General Information
Krabi at a glance
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 province’s 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 province’s 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.
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 province’s 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, 1stclass 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.
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.
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 bahts/ordinary bus bus, 130 bahts /2nd class bus bus, 173 bahts /1st class bus), Nakhon Si Thammarat (67 bahts / ordinary bus), Phuket (65 bahts /ordinary bus, 91 bahts /2nd class bus, 117 bahts /1st class bus), Phang-nga (46 bahts /ordinary bus, 64 bahts /2nd class bus, 82 bahts /1st class bus), Ranong (106 bahts /ordinary bus), Su-nagi Kolok (335 bahts./1st class bus), Surat Thani (61 bahts /ordinary bus, 126 bahts /2nd class bus), Trang (50 bahts /ordinary bus, 70 bahts /2nd class bus, 90 bahts /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 bahts, four times a day), and also to Ko Pha-Ngan (450 bahts, 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 bahts 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 bahts
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 bahts), What Tham Seua (100 bahts) and the airport (200 bahts).
Most of Songthaews leave in front of the 7-11 on Maharat Road. Destinations include Ao Leuk (20 bahts), Ao Nam Mao (40 bahts), Ao Nang (20 bahts), Hat Noppharat Thara (20 bahts) and Su San Hoi (40 bahts).
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 bahts/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 bahts/day while Jeep rental fees may range from 800 to 1,200 bahts/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:
Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival
Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival is annually held to inaugurate the province’s 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.
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