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General Information
 Located on southern Thailand's east coast, 800 kilometres south of
Bangkok, Krabi province is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Classic virgin beaches fringed with towering limestone formations, is an
understatement to describe this stunningly beautiful area of Thailand.
The Krabi coastline is dotted with rarely visited tropical islands, palm
fringed beaches, waterfalls, caves, and strange rock formations.
Relatively new to tourism, the area is being carefully developed with no
real high rise hotels and a wide range of places to stay from small
bungalows to the five star prestigious, but relaxing Sheraton Rayavadee
Resort. Most accommodation is located around the beach areas of Ao Nang,
Rai Ley and Phra Nang with some small local hotels in the provincial
capital, Krabi town.
Krabi is a great place to relax. The pace is unhurried and many beaches
can only be reached by boat, keeping development to a minimum. Much of
the province has been designated national park. The Hat Noppharat
Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park incorporates many of the mainland
beaches, over 80 smaller islands and the Phi Phi islands - made famous
as the idyllic location for the Hollywood film ‘the Beach” and popular
with yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkellers and day-trippers from Phuket.
The
Ko Lanta National Park, also in Krabi province, includes several
coral-fringed islands, prime diving sites, and comparative solitude. The
largest island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the site of park headquarters, and is
also home to Chao Le, or sea gypsies who sustain themselves largely
through fishing. The islands are best visited during the non-monsoon
months of October through April.
As
well as beautiful and relaxing scenery, Krabi offers an adventure
playground for those who like to get "out and about." Kayaking, sailing,
birdwatching, snorkelling, island hopping and sightseeing are just a
few. In the interior, two predominantly mainland national parks, Khao
Phanom Bencha and Than Bokk-horani, offer inland scenic attractions
including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking,
birdwatching and eco-tours.
Locale and Landscape
Covering an area of approximately 4709sq km, Krabi province is bounded
by Phang Nga and Surathani provinces from the north, Trang province and
the Andaman Sea from the south, Trang and Nakorn Si Thammarat provinces
from the east and Phang Nga province and the Andaman Sea from the west.
Krabi's landscape is undulating and dotted with hills and mountains, the
highest of which is Khao Phanom Bencha at 1,350m. Along the 160km
coastline of Krabi are alternately bays and capes - which viewed from
the air reveal a jagged outline with outcrops of limestone mountains rising up
from the sea waters.
Much
of the coastal area is covered by mangrove forest which serves as a
natural breeding ground for Krabi's diverse aquatic life. Inland,
Krabi's extensive deciduous forest area are mainly reserved and feature
high flora and fauna biodiversity.
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Distances from Krabi to nearby provinces |
Phang
Nga
Phuket
Trang
Phattalung
Surat Thani
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Satun |
- 86 kms.
- 176 kms.
- 131 kms.
- 193 kms.
- 211 kms.
- 233 kms.
- 276 kms. |
Ao Luk
Plai Phraya
Khao Panom
Khlong Thom
Ko Lanta
Lam Thap
Nua Khlong |
- 43 kms.
- 66 kms.
- 39 kms.
- 42 kms.
- 45 kms.
- 67 kms.
- 17 kms. |
 Industry
In
recent years, with it's natural attractions such as tropical islands,
palm fringed beaches, forest waterfalls and caves attracting more and
more sunseeking adventure-bound tourists, Krabi has begun to earn a
substantial income from its tourism industry. Predominantly however, it
is an agricultural based area, with sandy clay soil conditions, like
many surrounding provinces, making it ideal for producing rubber, palm
oils, oranges, coconuts, and coffee. Rubber is the main cash crop grown
with over 700,00 rai being under cultivation for this purpose.
Palm
oil comes in second, followed by coconuts. Fishing is widely carried out
along the coastline and on most larger islands, and although traditional
methods are still in use, modern trawling techniques are threatening
numbers and the industry. Shrimp and cockle farming has been a high
growth industry since the early 1990's, and there is also a flourishing
grouper farming industry.
People
The people of Krabi represent a mix of different races who over history
came to settle from different regions. It is said that each group of
people represent a different page in the history of Krabi. The Chao Ley
or "Sea Gypsies" reside on various of the islands in Krabi's waters, and
traditionally made their living from wandering around fishing and diving
for their livelihood.
Their small communities are in danger of overexposure to tourism, and
inevitable assimilation, however some of their traditional ways are
presented in the yearly sea gypsy sailing ritual held in May on Koh
Lanta, Koh Pu and Koh Cham.
In
the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Southern Chinese people flocked
to Thailand in search of work and many made their way to the south of
Thailand to work in local industry.
 In
more recent times, there involvement has been high in oil palm
plantations and gypsum mining. Despite the assimilation of Chinese
people and their descendants with local people over time, many retain
vestiges of their Chinese heritage.
Many
still retain the ability to speak Chinese, have Chinese (and Thai)
names, and observe Chinese rituals and religious beliefs. Being in close
proximity to Malaysia, southern Thailand is also home to many Muslim
communities, and Krabi itself has a strong Muslim presence.
Climate
Krabi
has a tropical monsoon climate. It's warm all year 'round, but the two
periods of April-May and September-October are the hottest.
The September-October period is also the wettest.
The best time to visit Krabi is during the cool NE monsoon season, from
November though March, when it isn't so humid, and the cool breezes keep
things comfortable.
The
average temperature is around 75?F to 89?F (24?C to 32?C). The hottest
time is from April through May, with temperatures ranging from 80?F to
95?F (27?C to 36?C). There are frequent short heavy thundery showers,
offering welcome relief from the temperature and humidity.
The Thai New Year occurs on April 13th and everyone sprinkles (or throws) cool
water on each other.
Locals enjoy June, July and August, since the weather is usually fine
and favourite haunts remain
uncrowded. The usual pattern is brief but heavy showers, with plenty of
sunshine between downpours. Everything is a little less expensive at
this time of year, as well. Temperatures range between 70?F and 90?F
(20?C to 33?C).
 During September and early October we start to remember our umbrellas.
This makes an ideal time to visit abroad. One consolation for those who
remain is that the beaches, outdoor restaurants and streets are
relatively uncluttered by visitors.
And
even at this time, we still get long intervals of sunshine between the
heavy showers. Anyway, plenty of lowseason activities, both water- and
land-based, still offer themselves in Krabi during this wettest part of
the summer season.
Administration
Krabi is divided into eight districts : Amphoe Muang (Krabi Town), Khao
Panom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luk, and Lam Thap and,
Nhua Khlong.
Size, Location and Boundaries
Krabi is on the Andaman Sea coast of south-west Thailand, between 7'
30" and 8' 30" north latitude, and 98' 30" and 99' 30" west longitude.
Total area is 4,709 square kilometers bounded thus:
Population
Krabi's estimated population, as of September 1999, is 344,610
Geography
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains
on the mainland.The provincial administration also covers more than 130
islands in the Andaman Sea. Natural forest cover is chiefly mangrove and
Cassia trees. Krabi's sandy clay soil conditions are perfect for a
variety of agricultural products, including rubber trees, palms, mangos,
coconuts, and coffee.
The
Krabi River flows 5 kilometers through the city and falls into the
Andaman at Tambon Pak Nam. There are other streams as well : the Khlong
Pakasai, the Khlong Krabi Yai and the Khlong Krabi Noi in the province's
highest range of mountains, the Khao Phanom Bencha.
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North |
Connects with Phang-nga and Sura Thani Provinces. |
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South |
Connects with Trang Provinces and the Andaman Sea. |
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East |
Connects with Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces. |
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West |
Connects with Phang-nga Provinces and the Andaman Sea. |
Communications
 Mail
and Postal Services Open: 8am to 4.30pm. The Thai post service is
usually reliable. Urgent or important items can be sent by EMS
services.
This
is faster and safer but the cost is higher. Krabi Town's main post
office is located on Uttarakit Road, near the Customs Pier.
Telecommunications/Internet International phone calls, bureau fax, and
Internet services are widely available throughout Thailand. Krabi Town's
post office and most hotels can provide telephone and fax services and
Internet services are springing up in all the main tourist areas,
catering for Internet savvy tourists.
Banks
Krabi Town has a number of banks that provide standard services, Mondays
to Fridays, except public and bank holidays, between 8.30am and 3.30pm.
Check our town map for location details. Currency exchange centers also
operate from 7.00am to 9.00pm, seven days a week including holidays.
Important Telephone
NumbersHospitals
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Krabi Hospital 611-202, 611-210, 611-2203
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Ao
Lak Hospital 681-159, 681-510
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Koh
Lanta Hospital 697-017, 697-100
Assistance
Provincial Tourist Police 637-308
Immigration Office 612-740
Tourism Authority 212-213
Provincial Travellers Assistance Centre 612-740 |
