Krabi – the town

22 July 2010

Krabi, the capital of the province, is an unostentatious fishing town of moderate size, a great accommodation base and a vital road hub connecting the surrounding resorts, islands and beaches.

Thailand | Traditional long boats at Krabi (by gazzaladra )

Town life

This picturesque settlement stretches along the western bank of the Krabi River. The eastern part of the town is surrounded by a splendid mangrove forest, which, for the local inhabitants, is a source of leaves, bark and fruit used in traditional medicines. The town creates the feeling of a refuge from the crazy pace of the modern world. You are sure to have an agreeable time walking along the banks of the river and sampling freshly - prepared food from street-side stalls.

Festivals

The streets of this usually quiet town liven up as October turns into November, when the Andaman Festival heralds the start of the tourist season on Thailand’s western coast. Grand celebrations, full of parties, parades, outdoor concerts and fishing tournaments can go on for days.

Trips

The town is a great base for exploring the picturesque corners of the province. Highly-organised travel agencies offer tours, inclusive of board and accommodation, lasting for one or more days. The long boats - which are in themselves an interesting tourist attraction - will comfortably take you to the nearby Railae beach or the Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta islands.

Thailand | From the harbour at the nearby Ao Nang beach you are within easy reach of the most beautiful nooks in the Krabi province (by © VascoPlanet.com)

Ancient curios

Some archaeological sources indicate that the town of Krabi is one of the oldest settlements in the country. The region was probably inhabited by homo sapiens in pre-historical times (approx. 25 – 35 thousand years ago.) The evidence is in the stone tools, and the pre-historical paintings, beads, ceramics, fossils and skeletons found in the caves and among the rocks.

At the outset of its existence, Krabi was under the jurisdiction of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, as one of its dependencies. It was around 1875 that King Rama V elevated it to the status of a province, with its own administration.

Khao Khanap Nam’s twin peaks

Khao Khanap Nam, two soaring 100-metre-high rocks, with the Krabi River in between, are the symbol of the province’s capital. Inside the rocks, there are magnificent caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. This miracle of nature is located only 15 minutes from the main pier in the town – Chao Fah Pier. You can get there by renting a long boat.

Thailand | Krabi is a quiet fishing town (by zhaffsky )