bangkok. Krabi occupies an area of 4,708 square kilometres. To the west, it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands, verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

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Krabi is administratively divided into 8 districts: Amphoe Muang, Ao Luk, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Ko Lanta, Plai Phraya, Lam Thap, and Nua Khlong.

Mu Ko Phi Phi
an archipelago of six islands located at an equal distance of 40 kms. from both Krabi and Phuket consists of Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le as the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colourful marine life which are unrivaled in this whole wide area.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park
This consists of many different sized islands, some of which are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs such as Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Hai. Ko Lanta Yai, the main island in the park, is where the national park's office is situated and is also home to sea gypsies. Boat trips should be made during October-April because there is no monsoon during this period. Passenger boats are available at the Chao Fa Pier in Krabi town, the trip takes about 2-3 hours. The other departure point is at Bo Muang Village, Amphoe Khong Thom; the trip takes about 45 Minutes.

Mu Ko Hong
is a group of limestone islands with fine beaches and coral reefs in both deep and shallow water levels. It takes about 1 hour by boat from Ao Nang to the isalnd. A canoe trip to Ko Hong organised by some agents at ao Nang is a popular activity among tourists.

Mu Ko Poda
Situated south of Ao Nang, 8 kilometres offshore, Mu Ko Poda is fringed by clear waters, and offers white sandy beaches, as well as, pristine coral reefs. This is why it is a year-round attraction and an excellent place for fishing because it is not affected so much by the monsoon. Mu Ko Poda can be reached within 25 minutes by boat from Ao Nang. Many noteworthy islands like Ko Thap, Ko Mo, Ko Hua Khwan, and Ko Kai are situated nearby. A beautiful sandy beach, connecting these islands, is visible at low tide.

Susan Hoi
Susan Hoi or Fossil Shell Beach is 17 kms. from town along the route to the Nopparat Thara Beach. A tremendous number of shells embedded near the seashore piled up a large amount of shells some 40 million years ago.

Tham Lot
To visit Tham Lot Nuea and Tham Lot Tai take the Ao Luk-Laem Sak route for approximately two kilometers and then take a right turn to the Bo Tho Pier. From the pier, hire a rental boat and travel along the Tha Prang Canal for approximately 15 minutes. After passing a mangrove swamp, you will see Tham Lot Tai a cave beneath a limestone hill with a stream flowing through narrow passages. The main attractions are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Lot Nuea is a large cavern with meandering passages longer than those of the Tham Lot Tai, which are navigable only during low tide.

Tham Chao Le
A beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites as well as prehistoric cave paintings depicting people, animals and various geometrical shapes. These paintings are assumed to have been painted after those of Tham Phi Hua To. The cave is located to the west of Laem Sak in a bay surrounded by mountains and picturesque islands. The cave can be reached by taking a 10 to 15-minute boat trip from Laem Sak.

Khao Khanap Nam
These mountains, walling the Krabi River in between, are somewhat a symbol of the town. It is accessible within 15 minutes by long tail-boat from Tha Chao Fa, the main pier in the town.

Tham Phi Hua To
Located just 500 meters from Tham Lot, the cave can only be visited by boat from Bo Tho Pier. The cave is in Phi Hua To Mountain which is surrounded by mangrove swamps. There are 2 different paths inside the cave. On the left lies the shortcut to the back of the cave where the sunlight can shine through, and on the right is a path to a natural hall believed to have been a shelter for prehistoric people. Prehistoric paintings of men, animals, human organs and numerous seashells can be seen in the cave. The discovery of big human skulls in the cave, resulted in the caves present name.

Tham Phet
Tham Phet or Diamond Cave is located in the area of Amphoe Ao Luk. The most beautiful appears when countless stalactite and stalagmite formations reflected with light show diamond sparkles all over.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
Covering a total area of 31,325 rai, including parts of Amphoe Mueang, Amphoe Ao Luek, and Amphoe Khao Phanom, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is Krabi’s only on land National Park. It offers pristine, lush forest with mountain ranges running north to south. Khao Phanom Bencha, the highest elevation of Krabi, stands at 1,397 metres above sea level. Its marvellous scenery is enhanced by streams, waterfalls, caves, and wild animals such as Asian tapir, Sumatran serow, Asiatic black bear, and Fishing cat. In addition to this, it boasts more than 218 species of birds such as eagles, hornbills, and woodpeckers.

Namtok Huai To
Located approximately 500 meters from the Park's office, this waterfall flows over rocks into 11 huge pools, each with their own name, such as Wang Thewada, Wang Sok, and Wang Chan. Another 3-tiered waterfall originating from a high-altitude cliff called Namtok Huai Sa-de is located some 1.2 kilometers from the Parks office. Apart from visiting waterfalls, adventurous visitors can trek to the peak of the Phanom Bencha Mountain, which is 1,397 meters high. This challenging and memorable activity takes at least 3 days and passes streams, waterfalls, caves and view points on high cliffs.

Namtok Khlong Haeng
This 500-meter high waterfall, which springs from Khao Thep Bencha, Krabis tallest mountain, is 10 kilometers from Amphoe Khao Phanom. Accommodations are provided within the park but advance reservations are required. For more information please contact the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Tambon Thap Prik, Amphoe Mueang, Krabi 81000.

Tham Khao Phueng
This group of 5 caves, which is approximately 3 kilometers from the park's office, has sparkling white walls and countless stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes resembling mushrooms, pagodas and curtains.

Emerald Pool
This hot spring originates from a warm stream in the lowland forest of Khao Nor Juji which is supposedly Thailand's last piece of virgin and fertile forest. The intensity of the pools turquoise colored water varies according to the light and time of the day so visitors determined to see the real emerald color should plan to visit at dawn or early in the morning. The pool, which can be visited all year round, charges and entrance fee of 20 baht. To get there, take Highway No. 4 to Khlong Thom District, then turn left to Route No. 4038 to Lam Hap Sub-district. The Emerald pool is located along the way, with clear signs posted.

Wildlife Sanctuary
Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Ban Bang Tiao, 18 kilometers from Amphoe Khlong Thom. Major attractions in this Sanctuary include a 2.7-kilometer nature trail through lowland forests, the Emerald Pool and a variety of natural habitats. The forest is home to rare birds like Gurney's Pitta, Rufus-colored Kingfisher, Black Hornbill, and various kinds of plants. Visitors are allowed to stay overnight but they have to bring their own tents.

Namtok Hin Phoeng
In order to see this 3-level waterfall, which drops from a height of 800 meters, visitors have to take a 400-meter walk along the mountainside after arriving at the lower basin. The waterfall is situated 25 kilometers from Khlong Thom District and can be reached by driving along Highway No. 4 (Krabi-Trang), turning left at Khlong Phon Market and proceeding for another 8 kilometers.

Namtok Ron Khlong Thom
The waterfall, located quite near to the Emerald pool, is in a shady forest area with numerous hot springs. The hot springs and cool streams converge on a slope to form lovely cascades of warm water with a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit is from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. To reach the waterfall visitors should travel 45 kilometers from town to Amphoe Khlong Thom, then take Sukhaphiban 2 Road for another 12 kilometers. The admission fee is 10 baht per person.

Hin Daeng
Despite being a hazard to ships this submerged open water reef on the outer edge of the Andaman Sea is a superb diving spot featuring diverse colorful corals.

Ko Hai
This small island has a long sandy beach in the east and unspoiled shallow water coral reefs at the beachfront. The island is accessible by taking a ferry and a chartered boat from Pak Meng Pier, Trang province.