Krabi, Thailand

Crab Statue, Ao Nang

Characteristics: Towering limestone cliffs, soft white sand beaches and the home to a varied range of underwater lives

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

Cost summary:		Review ( out of 5)
Kuala Lumpur-Krabi round trip (AirAsia)	350 MYR approx
Airport shuttle to / from hotel in Krabi Ao Nang	1200 Baht
Thailand Visa Fees	1000 Baht
Ao Nang Beach – Krabi Walking Street market (per head one way)	60 Baht	4
Shopping in Krabi Walking Street market	$-$$	3.5
Food in Krabi Walking Street market	$	4
Shopping in Ao Nang beach	$-$$	4
Food in Ao Nang beach	$	3.5
Alcohol	$-$$	4

Krabi day tours and sightseeing:

1. Four islands group (Day trip or Late departure sunset trip)

2. Phi Phi Island group (Scuba diving / Snorkelling trip / Island hopping trip with limited snorkelling option)

3. Hong Island group (with Kayaking option, also has sunset trip option)

4. James Bond Island group (with Kayaking option)

5. Krabi Island tour (Best to explore on your own instead of taking tour)

Ao Nang Nightlife

1. Center Point: The biggest entertainment centre in Krabi. The graceful ladyboys are often spotted near the Center point distributing flyers for their night show, held in one of the clubs inside the Center point, Sabina.
2. Soi RCA: 12 neon-lit joints with gorgeous hostesses characterise Soi RCA. Located diagonally opposite to Mc Donald’s, Soi RCA is a smaller version of the Sois in Bangla road, Phuket or Soi Cowboy, Bangkok, although, this one is much laid back and less raunchy than those. Drink prices are affordable and they have a variety of simple bar games as well.

Getting around

1. Bicycles or motorbikes: One of the most popular means of getting around
2. Songthaew: A songthaew is a passenger vehicle in Thailand, adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a shared taxi or bus. It literally translates into “two rows” from the two bench seats fixed along either side of the back of the truck. Some have a third bench put down the middle of the sitting area. Sometimes, when the vehicle gets full, passengers would sit with the support of the extended boards at the end of the vehicle (which is quite a risky arrangement I feel).
3. Long tail boats: A water craft native to the South-East Asia. These are used for all passenger transfer to the beaches as the bigger boats cannot dock there
4. Speedboats: They rule the long-distance island tours and the chartered ones
5. Samlor: The samlor (sam is three, lor is wheel) is a rickshaw which is pedalled by the driver or driven using motor bike while the passenger sits in the back

Happy Panda Notes:

1. If you prefer relaxing beach time: Hong Islands group, Phi Phi Islands group
2. If you prefer snorkelling or diving: Four Islands group, Phi Phi Islands (dive / snorkelling specific trip)
3. Experience: Diving in Phi Phi, Night snorkelling with phytoplanktons
4. Shopping: For clothes, the entire stretch of shops lined at and near the Ao Nang beach area are quite good. They have a lot of options to choose from and you can bargain for the best deal. For souvenirs, however, Krabi Walking Street offers better options to choose from. The price is also quite good.
5. Eat out: While the restaurants in and around Ao Nang beach offers different cuisines to suit any kind of taste buds, Krabi Walking Street food stalls offer varied range mouth-watering local favourites.
6. Foods / snacks: Pad Thai, Mango Salad, Papaya Salad, Yam kai sam, Tomyam soup, mini pancakes of different flavours
7. Desserts: Coconut ice cream
8. Drinks: Bamboo cocktails (available only at Krabi Walking Street), Take-away cocktails (you can take away and enjoy them by the sea side)
9. Beauty Services: Traditional Thai body massage, Fish foot spa
10. Live music: Aning Restaurant in Ao Nang beach is characterised by the live singing performance of an energetic lady. Not only can you enjoy the good food and lively music, but if you want, you can even swing in to the rhythm of the beat in the open lane of the restaurant.
11. Best Time to visit: November through March

Suggested Itinerary:

1. For short trip: https://thewanderinghappypanda.blogspot.my/2016/09/krabi-thailand-4d-3n-itinerary.html
2. For longer trip: https://thewanderinghappypanda.blogspot.my/2017/03/krabi-thailand-6d5n-itinerary.html

Krabi Mainland

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: Limestone cliffs, mangrove forests, beaches, temples, villages

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

Temples:

• Wat Suwan Kuha: This temple is locally known as Wat Tam (Cave Temple). It is nestled in a limestone mountain, Suwan Kuha. This is a part of a complex of caves incuding Tam Yai, Tam Jaeng, Tam Meud and the Tam Kaew caves. The entrance is at Tam Yai, the largest cave at 20 x 40 metres and the lowest level. A 20 THB entry fee is charged for those who wish to go inside the cave, which is a kind of donation to the temple hence to be paid on spot by cash. The entire cave is decorted with Lai Kram and Benjarong tiles. This cave serves as a wihan where several Buddha images are enshrined. The principal Buddha image is a 15-metre-long Reclining Buddha. In another cave, there are royal initials of kings and members of the royal family, such as King Rama V the Great, King Rama VII and Queen Rambhaibarni, King Rama IX the Great, etc. The area in front of the cave is the feeding ground of many monkeys. The cellar contains stalactites and stalagmites. Except for the cellar, which was indeed very nice, nothing much is interesting here.

Suwan Kuha stalactites and stalagmites

• Tiger Cave Temple: Wat Tham Suea is a Buddhist temple, north east of Krabi. The naming of the temple has many legends associated with it. Some say a certain monk witnessed many tigers during his meditation there during the late 20^th centuries, while some say a huge tiger used to stay there. Links are also made to the discoveries of tiger paw prints on the cave walls and the resemblance of the cave bulge to a tiger’s paw. The temple has around 1237 steps leading to the summit. The view from there is said to be breathtakingly beautiful. As in most of the temples in Thailand, clothes shorter than knee length are not allowed inside the temple complex.

Entrance to the Tiger Cave Temple

Beaches:

Crab Statue, Ao Nang beach

• Ao Nang beach: Most popular beach to stay in Krabi and the starting point for most of the island trips. Quieter during the day with most of the crowd gone for the trips, the beach area gets lively during the night when you can enjoy some shopping or head to a pub or indulge in beauty services.

• Fossils beach: The Gastropod fossil site seems to be the only coastal shell fossil site in the world. It is also one of the three shell cemeteries worldwide. The entry fee is 200 Baht. Visit during the morning, because during high tide, most of the sites will be covered under water

• Ao Nam Mao beach: Extension to the Fossils beach. You can do horse riding here (experienced). Beautiful views. Accessible from Ao Nang via local bus, tuk tuk and long tail boat; and from Krabi town via Songthaew.

• Railey beach: Accessible via ferry from Ao Nang, this beach has beatiful white powder sand. West Railey or the Sunset beach is the access point for long tail boats from Ao Nang. The accommodation here is more expensive than the East Railey or the Sunrise beach, where the views are not so nice and the beach looks rather worn out. The nightlife, however is rather quiet in the West beach rather than the East one, which is famous for wild parties. The best beach of the peninsula is the Phra Nang Bay on the most southerly tip of Railey. Besides swimming and sunbathing, another activity that attracts people to this beach is rock climbing. Courses are available to be booked from the climbing schools at the beach itself.

• Klong Muang beach area: Consists of three beaches: The first one is the Ao Siew, whose southernmost point is the beautiful Hang Nak cape; The second beach is Klong Muang, which has wide sandy stretches to the south, and home to an industrial pier is the narrow strip of sand curving round to the north; The last one is the beautiful Tupkaek Beach. As all the hotels around here are located directly on the shore, with only indirect public access, the beaches are effectively private, and only for the use of the resorts’ clients. Good for escaping the tourist crowd of Ao Nang and Railey beaches.

• Nopparat Thara beach: Adjacent to Ao Nang is the 5 km long Nopparat Thara beach. One of the piers for boats departing to Phi Phi, Lanta, Phuket and Hong islands, this beach is split into two halves by a river.

Rainforest:

• Hot Water Springs: Namtok Ron Khlong Thom waterfall is in a shaded forestry with numerous hot springs joining the cool streams on a slope forming lovely cascades of warm water with a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius. There are many hollow tubs caused by the running water from the thermal springs. The mineral salts of the hot spring are said to ease several ailments. The admission fee is 10 baht per person, which is generally included if you take trip. There is optional buggy service from the entrance for 20 Baht per person. The place is congested with too many people showing up for the bath with least personal space.

On the way to hot water springs

• Emerald Pool: As the name suggests, Emerald Pool is a bright emerald coloured natural pool filled with spring water. It can be reached via a forest trail of about a kilometre. You can swim and relax in the Emerald pool, which is slightly less congested than the hot springs and you get a bit of more personal space here. The backdrop is also quite scenic. There is another bright “Blue Pool”, 600 meters further upstream. This trail is a bit muddy and more slippery. The blue coloured pool, surrounded by the trees with the sunrays piercing through the leaves and branches make the place worth a visit.

Emerald Pool

Activities:

• Elephant Camp: Not far from the Tiger Cave temple is the Elephant camp, where you can take an elephant ride.

• White water rafting and ATV: For this, you need to travel a bit further, about 1.5 hours to Phang Nga Rafting Base camp on the Songpaek river. Other activities here include ATV, Flying Fox, Elephant trekking, Zip lining, etc.

• Cycling: If you are comfortable with cycling, you can cycle your way to the villages and beaches in Krabi those are off the beaten path.

• Trekking: You can go for trekking through the 4 Km long jungle trail of the Dragon Neck Mountain.

• Horse riding: Recommended for experienced rider. In Ao Nam Mao beach.

• The Seventh Heaven: Huge fairy tale themed outdoor park located on a hillside very close to the Ao Nam Mao Pier. The entry fee is 100 Baht per adult. Well, to be frank, I would not recommend this one unless you are accompanying children. There is a hilltop restaurant, overlooking the Krabi river. The view is good.

Seventh Heaven park

Shopping:

• Krabi Outlet Village: This is an expensive place for shopping here. But, if you are keen on buying branded (international or local) stuff, you might want to have a look.

• Local markets: Held in different villages every day, usually from early afternoon to early evening. The markets in Ao Nang (Mon, Tue, Fri), Ao Nam Mao (Wed) or Klong Haeng (Thu, Sat) villages are good.

• Night markets: There are two daily night markets in Krabi Town. One is opposite to City Hotel on Soi 10 Maharat Road, with excellent street food stalls serving delicious local foods and desserts.The second is more like an open air food court on Khong Kha Road, next to the old Chao Fah pier.

• Krabi walking street market: Walking Street market are held weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 6 pm – 9:30 pm. Certain streets are closed to traffic and stalls are lined up along the length and breadth of the area. Here you can take a walk and explore the variety of shopping items including souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, fashion accessories, shoes. One section is dedicated for local food and drinks stall, including bars. They also have art and caricature stalls, game stalls and tattoo stalls. Then, there is a stage for musical performances with tools and tables where you can sit and enjoy your food along with the performance.

Getting Here:

You can fly to Krabi International airport. From there, there are regular buses to Krabi town and Ao Nang operating at pretty good frequency. Alternately, you can book shuttle cars in advance.

Getting Around:

1. Bicycles or motorbikes: One of the most popular means of getting around
2. Songthaew: A songthaew is a passenger vehicle in Thailand, adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and used as a shared taxi or bus. It literally translates into “two rows” from the two bench seats fixed along either side of the back of the truck. Some have a third bench put down the middle of the sitting area. Sometimes, when the vehicle gets full, passengers would sit with the support of the extended boards at the end of the vehicle (which is quite a risky arrangement I feel).
3. Samlor: The samlor (sam is three, lor is wheel) is a rickshaw which is pedalled by the driver or driven using motor bike while the passenger sits in the back

Happy Panda Notes:

1. Tours: Although there are many tours operators covering these areas, it is recommended to explore them on your own, using public transports, cycle or motorbike.
2. Shopping: For clothes, the entire stretch of shops lined at and near the Ao Nang beach area are quite good. They have a lot of options to choose from and you can bargain for the best deal. For souvenirs, however, Krabi Walking Street offers better options to choose from. The price is also quite good.
3. Eat out: While the restaurants in and around Ao Nang beach offers different cuisines to suit any kind of taste buds, Krabi Walking Street and night market food stalls offer varied range mouth-watering local favourites.
4. Foods / snacks: Pad Thai, Mango Salad, Papaya Salad, Yam kai sam, Tomyam soup, mini pancakes of different flavours
5. Desserts: Coconut ice cream
6. Drinks: Bamboo cocktails (available only at Krabi Walking Street)

Hong Island Group

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: White sand beaches and limestone cliffs, nice beach views, sunbathing, swimming

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

The Islands:

• Daeng Island: Small red limestone rock island. This place is more of a sunbathing and swimming spot rather than snorkelling.

Daeng Island

Daeng Island

• Lading Island: A secluded island located between Pak Bia island and Hong island. Lovely scenery with a small bay surrounded by limestone, soft white sand beach and emerald coloured sea earned it the name “Paradise island”. Although there is a small snorkelling area here, there is nothing much to see.

Lading Island

Lading Island

• Hong Island Lagoon: Hong Island interior is home to a large lagoon. Here you will notice the different layers of the sea colour, from a deep emerald green to a clear turquoise. The lagoon entrance is through a cliff passage that adds up to the scenic backdrop of the place.

Cliff entrance to Hong Island Lagoon

• Hong Island: From there, there is option to kayak to the lagoon, but you need to be careful as the cliff passage is a bit tricky and the current and waves are a bit strong. Although snorkelling option would be there, it could be a bit disappointing, considering other snorkel sites around Phi Phi or the Four Islands.

Hong Island

Getting Here:

From Krabi or Phuket, Thailand, regular day trips are available. Some trips offer kayaking option.

Getting Around:

Island hopping is generally via speed boats and/or longtail boats.

Happy Panda Notes:

Although the water can be rough, kayaking from the Hong Island to the Lagoon is an experience in itself with the dramatic backdrop.

Phi Phi Island group

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: White sand beaches, nice beach views, sunbathing, swimming. Good underwater varieties.

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

Phi Phi Island diving area

The Islands

• Bamboo Island or Koh Pai: Lying to the north eastern end of the Phi Phi group, this is generally not crowded with visitors. Beautiful views, relaxing beach time.

Bamboo Island

• Viking Caves or the Bird Nests Cave: This is at the bottom of a limestone cliff on the north-eastern tip of the Phi Phi Leh Island, accessed only by boat. Although the access to the cave is free, you can only visit the cave during high season which is November through January. The cave owes its name (Viking) to the paintings on its walls, depicting various boats, among which is what looks like a Scandinavian drakkar. Also known as the Bird Nests cave, it is associated with the hunting/harvesting of nests of swiftlet birds. In Chinese culture, these edible nests are believed to be healthy and good for skin, which makes this one of the most profitable local business. Legend has it, sailors lost their boat during a storm and got stuck without food on the limestone island. The cave, which was home to a colony of swiftlet, helped them survive by eating the nests, which gave them enough power to wait for the rescue. You can also notice tangles of platforms and altars those Thais have erected at the entrance of the cave. This is to honour the spirits of the cave. They meditate here before climbing their fragile scaffolding.

• Lohsamah Bay: This is a small bay on the other side of the Maya Bay. It offers decent snorkelling opportunity. There were colourful fishes. Corals were not very impressive.

Lohsamah Bay

• Maya Bay: Although the description of Maya Bay depicts it beautifully, all you can see here are boats lined up and crowd of people scattered around the entire area, of course thanks to the popularity it gained ever since the 1999 movie “The Beach”. I am sure it would be a delight to see the secluded beauty of this place but for day trippers that is not an option. Some operators offer on-board trips to Maya Bay where you can beat the crowd of day trippers and spend some quality time admiring the serene beauty of the place and staying overnight on board.

Remember The Beach movie ?? If that is your expectation, then is is the reality.. Maya Bay

• Pileh Bay: Large shallow inlet with a coral reef at its entrance. Limestone hills surrounding the emerald green lagoon, it is good for swimming and snorkelling.

• Monkey beach: As is evident from the name, this beach is inhabited by a troop of monkeys actively busy in their monkey business. It is advisable to be careful as the monkeys can cross over and climb the boat, although that is not very often.

Monkey Bay

• Phi Phi Don Island: Considered to be one of the loveliest islands, Phi Phi Don is the larger and the inhabited island of the two main islands of Phi Phi group (the other being Phi Phi Leh). Its beauty, however attracts many tourists from all over the world, making it quite crowded with day trippers. Accommodation is available in Phi Phi Don in case you want to explore the island taking your own sweet time and with a bit less crowd.

Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don

Getting Here:

From Krabi or Phuket, Thailand, regular trips are available. There are island hopping trips where you get more beach time, as well as dive / snorkeling specific trips where you get to spend more time admiring the marine creatures. Ferries are also available to take you to Phi Phi Don directly which is a good option if you intend to stay there and/or explore the island group at your own pace. 

Getting Around:

Island hopping is generally via speed boats and/or longtail boats. Exploring the island is by foot.

Happy Panda Notes:

The island of Phi Phi is known to be home to diverse marine life. A scuba diving experience is recommended here. Whether you are an experienced diver or a first timer, many dive schools offer dive trips to this region.

Recommended detour:
Instead of taking a day trip to Phi Phi, you may take the ferry and stay overnight at Phi Phi to explore the islands group at your own pace, or opt for the sleep aboard tour to Maya Bay.

James Bond Island

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: Litoral Caves, limestone tower carsts

Popularity: James Bond movies The Man with the Golden Gun and Tomorrow Never Dies

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

James Bond Island

The Pha Nga Bay:

• Kayaking: The bay of Phang Nga is one of the renowned spots for kayaking around Phuket / Krabi. Paddle guides price is generally included in the package but they expect a tip though that is not compulsory. They will paddle through the mangrove lined backwaters to visit some sea caves (littoral caves). There is a sea cave, where you need to lie down on the boat to enter through a narrow rocky low arch-like opening. The inner walls of the cave surround the water body giving an echoing effect inside with the sun peeking in from the top making this place a one of a kind experience.

Phang Nga bay kayaking

• Floating village at Koh Panyi: Stop for lunch mostly. This traditional Muslim fishing community heavily depends on tourism.

• James Bond Island or Koh Khao Phing Kan: An island in Phang Nga Bay. The islands are limestone tower karsts and are a part of Ao Phang Nga National Park. The entry fees is generally included in the package pricing. Khao Phing Kan has been popularly called James Bond Island, since it’s featuring in the James Bond movies The Man with the Golden Gun and Tomorrow Never Dies. About 40 metres from the shores of the island lies a 20-metre tall islet made of limestone called Ko Tapu, the "mushroom-shaped rock" (which houses two large solar panels which come up on top of Ko Tapu and lock on to the Sun: The man with the Golden Gun). It is also known as the James Bond rock. Ko Tapu literally translates to “Nail Island”, a name it gets from the local legend of a fisherman who was trying to fish but kept getting the same nail in his fishing net even after throwing it back to the water. The angry fisherman then decided to cut the nail in two halves with his sword using all his power. One of the part stuck back to the sea forming Ko Tapu. The scientific explanation on the formation of Ko Tapu says the area was a barrier reef that ruptured upon tectonic movements, dispersing over the sea, flooded by the rising ocean. Erosion of the islands thus formed resulted in peculiar structures such as Ko Tapu. Tide-related erosion is visible at the bottom of the rock. Interesting structures as it may seem, and indeed they are, but thanks to the James Bond fame, this island is over crowded with tourists. So, if you are looking for that perfect Bond / Bond girl pic, beware, you might run out of luck here.

Ko Tapu, James Bond Island

Getting Here:

Although nearer from Phuket, Thailand, day trips are also available from Krabi, Thailand. Some trips offer kayaking option. When traveling from Krabi, trips will generally halt at the Cave temple near Krabi town on the way to the island and in the fruit farms on the way back.

Getting Around:

Island hopping is generally via speed boats and/or longtail boats.

Happy Panda Notes:

Phang Nga bay happens to be one of the best kayaking spots around this area and the litoral caves are truly beautiful and worth the visit.

Four islands group, Krabi, Thailand

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: Rock islands, good snorkeling, nice sunset views

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

Day trip to the Four Island Group

The islands (sometimes called seven islands including some rock formations)

• Koh Tan Ming: Rock island in front of Poda. Good for swimming and snorkelling. Also has spot for cliff jumping around the island

• Koh Si: Rocky outcrop with a better snorkelling option than the previous one. This place has many underwater reefs, and caves

• Chicken Island: Mostly photo stop. Called so because of the resemblance of its structure with a chicken

• Koh Tub and Koh Mor: Nice beach time

Koh Tub

• Poda Island: Beautiful sunset views

Poda Island Sunset

Getting Here:

From Krabi, Thailand, regular day trips are available. There are early departures (morning option) as well as late departures for this route (with dinner and night snorkeling option)

Getting Around:

Island hopping is generally via speed boats and/or longtail boats.

Happy Panda Notes:

When touring the four islands group, these two are must try:

• Cliff jumping: Try this one near the Koh Tan Ming after a refreshing snorkel.

• Night snorkeling: Highly recommended. Look out for tours offering option for night snorkeling with harmless bio luminescent phytoplankton near Phra Nang Cave. With the boat engines and lights turned off, the only sounds audible are the night insects from inside the cave. Be prepared for the water is rough during this time as well as much colder. Generally, these tours come with barbecue and dinner options as well.