Located approximately 814 kilometers
from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in
southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the
western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are
Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang
Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si
Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination
teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches,
fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant
forests with caves and waterfalls.
Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by
plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at
Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length.
In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's
highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai,
Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the
canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties
into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable
for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees,
palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.
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 17 C and 37 C.
Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe
Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam
Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only
in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130
large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.
In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang
and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops
etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone
cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and
a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town
with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.
History of Krabi
Some archeologists claim that Krabi City is one of the older
settlements in the country as there is archaeological evidence
indicating that this area had been home to homosapiens during the
prehistoric times or between 25,000 - 35,000 B. C. The assumption has
been strongly supported by the discovery of stone tools, ancient
colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains in the provinces
cliffs and caves.
In 1200 A.D., the area was known as Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal
cities that had a monkey as the town symbol. During this period of
time, Krabi was under the rule of the Kingdom of Ligor, a city better
known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.
During the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), the community was known as
Pakasai Sub-county and remained under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon
Si Thammarat province.
Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai Sub-county to Krabi Province
with the provincial administration office situated at Krabi-yai
Sub-county (currently, the office is located near the estuary at Pak
Nam Sub-district) and in 1875, ordered the separation of Krabi Province
from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
During the present reign, the corps of civil servants, merchants, and
the people of Krabi and nearby provinces have collectively organized
the construction of a royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape which is
thirty kilometers west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast to be
presented to His Majesty the King.
Origin of the name Krabi
There are two legends concerning the origin of the name "Krabi". The
first is that villagers presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that
was discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a smaller, on
discovering a smaller one, it was also presented to the governor.
Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in
the province. As the process for the establishment of the province was
still in progress, the swords were placed crossing each other in Khao
Khanap Nam cave. Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part of
the provincial seal.
The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived from the name of a local
tree known as "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants
mispronunciation of the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi" finally
resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).
From Bangkok
By Car
1. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No.4, passing Phetchaburi,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong and Phang-nga Provinces for a
total distance of 946 kilometers.
2. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No. 4, on reaching Chumphon
Provinces take Highway No. 41 passing Amphoe Lang Suan in Surat Thani
Province to Amphoe Wiang Sa, and then take Highway No. 4035 to Amphoe
Ao Luek and continue on Highway No. 4 to Krabi. This route is 814
kilometers from Bangkok.
3. From Phuket, proceed on Highway No. 402 and No.4. The distance from Phuket is 185 kilometers or 4 hours.
By bus:
From Bangkok: There are air-conditioned bus services to Krabi
leaving the Southern Bus Terminal at Borommaratcha Chonnani Road daily
from 6.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The buses provided include ordinary bus
buses, 2nd class bus air-conditioned buses, 1st class air-conditioned
buses and 24-seat VIP buses. The journey takes about 12 hours. For more
details, contact tel. 0 2434 5557-8 (non air-conditioned buses) or tel.
0 2435 1199 or 0 2435 1200 (air-conditioned buses) or visit www.transport.co.th.
By rail:
From Bangkok: There is no direct train service to Krabi. But it is
possible to take a train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station to Trang
or Nakhon Si Thammarat and take a bus or taxi to Krabi. For more
information on trains, contact the State Railways of Thailand at tel.
1690, 223 7010, 223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
For Trang, an express train leaves Bangkok daily at 5.05 p.m. and
reaches Trang at 9.40 a.m. and a rapid train leaves daily at 6.20 p.m.
and arrives at 12.20 p.m.
For Nakhon Si Thammarat, a rapid train leaves Bangkok daily at 5.35
p.m. and arrives at 10.45 a.m. and an express train leaves daily at
7.15 p.m. and arrives at 12.00 p.m. For more details, call 1690 or 0
2223 7010 or 0 2621 8701.
By air:
Thai Airways International operates daily flights from Bangkok to
Krabi. The trip takes 1.20 hours. For more information call 02 6282000.
Website : www.thaiair.com
Phuket Air offers a daily flight to and from Krabi. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Call 02 6798999 to make reservation or visit www.phuketairlines.com to check the flight schedule.
One–Two-Go Airlines: Bangkok Tel. 1126 Others Provinces Tel.1141 ext. 1126 www.fly12go.com
Silk Air flies to Singapore 4 times a week. Tickets can be brought from any travel agencies in town.
From Phuket
By bus:
From Phuket Bus Terminal, there are non air-conditioned and
air-conditioned bus services to Krabi many times daily. The trip takes
3-4 hours. For details, contact 0 7621 1480.
By car:
Take Route 402 and 4 which passes Takua Thung and Thap Pud
Districts in Phang-nga and enter Krabi at Au Luek District. Total
distance is 185 kilometers.
Getting around
Getting to Nearby Provinces
By Bus
From Krabi Bus Terminal there are services, both air-conditioned and
non air-conditioned to nearby provinces, i.e. Phuket, Phang-nga, Trang,
Hat Yai and Surat Thani (Samui). In addition, many local travel
agencies in town provide air-conditioned buses or vans to these
provinces.
The bus terminal, which is located 4 kilometers north of town at
Talat Kao, provides bus services between Krabi and the following
destinations:
Hat Yai (96 baht/ordinary bus bus, 130 baht /2nd class bus bus, 173 baht /1st class bus), Nakhon Si Thammarat (67 baht / ordinary bus), Phuket (65 baht /ordinary bus, 91 baht /2nd class bus, 117 baht /1st class bus), Phang-nga (46 baht /ordinary bus, 64 baht /2nd class bus, 82 baht /1st class bus), Ranong (106 bahts /ordinary bus), Su-nagi Kolok (335 bahts /1st class bus), Surat Thani (61 baht /ordinary bus, 126 baht /2nd class bus), Trang (50 baht /ordinary bus, 70 baht /2nd class bus, 90 baht /1st class bus).
For schedule and more information, contact Krabi Bus Terminal, tel. 0 7561 1804
By bus/boat combination
To Ko Samui:
Travel agencies in town offer bus/boat tickets to Ko Samui (300-370
baht, four times a day), and also to Ko Pha-Ngan (450 baht, four times
a day).
Getting around the city and nearby Districts
From Krabi Bus Terminal, located in Talat Kao, there are both local
red buses and government buses depart regularly from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00
p.m. to other counties including major tourist spots. It costs 10 baht
to get to a destination in town. To travel further, i.e. to Ao Nang and
hat Noppharat Thara, take the local white bus from Maharat Road for a
fare of 20 baht
Songthaew and tuk tuk to the government bus terminal costs 8 bahts
while a motorcycle taxi costs 30 bahts. Tuk tuks can be chartered for
trips around the town for flat rates i.e. to the bus station (50 baht),
What Tham Seua (100 baht) and the airport (200 baht).
Most of Songthaews leave in front of the 7-11 on Maharat Road.
Destinations include Ao Leuk (20 baht), Ao Nam Mao (40 baht), Ao Nang
(20 baht), Hat Noppharat Thara (20 baht) and Su San Hoi (40 baht).
There is also a service to Ban Hua Hin (Ferry pier to Ko Lanta). The
bay is situated at the intersection of Phattana and Preuksa Uthit
Roads. Costing around 40 baht/person, the service runs frequently and
takes 40 minutes.
Alternatively, it is possible to rent a car to travel around town
and to nearby provinces. Several agencies and guesthouses provide
motorcycle rental for 150 baht/day while Jeep rental fees may range
from 800 to 1,200 baht/day.
For more convenience, it is possible to hire a taxi, rent a
motorcycle or a van at travel agencies and hotels. The local minibuses
depart from Vogue Department Store on Maharat Road to the following
destinations:
Best time to visit Krabi
The climate of Krabi Province is tropical and therefore warm throughout
the year. On the other hand, Krabi is also affected by the monsoon
winds that bring about seasonal changes.
There are two very hot periods of weather on Krabi, the first is
between April and May when the average temperatures ranges from 27 to
36 degrees Celsius with occasional tropical thunderstorm bringing
relief from the heat.
It is also very hot between September and October, but the frequent rainfall has a wonderful cooling effect.
In May, at the peak of the southwest monsoon, it rains on an average
of 25 days during the month, making it to one of the most humid months
of the year. Rainy days are interspersed with sunny days during this
period and the rain generally comes in tropical downpours of an hour or
so throughout the day mixed with periods of sunshine.
November to March is the most popular time for tourists to visit
Krabi. It is when the northeast monsoon brings beautiful blue skies and
predominantly sunny weather with an average temperature of 24 to 32
degrees Celsius. Visitors are advised to make early reservations (maybe
a year in advance) for accommodations during this period of time
because of the popularity of the Krabi and its attractions.
Destinations Fare
Ban Hua To
Ban Nong Thalay
Ban Khao Thong
Noppharat Tear Beach
Au Nang
Shell Cemetery
Ban Khlong Mueang
Ban Nai Sa
Khao Phanom County
Nua Khlong County
Khlong Thom County
Ban Bo Mueang
Ban Hua Hin
Ban Khlong Phon
Lam Thap County
Au Luek County
Plai Phraya County |
Baht
11
20
50
20
20
40
50
10
14
20
25
31
40
13
26
30
31 |
Remarks:
Fares are subject to change without notice.
Boat:
Long-tailed boats depart from Saphan Jao Fah Pier to East Rai Le for 70
baht/person while the ferry to Ko Lanta (and also Ko Jam), which
operates only from October to April costs 200 baht/person with two
trips daily at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. The ferry to Phi Phi Island
operates all year round at 200 baht/person with two trips daily, at
10.00a.m. and 2.30p.m.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to Neighboring Districts
Ao Luek 43 kms.
Plai Phraya 66 kms.
Khao Phanom 39 kms.
Khlong Thom 42 kms.
Ko Lanta 103 kms.
Lam Thap 67 kms.
Nuea Khlong17 kms.
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