Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > Southern Thailand

One of most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand is located 814 kms. from Bangkok. Krabi occupies an area of 4,708 square kilometres. To the west, it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands, verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

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Krabi is administratively divided into 8 districts: Amphoe Muang, Ao Luk, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Ko Lanta, Plai Phraya, Lam Thap, and Nua Khlong. If you have already visited this Southern province, please share your highlights with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook.

Khao Khanap Nam These mountains, walling the Krabi River in between, are somewhat a symbol of the town. It is accessible within 15 minutes by long tail-boat from Tha Chao Fa, the main pier in the town.

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park This covers an area of 390 square kilometres in Amphoe Muang. It consists of limestone mountains along white sandy beaches, spectacular islands and unspoilt coral reefs. Major attractions include:-

Hat Noppharat Thara the uncrowded beach lined with pine trees and coconut groves, is where the park headquarters is situated. Accommodation is available.

Ao Nang 6 kms. from the Nopparat Thara Beach, is a large bay with scenic beaches and 83 small islands. A number of hotels and bungalows as well as diving shops are available.

Susan Hoi or Fossil Shell Beach is 17 kms. from town along the route to the Nopparat Thara Beach. A tremendous number of shells embedded near the seashore piled up a large amount of shells some 40 million years ago.

Mu Ko Phi Phi an archipelago of six islands located at an equal distance of 40 kms. from both Krabi and Phuket consists of Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le as the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colourful marine life which are unrivaled in this whole wide area. Ko Phi Phi Le offers various attractions: Tham Viking a large cave with swallow's nests as well as ancient colour paintings of Vikings' boats, thus giving the cave its exotic name, Ao Pi Le and Ao Lo Sa Ma with are suitable for scuba diving, and Ao Maya a white sandy beach. Accommodation is available on Ko Phi Phi Don where a village is situated.

Than Bok Khorani National Park It is situated in Amphoe Ao Luk, some 45 kms. from Krabi town. The park covers an area of 1211 square kilometres consisting of mangrove forests, limestone mountains, and islands. Major attractions in the area are:

Than Bokkhorani, a pond of emerald water among a shady forested area, is located near the park office. In the area, there is a replica of the Lord Buddha's footprint carved from wood and a shrine of Chao Pho To Yuan-To Chong.

Tham Lot and Tham Phi Hua To, two caves in Tambon Ao Luk Tai, can be reached by boat along Tha Prang Canal in 20 minutes. A boat is available at the Bo Tho Pier which can be reached by taking the Ao Luk-Laem Sak route for 2 kms. before turning right and continuing on for another 1.5 kms. There are prehistoric paintings in Phi Hua To Cave and a lot of stalactite and stalagmite formations in Tham Lot where a boat can pass through.

Tham Phet or Diamond Cave is located in the area of Amphoe Ao Luk. The most beautiful appears when countless stalactite and stalagmite formations reflected with light show diamond sparkles all over.

Ko Thalu 45-metre hill with a 1 meter wide hole in the middle, houses large number of swallows' nests.

Mu Ko Hong is a group of limestone islands with fine beaches and coral reefs in both deep and shallow water levels. It takes about 1 hour by boat from Ao Nang to the isalnd. A canoe trip to Ko Hong organised by some agents at ao Nang is a popular activity among tourists.

Ko Garose and Tham Chao Le which contain prehistoric paintings of men and animals, can be visited by boat from Laem Sak in Amphoe Ao Luk.

Wat Khlong Thom This is an interesting archaeological site, located in Amphoe Khlong Thom, between Km. 69-70 of Highway No. 4. In the temple compound, there is a museum which features various kinds of artifacts discovered during excavations within an area called "Khuan Luk pat" or a bead mound behind the temple. The discoveries include stone and earthen ornaments in the shapes of animals and particularly beads dating from some 3,000 years.

Pa Thung Tieo, located 18 kms. from Amphoe Khlong Thom in the non-hunting zone of Khao Pra-Bang Khram, is a virgin forest with natural ponds, rare flora and birds. A 2-Km. long trail offers opportunity to study the environment.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park This consists of many different sized islands, some of which are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs such as Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Hai. Ko Lanta Yai, the main island in the park, is where the national park's office is situated and is also home to sea gypsies. Boat trips should be made during October-April because there is no monsoon during this period. Passenger boats are available at the Chao Fa Pier in Krabi town, the trip takes about 2-3 hours. The other departure point is at Bo Muang Village, Amphoe Khong Thom; the trip takes about 45 Minutes.

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.