About Krabi by Koh Phi Phi Tour,Krabi,Thailand

Produced by Koh Phi Phi Tour T.A.T. Licence No. 34/0112

Krabi's Geography

Located on the western shore of the central Indochina peninsular,where the Andaman Sea lies adjacent,Krabi is blessed with plains,mountains,valleys,rainforest,mangroves,river,caves and islands.
The coastline of Krabi is 160 km.long.It lies between a latitude of 7' 30" and 8 30" North and a longitude of between 98' 30" and 99, 30" East.

    To the North : lie the provinces of Phang Nga and Surat Thani.
    To the South : lie the province of Trang and the Andaman Sea.
    To the East   : lie the province of Trang and Nakorn Sri Thammarat.
    To the West : lie the province of Phang Nga and the Andaman Sea.

Area : The province of Krabi covers and area of 4,709 Sqiare km.divided
               into 8 districts
            :  Muang,Khao Phanom,Klong Tom,Plai Praya,Koh Lanta,
                Ao Luk,Lum Thab   and Nuerklong.

Terrain

Mainland Krabi features prominently limestone outcrops or karsts, evolved from the subsidence and elevation of the earth's crust many millions of years ago.According to the changing sea levels,some places which are now land,were previously submerged under the sea.Other places,which used to be plains,were transformed into many magnificent recesses after being flooded by the sea.From the highest peak of Phanom Benchar in the North East of the area,the land sloped downwards to the Andaman Sea in the West,bringing with it various sized water courses,one of which is Krabi River,running 5 km.through the town.
Krabi has more than 130 islands,which can be grouped into 4 archipelagos.From North to South they are the Hong Island,the Poda Island,the Phi Phi Island,and Koh Lanta.Distinguished by irregular limestone peaks,150 to 400 feet in height,they developed in the Carboniferous to Permian era, 230-340 million years ago.The sea shore of Krabi is a continental shelf known as a "marine kart".Some geologists praise Phang Nga Bay-comprising the area of Phang Nga,Phuket and Krabi-as "the world's most beautiful marine kart".Due to its deep coastal continental shelf,nature has created a stretch of pure limestone islands,with indented features eroded by water.And as if that were not pieasing enough,a broad variety of attractively colored fish and corals lie beneath the glittering waters.

Climate

Affected by the South-weat and North-east monsoons,Krabi has two distinct seasons,the rainy season and the dry season.The hottest period is from March to April,and the rain comes between May and December.
Air temperatures in Krabi range between 16.9-37.3 degrees and the average annual rianfull is 2,568.5 mm.

Resources

Under canopies of tropical rainforest,the diversity of Krabi's fauna and flora is nurtured.A cornucopia of evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest lie along the Phanom Benchar mountains.Than Bokoranee a national park and Khao Nor Chu Chi,a wildlife sanctuary offer an immense variety of fauna and flora Most of the land is a mixture of clay and sand,together with loose soil, which is very suitable for the planting and cultivation of rubber,palm,cashew nuts,coffee and coconut.

Mangrove

The mangrove eco-system provides the sea with a helthy and abundant breeding area.Krabi's nearby islands also contribute to the fertility of the coast,by protecting the sediment from being scattered by a typical monsoon.In severe cases of mangrove deforestation, whether for charcoal production or shrimp farming,local fishing could be adversely affected.

Minerals

Lignite is mined at Klongmak in Nuerklong District,Muang District and Klong Tom.Fluoride is also mined at Klongtom Tai.

Krabi's National Parks

          Phanom Benchar National Park covers 50.12 square km of forest,both deciduous and rainforest,highlighted by a steep limestone karst formed many millions of years ago.
          Than Bokoranee National Park contains 104 square km of parkland,located both on mainland Krabi,covering 39.7 square km and inside a marine park,covering 64.3 square km.The park hosts a complete diversity of natural resources,including evergreen forests,mangrove,swamp forests and islands.
          Haad Nopparat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park is a marine park that is well known for its places of interest,e.g. Nopparat Thara Beach,Ao Nang Beach,Susaan Hoi 'Shell Cemetery' and the Phi Phi Islands.There are six islands n this last group: Phi Phi Don Island,Phi Phi Ley Island,Bida Nork Island,Bida Nai Island,Bamboo Island and Mosquito Island.
          Koh Lanta National Park covers 134 square km,about 81% of which is a marine park,with numerous islands to visit.
          Khao Nor Chu Chi (Khao Pra Bang Kram) Wildlife Sanctuary is Thailand's last lowland rainforest on the border of Trang and Krabi provinces.It is the source of many streams and rivers- and home to some rare and the endangered bird species,the best known of which is Gurney's pitta.The number of bird species to be found here exceeds that of any other conservation area in the South of Thailand.
           Krabi Horticultural Crop Propagation and Promotion Centre has the largest local botanic collection locally.Its main purpose is to study and test bosth ethnic and foreign plants.It also serves as anagro-tourism site for those who appreciate botanical knowledge and beauty,especially the anthurium with up to 60 different species.

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.

Festival

Differences tradition amongst Krabi people have resulted in a surprisingly wide variety of festivals celebrated throughout the year.

Sart duen Sib

is the 10th month of the Buddhist calendar,in which local Buddhist Thais pay respects to their ancestors.

Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival

Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival is annually held to inaugurate the provinces tourist season. The festival features parades, local products contests, sea Kayak competitions and boat races.

Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival

Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival is a rare festival on Ko Lanta of sea gypsies. The festival is held annually, on the full moon day in the sixth and the eleventh months of the lunar calendar. The sea gypsies on Ko Lanta and from neighbouring areas will gather at the beach near Ban Sala Dan to float boats in the sea in order to bring good luck. The Rong Ngeng, a typical southern dance as well as traditional music, will be performed around the boats.

Loy Kratong

is a Buddhist Thai festival of homage to Pra Mae Kongka the River Goddess and a very valued and respected event for local Buddhists.A symbolic boat of flowers is floated on Krabi River by every Buddhist,as an expression of thankfulness to the River Goddess for the gift of water.

Vegetarian Festival

In this Chinese festival,the people observe their religious precepts strictly,by abstaining from meat.This is a wonderful food festival during which people take to the streets,buying food from street vendors,who prepare a fascinating array of vegetarian disher.It occurs in the 9th month of the Chinese calendar and lasts about 10 days.

Song Pra

takes place on the 3rd day from the end of the 7th Chinese month.Vegetarians are the only people invited to pay homage to the Chinese god Pun Tao Kong.In this religious ceremony,the evil spirits of the house are countered by the merit-making spirits of practising vegetarians.

Thai Muslim Lent

This occure in the 9th month of the Arabic calendar,and is spent in fasting during the daytime,refraining from sin and observing the religious precepts.

Hari Raya

is the day after the end of Muslim Lent and is usually celebrated by visiting relatives.

Mao Rid

is a day of remembrance for the Islamic founder and prophet Mohammed. This event occurs on the 12th of Robiul Aowal or the 3rd month of the Arabic calendar.Asermon is read,there is much chanting,and there are many acts of celebration.

How to get to Krabi

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.

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 in Krabi

Rent a car or boat :
       It is generally advisable to check and agree on the price,before using private transport rentals in Thailand.There are many helpful local travel agencies you can ask for information.
Local buses (Sorng taews) :
        All operate with cheap,fixed rates: just pay a driver on arrival,having pressed the buzer.A red coloured local bus will follow a looping route though Krabi town,starting and finishing at the main bus station in Talat Kao.The white coloured local buses go further to incorporate most of the sightseeing attractions nearby,such as Ao Nang and Susaan Hoi (Shell Cemetery).Local buses can stop for you virtually anywhere along the route.They are actually small,converted pick-up trucks with two benches,seating up to 12 passengers.
Motorbike Taxis :
       Drivers are licensed and uniformed with a numbered vest.Not for the faint-hearted,they are nonetheless safe,fun and useful for short distances,especially in and about town.
Ao Nang Longtail Boat Club :
       This is a well organised association of boatmen in Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara,wearing a yellow or blue uniform.Their rates anr all well established and not as such negotiable.These boatmen are very helpful with a good,local knowledge of loations,current weather conditions and points of safety.
Motorbike Rentals :
       Renting a motorbike for the day is the cheapest form of transport in Krabi.But do check carefully for accident insurance,and above all ride slowly and carefully.
Private Taxis :
       They are similarly priced to car rentals,but better value for money,since they come with a driver.

Attractions

Amphoe Khao Phanom

Kao Phanom Bencha National Park :
lies about 20 kilometers from Krabi town on the Talat Kao-Ban Huai To Road. The park covers an area 50.12 square kilometers in parts of three district : Khao Phanom , Amphoe Muang and Ao luk. It is composed mainly of virgin forest growing amid craggy hills and valleys. There are a number of interesting places to visit
Namtok Huai Sa-de :
springs from a steep cliff 1.2 kilometers from the park offices.

Tham Khao Phung (Khao Phung Cave) :
5 caves with stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes lying 3 kilometers distant from the National Park Office. Some resemble stupas, others mushrooms, a curtain, etc. The cave wall are sparkling white and dazzlingly beautiful.
Tourist accommodations and services are available nearby; to make reservations, contact the Kao Panom Bencha National Park Office, Amphoe Muang, Krabi 81000.

Namtok Khlong Haeng :
The source of this 500 meter tall water fall in Mount Thep Bencha, th etallest mountain in Krabi. It lies about 10 kilometers from the Kao Panom District office.

Ton Han Waterfall :
This falls has its source in the Kao Panom Bencha Mountains like Klong Haeng Waterfall, but it is as tall. It lies 16 kilometers from the Kao Panom district office.

Amphoe Khlong Thom

Wat Khlong Thom Museum :
This contains stone tools, bronze implements, metal coins, pottery shards, ceramic and stone decorative arts, and colored beads more than five-thousand years old dug from excavations in the area. The museum is on the grounds of Klong Tom Temple in Tambon Klong Tom Tai, 1 kilometer distant from Klong Tom District office.

Namtok Hin Phoeng :
This three-level falls drops from a height of 800 meters and lies in Ban Hin Perng in Tambon Klong Pon, 25 kilometers from the Klong Tom District offices. The area is forested and shady.

Thung Teao Forest :
This is one of only a few lowland forests in Southern Thailand. The nature trail begins about 800 meters before reaching the Kao Nor Ju Ji Park Office within the Restricted Hunting Area of Kao Pra-Bang Kram. It passes through both secondary forest, now in the process of development and growth and primary forest containing very large, ancient trees. The trail climbs into the limestone foothills, passing a pool of startling clarity and beauty. After that it enters an area open and spacious before returning to the park office. Many animals and plant species in the lowland forest are extremely rare, some are close to extinction. Of particular note is the colorful Pitta Gurney bird, or nok taew laew tong dam in Thai, which was long thought wiped out but has recently been re-discovered living in Tung Tiao.

Namtok Ron :
These are 12 kilometers from the Klong Tom District office in Tambon Klong Tom Nua. The area is forested and shady; the hot springs are hotter than others nearby.

Koh Sila :
On this island are found many colorful and exotic species of bird. Koh Sila, is 2 kilometers from Hat Bor Muang Beach.

Amphoe Nua Klong

Jam Islan or Poo Island :
A large Muslim-populated island forming its own sub-district in Krabi. The population engages mostly in fishing, rubber cultivation and the local craft of cloth weaving. This last has become so well-known that Krabi province is famous for its cloth, called Pah Tor Koh Poo weven cloth. During the fair-weather months of dry season. passage to the island can be made by taking a boat from the Jao Fa pier in Krabi Town; when the weather is rainy, take a boat from Laem Kruad pier in Nua Klong District. Beach bungalows are available for overnight visitors.
Sri Bor Yah Island :
This island lies not far from Jam Island and is likewise populated by Muslims engaged in fishing and rubber planting. The atmosphere is quiet and pleasant, perfect for unhurried holiday relaxation. Beach bungalows are available. During fair - weather months take the boat from Jao Fa Pier in Krabi Town ; in rainy season, leave form Laem Kruad pier in Nua Klong District.

Koh Phi Phi Tour, Krabi, Thailand
80, Pisanphop Rd., Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Tel/Fax. 075-620506-7, 075-622820
Late bookings tel : 01-8942344, 075-630381
E-mail : jongspeed@hotmail.com