THAILAND: Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach To Open 2023

Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of a new upscale Radisson property in Thailand, located on Phuket’s sunset coast, in partnership with Thai-Chinese Property Holdings.

Scheduled to open in 2023, Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach is strategically located on the island’s northwest shore, with direct access to Mai Khao Beach – an 11km-long stretch of sand overlooking the Andaman Sea. Just 15 minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport, this destination is also easily accessible.

Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach will feature 222 contemporary rooms and suites. The property will also be able to host events, with a choice of two meeting rooms, a business centre and professional support making this a delightful venue for corporate retreats.

Under a sale and leaseback arrangement, investors will be able to purchase units at Radisson Phuket Mai Khao Beach, providing exclusive privileges and a memorable vacation destination.

The units will be put into a mandatory rental programme, while the operations of the property will be managed by Radisson Hotel Group, enabling investors to benefit from the group’s global distribution reach.

“The signing of this new property reflects our confidence in Thailand’s tourism industry and our strategy of introducing world-class hotels into Asia’s dynamic destinations, including major cities and popular resort destinations,” commented Katerina Giannouka, president of Asia Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group.


Tourism Observer

THAILAND: Maya Bay Remains Closed

Thailand's popular Maya Bay will be continue to be closed to tourists until the end of October due to unfinished restoration and dangers associated with the current monsoon season.

The pristine beach on the southern island of Koh Phi Phi popularized by the 2000 movie "The Beach" was closed for the first time in June after it was discovered that most of its coral had been damaged by boat anchors.

The part of the bay where damaged corals are rehabilitating and new corals are being planted has been closed to boats permanently, the National Park Department has said.

Initially, the beach had been set to reopen for tourists on October 1 but the temporary closure has been extended as a tourist bridge has not been completyed, according to Nopparat National Park chief Worapoj Lomlim.

We're also concerned about the tourists' safety amid the current monsoon season, Worapoj said, adding that damaged corals have rehabilitated fast and officials have managed to plant more than 2,000 new coral colonies during the closure.

The temporary closure will continue each year to prevent further damage to the environment.

Thailand's overall coral damage has reached a critical level, with an alarming increase to 78 per cent from 30 per cent a decade ago, said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a prominent marine ecologist overseeing the effort.

The famous Maya Bay in Thailand has been closed for three months to give its coral reefs a chance to recover. After the reopening on October 1st, each visit will be limited to one hour.

Since June, more than 500 new coral colonies have been planted in Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh island in the Andaman Sea.

The young corals are growing at an unbelievably fast pace. We will soon see the return of this paradise, said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a prominent marine ecologist overseeing the effort.

Maya Bay — popularized by "The Beach," a Hollywood movie released in 2000 — was closed for the first time in June after it was discovered that most corals in the area had been damaged by boat anchors.

The front of Maya Bay, where damaged corals are rehabilitating and new corals are being planted, has been closed to boats permanently, according to the National Park Department.

Tourists can access the bay from the back entrance when it reopens on October 1. The four-month temporary closure will continue each year to prevent further damage to the environment.

Thailand’s overall coral damage has reached a critical level, with an alarming increase to 78 per cent from 30 per cent a decade ago, Thon said.

The country aims to balance the booming tourism industry and the protection of ecosystems. Thailand welcomed about 35 million international visitors last year, a five-fold increase in little more than two decades.

At Maya Bay alone, there were some 4,000 tourists each day. After the reopening, the government has set a limit of only 2,000 tourists a day who will be allowed to visit the beach, with each visit limited to one hour.

The once-pristine Thai bay which became a tourist magnet after the 2000 movie "The Beach" will be closed to boats for several months to prevent further damage to its coral, an official said Wednesday.

Hordes of tourists flock daily to Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley for selfies in front of the famed limestone cliffs and blue waters, leading to complaints of environmental damage to the water and sand.

But the picture-postcard beach of the Leonardo DiCaprio film will be closed to boats from June to September this year, Worapoj Lomlim of the Phi Phi islands National Parks told.

For around 20 years the bay has welcomed boats to moor in front of the beach but their engines have damaged coral reefs and caused problems with the sand, he said.

Overcrowded tourist boats have also blocked the view, he added, saying tourists will still be able to reach the beach by foot from an adjacent bay where boats can park.

The closure is the latest effort to mitigate damage caused by tourism, a crucial pillar of Thailand's economy with more than 35 million travellers visiting last year.

But environmental experts and officials are worried the mass tourism is causing irreversible damage to idyllic beaches, with litter and unchecked development disrupting local ecosystems.

Smoking has already been banned on 20 of the country's most famous beaches this high season, with a hefty fine or even jail for those who flout the new rule.


Tourism Observer

THAILAND: Be Assured Of Plenty At Rosewood Phuket

A tropical beach hideaway sitting in Phuket, the star of the Andaman Sea, Rosewood Phuket is a serene island escape, a wellness resort plus a bohemian’s playground.

Nestled on a 600-meter beachfront, Rosewood Phuket is 1 of 2 properties under the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand that has recently opened, the other being in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Costing more to build than any other Thailand resort to-date, the entire property has earned a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.

This is definitely a shining example of a green luxury hotel meeting the demand for sustainable travel options.

From its 150-year-old sacred banyans to its innovative architecture with whispers of Thai influences, sun drenched shores to the discreet signage at the main entrance and meandering walkways that pass across the top of villas, it has been designed as a personal voyage of discovery.

A boutique wonderland of escape and decadent luxury, there are only 71 pavilions and villas bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto your own private cocoon of lush tropical garden terraces complete with a personal infinity pool and outdoor seating area that includes the mandatory day bed for slothful afternoons.

Timeless and elegant with sophisticated decor, the interiors immediately put you into soothing time-out mode with absolutely nothing to jar the senses out of this subliminal scene of beach-house opulence.

The choice is yours from partial ocean pool pavilions to ocean view pool pavilions, total oceanfront pool pavilions of 1 and 2 bedrooms to ocean view and beachfront pool villas.

You can even indulge in your own Beach House or the Ocean House, each having 2 bedrooms if you need to accommodate the hordes in privacy.

You never have to leave when it comes to meal times, unless you wish to go exploring the local restaurant scene of rustic restaurants where you can sit with your feet in the sand or join the throngs at one of the must-be-seen-at beach clubs decked out in your Armani best, as Rosewood Phuket offers numerous on-site options.

You can pull up a chair and dine by the ocean at Ta Khai with a menu loaded with authentic and traditional Thai dishes created around what the local fishermen caught that day or head to the laid-back ambience of The Shack which sits by the pool.

Its open kitchen with a hot stone oven and charcoal grill will have your mouth watering long before you sit down.

If you have a hankering for some Italian fare, the Red Sauce restaurant is located on an outdoor terrace with stunning panoramic ocean views offering brilliant cuisine and an endless wine list.

By day or by night Mai Bar, the chill-out lounge area, is the place to relax poolside.

Rosewood Phuket’s holistic wellness concept, Asaya, subtly flows throughout the whole resort.

You can slide into relaxation mode during a signature wellness treatment or an alternative therapy, maintain a somewhat grueling workout session or wallow in dreamy languor beside the pool.

Rosewood Phuket is the perfect venue for meetings, special events or functions of any kind.

You can even bring your family to this beach lover’s slice of heaven, as there is a children’s program to totally enthrall them, as much as you, with their absence.


Tourism Observer

THAILAND: Krabi, A Tourist Destination That Sees Two Million Visitors A Year

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

Krabi is the main town in the province of Krabi - thesaban mueang on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties in Phang Nga Bay.

The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi District. Tourism is an important industry. Krabi is 783 km south of Bangkok by road.

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 town covers the tambon Paknam and Krabi Yai of Krabi district, and is subdivided into 10 communities or chumchon.

Facing the Andaman Sea, like Phuket, Krabi is subject to a six-month rainy season between May and November, often with sustained heavy rains for days at a time during the monsoons.

Krabi's highest ever recorded temperature was 39.1° C on 26 March 1998. Its lowest temperature was recorded on 11 January 2009: 15.3° C.

At the start of the Rattanakosin or Bangkok period in the late eighteenth century, when the capital was finally settled at Bangkok, an elephant kraal was established in Krabi by order of Chao Phraya Nakorn (Noi), the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was by then a part of the Thai Kingdom.

He sent his vizier, the Phra Palad, to oversee this task, which was to ensure a regular supply of elephants for the larger town.

Many followers immigrated in the steps of the Phra Palad that soon Krabi had a large community in three different boroughs: Pakasai, Khlong Pon, and Pak Lao.

In 1872, King Chulalongkorn elevated these to town status, called Krabi, a word that preserves in its meaning the monkey symbolism of the old standard.

The town's first governor was Luang Thep Sena, though it continued for a while as a dependency of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This was changed in 1875, when Krabi was raised to a fourth-level town in the old system of Thai government.

Administrators then reported directly to the central government in Bangkok, and Krabi's history as an entity separate from other provinces had begun.

Much of the province has been given over to several national parks. Top destinations are Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Ao Nang, Railay, and Ko Phi Phi.

The province includes over 80 smaller islands such as Ko Lanta and Phi Phi, well-known to adventurers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkelers, and day-trippers from Phuket. Krabi's beaches attract both native Thai people and foreigners alike.

Ko Lanta National Park, also in Krabi Province, includes several coral-fringed islands with well-known diving sites.

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 drier months of October through April.

Kayaking, sailing, bird watching, snorkeling are also among top activities.

In the interior, two predominantly mainland national parks, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and Than Bokkhorani, offer inland scenic attractions including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking, bird watching, and eco-tours.

The rock faces at Railay Beach near Ao Nang have attracted climbers from all over the world and each year are the venue for the Rock and Fire Festival.

There are several rock climbing schools at Railay Beach. The rock is limestone and has characteristic pockets, overhangs and faces.

Railay has numerous multi-pitch areas most of which start from the beach itself. A famous example is Humanality. In addition, deep water soloing is popular on the numerous nearby rocky islands accessible by long-tail boat.

Cities In Krabi Province

- 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 or 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

Good Places Worth Visiting

- 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.

The best time to visit Krabi is from November to April when the area's climate is not as hot.

During this time 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 or 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.

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

Coming 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. Distances

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 or 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 under powered 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.

Sights And Sites in Krabi

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

- Talay-Wak or 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.

- 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 or Sramorakod. The Emerald Pool or Sramorakod 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 or 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 is 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.

- 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 long tail 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. 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 or ferry

Surat Thani, main land of tourist islands, wet forest and Srivijaya Empire. 3 hours by bus.

The Tiger Cave Temple, is a Buddhist temple northeast of Krabi, Thailand.

One of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the province, it is well known for the tiger paw prints in the cave, tall Buddha statues and the strenuous flight of stairs to reach the summit.

The foundation of the temple dates back when a Vipassana monk named Jumnean Seelasettho (Ajahn Jumnean) went to meditate in the cave.

During his meditation, he witnessed tigers roaming around the cave. This discovery led to naming the temple Wat Tham Suea.

Another legend says that an actual huge tiger used to live and roam the cave. The naming of the temple also comes to discoveries of a tiger paw prints on the cave walls, and also the bulge of the cave resembling a tiger's paw.

The surroundings of Wat Tham Suea consists of tropical rain forest including many old trees in the Kiriwong Valley.

There are many places to go, but the places to visit are the caves Tum Khon Than, Tum Lod, Tum Chang Kaeo, and Tum Luk.

Many Thanu ancient artifacts were found around the caves and temple grounds.

Mountains also cover most of the land around the Tham Sua region along with many other small caves that are not accessible to tourists.

In various parts of the temple, you can see human skeletons and decorated skulls.

The Tham Sua temple is a Thai Buddhist meditation center and also has places of archaeological and historical significance.

Examples of these historical attractions are stone tools, pottery shards, and molded Buddha footprints.

The temple has one stairway with 1,237 steps leading to the summit. Some of the stair risers are more than a foot (30 cm) high. The top of the stairs is 278 meters elevation.

Elsewhere on the compound, 184 steps lead to the foothills area where monks live in the caves. Monkeys roam the lower stairs and temple grounds.

Occasionally people are bitten and require hospital treatment. Do not tease the monkeys or get between the adults and young.

At the top of the mountain there is a large golden Buddha statue. This statue, other temple buildings, and much of Krabi town can be seen from shrine at the top of the stairs.




Tourism Observer

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.

MYANMAR: Black Box From Crashed Plane Recovered

A Myanmar ship has retrieved the black box of a plane that crashed into the Andaman Sea with 122 people on board, the army said Sunday, raising hopes of discovering the cause of the tragedy.

The military aircraft plunged into the sea during a routine flight from the southern city of Myeik to Yangon on June 7.

Most of its passengers were the wives and children of servicemen.

Navy vessels and fishing trawlers have so far recovered 92 bodies plus some pieces of plane debris from off the coast of the southern town of Dawei.

Last week a fishing boat snagged a piece of the Shaanxi Y8's tail.

On Sunday Myanmar's army chief said the black box, which consists of a digital flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, had been brought aboard a military vessel.

The part of the tail of the Y-8 plane, which included the Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder, was successfully put on a ship in the afternoon, the office of the army chief said in a Facebook post, alongside photos of the bright orange recording units.

After finding that part of the plane, we are now in the process of finding out why the plane crash happened, the statement added.

It did not say how long it might take to decipher the black box data, a process that can take days or even weeks.

There has been no official explanation for the cause of the crash.

The Chinese-made aircraft was less than two years old and had only flown some 800 hours, according to the military.

Experts say black boxes explain the causes of nearly 90 percent of plane crashes.

MYANMAR: More Bodies And A tyre Found In The Andaman Sea

The Myanmar army on Thursday said that 10 bodies had been removed out of the Andaman Sea after a military plane with 120 on board crashed on Wednesday. The corpses retrieved included five children, Myanmar’s Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hling’s office said.

However, a local police official said the number of bodies recovered was 20. He said bodies were still being brought to the shores nearby.

Luggage, safety jackets and a tyre presumed to be from the aircraft’s wheel were also found during operations on Thursday morning.

The Chinese-made plane had crashed on Wednesday in the waters off Launglon, near the city of Dawei in Myanmar.

Navy ships and air force planes have been engaged in rescue operations since late Wednesday afternoon, when the plane disappeared during a routine flight from the southern city of Myeik to the commercial hub of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar.

The plane was flying between the southern city of Myeik and Yangon at more than 18,000 feet when it went missing. More than half the passengers were from military families, including 15 children, 35 soldiers and 14 crew members, the army chief’s office said in a statement.

The military on Thursday said the pilot was Lieutenant Colonel Nyein Chan, who had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience.

The reason for the plane crash is not yet known.

Myanmar has had several plane crashes in the past years. In February 2016, the crew of an air force plane died when the aircraft crashed in Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s capital.

In June, three officers were killed when a military helicopter crashed in central Myanmar. An Air Bagan commercial aircraft made an emergency landing in 2012 and burst into flames, killing two people.

MYANMAR: Military Plane With 100 Passengers Goes Missing

A Myanmar military plane carrying 104 people went missing on Wednesday over the Andaman Sea, sparking an air and sea search.

"Communication was lost suddenly at about 1:35 pm (07:05 GMT) when it reached about 20 miles west of Dawei town," the office of military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing said in a statement.

Four naval ships and two air force planes have been sent to search for the plane, which was flying between the southern city of Myeik and Yangon at more than 18,000 feet when it went missing.

Dawei is a port town an hour's flight south of Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital.

The office said 90 passengers -- servicemen from Myeik air force command and family members -- were on board as well as 14 crew members.

It said the plane was delivered in March last year and had 809 flying hours.

"We think it was a technical failure. Weather is fine there," an airport source said, asking not to be named, adding there was no news of the plane so far.

Myanmar's military fleet has a chequered recent history of plane crashes.

All five crew died when an air force plane burst into flames soon after taking off from the capital Naypyidaw in February last year.

Three army officers were killed in June when their Mi-2 helicopter crashed into a hillside and burst into flames in south-central Bago.

The missing plane is a Y-8F-200 four-engine turboprop, a Chinese-made model still commonly used by Myanmar's military for transporting cargo.

The former military junta bought many of the aircraft from Myanmar's giant neighbour during their 50 years of isolated rule, when they were squeezed by Western sanctions.

A former executive at Myanmar's aviation ministry said it was one of China's most popular military and civilian transport aircraft.

A surge in demand for air travel as Myanmar opens up has stretched the impoverished country's aviation infrastructure, in particular in remote airports.

Commercial jets have also suffered frequent incidents.

The worst in recent years was in 2012 when an Air Bagan jet crash-landed in thick fog and burst into flames short of the runway at Heho airport, killing one passenger and a motorcyclist on the ground.

THAILAND:Government Approves Proposed Coal-fired Plant On The Andaman Sea

A government committee has approved construction of an 800-megawatt coal power plant near pristine beaches on the Andaman Sea, Thailand's prime minister said Friday.

The plant and an accompanying dock are slated to be built next to an existing oil plant on the coast in Krabi, a province whose sandy shores, aqua-blue waters, and soaring limestone cliffs that plunge dramatically into the Andaman Sea make it a world-famous tourist destination.

The announcement by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha that the National Energy Policy Committee has given the go-ahead to the project was criticized by activists who worry the plant will pollute local waters and spoil scenery. They say it will damage tourism and fishing, and that eco-friendly alternatives should be considered instead.

The Energy Ministry says southern Thailand's power grid falls hundreds of megawatts short during peak demand, requiring electrical backup from Malaysia or provinces further north. But environmentalists argued in a report submitted to the ministry last year that biomass, wind, or other renewable energy sources could make up the shortfall.

The proposal will be reviewed to meet environmental standards before being forwarded to the Cabinet. Prayuth, who heads a military government, chaired the committee and in announcing its approval said the project was necessary to avoid future shortages and was safe.

Several hundred demonstrators traveled overnight from Krabi to stage a sit-in at the gates outside the prime minister's office compound, waving green flags emblazoned with "NO COAL" under skulls and crossbones. Some scuffled with police guards after the decision was announced.

"It's not right," Akradej Chakjinda, leader of activist group Save Krabi, said of the decision. "He's not listening to the local people. He's listening just to members of the energy ministry, to his friends."

Activists say the plant and its pollution will wreck Krabi's tourist trade and hurt fishermen, damaging two of the largest industries in the province. Tourism made up 17.7 percent of Thailand's economy in 2016, according to official statistics.

"Krabi is very famous for its nature, people come for nature, but now you destroy nature." said Ponwarin Kanantai, 20, a college student whose parents run a hotel in a beachside town in Krabi. "It's not our generation — you have think of the next generation, how will they be impacted by coal."

Officials say the plant will adhere to high cleanliness standards and will burn premium-grade coal imported from Australia to cut down on emissions. They point out it will be built next to an already-existing power station hidden behind trees — not, they say, on pristine grounds.