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One of the most attractive tourist destinations
in southern Thailand, Krabi is located some 800 kms from
Bangkok with an area of 4,708 sq.ms. To the West
it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural
attractions abound, including white, sandy beaches,
facsinating coral reefs, numerous large and small
islands, verdant forest and hightly interesting
archaeological remains.
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Administration
Krabi is divided into 8 districts (Amphoes):
Muang, Krabi (Krabi Town), Khao Phanom, Ao Luk, Plai
Phraya, Khlong Thom, Lamthap, Ko Lanta and Nua
Khlong.
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Weather
Krabi is affected by the northwest monsoon and has
only two seasons. The hot season starts in
January and ends in April. The rainy season
begins in May and lasts till December. Average
temperatures range between 16.9 to 37.3 degree
Celsius.
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Geography
The province is
located at the shore to the Andaman Sea. Most
notable are the solitary limestone hills, both on
the land and in the sea as islands. Rock climbers
from all over the world travel to Railay Beach to
climb. Of about 130 islands belonging to the
province, Ko Phi Phi Lee is perhaps the most famous,
as it was the set of the movie The Beach. The coast
of the province was badly damaged by the tsunami on
December 26 2004.
Other islands include: Ko Phi Phi Don, part of the
Phi Phi Islands, and Ko Lanta, a larger island to
the south.
The limestone hills contain many caves, most having
beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Chao Le
and Tham Phi Hua To, both in Ao Luek district,
contain prehistoric rock-painting depicting humans,
animals as well as geometrical shapes. In Lang Rong
Rien cave in 1986 archaeologists found 40,000 year
old human artifacts - stone tools, pottery as well
as bones. It is one of the oldest traces of human
occupation in all South-East Asia. The caves of
Krabi are also one of the main sources of nests of
the Edible-nest Swiftlet, used to create bird's nest
soup.
Shopping /
Souvenirs
Souvenirs of Krabi
include turtle-dove cages, Toei Panan mats made from
pandanus plants, shrimp paste, dried fish, and dried
shrimp.
Most of the goods sold to tourists in Krabi are just
the same as what is found in Bangkok, such as: Thai
silk scarves, carved wooden objects, silver
jewellery, sarongs, leather goods etc.
Nightlife
Krabi’s touristic
areas have all the usual types of foreign-orientated
beer bars. The provincial town is home to, again,
the same type of Tha-style entertainment which can
be found all over Thailand. That is: karaoke
lounges, live music venues and discotheques.
Traditional Cuisine / Food
In general, Southern
Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the
cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and
Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include
Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles
in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken
birayani.
As for Krabi, seafood is obviously what most
tourists long for when visiting a coastal province
like Krabi. In this connection, the wing shell (หอยชักตีน)
is Krabi’s famous cuisine. In addition, stirred
fried Spotted Babylon (หอยหวาน) is found in mangrove
forests with chilies and basil; it is also famous.
Many foreign tourists regard Krabi Town as having
one of the best food Night Markets in Thailand.
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