KRABI
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.
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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).
How to get there
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.
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