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Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.
Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.
Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 ฐC and 37 ฐC.
Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.
In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.
Origin of the name Krabi
There are two legends concerning the origin of the name "Krabi". The first is that villagers presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that was discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a smaller, on discovering a smaller one, it was also presented to the governor. Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in the province. As the process for the establishment of the province was still in progress, the swords were placed crossing each other in Khao Khanap Nam cave. Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part of the provincial seal.
The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived from the name of a local tree known as "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants mispronunciation of the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi" finally resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).
Emerald Pool
This hot spring originates from a warm stream in the lowland forest of Khao Nor Juji which is supposedly Thailand's last piece of virgin and fertile forest. The intensity of the pools turquoise colored water varies according to the light and time of the day so visitors determined to see the real emerald color should plan to visit at dawn or early in the morning. The pool, which can be visited all year round, charges and entrance fee of 20 baht. To get there, take Highway No. 4 to Khlong Thom District, then turn left to Route No. 4038 to Lam Hap Sub-district. The Emerald pool is located along the way, with clear signs posted.
Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Ban Bang Tiao, 18 kilometers from Amphoe Khlong Thom. Major attractions in this Sanctuary include a 2.7-kilometer nature trail through lowland forests, the Emerald Pool and a variety of natural habitats. The forest is home to rare birds like Gurney's Pitta, Rufus-colored Kingfisher, Black Hornbill, and various kinds of plants. Visitors are allowed to stay overnight but they have to bring their own tents.
Namtok Ron Khlong Thom (Hot shower waterfall)
The waterfall, located quite near to the Emerald pool, is in a shady forest area with numerous hot springs. The hot springs and cool streams converge on a slope to form lovely cascades of warm water with a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit is from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. To reach the waterfall visitors should travel 45 kilometers from town to Amphoe Khlong Thom, then take Sukhaphiban 2 Road for another 12 kilometers. The admission fee is 10 baht per person.
Ao Nang
Ao Nang is located approximately 6 kilometers from Hat Noppharat Thara and 20 kilometers from the town of Krabi. A large bay with scenic beaches and 83 small islands, Ao Nang has several famous beaches which include East Rai Le, West Rai Le and Tham Phra Nang (cave) which stretches to the foot of a prominent limestone range. A boat from Ao Nang Village can be hired for sightseeing excursions around Ao Nang, Hat Tham Phra Nang and Hat Nam Mao, all of which are only accessible by foot. Other offshore isles such as Ko Poda, Ko Kai, Ko Mo and Ko Thap, are popular destinations that can be reached by a rented boat from Ao Nang. An abundance of colorful coral reefs and lovely cartoon fishes make these islands ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Ao Nang has recently emerged as a 5-star tourist attraction due to its numerous 4-5 star hotels and boutique resorts complete with facilities such as diving shops and rental boats. Popular activities include sightseeing by canoe along the beachfront and paddling tours by inflatable canoes or kayaks of the coast and its mangrove forests, islands and semi-submerged caves.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking are two ways to enjoy the spectacular seascape, limestone cliffs and caves in Krabi's waters as these sports allow visitors to explore hidden offshore areas at a more leisurely pace. Canoeing and kayaking operators are available at Ao Nang.
Diving & Snorkeling
Like Phang-nga, Krabi offers a great opportunity for diving due to its numerous natural marine resources including over a hundred offshore islands. Dive shops around Rai Le and Ao Nang provide dive trips as well as rent diving and snorkeling gear such as mask/snorkel/fin at the rate of 150 baht/ set/ day (with a deposit of 500 baht).
The advantage of diving from Ao Nang is the nearby sites in the Poda Island group, where water visibility is better than that of the mainland, but not as good as Phi Phi. There are 15 dive sites off of Ao Nang, all reachable with a 20 to 60-minute boat ride. For experienced divers there is a 50-meter long cave at 5-12 meters depth at Yawabon Island behind Poda. The water visibility is at its best from November to April. Some Ao Nang dive shops close during low season, May to October, while some (Ao Nang Divers for instance) remain open all year long. Two local dives in the Poda/Yawasam group cost approximately 1,900 baht. Four-day PADI open water courses have risen to 10,000 baht. For more information contact either Seafan, Aquavision, Poseidon, Phra Nang, Stingray, Ao Nang Divers (in Krabi Seaview), or Coral Diving (Krabi Resort). Unlike Phi Phi, scuba dive operators in Ao Nang close from May to October.
Hat Rai Le (Rai Le Beach)
This beach is generally divided into two sections, east and west. West Rai Le provides visitors with peace and quiet as it is a broad sandy beach with fewer facilities than Ao Nang.
East Rai Le which lies across the peninsula from West Rai Le is different from other beaches in the area as it could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially during low tide. In addition to remarkable views and mangrove forests to the north of the beach, the main attraction for visitors to Hat Rai Le is the adrenaline pumping activity of cliff climbing. The limestone cliffs on the huge headland between Hat Rai La East and Tham Phra Nang, as well as other nearby islands provide world-class rock climbing facilities against a stunning backdrop of the sea with approximately 700 sport routes of mid to high difficulty ratings.
Khao Khanap Nam
Regarded as the symbol of Krabi, Khao Khanap Nam are two mountains that are roughly 100 meters tall, separated by Maenam Krabi and located at the entrance to Krabi city. Khao Khanap Nam has beautiful caves with amazing stalactites and stalagmites worth exploring. In addition to natural attractions, a large number of human skeletons have been found here. It is theorized that they are the remains of people who came and established a home at Kanab Nam, but were cut off by an inundation and quickly perished. The mountains can be reached by taking a 15-minute long tail boat ride from Chao Fa Pier. For visitors interested in a more extensive excursion, it is possible to tent a boat can be rented at 300 baht per trip to visit Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove forests and Ko Klang fishing village.
Useful tourist information on Bangkok can be obtained from the official website of the Bangkok Tourism Division | 
