Getting to Nearby Provinces

From Krabi's bus terminal there are bus services to nearby provinces, i.e. Phuket, Phang-nga, Trang, Hat Yai, Surat Thani (Samui). Many tourist agencies in town provide air-con buses or vans to these provinces.

Getting Around

From Krabi town, there are songthaeos (minibuses) to other districts and major tourist spots such as Nopparat Thara Beach and Ao Nang departing regularly from 06.00 - 17.00 hours. The local minibuses depart from Vogue Department Store on Maharat Road. If you need more convenience, you can hire a taxi or rent a motorcycle or a van, which can be arranged by travel agents and hotels.

Ao Phra Nang

• Ao Phra Nang Ao Phra Nang
• Koh Hong Koh Hong
• Koh Kai Koh Kai
• Laem Hang Nak Palace Laem Hang Nak Palace
• Maya Bay Maya Bay
• Railey Railey
•  

According to archaeological evidence, the area that is now called "Krabi" province had been a community since prehistoric period, yet there was no documentary evidence about this.

During King Rama V's reign (1868-1910), this land was called Pakasai sub-county under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. After the governor of the province sent his officials to catch elephants here, many more people from Nakhon Si Thammarat province immigrated to settle down in the area.

Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai sub-county to be Krabi province with the provincial administration office situated at Krabi-yai sub-county (in Muang district at present). But it was still subjected to Nakhon Si Thammarat's control. At present, the office is located near the estuary at Pak Nam sub-district. Its first governor was Laung Thep Sena. In 1875, Rama V had an order to separate Krabi from Nakhon Si Thammarat and to have it ruled by Bangkok.

There are two legends mentioning the meaning of "Krabi". The first had it that villagers presented a large ancient sword (krabi in Thai) they discovered by chance to the governor. They also did the same thing when a smaller one was found later. Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor would like to keep them in the province. But the provincial establishment was still in progress, so they were placed crossing each other in the cave named Khao Khanap Nam. This was the origin of the province's emblem.The second legend had it that "Krabi" was derived from a name of local tree "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants made its pronunciation slightly corrupted and became "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi", which finally turned to "Krabi" (sword).

Famed as among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of Thailand. It was here that the well-known movie "The Beach" featured by Leonardo DiCaprio was shot. The islands, together with the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach, were recently established as a national park with a total area of 390 sq.km.

As most visitors to Phi Phi Islands come from Phuket some 40 km. away, many of them think that the islands are part of Phuket. In fact, both Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi belong to Krabi province, though the distance from Krabi to Phi Phi is about the same as that between Phuket and Phi Phi.

Also, it is usually misunderstood that the island group of Phi Phi Islands is composed of only 2 islets, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. But actually, the area of Phi Phi Islands covers 6 islets altogether, namely Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Mai Phai (Bamboo), Yung, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. The islands and the coastal hills are mostly composed of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-nga province. Some of the characteristics of such mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the crevices in the rocks, like those in Phang-nga Bay.

Among the islets of Phi Phi Islands, Phi Phi Don, the larger one which lies in the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations around the island and is provided with an assortment of accommodation facilities along the two beautiful curved bays, Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay, in the south and others at the northern end of the island. Several shops at Ton Sai can arrange diving and snorkelling trips around the island or the nearby islands -- Phi Phi Le Island, Yung Island and Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island.

About 2 km. to the south is Phi Phi Le Island. Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited, not only because this is banned, but also because there is no beach around it. The island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides. Au Maya and Au Lo Sama among the scenic coves of the island are favourite places for snorkellers. The sea around the island is deep, especially the southern part, which is over 30 metres deep and is full of coral formations and so is a popular diving spot.

Yung Island is situated in the north of Phi Phi Don. The island has a stone beach in the east and small sandy beaches amidst valleys. It is teeming with various kinds of colourful coral reefs. Not far from Yung is Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island. There are marvellous beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs with antler corals, in particular, streches from north to south of the island, making it a paradise for diving. Other two islets located in the South of Phi Phi Le are Bida Nok Island and Bida Nai Island. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, wooded cliffed mountains, colourful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea is calm.

How to Get There

Phi Phi Islands can be reached by boat from either Phuket or Krabi at about the same distance.

From Krabi

Tourists can take a boat at Chao Fa Pier or Klong Jilad Pier. There are several trips departing for Phi Phi daily. The trip takes about 1.30 – 2.30 hours, depending on whether it is an express boat or standard boat.

Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents.

Boat services from Ao Nang to Ko Phi Phi are also available during high season, from November to May.

From Phuket

Boat services to Phi Phi are available at Rasada Pier. Many tour companies in Phuket organize one-day trips to Phi Phi Islands. Tickets can be obtained either from tour agents or hotels.

Counties (Districts)
Muang (Krabi town) | Au Luek | Khlong Thom | Ko Lanta | Khao Phanom

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta Marine National Park

Covering a total area of 152 sq.km., this marine park consists of 15 offshore islands, most surrounded by coral reefs. Some major islands are Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta Noi, Ko Talengbeng, Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Ngai.

Ko Lanta Yai

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. The mountains in the northern part and southern tip of the island are covered with virgin rain forests. Several beautiful beaches are along the north and the south of its west coast, i.e. Khlong Dao beach, Khlong Nin beach, Phra Ae beach and Khlong Khong beach, where various styles of accommodations are available. There are coral reefs along some parts of the western side and Laem (cape) Kho Kwang at the northern tip.

Saladan Pier at the northern tip of the island is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated. The peak tourist season is from November to April.

Getting There

From Krabi town : During high season from Nov. 1 to April 1, a high-speed ferry departs for Ko Lanta's Saladan pier from Khlong Jilat pier in Krabi town at 11:30. The trip takes around 1.5 hours.

From Ao Nang : A high season ferry departs Ao Nang at 10:30 and takes 2 hours.

From Ko Phi Phi : A year-round speedboat runs from Phi Phi to Lanta at 11:30 and takes 1 hour. In high season, an additional speedboat runs from Phi Phi to Lanta at 15:30.

From Phuket : In high season, speedboats run directly from Phuket to Ko Lanta, departing at 8:30, taking 1.5 hours.

Also in high season only, the Tigerline ferry departs Phuket's Rassada pier for Lanta at 8:00.

By Road : Minibuses to Ko Lanta leave Krabi town at 11.00 and 13.00 hrs, taking about 2 hours. There is a vehicle ferry between Ban Hua Hin on the mainland and Ban Saladan on Ko Lanta Yai.

Ko Rok Nok

Ko Rok Nok to the south of Ko Lanta Yai, has a lovely curved bay with a white sand beach and a lot of coral reefs to the southeast and the south of the island. Tourists can contact tour operators on Ko Lanta Yai for an excursion to Ko Rok Nok by speedboat.

Ko Rok Nai connecting to Ko Rok Nok is an island that is mostly steep cliffs. It offers superb beach and plentiful unspoiled coral reefs among rocks.

Ko Ngai (Hai)

This small island has white fine sandy beaches in the east and plentiful coral reefs lying along most parts of the coast. It is easily accessible from Trang province. Boats leave Pak Meng pier in Trang for Ko Ngai daily at 09.00 hrs. These islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months from November to April.