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Krabi

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Krabi (กระบี่) is the provincial capital of Krabi Province, Thailand.

[edit] Understand

Krabi is a small city with a population of around 18,000. Located just upriver from the coast, it has no beaches and most visitors make a beeline for Had Yao, Ao Nang or Rai Leh (Railay). Nevertheless, Krabi is a relaxed place which is pleasant enough for travellers to spend a night or two and one can certainly better experience Thailand here than in Ao Nang or the other beach resorts.

[edit] Get in

Direct connections are by air, road and sea from other parts of Thailand.

[edit] By plane

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 10 km from the city limits, 15km from city centre. It is 40km from Ao Nang and 23km from Had Yao.

To/from Bangkok

  • Thai Airways [1], Air Asia [2] operate daily direct flights to/from Bangkok.

To/from Phuket

  • Destination Air Shuttle [3], Thailand's only Seaplane service also routinely flies in and out of Krabi (Au Nang) from Phuket and to a numerous outer islands.

To/from outside Thailand

The international departure tax surcharge is 700 baht but is included in most tickets now; domestic departure tax is included in the price of the flight.

National Car Rental has a branch at the airport; motorcycle taxi rides are available outside the terminal. Krabi Limousine (tel. +66-75692073) has a desk inside the terminal and provides "limousine taxi" (using large air-conditioned sedans) transport to Krabi for 500 baht; Ao Nang for 800 baht; Phuket for 2500 baht. travelkrabi.com offers taxi and minibus (minivans) for less however travellers have to make deposit payment of 200 baht online via credit card. AsiaReservations.net, a local travel agent, arrange private car transfers to Ao Nang for THB 550

Getting to/from airport: An airconditioned airport bus service links the airport with Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara Beach. Fares are 90baht to Krabi and 150 baht to Ao Nang/Noppharat Thara. Buses meet all flight arrivals. For times to the airport, see Ao Nang page.

Songthaews run from Krabi Town to the airport and cost 40 baht. Going to the airport, they will drop you at the departure terminal. From the airport, you will have to walk out and catch them along the main road to Krabi, a distance of about 200m.

[edit] By train

Krabi does not have a railway station. Most travellers head to Surat Thani and transfer onto buses to Krabi from there. See the Surat Thani page for train times and the "By Bus" section below for bus connections between Krabi and Surat Thani.

[edit] By bus

To/from Bangkok: Buses to/from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (tel. +66-24351199) take about 12 hours and depart as follows:

  • VIP bus at 07:20 (710 baht)
  • First class bus at 19:00 (486 baht)
  • Second class bus - 07:30, 19:00, 19:30, 21:00 - 378 baht

Please note: Prices change, this information is quite old, expect about 100-200B increase In Krabi, buses arrive/depart from the bus terminal at Taladkao, about 5km north of town.

To/from Surat Thani: Buses run from Krabi's bus terminal at Taladkao. Buses connect Krabi with Surat Thani with connections to ferries to Ko Samui and the other islands). Choose your ticket carefully - the trip should take no more than three hours, but some travellers have endured ridiculous ten hour rides (giving thieves ample time to go through the bags underneath the bus) which included extensive "repair stops" right in front of restaurants coincidentally affiliated with the bus company... such hassles can be avoided by using state/government-run BKS buses instead of dodgy private operators.

To/from Phuket: Shuttle buses run between Krabi airport and Phuket airport several times a day. There are also regular buses that make the 2 hour run.

To/from Ao Nang: White-coloured songthaews run from Krabi Town to Ao Nang via Klong Jilard, Sai Thai, Ao Nang Junction Village and Noppharat Thara Beach. Fares 50 baht during the day until 18:00, 60 baht between 18:00 and 22:00. They run every ten minutes during the day and every 30 minutes after 18:00. In Krabi, songthaews depart from in front of the 7-Eleven on Thanon Maharat.

[edit] By car

Krabi is located just off Highway 4. It is 946km south of Bangkok, 180km by road to Phuket, and 70km to Phang Nga.

[edit] By boat

Ferries run from/to Ko Phi Phi, Ko Jum and Ko Lanta daily. Most depart in the morning. Tickets can be purchased at the dock or from tourist offices and most local guesthouses and hotels. The normal passenger ferry does not start from the center of town anymore, but from a new passenger port about 3 km outside Krabi. Free taxi transfer to the pier should be included in the price of your ticket. If your boat starts from the old piers in the center of town (Chao Fah pier or Phi Phi pier), you are most likely on a more expensive and longer tourist boat ride. Also, make sure that when you arrive at the airport the taxi driver takes you to the correct pier. Many times they'll take you to a travel agent near the old pier and sell you additional accommodations or services. Only ever buy the ticket you need. Prices will often get cheaper the closer you get to your next destination.

Ferry tickets to Ko Phi Phi are 450 baht when purchased from a travel agent.

The large displayed time-tables in the many travel agencies are just for show and the times are not to be taken literally. Ask. As of July 2007, there were two ferries a day from Krabi to Ko Phi Phi a day: 9am and 2:30pm. They add additional ferries during high-season.

The pier at Klong Jilad, for ferries to and from Ko Phi Phi has a taxi desk with posted prices: 150 baht to Krabi town, and 350 baht to the airport.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

This article is about the town of Krabi. See Krabi province for attractions elsewhere, including Krabi's famous beaches.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Krabi town, too, is far cheaper than any of the tourist resorts - this is reflected in the price of food and drinks especially. There are two night markets in Krabi town that are worth a look, also a vogue department store where real items can be found cheaper than in Ao Nang. Do check out the Tesco Lotus Shopping Mall which is near the airport. Prices are cheap and there are lots of eateries available there.There are a few art gallery offering affordable pop art pieces

[edit][add listing] Eat

At night there is a charming night market close to the promenade next to the piers. Food is good and cheap, with Muslim influences. From time to time the town organizes shows on a small stage next to the market.

An even better market can be found on Maharat Soi (Lane) 10 in the centre of town. This market has plenty of fresh fruit and lots of authentic cooked food. Only a few places have menus, otherwise point and enjoy. This market does not sell alcohol.

Not to be missed is the covered morning market (the biggest in South Thailand) on Maharat Soi 7 (behind the Shell station). For early birds only. After 8am all the action is subsiding. Exactly at that time you can watch a show of national pride: the national anthem is playing and almost everyone comes to a standstill for a minute. The best place to get all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetable, khao njao (sticky rice), PatongKhoo, ChaThai (sweetened Thai-Tea) or fresh hot soymilk. The section of fresh fish and meat sellers is for hardened stomachs only.

There are several Italian restaurants of varying degrees of authenticity. Viva has Italian management and probably the best food.

You can get the best breakfast in town (and maybe even coffee) at Relax Coffee near the pier.

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are a number of bars and cafe bars in Krabi town center that cater for tourist, expat and locals. A few of them will have live local bands at the weekend belting out cover songs. Stick to the main areas and it is most unlikely you will have anything but a pleasant time.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Good Dream Guesthouse, 83 Uttarakit Road, ☎ +66 -75622993 (, fax: 75622993). Centrally located budget guest house with many foreigner options for food and drink nearby and free Internet/Wi-Fi for guests. All rooms have hot water. 120-500 baht.  edit
    250 baht room at Good Dream Guesthouse
    250 baht room at Good Dream Guesthouse
  • Diamond Resort, ☎ 075-622-133-6, [6]. Diamond Resort is the perfect place to stop over because it is conveniently located close to Nam Mao Pier and has its own boat service. Stay at our Krabi lodging and be rejuvenated before going on to the many beautiful surrounding islands. An open-air restaurant offers international and Thai cuisines. A conference room that can cater for groups of up to 150 people, perfect for a wedding or meeting is available.  edit
  • Diamond Private Resort, ☎ 66 75 621 729, [7]. Situated on the hillsides of Ampur Muang in Krabi, Thailand, Diamond Private Resort is true to its name. It grants you a tranquil escape amid Krabi’s natural charms, which you can enjoy even from the comfort of our accommodations. The sensibly priced rooms and bungalows serve up a visual feast of the mountain and Andaman Sea.  edit
  • Diamond Cave Resort, 36 Mu 1, Tambon Ao Nang, Ampur Muang, Krabi 81000 Thailand, ☎ 66 75 819441 - 3, [8]. Come and experience Diamond Cave Resort, minutes away from a white sandy beach, perfect for sunbathing and relaxing in the sun. There are many kinds of outdoor activities for your enjoyment such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Excursions to such places as Ao Pranang Cave, Chicken Island, Hong Island, and Poda Island. Best rates on official website start at 1300 THB.  edit
  • Rawi Warin Resort and Spa, 139 Moo.8,Koh Lanta Island, Krabi 81150, Thailand, ☎ +66 (0) 7560 7400-498, [9]. Rawi Warin Resort and Spa is a five-star luxury in an idyllic setting. Their main swimming pool is right on the beachfront, with an infinity design that blends the edge of the pool with the blue ocean. Over half the resort is perched on the hillside, where stand-alone villas slope up a hill and the view gets more and more breathtaking every foot you ascend. Best rates on official website start at THB 3,900.00.  edit
  • Baanlay Bungalow new-style resort, having fan and air-conditioned bungalows located at Aonang, closed to a seafood restaurant. Budget accommodation for backpackers.
  • Nadivana Serviced Apartments, 159 Ao Nang, Moo 4, ☎ +66''-75661358-9 (, fax: +66''75661357). checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Nadivana offers fully serviced, luxury apartments. Elegant architecture combines Thai traditions with modern comforts and luxury. Open plan apartments with large windows, high ceilings and private terraces. Spacious living with modern amenities. One bedroom, two bedroom and penthouse apartments; all can be linked together. Swimming pools, Jacuzzis, swim-up bar and an open air restaurant. Convenience store, beauty salon, DVD rentals, mail and fax facilities, wireless internet and private parking. 1,700-7,100.  edit
Chan Cha Lay hotel
Chan Cha Lay hotel
  • Chan Cha Lay, 55 Utarakit Road, ☎ +66''-75620952 (), [10]. A great, highly recommended budget option. This small hotel is clean and well-kept, and the design interesting & tasteful, cosy, cheery. Centrally located, there are endless food options nearby. Rooms 250 baht with shared bath, 350 baht with for private bath (low season). Air-con rooms also available.  edit
  • Aonang Mountain Paradise, 26/11 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000, [11]. A one minute walk from the main strip of Ao Nang and the many cateries, bars and activtities available there. Thai Villa Bungalow - Spacious, Double/Twin, Fridge, Air, Cable TV., En-suite bathroom, Hot water, Balcony, Traditional Thai styling. Superior Bungalow, Fan Bungalow.  edit
  • City Hotel, 15/2-4 Sukon Road, ☎ +66-75611961 (fax: +66-75621282). Standard western style hotel, comfortable but not especially luxurious. Trappings include hot water and cable TV. Double rooms with fan start from 450 baht and rooms with air-con from 550 baht. Annoying free wake-up call at 11AM.  edit

  • Phanom Bencha Mountain Resort, ☎ +66-75660-501 (), [12]. This garden resort is a 15-minute ride from downtown Krabi and the airport, and has a natural swimming pool and trekking opportunities in the adjacent Phanom Bencha National Park. Low/high season prices are: double bungalows for 4 people 1000/1300 baht; single bungalows 500/800 baht; tents 350 baht. This is an eco resort.  edit
  • Swallow Guesthouse, 31 Maharaj Soi 4. One of the longest running guesthouses in Krabi, right in town, minutes from all markets, shopping, etc. Extremely clean fan rooms only and friendly service. 200-350 baht [2007-8].  edit
  • Baan Santhiya, ☎ +66-81 077 5698 (), [13]. Located 5 mins drive from the beach. Private pool villa with 3 bedrooms, all air-con. Ideal for those looking to escape from run of the mill hotels.  edit

[edit] Contact

Nationwide television, cable TVs and local cable TV channels are available on Ko Lanta. International newspapers and magazines are available at some bookstores.

Landline telephones, satellite phones, all mobile phone systems, high-speed internet (ADSL) are available. There is also a main post office with parcel services.

[edit] Get out

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