 Located on southern Thailand's east coast, 800 kilometres south of Bangkok, Krabi province is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Classic virgin beaches fringed with towering limestone formations and rarely visited tropical islands.
Relatively new to tourism, the area is being carefully developed with a wide range of places to stay from small bungalows to the five star prestigious, but relaxed Sheraton Rayavadee Resort. Most accommodation is located around the beach areas of Ao Nang, Rai Ley and Phra Nang with some small local hotels in the provincial capital, Krabi town.
Krabi is a great place to relax. The pace is unhurried and many beaches can only be reached by boat, keeping development to a minimum. Much of the province has been designated national park. The Ko Lanta National Park, also in Krabi province, includes several coral-fringed islands, prime diving sites, and comparative solitude. The largest island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the site of park headquarters, and is also home to Chao Le, or sea gypsies who sustain themselves largely through fishing. The islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months of October through April.
As well as beautiful and relaxing scenery, Krabi offers an adventure playground for those who like to get "out and about." Kayaking, sailing, bird watching, snorkelling, island hopping and sightseeing are just a few. In the interior, two predominantly mainland national parks, Khao Phanom Bencha and Than Bokk-horani, offer inland scenic attractions including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking, bird watching and eco-tours.
Industry
In recent years, with Krabi’s natural attractions such as tropical islands, palm fringed beaches, forest waterfalls and caves attracting more and more sun seeking adventure-bound tourists, Krabi has begun to earn a substantial income from its tourism industry. Predominantly however, it is an agricultural based area producing rubber, palm oils, oranges, coconuts, and coffee.
Rubber is the main cash crop. Palm oil comes in second, followed by coconuts. Fishing is widely carried out along the coastline and although traditional methods are still in use, modern trawling techniques are threatening numbers and the industry. Shrimp and cockle farming has been a high growth industry since the early 1990's, and there is also a flourishing grouper farming industry.
People
 The people of Krabi represent a mix of different races. It is said that each group of people represent a different page in the history of Krabi. The Chao Ley or "Sea Gypsies" reside on some of the islands in Krabi's waters, and traditionally made their living from fishing and diving. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Southern Chinese people flocked to Thailand in search of work and many made their way to the south of Thailand to work in local industry.
In more recent times, the Chinese involvement has been high in oil palm plantations and gypsum mining. Despite the assimilation of Chinese people and their descendants with local people over time, many retain vestiges of their Chinese heritage. Many still retain the ability to speak Chinese, have Chinese (and Thai) names, and observe Chinese rituals and religious beliefs. Being in close proximity to Malaysia, southern Thailand is also home to many Muslim communities, and Krabi itself has a strong Muslim presence.
Geography
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains on the mainland. The provincial administration also covers more than 130 islands in the Andaman Sea. Natural forest cover is chiefly mangrove and Cassia trees. Krabi's sandy clay soil conditions are perfect for a variety of agricultural products, including rubber trees, palms, mangos, coconuts, and coffee. The Krabi River flows 5 kilometers through the city and falls into the Andaman at Tambon Pak Nam. |
