Krabi

Kitti Suk; 9-11 Si Phang Nga Rd

Tel 61-1087, 61-1466
18 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-160 (f, ac)

Naowarat; 403 Uttarakit Rd

Tel 61-1581 to 4

58 rooms, sgl/dbl 200-280 (f, ac)

New Hotel; 9-11 Phattana Rd, Tel 61-1541

12 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-140 (f, ac)

Thai Hotel; 7 Issara Rd

Tel 61-1122, 61-1474 to 5

108 rooms, sgl/dbl 200-600 (ac)

Wiang Thong; 155-7 Uttarakit Rd

Tel 61-1188, 61-1288

154 rooms, sgl/dbl 140-800 (f, ac)

Phra Nang Beach Area

Krabi Resort; Mu 2 Tambon Ao Nang

Tel 61-2160, 61-1389, 61-1915

40 rooms, sgl/dbl 1,000-3,500 (ac)

45 Bungalows 500-600 (f, ac)

Bkk Resv Tel 251-8094, 255-3470

Tlx 67201 TH SRIPONG

Andaman Inn; 15 rooms, sgl/dbl 150 (f)

Ao Nang Beach Bungalow; 13 rooms, sgl/dbl 60 (f)

Ao Nang Villa; 47 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-250 (f, ac)

Phra Nang Inn; 60 rooms, sgl/dbl 150 (f)

Phra Nang Place; 60 rooms, sgl/dbl 150-250 (f, ac)

Princess Bungalow; 14 rooms, sgl/dbl 45-150 (f)

Jam Island, Sri Boya Island

Jam Island Resort; 35km (22mi) from Krabi

Tel 61-1541; 40 rooms, sgl/dbl 50-200 (f)

Thap Chao Ko; 10 rooms, sgl/dbl 50 (f)

Places of Interest

Susan Hoi

Susan Hoi (Shell Cemetery Beach) is at Bam Laem Pho Cape, some 17km (11mi) southwest of the town of Krabi. Petrified seashells, some 75 million years old, form rock slabs along the beach. There is a large Chinese temple near the Shell Cemetery.

Approximately 5km (3mi) from Susan Hoi is the long white sandy beach of Ao Phra Nang (Phra Nang Bay). A small cave of the same name is near. Phra Nang Bay has good accommodations (see above).

Some 2km (1.25mi) from Ao Phra Nang, this scenic beach is lined with trees. A rocky island, about 1km (0.6mi) from the mainland, can be reached on foot at low tide. Minibuses run regularly from Krabi market to Hat Noppharat. The fare is approximately 20 Baht.

The mount has a cave with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. One can get there by renting a boat at the pier in the town of Krabi.

Than Bok Khorani is a nature reservation supporting hundreds of birds and an exceptionally fine place for bird-watchers. The peaceful atmosphere also makes it a good spot for relaxation, picnics, swimming etc. The reservation is some 45km (28mi) from the town of Krabi.

Transportation

Bangkok - Krabi

Buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal on Pinklao - Nakhon Chaisi Road (in Thonburi); 867km, non-aircon old route 161 Baht, 18:00, 21:30, new route 152 Baht, 19:00, 20:30; aircon 290 Baht, 18:00, 19:00, 19:50, 20:30, 21:30; VIP 425, 18:00, 18:30

Ao Luk is a small town in Krabi Province, some 45km (28mi) north of the town of Krabi on the highway to Phrang Nga.

Accommodation

Thai Wiwat; 40/1-2 Mu 2, Tambon Ao Luk Tai

26 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)

Places of Interest

Caves

There are various caves worth visiting along Highway 4 (the route from Ao Luk to the town of Krabi). These include Sua Cave, about 3km (2mi) from the Provincial Scout Camp, which is a meditation place of Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Monastery); Tham Sadet is another cave, 1km (0.6mi) off Km marker 113 on Highway 4.

Tham Lod and Tham Phi Hua To

These two are, according to the Thai Tourist Authority "virgin caves". They can be reached only by 15 minute boat rides from Tao Than village near Ao Luk.

The two islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, lie some 30km (19mi) off the Krabi coast. The one which is the common tourist destination is Phi Phi Don; Phi Phi Le is basically uninhabited though it’s often visited by people stying on Phi Phi Don. The superb scenery of Phi Phi Don includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by beaches of silvery sand and an emerald green sea, banks of coral reefs and colorful marine life unrivaled in the area.

Accommodation

Phi Phi Don Island offers a wide range of accommodation from luxury resorts to small cottages.

Phi Phi Island Village; 60 rooms, sgl/dbl 850-1,000

Phuket office: 24-9 Thalang Rd

Tel (076) 21-5014

Bkk Resv Tel 271-1417, 271-4811 to 2

Tlx 72-256 ALPHAK TH

P.P. International Resort; 1,300-9,000

Phuket office: 54/3 Montri Rd

Tel (076) 21-4297, 21-4301

Bkk Resv Tel 250-0768, 252-5190

Tlx 72-6H SONGBKK TH

P.P. Island Cabana; 112 rooms, sgl/dbl 500-1,100

Krabi office: Tel 61-1496, 61-2196

Bkk Resv Tel 252-5190, 252-9654

Andaman; 40 rooms, sgl/dbl 50-180

Cift Bungalow; 15 rooms, sgl/dbl 50-70

Long Beach; 20 rooms, sgl/dbl 60

Phi Phi Krabi Resort; 50 rooms, sgl/dbl 300-500

Phi Phi Paradise Pearl; 40 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250

P.P. Resort; 15 rooms, sgl/dbl 100

Vikings Village; 20 rooms, sgl/dbl 60

Places of Interest

The Viking Cave

This is a large cave full of birds’ nests with the cave mouth right at sea level. Ancient color paintings appear on one part of the cave wall with depictions very much resembling the long boats of the Vikings, thus giving the cave its exotic name. Permission to enter the cave must first be sought from representatives of the company that owns the franchise to gather the birds’ nests. Harvest of the nests is usually from February to April.

Bays of Phi Phi Le

Phi Le Bay and Loh Sah Ma Bay are like inland seas with narrow openings and clear water suitable for scuba diving. Mayah Bay in the west of Phi Phi Leh is dominated by a high cliff and has a white sandy beach.

People keen on diving and seeing the sub-marine sights can rent scuba gear and air tanks as well as special boats to take them to various spots. For detailed information on diving in the Andaman Sea around Phuket, see the chapter Sports on/around Phuket.

Transportation

From the Chao Fa wharf of Krabi Province, a large and well equipped tourist boat owned by the Phi Phi Travel Marine Company makes the trip to Phi Phi Island in 2 to 3 hours. Fare is 200 Baht.

201/1-4 Uttarakit Road, Krabi

Tel (075) 61-1496, (075) 61-1295

Songserm Travel Center, Tel Bkk 250-0768, 252-5190 and Tel Krabi (075) 61-1188, 61-1288 offers arrangements on express boats between Krabi, Phi Phi Island and Phuket.

Ko Lanta is a fairly large island closer to the coast than the two Phi Phi islands. It attracts visitors who want a quiet holiday among local fishermen and at unspoilt beaches. Accommodations are mostly small bungalows and tents. To get to the island takes about 40 minutes by boat from Bo Muang wharf near Klong Thom, 60km (38mi) from Krabi.

Koh Hai Village; Krabi Office: Wiang Thong Hotel

155-157 Uttarakit Rd, Tel 61-1188
Trang Office: 145 Huey Yod Rd; Tel (075) 21-8674