Krabi is located 814 kilometres from Bangkok, covering an area of 4,708 square kilometres. From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that Krabi was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating from the prehistoric period. It is also believed that Krabi was once the town of Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that used a monkey as the town symbol. Krabi was a dependency town of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom.

Another legend indicates that the town may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that says an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city's founding. Later, the sword became a symbol of Krabi.

The province consists of mountains, hills, plains, and mangrove forests, including more than 130 large and small islands. Krabi town has a 5 kilometre-long river, which flows through town and ends at the Andaman Sea in Tambon Pak Nam. There are several canals in Krabi including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi, all of them originate from Phanom Bencha mountain range, the highest mountain range in Krabi.

Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival (Sea gypsy boat floating)

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.
 

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.
 

Canoeing

There are various establishments particularly on Ao Phra Nang and Railey beaches where you can hire canoes, either by hour or by day. A few charter companies in the area also offer canoeing expeditions along the coast or around the islands in the area.

Snorkelling, Scuba Diving and Fishing Trips

are organized from most beaches, some offering canoeing in two-person kayaks, sailing and windsurfing. If some sport is not offered at your beach, you can easily take one of the regular long-tail boats to the next beach and probably find it there.

Rock Climbing

This is a popular pastime in Krabi and the limestone cliffs in the area seem to have been created by nature for this very purpose. World renowned for the spectacular views and accessibility the cliffs of Krabi see flocks of tourists and avid climbers annually. One of the more popular, particularly with inexperienced climbers is the climb to see the Princess Lagoon and the scintillating views across the karst landscape both inland and out to sea that lies next to Railey Beach. There are fixed ropes to assist you at the steeper points, but most of it is a forest hike. Access is at the south end of either Railey East or Phra Nang beach.

Boating and Yachting

Explore and discover some of the hidden secrets of this area by chartering a boat to cruise around the islands. The water clarity is near crystal around the islands off Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands are a must-see port of call.

Anchorages here are plentiful, usually deserted and always beautiful. Even in the southwest monsoon season the calm, protected waters in fascinating Phang Nga Bay provide the ultimate in boating enjoyment, even for the least experienced of sailors. There are many charter sailing boats available and some even offer "join-in" day trips for two

 

Souvenirs of Krabi are turtle-dove cages, Toei Panan mats made from pandanus trees, shrimp paste, dried fish, and dried shrimp. They are sold in shops on Uttarakit Road

Luckily for those with children, the Thai people are very gentle and love to have kids around. But you should bring essentials: sunhats, creams, medicines, special foods, and a separate water container for babies to be sure of always having sterile water.

Disposable diapers are available in Ao nang beach supermarkets. Nights can be cool sometimes, so bring some warm clothing for your child. Milk, eggs, fruit which you can peel and porridges are readily available in the supermarkets here. Babysitters are available for a moderate charge at your hotel.

An excellent general practitioner and family doctor is Dr. Young Yut clinic at Dang Plaza shopping center (next to Ao nang Buri Resort) Clinic phone.
 

When packing, keep in mind that you will be in the tropics, but that it can get cold in the mountains. Generally, you will want to dress light and wear natural fibers that absorb perspiration.

A medium-weight sweater or wind breaker is also a must as is a sturdy pair of shoes. Suits and ties are almost never worn.
Don't bring too much, as you will be tempted by the great variety of inexpensive clothes available here. Most tourists find a cotton batik shirt more comfortable than what they brought along.

In the majority of hotels and department stores and supermarkets you can find Western toiletries. Contact lens supplies for hard and soft lenses are available in Ao nang shopping center. For gas permeable lens wearers it is still necessary to come well-stocked.

Dental floss, tampons, and sanitary napkins are available in Western style grocery stores. Kondom (condoms) are available at all supermarket. Bring sunscreen and Insect repellent, although these are also available locally.

Krabi government offices are officially open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5 pm, And Post office open to Saturday until 12 In most travel agencies businesses in Ao nang area are open 8 am to 20 pm. Shops from 9 am to 10 pm. And supermarket from 08.00 – 11 pm .

Mail
Thailand postal service is reliable, Express mail service ( EMS.) service is only slightly more expensive and much faster. Domestic special delivery will get there overnight. International express mail gets postcards and letters to North America or Europe in about 7 days from most cities.

Krabi post office, open 8.30 am- 15.30 pm. from Monday – Saturday. However if you want to sent your postcards and letters you can leave it at your hotel reception and the hotel will be take care your documents to Krabi post office every day.

Telephone and Fax Long distance phone calls, both within Thailand and international, are handled by satellite. Domestic long distance calls can be dialed from most phones. To dial your own international calls, find an IDD (International Direct Dial) phone and dial 001+ city code + tel. number? A magnetic debit phone card can be purchased at supermarket, shops, post offices and many other outlets. This is used on card phones, which are increasing in popularity, eliminating the need for small change.

Faxes can be sent and received at your hotel.

E-mail E-mail and internet services are available at many travel agencies and internet cafés on the the Ao nang main street. The cost for using internet cafes will be 1 baht per min. and 40 baht for using per hour.
 

Thailand has converted to 220 volts and 50 cycles. Ask before you plug in if your are uncertain. Power failures are common in smaller cities and towns. Voltage can fluctuate considerably so use a stabilizer for computers and similar equipment. Plugs are of the European two-pronged variety.

- More Map -