| History
: |
|
| Krabi is a southern
province of Thailand which evidence establishes as having a very
ancient history. Glass beads,stone tools and bone,drawings and paintings
from pre-historic times,have been found in great number. Pottery
remains have been discovered and dated to an era 27 ,000 to 37 ,000
years ago. It is theorized that Krabi is therefore the most ancient
settled community in Thailand, having existed from pre- history
to the present. The area is said to have been called formerly 'Ban
Thai Samor', and was one of twelve towns using the monkey on its
coat of arms. Subject to the rule of Nakorn Sri Thammarat, who was
himself vassal to the King of Thailand, Krabi experienced a period
of growth at the beginning of the Rattanakosin period (c. 1782)
when Jao Praya Nakorn (Noy) ordered the erection of an elephant
stockade there for animals pending shipment to Nakorn Sri
Thammarat.
Many people followed in his tracks, whose habitations and hamlets
grew so numerous the community was divided into three districts
: Pakasai, Klong Pon, and Pahklao. This arrangement persisted until
1872, when King Chulalongkorn was pleased to grant Krabi the status
of 'Muang', or town. It remained subject to Nakorn, however, as
the military chief of Nakorn was appointed first' Jao Muang', roughly
equivalent to the word , governor', of Krabi. Then in 1875, Krabi
became an independent entity reporting directly to Bangkok. |
| Present
Day Administration : |
|
| Krabi Province
is divided into 6 districts and 2 sub-districts. The 6 districts (or'
Amphur' as they are called in Thai) are: Muang (Krabi
Town)
, Kao Panom, Klong Tom, Plai Praya, Lanta, and Ao Luk. The two sub-districts
are : Lahm Tap and Nua Klong. |
| Location
: |
Top |
Krabi is 814
kms. from Bangkok down Route 4 (the Petch Kasem Highway). It covers
an area of 4, 700 sq. kms. and is bordered thus :
On the north: by Phang-Nga and Surat Thani.
On the south: by Trang and the Andaman Sea.
On the east: by Trang and Nakorn Sri Thammarat.
On the west: by Phang-Nga and th.e Andaman Sea. |
| Geography
: |
|
| Krabi is distinguished
by mountains, hills, and plains; and there are more than 30 small
islands off the coast. The still pristine jungles include white
mangrove and mangrove forests. The soil is mostly sandy clay and
rich loam, perfect for rubber, palm, cashew nut, coffee, and coconut
plantations. Within the Muang district precincts flows the Krabi
River, which enters the sea at Tambon Pak Nam. Other streams
include:
the Pakasai, the Big Krabi (Krabi Yai) , and the Little Krabi (Krabi
Noy) , which have their sources in the Panom Benja
mountains,Krabi
's largest range of mountains. |
| Weather
: |
|
| Krabi is affected
by the northwest monsoon and has only two seasons. The hot season
starts in' January and ends in April. The rainy season begins in
May and lasts till December. Average temperatures range between
16.9 to 37.3 degrees Celsius. Average rainfall is 2,568.5 mm:
yearly.
|
| Places
of Interest in Muang District (Krabi Town) |
|
Haad
Noparatarah-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park: is spread
across Tambon Nong Talay, Sai Thai, Ao Nang, and Pahk
Nam. There are many interesting places to visit:
-
Hahd Noparatarah : is 3 kms. long. It was formerly called by
local villagers 'Haad Klong Hang' (Dry river beach)
because during low tide water flowing from a mountain
stream to the north dries up early, thus becoming a
beach stretching down into the sea to meet Kao Pahk
Klong Island.
- 45 Million-Year-Old Susan Hoy (Shell Cemetery Beach) :
is situated at Ban Laem Po. Long ago this was a
freshwater marsh populated by clams and other bi-valves,
chiefly little two centimeters long 'Hoy Kohm ' or pond
snails, which grouped and multiplied in such numbers
that the dead formed a floor for the living. This
process, repeated over eons, led to the creation of
layer of fossils about 40 cms. thick, called shelly
limestone. Lower down is a 10 cms. layer of lignite and
below that is bedrock. Scientific tests have established
that the age of these fossils is 45 million years,
stretching back to the Tertiary Age. There are only
three places on Earth with such old deposits. The other
two are in the U.S. near Chicago, and in Japan.
- Ao Nang : 'Ao' means 'bay' and this bay has on one side
a hill with a cave featuring stalactites and stalagmites. The bay itself has a group of 83 islands of
various sizes and shapes which the local people like to
name after their shape or character. Most of them have
names in the Yawi anguage which is related to Malay. Koh
Yawasa, Koh Moh, Koh Poda, Sriboya, Pra Nang beach, Pra
nang pond, and Rai Lay beach are places of interest
-
Mu Koh Phi Phi : It is said these islands were first called 'Pulau
Bee Aw Bee'; 'Pulau' meaning 'island' in Malay, and 'Bee
Aw Bee' being a species of tree still commonly used for
firewood: the copsewood. This was later corrupted into 'BeeBee',
and that became 'Pee Pee', or 'Phi Phi' as it is most
commonly rendered in English. (It is not pronounced Fee
Fee as at first glance it would appear).
The Phi Phi islands were declared a National Park in
1983. There are 6 islands in all: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi
Lay, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Yoong, and Pai, lying at a
distance of 43 kms. from the coast of Krabi. They are
mountainous, and form themselves around nearly enclosed
bays. The most interesting places are :
- Koh Yoong :
lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach
on the east side; a small beach in a fold of the hill;
and perfectly preserved coral gardens.
-
Koh Pai : Also to the north of Phi Phi Don, and not very far
from Koh Yoong. There are lovely beaches on the north
and east sides, and coral gardens spreading to the
south.
- Koh Phi Phi Lay : is an island of 6.6 sq.kms. It is
mountainous and rocky. Tall cliffs rise straight up from
the sea's surface almost all around the island. Water
depth averages 20 metres offshore; and 34 metres is the
deepest spot, at the south end of the island. The
semi-circular bays are very lovely and include: Pilae,
Maya, Losama, and others. On the northeast is the famous
'Viking Cave' so-called from the paintings therein,
which His Majesty King Bhumibol was pleased to grant
also the name 'Payanak' meaning 'Serpent Lord', in
honour of the villagers who gather swallow's nests on
the island. Inside, on the east and south walls of the
cave, are paintings from historical times of an
elephant, and boats of various kinds: Arab prows, junks,
sharp- stemmed vessels probably of European origin,
steam ships, and propeller-driven sailboats. It is
theorized that these are the work of sailors, or perhaps
even of pirates, because the island provides refuge
during the monsoons and lies on the main shipping lane
from west to east. It was thus a place suitable for
offloading cargo and conducting repairs.
- Koh Phi Phi Don : is an island of about 28 sq.kms., 3.5
kms. wide and 8 kms. long. On the north side is Laem
Tong, where about 15 to 20 sea gypsy families reside.
Most of them emigrated from Koh Lipe in Tarutao National
Park. The undersea life in the vicinity of Laem Tong is
quite lovely, and perfect for diving, as is Laem Hua
Ragaet's tip. There is a long beach and rock landing.
Aside from this there are 2 beaches of considerable
beauty among the world's most beautiful at Ao Lodalum
and Ao Ton Sai, where accommodation is to be found. To
get to the Phi Phi Islands, a boat can be boarded at Jao
Fa Pier in Krabi; or, alternatively tour boats leave
daily from Phuket.
- Tahm Sadet : is a beautiful cave with stalactites and
stalagmites in Tambon Sai Tai , 7 kms. from Krabi Town.
Named by King Vajiravudhi, 'Somdetch Pra Borom
Orasathiraj'. It became known after his visit as simply
'His Highness's Cave'by the local villagers.
- Sa Kaew : in the forest in Tambon Kao Tong. The name
means 'Crystal Pool'. To get there, follow the Krabi -Nai
Sa Rd. There are 8 pools in all, arising from natural
sources. They each have names: Nam Lod, Cherng Kao,
Jorakeh Kao, Nam Tip, Nam Kram, Moragoat, Hoon Gang, and
Noy.
- Tahm Sua Kao Kaew Meditation Center, Ao Look Tanu : is
at Ban Tahm Sua in Tambon Krabi Noy,about 9 kms. from
Krabi Town. It is called Tahm Sua (Tiger Cave) because
there was once a huge tiger living nearby. lt is located
at the front of the Ao Look Tanu Mountain Range, or Kao
Kaew (Crystal Mountain). Inside the cave there are what
appear to be tiger paw prints in the stone. The
surrounding area is covered with large trees hundreds of
years old,particularly in the Kiriwong Valley. Mountains
are on all sides and there are smaller caves in great
number. Chang Kaew, Look Tanu, Tahm Pra, Tahm Kon Tan,
and Tahm Lod are the main ones. Aside from being the
site of the meditation center, it is also a place of
archaeological and historical interest. Stone tools,
pottery remains, and the mold for making Buddha
footprints have been found in excavations.
-
Nam Tok Huoy Toe : iis in Tambon Tap Prik on the way to the
old market, Sri Trang- Pracha-utit Rd. Its source is in
the Panom Benja Range of mountains. The waterfall has 11
levels, each of which contains a natural pool of clear
water at least 4 or 5 metres wide. Wahng Tehwada, Wahng
Sok, and Wahng Jahn are the main ones.
-
Kao Kanab Nam : 100 metre high hills rising from the water.
Kanab Mae Nam Krabi are regarded as the symbol of Krabi.
It sits before the city and can be visited by long tail
boat from the Jao Fa Pier. Travel time is about 15
minutes. From the boat, one climbs a staircase to see
caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Many human
skeletons have been found in the area. It is theorized
they are the remains of immigrants who became stranded
and died after a sudden flood. |
| Tourist
Attractions in Kao Panom District |
Top |
Kao Panom
Benja National Park : lies 20 kms. outside Krabi town along
the old market road to Ban Huoy Toe. It covers 50.12 sq.kms. in
Kao Panom,Muang (Town) , and Ao Luk District. It is mostly dense
forest and rugged hills among which are various interesting spots,such
as:
- Tahm Kao Ping : a cave lying 3 kms. from the National
Park Office. It includes 5 places with stalactites and stalagmites
of various sizes and shapes, some resembling a stupa, a curtain,or
a mushroom. The cave wall has beautiful glittering white streaks.
There is tourist accommodation which can be reserved. For details,contact
the National Park Office, Tambon Tap Prik, Muang District, Krabi
81000
- Nam Tok Huoy Saday : Springs from a tall cliff. It is 1.2
kms. from the National Park Office.
- Nam Tok Klong Hang : It is about 500 metres high and springs
from Kao Thaep Benja, which is the tallest mountain in Krabi and
is 10 kms. from the District Headquarters.
- Nam Tok Ton Hahn : is 16 kms. from the District Headquarters.
Its source is the same as that of Klong Hang Waterfall, but it is
not so high. |
| Places
of Interest in Klong Tom District |
Top |
- Wat Klong
Tom Museum : is in Tambon Klong Tom Tai, about 1 km. from the
District Headquarters. It is where all the discoveries made in the
diggings on 'Bead Hill' behind the Wat or temple, are kept. There
are stones and bronze tools, coins, pottery, ceramic and stone decorations,
and beads on display there.
- Tung Tiao : is in Bang Tiao Village, Tambon Klong Tom Nua,
25 kms. from the District Headquarters. It is a rainforest where
one can go hiking. The distance is 2.7 kms. It is perfect for nature
lovers and conservationists wishing to know more about the virgin
forest. Ask about forest manuals at the Unit Station and be sure
to bring along good shoes and some mosquito repellent.
- Sa Nam Pu : is a deep clear water pool with astonishing
properties : when a loud sound is made, its echo seems to bubble
up from the water.
- Koh silla : is 2 kms. from the beach at Bormuang. It has
beautiful beaches and brightly coloured birds of many kinds frequent
there in large numbers.
- Nam Tok Hin Perng : is at Ban Hin Perng, Tambon Klong Pon,
about 2.5 kms. from the District Headquarters. It is a 3 level waterfall
800 meters up in shady surroundings.
- Nam Tok Ron : is in Tambon Klong Tom Nua, 12 kms. from
the District Headquarters. It is surrounded by shady forest and
springs from beneath the earth. 'Ron' means 'hot', and the temperature
of the water is higher than at others nearby.
- Kao Pra-Bang Krahm : is a wild animal reserve covering
170 sq. kms. in Klong Tom District of Krabi, and Wang Wiset District
of Tarng. Birds found there include Gurneys, the Black-breasted
Pitta ; the Chestnut -Collared Kingfisher; the Black Hornbill; and
the Crested Partridge. |
| Places
of Interest in Lanta District |
Top |
Mu
Koh Lanta National Park : covers 150 sq.kms. on Lanta Island.
It is the furth est point south in Krabi Province and was formerly
called 'Pulau Satak' which means in Malay that there are long beaches.
Later, both Buddhist and Muslim Thais emigrated to the island in
large numbers, which was dazzling, and so from this it came to be
called 'Koh Lanta' meaning in English 'Dazzling Island'. There are
many important places within the National Park
- Koh Lanta Yai : is where both the District Headquarters
and National Park Office are located. The island itself is generally
rugged and mountainous. There are beaches both gravelly and sandy
toward the south. The 'Chaolay', or Sea Gypsies, still reside on
the island, maintaining their old way of life. They have peculiar
traditions, such as setting a boat adrift to drive out evil and
bring good luck. This is done during the full moon in June and in
November. There are regular ferries to Koh Lanta leaving from Ban
Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Glahng,Bormuang Pier, in Tambon Sai Kao,
and Jao Fa Pier in Krabi town.
- Koh Taleng Beng : A rock island similar to Phi Phi Lay.
Swallows make their nests there and at low tide a small beach and
a tunnel can be seen.
- Mu Koh Hah : A group of 5 islands. Hah Yai has a meadow
on the ridge. Aside from that, the island is shaped like a sail
boat. Water passes beneath the islands and there is coral in some
shallow waters.
- Koh Ngai : long beach and coral along the east shore of
the island; perfect for diving. The easiest way to get to Koh Ngai
is by regular ferry from Pak Meng Beach in Trang, where charters
are also available.
- Koh Rock Nai : has tall cliffs ; on the east are beaches
and corals. On the north lie San Jao Bay and Tohn Point.
- Koh Rock Nok : on the southeast and south are long beach;
coral in shallow water. At the far end of the island are Mahn Sai
Bay and Talu Beach. |
| Places
of Interest in Ao Luk District |
Top |
Tharn Boke Koroni Arboretum
:
covers 37.5 rai in Tambon Ao Luk Tai, about 1 km. from the
Ao Luk Nua market intersection on the Ao Luk- Laem Sak road. It
is a shady forest with many species of trees Apocyana Pond is
at the confluence of several streams running beneath the mountain.
Nearby is a copy of Buddha's footprint carved from wood. Also
nearby is a shrine dedicated to the local deities, Toh Yuan and
Toh Chong.
-
Tahm Pee Hua Toe or Tahm Hua Galok : is a large cave with
many grottos, situated on a hill in the middle of the water, surrounded
by mangroves. Formerly, a human skull of larger than ordinary
size was found in the cave from which became the name 'Pee Hua
Toe', or 'Big-headed ghost'. Aside from this, there are prehistoric
drawings on the cave walls in large numbers of people,animals,and
various organs. There are also vast numbers of shells in the sedimentary
rock. To get there, take a boat from Bor Tor Pier, the same place
you would leave from to get to Tahm Lod Nua Tai.
-
Tahm Lad Nua -Tai Cave : iis in the vicinity of the Ta Prang
Canal, 2 kms. from the District Headquarters down the Ao Luk-
Laem Sak Rd. There are 2 caves:
- Tahm Lod Nua : is a large grotto which is very twisted
but very beautiful
- Tahm Lod Tai : is a long tunnel beneath the mountain
rock, narrower than the one in Phang-Nga. There are stalactites
and stalagmites around the mouth of the cave that are very attractive.
Also, curiously bent quarter- moon shaped rocks and boulders are
strewn in rows. It is best to go at low tide by long tailed boat
from Bortor Pier. Travel time is only 10 minutes
- Koh Garose : is on the east end of Laem Sak. There are
coloured drawings of both men and animals in the vicinity of Ao
Hin Bai.
- Tahm Pra : is located at the monastery on Kao Pra Suanyataram
about 2 kms. from the Ao Luk District Office. Inside, there is
a very old image of Buddha which was later braced by 2 other equal-sized
images. There are also smaller wooden images round the base.
- Tahm Petch : is 3 kms. from the intersection at Ao Luk
Nua market. In front is enshrined an image of The Buddha. The
name of this cave 'Petch' means 'diamond', and indeed sparkling
stone casts beautiful reflections on the cave walls. The best
way to get there is to first contact the National Park Office
at Tharn Boke Korani for a guide. Be sure to bring along a flashlight.
- Tahm Chao Lay : is in a beautiful cave on the west side
of Laem Sak. Inside,there are stalactites and stalagmites as well
as prehistoric cave paintings of people, animals,and various geometrical
shapes. It is believed they are from the period after those at
Pee Hua Toe Cave. To get there, take a long tail boat from Sapan
Pia at Laem Sak. Travel time is no more than 15 minutes.
- Tahmv Song Pee Nong or Tahm Poon Nua - Tai : is to the
west of Pee Hua Toe Cave. Inside are Human skeletons, pottery
remains,earrings, and bronze bracelets.
- Koh Talu : A 45 metre hill is in the center of island,
which has a 30 metre wide hole in it large numbers of swallows
nest on the island.
- Tahm Hua Galok Nai or Tahm Boonmak : is just 100 meters
from Pee Hua Toe Cave. It was discovered by a local villager,
whose name was Boonmak, and is filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave is very large and dark. Prehistoric clay artifacts have
been found in the vicinity of its opening. Most have distinctive
rope-like striping, thicker and rougher patterns than found before.
- Tahm Toh Luang : is near Ban Nob in Tambon Klong Hin.
There are actually 3 floors, and each of the floors has stalactites
and stalagmites of various shapes. Some are shaped like monks,
some like serpents, etc. It is understood that this cave is the
house of the local deity, named Toh Luang.
- Tahm Sua Noy : is the site of the Sua Noy monastery ,
about 2 kms. from the Hua Galok Cave in Ban Bortor. In front is
a broad incline. Old pottery has been found in diggings there
as well.
- Tahm Sua Nok or Tahm Thep Nimit : is the site of Thep
Nimit Monastery. The rock face is filled with shells owing to
a sea tunnel beneath the cave. The upper level is a large dark
cave and next to that, 50 metres off, is Tahm Orahan, or the Saints'
Cave, which is filled with stalactites and stalagmites like long
glass tubes. Very beautiful and very strange.
- Klong Chai Kao : has characteristics similar to Ao Maya
in the Phi Phi Islands. You can pass by long tail boat through
a tunnel to the other side. It takes about 5 minutes.
- Koh Dang : There is a 25 metre long sandy beach and a
cave, 70 metres wide and 20 metres high.
-
Mu Koh Hong :There are both large and small islands. The main
ones are: Laga or Saga Island, Lao Riem Island, and Lao Lading
Island. These islands have great hollows inside them. Koh Hong
is the largest island. It is the rocky island with coral formations
in both shallow and deep water, they are great for diving, fishing
and boating. Boats can be chartered for the journey at Ao Nang.
Travel time is about 1 hour. |
|