Krabi 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.
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.
KRABI
LOCAL 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.
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 km |
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 km |
KRABI
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.
KRABI
PEOPLES
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.
KRABI
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.
|
KRABI
ADMINISTION
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.
KRABI
SIZE, LOCATION AND BOUDARIES
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 :
KRABI
POPULATION
Krabi's estimated
population, as of September 1999, is 344,610
KRABI
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.
North |
- Connects with
Phang-nga and Sura Thani Provinces. |
South |
- Connects with
Trang Provinces and the Andaman Sea. |
East |
- Connects with
Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces. |
West |
- Connects with
Phang-nga Provinces and the Andaman Sea. |
KRABI
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 (See Map).
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.
KRABI
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.
KRABI
PHONE IMPORTANT
NumbersHospitals
- Krabi Hospital
611-202, 611-210, 611-2203
- Ao Lak Hospital
681-159, 681-510
- Koh Lanta
Hospital 697-017, 697-100
KRABI
ASSISTANCE
Provincial Tourist
Police 637-308
Immigration Office 612-740
Tourism Authority 212-213
Provincial Travellers Assistance Centre 612-740
|