Krabi with its national and marine parks provides a wealth of
unspoilt natural beauty. Their status as national parks assures
that in the future Krabi will retain this invaluable resource
unlike Phuket and Samuii where unrestrained and unplanned development
have year on year reduced the areas of natural beauty.
At the very heart of Krabi is Ao Nang, with one of the best beaches
and its wealth of restaurants and entertainment spots it means
that everything you could want to do is within a mere few minutes.
A host of bars and restaurants are easily within walking distance
and only a few more minutes walking will get you to the beach.
One of the weekday markets is only 5 minutes walk away, here
you can buy from a vast selection of exotic fruits, vegetables
and ready made, mouth-watering snacks or just wander through the
vibrant crowds and take in the atmosphere. It’s a friendly
place and you’ll soon know be on first name terms with everyone.
Krabi has an abundance of activities including Canoing, diving,
rock climbing, trekking, golfing. Krabi is also tipped to become
one of Asia’s sailing centres with its spectacular and diverse
coastline and thousands of inhabited and uninhabited Islands in
the idyllic Andaman.
With so many Islands easily within 30 minutes boat ride, it is
simple to arrange a memorable days outing at a moments notice.
Lifestyle
Wake up to the sight of sunshine bursting through the window
and the sound of tropical birds chattering away in your own lushly
landscaped garden. With no need to dress, enjoy a coffee on your
terrace and read the international newspapers or maybe just sip
a fresh pineapple juice and contemplate your day.
If feeling energetic you may decide to take a longtail boat to
one of the thousand sand and palm fringed Islands clustered along
the coast, take your snorkel and a picnic and enjoy the day floating
above the unspoilt coral admiring the multitude of tropical fish.
… or maybe a blissful cycle ride in the cool shade of the
rubber and palm plantations minutes away from your house, getting
pleasantly lost for a few hours.
… or a day marvelling at the abundance of nature, kayaking
through dense mangroves.
… or perhaps you’ll decide to spend the day at one
of the many cookery schools learning to make the perfect green
Thai curry.
And maybe this evening, invite a few friends, have a couple of
cocktails and throw a few locally caught mega sized prawns on
the bbq…
The choices are endless, but whether you decide on one of these
or just to spend the day with the latest bestseller on a lounger
in your garden, its going to be another glorious day. This is
reality and fantasy rolled into one.
Krabi as a Tourist Destination
Krabi has in recent years become a world class tourist destination. To attract tourists Krabi has worked hard on the 3 A’s: Airport, Accommodation and Attractions.
Airport
The new airport has been upgraded to take international flights and the facilities and design have really made Krabi an accessible and convenient place to visit. Krabi Airport is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Ao Nang meaning that you can travel from Bangkok Airport and be in your Hotel in about 2 hours. There is also plenty of room for expansion, International carriers already offer direct flights from Europe, Singapore, and Malaysia to Krabi.
Accomodation
Over the last few years Krabi has welcomed many of the large high quality hotel chains. There are now Amari, Sofitel, Sheraton hotels as well as many other at every price level. The total number of rooms has multiplied exponentially over the last few years but thanks to it’s status as National Park most of the construction has been sensibly managed with strict rules to prevent any encroachment onto its natural beauty spots.
Attractions
Undoubtedly the Andaman coastline is Krabi’s greatest attraction. The dramatic Karst topography makes it totally unique and the Islands, beaches and sheer variety of natural resources make it one of the world’s must-see locations.
On top of all this, there are a wealth of activities available from Kayaking, fishing, scuba diving and rock climbing to Thai cooking schools, golf and sailing. New attractions and tours are appearing all the time, the latest addition being Krabi’s new Gokart track. There many opportunities to provide new facilities for the ever growing number of visitors.
Facilities for Expatriates
To cater for the influx of tourists there has also been a massive growth in residents both local and foreign. There are now businesses providing every service from import of foreign specialist food and drink to English speaking doctors and dentists. The latest major development is Krabi’s own International Hospital. This facility will be of International standard and will have 120 beds. The hospital building is nearly finished and it is expected to be opening early in 2012. Whereas five years ago expatriates would expect to have to travel for Phuket regularly for many of these services, now they are close at hand. These new facilities are attracting a constant inflow of new supporting businesses, residents and businesses. Krabi is growing and it doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon.
Ao Nang
Originally a small fishing village Ao Nang has become the tourist centre of the province, with one of the best beaches and its wealth of restaurants and entertainment spots it means that everything you could want to do is within a mere few minutes. A host of bars and restaurants are easily within walking distance and only a few more minutes.
Krabi Market
A huge selection of foods makes Krabi morning market an amazing experience. The range of seafood and fish on offer along with fruit and vegetables of every description makes this a great place to start the day. Coffee and delicious ready made dishes are also available if you really want to sit and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. The market starts at around 2 in the morning and winds up at about 11. The earlier you get there the livelier it is as everyone rushes to get the pick of the catch. Shopping for the evenings barbecue will never be more fun.
Phenom Bencha National Park
From Palm Valley its only a short trip though local roads to Phenom Bencha National Park. The park feels like a well kept secret, often even in high season you can wander around the pathways without seeing another person. The park is kept very well maintained with pathways lined with jungle. Towering trees, hanging vines and dense foliage provide a home for hundreds of animal species that you may be lucky to see, monkeys, birds and insects proved the soundtrack.
Ko Pi Pi
The jewel of the Andaman, this Island is rightly considered one of the world’s most beautiful places. Perfect palm fringed white sand beaches, untouched coral reefs and the limestone mountains make this a tourist mecca. The diving is unparalleled, even snorkeling in the crystal clear water over the coral reefs is spectacular. Despite it’s popularity Pi Pi has managed to maintain it’s friendly fishing village identity. Accomodation ranges from budget to the highest rated 5 star. The Island is a boat ride away from Krabi, speedboats take about 30 minutes and the ferry about 2 hours.
Hong Island
Within the Ao Nang bay itself there are several small Islands with idyllic beaches. There is no accommodation on these Islands and as they are all within the National Park they are perfectly maintained and development is banned. Around these Islands there is a wealth of marine life to rival anywhere. If you just want to rest and soak up some sun you are bound to be able to find the perfect spot to lie down with the warm water lapping at your feet. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous several Diving companies operate within Ao Nang providing services to experts and beginners.
Activities
Krabi has an abundance of activities including Canoing, diving, rock climbing, trekking, golfing. Krabi is also tipped to become one of Asia’s sailing centres with its spectacular and diverse coastline and thousands of inhabited and uninhabited Islands in the idyllic Andaman.
With so many Islands easily within 30 minutes boat ride, it is simple to arrange a memorable days outing at a moments notice. |
