Krabi

City

Khao Khanap Nam

Khao Khanap Nam, you can see further down from the pier to Phi Phi Island.100 m high hills rising from the water, is regarded as the symbol of Krabi. It sits before the city and can be visited by long tail boat from Chao Fa Pier. Travel time is about 15 minutes. From the boat, one climbs a staircase to see caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Many human skeletons have been found in the area. It is theorized they are the remains of immigrants who became stranded and died after a sudden flood.

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Tham Sue or "Tiger Cave"

is located about 3 kms from Krabi Town. Inside the cave there are what appear to be tiger paw prints in the stone. The surrounding area is covered with large trees hundreds of years old, particularly in the Khiriwong Valley. Mountains are on all sides and there are smaller caves in great number. Aside from being the site of a meditation center, it is also a place of archaeological and historical interest. Stone tools, pottery remains, and the mold for making Buddha footprints have been found in excavations.

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Tham Sadet

is located at Ban Nong Kok, Tambon Sai Thai, 7 kms from the town on Highway No.4034. It is a beautiful cave with stalactites and stalagmites. In 1909 the future King Rama VI visited the cave here, earning it the title "Sadet" indicating the presence of royalty.

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Sa Kaeo

composed of eight small natural swamps in a vast valley of Tambon Khao Thong. This forms part of a park which is being turned into recreational area. Sa Kaeo is accessible by the Krabi-Nai Sa route (Highway No.4034), a distance of 28 kms.

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Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park

This marine national park covers the coastal area and other off-shore islands within the district territory of Amphoe Muang. With white, clean stretches of beach and scenic coral reefs, it also offers numerous natural attractions such as the Hat Noppharat Thara beach, Hat Ao Nang beach, the Susan Hoi or Fossil Shell beach, the Phi-Phi island group and the Po Da island.

Hat Noppharat Thara

Ko Khai, good for divingAbout 18 kms from Krabi town along Nai Muang-Nai Sa Road, is a scenic beach lined with casuarina trees which extend for several kilometres. A rocky island, about 1 km from the mainland, can be reached by foot at low tide. Minibuses leave the town to the beach daily from 6.00-17.00 hrs.

Accommodation at the beach is available. Reservations should be made in advance at the Forestry Department, Tel. 5790529, 5794842.

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Fossil Shell Beach

Fossil Shell, aging over 40 million yearsis located at Ban Laem Pho, 17 kms from downtown Krabi along the route to Hat Noppharat Thara. Long ago this was a freshwater marsh populated by clams and other bi-valves, chiefly little two centimeters long "Hoi Khom" or pond snails, which grouped and multiplied in such numbers that the dead formed a floor for the living. This process, repeated over eons, led to the creation of layer of fossils about 40 cms thick, called shelly limestone. Scientific test have established that the age of these fossils is about 40 million years. Minibuses leave the town for the Fossil Shell Beach daily from 6.00-17.00 hrs.

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Ao Nang

Ao Nang, sunsetis situated 6 kms south of Hat Noppharat Thara next to a road that runs parallel to the coastline. A scenic bay, its white sandy beach stretches to the foot of a conspicuously prominent limestone range. Accommodation is available along the the beachfront. Other facilties include diving shops, boats for rent a sight-seeing by canoe.

From Ao Nang bay, tourists may hire boats to visit nearby attractions such as Hat Rai Le, Tham Phra Nang, Sa Phranang located on land to the east of Ao Nang, as well as other off-shore isles of Poda, Tap and Mo.

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Mu Ko Phi Phi (Phi-Phi Islands)

are located at an equal distance from both Krabi and Phuket, about 40 kms. Made up of six small and large isles, the main features are sheer limestone cliff and rock. Some offer beautiful beach and coral reefs. The best time for a visit is between November and April.

Attractive isles in the group include:-

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Ko Phi Phi Don

is home to fishermen and Thai Moslems. Located about 2 kms from Ko Phi Phi Le. This island has a total area of 28 sq.m. An outstanding attraction here is Ao Ton Sai, a vast bay with a curving white sandy beach stretching to a mountain range which reaches into the sea. The clear waters are prefect for swimming. There is also a pier on the beach where visitors can easily get on a get off a boat On the other side, a fishing village is located at Laem Tong, an area renowned for its underwater natural beauty. Coral reefs can be found on both sides of the island.

Tourists who wish to dive or hire a boat are suggested to contact tour operators on the island. Most are situated in Ao Ton Sai area.

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Ko Yung

lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side; a small beach in a fold of the hill; and perfectly preserved coral gardens.

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Ko Phai


lies to the north Phi Phi Don, and not very far from Ko Yung. There are loverly beaches on the north and east sides, and coral gardens spreading to the south.

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Ko Phi Phi Le

an island of steep cliffs, covers a total area of 6.6 sq.m. A small bay called "Pi Le" reaches into a valley and gives a lake-like scenery. This part of the sea is almost encircled by steep cliffs. The waters are still, clear, and deep. To the south of Pi Le, is a small bay which hides in a fold of a steep rock. This is called "Lo Sa Ma". Another attraction is Tham Viking, a huge, vast, and airy cave which is home to a large number of swallows. On the cave walls are ancient paintaings of sailing sips similar to those used by ancient Vikings. Near the entrance, there is a spectacular collection of stalagmites and stalactites.

In 1972 Tham Viking was renamed Tham Phaya Nak or The Great Serpent Cave by H.M. the king because of a serpent like rock inside.

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Travel to Ko Phi Phi

Ko Phi Phi can be reached by boat either from Krabi or Phuket. In downtown Krabi tourists can take a boat at Chaofa pier. The boat leaves for Ko Phi Phi daily. Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents in the town. It takes about 2 and a half hours for the journey. The fare is about 150 baht per person. Regular boats from Ao Nang to Ko Phi Phi are also available.