THAILAND: Krabi Beaches Generating Most Entry Fees For National Parks

Nopparat Thara Beach and Phi Phi Islands in Krabi generated the most revenue from entry fees for the national park agency over the past nine months.

Following the renovation of facilities and restoration of natural resources, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has collected Bt1.7 billion in revenue from nationwide national park admission fees from October 2016 until June 2017, DNP spokesman Sompot Maneerat said on Wednesday.

Most of the revenue was collected from the admission fees of Bt428 million at Krabi’s Nopparat Thara Beach and Phi Phi Islands National Park, followed by Bt299 million at Phang Nga's Mu Koh Similan National Park.

The DNP is aiming to generate more revenue from tourism at the national parks and will allocate the money for the restoration and development of natural attractions, as the budget from the government is not sufficient.

Krabi Province is a popular beach destination at the Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand.

Cities

Krabi Town — the administrative capital and a common entry point into the region

Ao Nang — Krabi's most developed beach, a long beach fringed by palm trees

Had Yao (Long Beach) — the last untouched beach in Krabi Province, and perhaps the most spectacular with its views of Jum Mountain and Ao Nang's cliff walls

Rai Leh — Thailand's rock climbing Mecca, a craggy peninsula with several small beaches

Ton Sai — cheapest bungalows in the area, referred by backpackers away from the hordes of tourists and an easy walk to Rai Leh

Other destinations

Ko Jum — peace & quiet for those looking for solitude
Ko Lanta — sleepy island, the new escape for those who find Ao Nang/Rai Leh too touristy

Ko Ngai — part of Krabi Province, but easier to reach from Trang

Ko Phi Phi — Thailand's largest Marine National Park and backpacker favorite where The Beach was filmed

Ko Por — an ecotourism place near of the famous island of Ko Lanta, away from the hordes of tourists to find another kind of travel, to learn the true life of the Thai people and discover the nature

Ko Siboya — rural Thailand with a difference

Ban Ao Luek - some caves here well worth a visit.

Ko Hong — perfect for kayaking and snorkeling.

Understand

Krabi, a coastal province, abounds with countless natural attractions that never fail to impress tourists. Such attractions include white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, fascinating coral reefs, caves and waterfalls, as well as numerous islands.

The distinguishing feature of both Krabi and neighboring Phang Nga is the massive limestone karsts, rising vertiginously out of the flat rice paddies on land and as islands from the sea. Add in some gorgeous beaches and excellent scuba diving and rock climbing, and it's little wonder that tourism in the area has been booming.

While less commercialized than neighboring Phuket, Krabi Province cannot be described as undiscovered: it receives two million visitors a year, and the major tourist areas cater extensively to foreigners.

From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that Krabi is one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that the town may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.

Krabi Province was badly hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Several years later, signs of the damage are now hard to find anywhere.

The best time to visit Krabi is from November to April when the area's climate is not as hot. During this period the island gets a lot of dry northeasterly winds, giving dry blue skies and starry nights. Then, down on the beaches one can enjoy nice sea breezes.

From June to November the area gets a lot of rainfall, more on average than the rest of the country. During this period the islands get a lot of moist southwesterly winds, which give a mixture of dry days and wet ones. The sea stays a warm 29°C all year round. Visitors however, coming in this period will find it cheaper.

Bordering the Andaman Sea, Krabi is located 814 kilometers south of Bangkok and covers an area of 4,708 square kilometers. Its mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains, covering more than 130 large and small islands, and abounding with mangrove forests. The Krabi River flows 5 kilometers through the town and into the Andaman Sea at Tambon Pak Nam. There are also klongs (canals) such as Klong Pakasai, Klong Krabi Yai, and Klong Krabi Noi, which all originate from Krabi’s highest mountain Mount Phanom Bencha.

North: borders with Phang-nga and Surat Thani

South: borders with Trang and the Andaman Sea

East: borders with Nakhon Si Thammarat

West: borders with Phang-nga and the Andaman Sea

You can get around on English alone in the more touristic areas, although a few words of Thai will come in handy off the beaten track and will be much appreciated anywhere.

A number of other European languages are spoken in dive shops

The most popular way to enter this province is via its capital, Krabi Town.

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 10 km from the city limits, 15 km from the city centre, 40km from Ao Nang and 23km from Had Yao. Thai Airways operates daily direct flights to/from Bangkok, likewise Air Asia from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Bangkok Airway flies to Ko Samui nearly every day of the week. Destination Air Shuttle, Thailand's only Seaplane service also routinely flies in and out of Krabi (Ko Lanta) from Phuket and to the numerous outer islands. For more information, contact:

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited: Tel. 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000, 0 2356 1111, 0 7570 1591 – 93 or visit.
Krabi International Airport, Tel. 0 7563 6541- 2
Air Asia Airlines: Tel. 0 2515 9999 or visit www.airasia.com.
Nok Air : Tel. 0 2627 2000 or 1318 or visit www.nokair.com,

Krabi is on Highway 4. Shared songthaews (pickup truck taxis) from Ao Nang to Krabi are frequent and cost Bt 40. Originating in Phang-nga province, Highway 4 links many of the province’s districts. Other main routes include:

Highway 4035 to Plai Phraya district (Krabi) & Phra Saeng district (Surat Thani)
Highway 4034 links Ao Nang and Nopparat beaches
Highway 4037 to Khao Phanom district (towards Surat Thani)
Highway 4038 links Klong Thom and Lam Thap districts
Highway 4206 links Klong Thom to Koh Lanta

From Bangkok:

Proceed along Highway No. 4, passing Phetchaburi – Prachuap Khiri Khan – Chumphon – Ranong – Phang-nga, to Krabi. The total distance is 946 kilometers.
Travel along Highway No. 4 onto Highway No. 41 at Chumphon via Amphoe Lang Suan and Amphoe Chaiya, Surat Thani. Proceed towards Amphoe Wiang Sa, change to Highway No. 4035 for Amphoe Ao Luek, and switch back to Highway No. 4 again to Krabi. This route is 814 kilometers.

From Phuket: Proceed along Highways No. 402 and No. 4. The total distance is 176 kilometers.

There are regular direct bus services between Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal and Krabi (~ 500 baht), but probably the best option is to take a VIP bus, which for 250 baht more makes the 10 hour ride much more comfortable.

Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi take about 12 hours and depart as follows:

VIP bus - 07:20 - 1055 baht
First class bus - 19:00 - 680 baht
Second class bus - 07:30, 19:00, 19:30, 21:00 - 378 baht

The nearest train stations are:

Trang - 2-2.5 hours away from Krabi by bus

The nearest train station to Krabi is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok.

From Bangkok

The distance from Bangkok to Krabi is approx 950 km or about 12 hrs by car.

Route 1: Phetburi - Prachuabkirikhan - Chumporn - Phang Nga - Krabi = 946 km.
Route 2: Phetburi - Prachuabkirikhan - Chumporn (Highway No 41) to Chaiya (Suratthani) - Krabi (Viangsra) - Highway No 4035 - Krabi (Ao Luk) and along Highway 4 again = 814 km.

Surat Thani - 3-4 hours away from Krabi by bus

Various tourist attractions can be conveniently reached by local Songthaew. Such attractions include Ban Huai To, Ban Nong Thale, Ban Khao Thong, Hat Noppharat Thara, Susan Hoi, Ao Nang, Ban Khlong Muang, Ban Nai Sa, Amphoe Khao Phanom, Amphoe Nuea Khlong, Amphoe Khlong Thom, Ban Bo Muang, Ban Hua Hin, Ban Khlong Phon, Amphoe Lam Thap, Amphoe Ao Luek, and Amphoe Plai Phraya. The local Songthaews depart from the Vogue Department Store on Maha Rat Road. Trips to other destinations can be made by taxi and rental car.

Krabi is mostly coast and islands, so you'll be spending quite some time on boats when getting around.

The most common boat type for shorter hops is the long-tail boat (reua hang yao), which true to the name has the propeller at the end of a long 'tail' stretching from the boat. This makes them supremely manoeuvrable even in shallow waters, but they're a little underpowered for longer trips and you'll get wet if it's even a little choppy.

Krabi roads are not as crowded as other Thai provinces and cities and driving here is a cost effective and convenient way to get around, especially if you are staying away from Ao Nang and want to go into town to go to markets, eat at restaurants, etc. All major car rental agencies have desks in Krabi airport and cars are reasonably priced when compared to the taxi fares to and from Ao Nang.

Attractions

Ban Ao Luek. Some 50km north of Krabi Town on the way to Phang Nga. Several interesting caves worth looking at here.

Beach and islands

Talay-Wak (Split Ocean). Talay-Wak is one of Thailand's unseen highlights claimed by Tourism Authority of Thailand. It is the miracle of nature. When the tide is low, the quite white beach will appears and connecting from Koh Kai and Koh Tub. The best time to visit Talay-Wak is five days before and after the full moon from December to the beginning of May.

Natural scenery

Huay Toh Waterfall. Huay Toh Waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in Phanom Bencha National Park. It is 500 metres from the park headquarters. This waterfall has eleven levels and originates from the Kao Panom Mountains in Tambon Tap Prik. There are lots of large pools where tourists can enjoy swimming in each level with its own name, such as Wang Sam Hap, Wang Chong Loi, Wang Doi Prong, Wang Thewada, and Wang Ton Phrio. Huay Toh Waterfall is the attractive place to go there.

Emerald Pool (Sramorakod) – The Emerald Pool or Sramorakod (Thai name) is in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. It is one of Thailand’s unseen highlights. Emerald Pool has green color because of minerals in water. This place is close to hot waterfall another unseen’s Thailand. It is 18 kilometers along public road No. 4038 from the district office of Klong Thom.

Fossil Shell Beach (Susan Hoi) – Susan Hoi was the large freshwater swamp. It is located in Krabi town. The age of Susan Hoi is around 40 million years ago, and it became landmass. It easy to go there from the municipal market, drive along Krabi Road and turn left to Highway No. 4034 all the way to Ban Sai Tai. Then turn left again to highway No.4024 for 19 kilometers.

Activities

Rock climbing. Krabi is a world class rock-climbing destination, with the distinctive limestone karst formations offer a wide variety of climbs
Diving. Krabi rivals Ko Tao on Thailand's east coast as a centre for diving, with a number of renowned dive sites in the Andaman sea, with many dive shops in Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta in particular set up to cater for them.
Boat Trips. Boat travel is one of the major ways to visit some of the more secluded beaches on the Krabi mainland, as well as the many islands and islets dotting the Andaman sea. A wide variety of options to suit different budgets is available, from distinctive longtail boats used by the locals to speedboats and cruise ships.

Shopping in Krabi Town is by far the best experience and has everything from local art and handicrafts to the amazing local food which may be spicy for some peoples taste.

Ao Nang is the regular tourist trap and has the obligatory shops T-shirts and 'Billabong' shorts. These are intermixed with the restaurants and bars of the area.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a coastal region, seafood features prominently on the menu. Traditional southern Thai food includes milder coconut-milk based curries popularly associated with Thailand: the dry, Malaysian-influenced Panaeng curry and Indian-influenced Massaman (Muslim) curry with potatoes and nuts.

A wide variety of international cuisines is available in the many resort towns, visited by millions of overseas tourists every year and home to many expats. Tourism has also brought migrants from other parts of Thailand, and their food with them.

Most of people in Krabi province love to eat parkia. So parkia is very famous in this province and the southern of Thailand. Parkia is a bitter bean that have a twist shape. Therefore, parkia is the popular ingredient for cooking food. For example, shrimp stir-fried with parkia, parkia spicy soup with fish, and so on. If you have go to Krabi you should try to eat food that make form parkia.

There is plenty of accommodation within the Province, just check the individual articles - Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Ban Ao Luek etc.

Krabi's more well developed tourist centres offer internet cafes and international calling cards. Free wi-fi is increasingly available in bars and restaraunts.

Phang Nga - yet more beaches and strange limestone formations
Phuket - the original southern Thai beach resort island, just two hours away
Ko Samui - the paradise islands on the gulf coast, about 6 hours away by bus+ferry
Surat Thani - main land of tourist islands, wet forest and Srivijaya Empire. 3 hours by bus.