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Maps
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Accommodation
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... on the Islands
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... in Krabi Town
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Boat Schedules
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Activities -----------------------
Articles
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Welcome to Island Hopping in the Andaman Sea of Thailand
Krabi and the Beaches
Krabi is perhaps the region with Thailand's oldest history of continued settlement. From archaeological findings, like a bronze necklace, skeletons and earthenware, as well as from the numerous drawings in the limestone caves of the province, it can be concluded that this area has been home to men since more than 30,000 years. In recorded times, the town was known as "Muang Banthai Samoe" and the symbol was a monkey. In 1872 King Rama V raised the town to become a province that covers 4708 square kilometres today and has a population of 298 000.
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains on the mainland. There are more than 130 islands off the Krabi coast in the Andaman Sea. The natural forest cover consists of mangroves and Cassia trees. Krabi's sandy clay soil conditions are perfect for a variety of agricultural products like para rubber trees, oil palms, oranges and coffee.
The famous Shell Fossil Beach is located in Ban Laem Pho, some 17 kilometres from Krabi Town and the entrance is marked by asmall Chinese temple. Millions of seashells, petrified some 75 million years ago at the bottom of the ocean, have formed slabs along the beach. A similar phenomen can be seen at two more places, one in Japan and one in the USA.
Railay and Phra Nang Beaches are considered some of the most beautiful ones in Thailand and can only be reached by boat. Long-tail boats leave regularly from Chaofa Pier in Krabi Town (crossing takes about 45 minutes) or Ao Nang Beach to the North (15 minutes) or Nam Mao Beach to the East (15 minutes). During the monsoon season boats are leaving from Nammao Beach only.
Wat Tham Suea (the Temple in the Tiger Cave) was founded by a monk called Adjaan (teacher) Jamnien Silasettho. The temple, that is one of the most famous meditation centres, received its name from a stone formation that is looking similar to the claw of a tiger. Today, about 250 monks and nuns are living in this temple compound. Two staircases climb up to the limestone cliffs, the first one leads with 1200 steps to the top of the mountain offering a superb view around, while the second one with only 130 stairs leads into a valley where the simple huts of the monks are standing beside some giant trees.
Khao Phanom National Park was declared a national park in 1981 and covers an area of 50 square kilometres approx 20 kilometres north of Krabi Town. The area consists of a steep mountain range rising to 1350 metres and covered by several types of rain forest depending on the height. Highlights are the waterfalls coming down the mountain slopes from which Huay Toh is the easiest accessible one. The last patch of lowland rain forest in Thailand is located in the centre of the region. Khao Nor Chuchi Wildlife Sanctuary is located opposite of Lanta Island on the mainland and about 25 kilometres away from Klong Thom. It is the the only place in the world where birds of the species 'Gurney's Pitta', still survive in very few numbers. A nature trail of 2.7 kilometres in length has been established and leads through the forest showing the exciting bio-diversity of this region. At the end you can swim in the clear water of the "Emerald Pool" or add a visit to the nearby hot springs.
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