 Krabi / Phi Phi Island Travel Guide
Krabi is located some 800 km from Bangkok with an area of
4,708 square km. To the west it borders on the Andaman Sea
where countless natural attractions abound, including white,
sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous islands,
verdant forest, interesting archaeological remains, caves
and waterfalls. The province and surrounding area, has to be
one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Its beaches,
have at various points in time been voted ‘the BEST in the
world’, Cosmopolitan magazine was one of these as far back
as the early 80’s. Nothing much has changed other than there
being a lot more accommodation available and ‘first world’
fantasies, supermarket type stores, restaurants and the
like, now dot its many shores.
Its provincial capital and
namesake has been constructed on the banks of the Krabi
River not far from its mouth that languidly flows out into
the Andaman Sea. The surrounding landscape is dotted with
tall limestone outcrops, pocketed with caverns and topped
with thick jungle. This features prominently particularly in
the northern and central parts of the province. The
shoreline alternates between limestone outcrops that are
riddled with caves and bays of fine white sand that are
gently washed by the turquoise waters of the Andaman. Krabi
town itself plays an important role as the ferry embarkation
point for islands such as Ko Lanta to the south, Koh Phi Phi
to the southwest and the beaches around Ao Nang to the west.
These islands belong to the Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park
and are easily accessible from Krabi itself as mentioned or
from Phuket, by boat.
The town takes its name from a sword,
or krabi, allegedly discovered nearby. In former times the
economy of the area was based solely on fishing and
agriculture, now the tourist industry is it’s main income
source. The many caves and “hongs” (mountain rooms open to
the sky) in the province often reveal secrets such as the
evidence of human habitation from over 43,000 years ago.
:: Krabi / Phi Phi Island Hotels & Accommodation |
