Attractions

Krabi, known as the ‘Emerald of Andaman’ is a relatively untouched and serene paradise, overlooking the Phang Nga Bay. It is famous for its white sandy beaches and numerous small islands dotting its waters. The world-famous Phi Phi Island is one among them. Krabi is blessed with sunshine throughout the year, which draws in tourists even during monsoons.

Emerald Pool

This is a hot spring with emerald-turquoise-colored water, depending on the time of the day. In the early morning, the watercolor is emerald. There is an admission fee of 20 baht to see the pool and it is open for visitors all through the year. To reach here, start on Highway no. 4 to Khlong Thom district and then take the Route no. 4038 to Lam Hap sub-district. There are adequate signboards giving directions along the way. The source of Emerald Pool is a warm stream that flows through Khao Nor Juji, which is said to be Thailand’s only virgin forest.

Hin Daeng

This open under-water reef in the Andaman Sea is a hub of exquisite corals, which makes it the perfect diving location. However, this area poses threat to ships passing by.

Hot Springs

Located close to Emerald Pool, this waterfall lies in a forest with many hot springs and cool streams flowing around it. They mix and fall down the slope to form a scenic waterfall. The temperature of water is between 40 to 50?C. Reaching this waterfall is not so easy. From Amphoe Khlong Thom, one should travel 45 kms. and then along the Sukhaphiban 2 Road for another 12 kms. Admission fee is 10 baht. Early mornings and evenings are the best time to visit this waterfall.

Huay Toh Waterfall

This waterfall is located close to the Park office. It flows into 11 pools, each with a name like Wang Chan, Wang Thewada and Wang Sok. There is another waterfall located about 1 km. from the Park office. It falls from a tall cliff, Namtok Huai Sa-de, in three stages. Another activity in the area is scaling the 1397m-high Phanom Bencha Mountain. Trekkers take approximately three days to complete this and they get to see numerous waterfalls, streams and caves. The breath-taking scenery is an added attraction.

Khao Khanap Nam

This is a set of two mountains located at the entrance to Krabi Town. They are about 100m tall and in the middle is Maenam Krabi. These mountains are regarded as the symbols of Krabi. The mountains have many intriguing caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites formations. These caves are definitely worth exploring. Also discovered from here are human skeletal remains. These are supposed to be the remains of the early settlers of Kanab Nam, who were stranded here due to floods. A 15-minute boat ride from Chao Fa Pier in a long-tail boat will take you near the mountains. For 300 baht, boats are available for rent for a trip that will cover Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove forests and Ko Klang fishing village.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

The National Park is spread over 50 sq.kms. and includes parts of Amphoe Ao Luk, Amphoe Khao Phanom, and Amphoe Mueang. It is located 20 kilometers away from Krabi, along the Talat Kao-Ban Huai To Road. The Park area has high peaks covered with verdant green forests. An admission fee of 200 baht is charged per person. For camping, tents are available for rent @ 50 baht per person a day. For more information, the Park headquarters may be contacted. Address: P.O. Box 26, Amphoe Mueng, Krabi – 81000, Telephone: 0-7662-9013.

Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is located at a distance of 18 kms. from Amphoe Khlong Thom, at a place called Ban Bang Tiao. The highlight of the place is the 2.7km long nature trail, which takes the visitors through Emerald Pool, low-lying forests and wide variety of flora and fauna. This is home to many exotic birds and plants. Some of the rare birds seen here are Black Hornbill, Gurney’s Pitta and Rufus-colored Kingfisher. Camping is allowed on the premises, but tents are not available for rent.

Mu Koh Lanta National Park

The Park is spread over 152 sq.kms. and includes some islands like Koh Ha, Koh Rok and Koh Hai. The Park Headquarters and office are located at Koh Lanta Yai, the main island among the group. From Krabi, there is daily boat to Koh Lanta, which takes 2.5 hours. Koh Lanta has rough terrain with mountains and gravel-filled beaches. It is ideal to visit the island during the months of November to April. The main attraction here for the tourists is the coral reefs surrounding many islands in the group. Address: No.5, Tambon Ko Lanta Yai, Amphoe Ko Lanta, Krabi - 81150, Telephone: 0-7562-9018-9.

Nopparat Thara Beach - Phi Phi Islands National Park

The Park includes Tambon Ao Nang, Tambon Nong Talay, Tambon Sai Thai, and Tambon Park Nam. Some of the tourist attractions here are,

Nopparat Thara Beach

The locals used to call this beach Haht Klong Haeng, which means Dry Stream Beach, because during low tide, the beach dries up and entire area becomes an extra-long beach up to Koh Kao Pak Klong Island. Accommodation facilities are available in the beach area. Address: Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, P.O. Box 23, Muang district, Krabi - 81000, Telephone: 075-637463. The Royal Forestry Dept., Telephone: 02-5790529.

Phi Phi Islands

The island used to be known as Pulao Pi ah Pi, which is derived from Malay. It gradually developed into its present form of Phi Phi, though the letter ’h’ is silent in both the ‘Phi’s. The place got this name due to the mangrove forests present here in abundance. The Phi Phi Island is a group of six islands covering an area of 35 sq. kms. They are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai (Bamboo Island). These islands are part of the National Park set up in 1983. The tourist attractions here are,

Susan Hoi or Fossil Shell Beach

This beach located at Ban Laem Pho used to a fresh water swamp, inhabited by various species of mollusks. Now, there is a slab here with innumerable number of mollusks fossilized in it. It is estimated that the slab is 40 million years old. Changes on Earth’s surface lead to seawater submerging the swamp, which resulted in the formation of the fossilized mollusk shells almost 40 cms. thick known as the Shelly Limestone. Due to natural disturbances, the limestone slab broke up into large sheets and is now spread along the seashore. This beach is 17 kms. away from Krabi Town.
Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam

This is a canal with pristine water. It is known as Tha Pom or Tat Pom or Klong Song Nam (meaning canal with two waters). This canal is located 34 kms. from the Krabi Town.

Thale Waek (Separated Sea)

Thale Waek is located along Ko Dam Khwan and is one of Thailand’s well-hidden treasures. During low tide, the sea here gets separated by a strip of white sand and limestone formations. This strip will connect the two islands located on either side. Visit Thale Waek around full moon during the months of December to May to watch this wonder. To reach here, from city take the Highway no. 4034 and then Highway no. 4202 to Ao Nang.

Tham Khao Phueng (Bee’s Cave)

Located barely at a distance of 3 kms. from the Park office, this is a group of five caves. The highlight here is the presence of shining white walls and innumerable stalactites and stalagmites of shapes similar to pagodas and mushrooms.

Tham Lot Nuea and Tham Lot Tai

These two caves can be reached by taking a 15-minute boat ride along the Tha Prang Canal. Tham Lot Tai lies right next to a mangrove swamp under a limestone hill. The cave has streams flowing through its narrow crevices. A great many stalactites and stalagmites can be seen in the cave. Tham Lot Nuea is a bigger cave with lengthier passages. It is not reachable during high tide.

Tham Phet
The cave derives its name from the dazzling stone present in the cave, which sends brilliant reflections on the cave walls like diamond. In Thai, ‘Phet’ means diamond. There is an image of Lord Buddha located at the cave entrance. This cave is at a distance of 3 kms. from the Ao Luk Nua market intersection. Local guides are provided by the National Park office at Than Bok Khorani to visit these caves.
Tham Phi Hua To
This cave located barely 500m from Tham Lot, is approachable only from Bo Tho Pier by boat. The cave lies in the Phi Hua To Mountain and is encircled by mangrove swamps. The cave has two paths inside to explore.

Tham Prah (Prah Cave)
This cave is located at a distance of 2 kms. from the district offices of Ao Luk. There is an ancient Buddhist statue inside the cave. Later on, two more statues were added to this and placed on either side. This cave is the headquarters of the Kao Phah Suhn Yah Tah Rahm Meditation Centre.

Tham Sadet
This beautiful cave got its name from the royal visit of King Rama VI in 1909. He was the Crown Prince at that time. In Thai ‘Sadet’ means visit. The cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites of every conceivable shape and size. The cave is located at Ban Nong Kok, at a distance of 7 kms. from town along Highway no. 4034.

Than Bok Khorani National Park
The National Park is spread over 37.5 rai in Tambon Ao Leuk. The Park headquarters is located on Ao Luk Sak road, a kilometer away from the Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market intersection. The Park has diverse vegetation with trees like Asoka, wild gardenia, and Apocynaceae. In the center, there is an emerald pond, Sa Bok Khorani, after which the Park is named. Visitors are allowed to swim in this pond. Near the north end of the pond there is an imprint of Lord Buddha’s foot displayed in wood and a shrine of Chao Pho To Yuan - To Chong. The Park has many limestone caves and lush green mangrove forests. There are many picturesque islands in the Park, which is accessible only by boat. An admission fee of 200 baht is charged per person. Camping is allowed in the Park, though tents are not available for hire.

Tung Tiao
This low-lying forest is one of the few ones in Southern Thailand. There is a nature trail starting about a kilometer away from Kao Nor Ju Ji Park Office, in the restricted hunting area of Kao Pra Bang Kram. The outer areas of the forest are now under development, while the core forest is still filled with old towering trees. The trail goes through a crystal clear pool before sloping upwards along the limestone mountain. Later it runs along a open region and returns back to the Park office. The forest has many rare fauna and flora close to extinction. The best example is the vividly colorful Pitta Gurney bird, which was thought to be extinct, but recently found in this forest area.

Wat Khlong Thom Museum
Most of the exhibits in this museum are the archeological findings at Khuan Luk Pat. The artifacts are said to be 5,000 years old and include bronze implements, metal coins, stone tools, ceramic, pottery, art works and colored beads. The museum is located in the premises of Wat Khlong Thom, on the Phetchakasem Highway (one kilometer from the district office).

Wat Tham Suea
Meaning ‘Tiger Cave Temple’, it derives its name from the stone imprint of a tiger’s paw in a cave in the premises. In addition, it has historical and archaeological significance, as it is site of many excavations. A meditation center operates in the compound. The temple is located in Khiriwong Valley, about 9 kms. from Krabi Town. Mountains and verdant forests with towering century-old trees surround the temple.