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Krabi Province Andaman South Coast

Krabi Province is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in Thailand. relatively unspoiled or developed as yet, it is typified with gorgeous turquoise seas of the Andaman - The Indian Ocean.

The Krabi coastline has soft white sanded beaches; islands offshore which we all dream of owning, and the amazing structures of the limestone crags that have pushed their way up through the earth over many thousands of years.

Beaches and Islands Krabi

The province is situated next down to Phuket, and it will only be a matter of time before the popularity of Phuket Island leads to an explosion outwards.

Krabi being the next desirable area for development.

Getting to Krabi is a straightforward drive down from Bangkok - long but easy enough - with a good road system to get you here.

Krabi has a high Thai Muslim population who go about their business demurely and peacefully, with the ladies in the dress code of that faith - but rather more relaxed as the faces are uncovered.

They add a little serenity to Thailand, which is normally quite happy to bare most if not all in many tourist areas.

Farming in Krabi is different from much of Thailand, with Rubber Tree plantations as one of the main crops. Together with this you will notice a difference with the Palm trees.

Very few coconut palms, but the more ornate 'Palm Oil' tree plantations. Both these profusely planted crops ensure that for the most part, Krabi is bathed in verdant foliage.

There are two main beaches on the Krabi coastline, but with many other smaller and secluded beaches for the would-be explorer.

All are in easy reach of hired or otherwise motorcycle, car or obliging taxi.

Longtail Boat for Krabi Island hoppingKrabi is not one of the largest of the Thai provinces but proportionate to land mass, has one of the longest stretches of coastline – more or less all of it accessible.

Within easy reach of the Krabi coastline there are numerous islands set in the clear waters of the Andaman.

Many of which are relatively unexplored, and certainly not as yet ‘commercialised’ too much.

In fact, with some, you should be advised to take such basics as bottled water – and maybe even your food for the day.

Krabi City

The provincial capital town of Krabi, is a rather laid-back affair, which goes about its day to day business in an orderly and -for Thailand – a tidy manner.

It is not a large town, but sprawls at the outskirts, so it is easy to reach most parts of interest on foot, or with the help of a tuk tuk. They are different to the Bangkok Tuk Tuks, though some of the drivers may well have got their training in Bangkok!

Krabi is old world – yet to be assaulted by throngs of tourists. It has a charm so often lacking in popular Thai provincial capitals. Long may it remain so, for most of the tourism is situated out of town.

Getting Around Krabi

Krabi province has many interesting areas for tourists and holidaymakers – though many of them are away from the provincial city center – as are the beaches. It would be a mistake to think that most areas of interest are in Krabi (city).

They are not, but they are in Krabi Province, but all are accessible by a short drive out from the city or from most of the hotels and resorts.

Andaman Sea Long Tail Boats

The way to travel between all of the islands and far away coastal places in much of Thailand, is by the unique 'Long Tail Boats'.

On the Andaman coast, there is a big tourist attraction as well as being a necessary form of transport in and out of the islands with the shallow sea over the rocky coastline.

These boats go at some speed, so be prepared for a good deal of spray in your hair - and on your camera lens! Most places offshore from Krabi are serviced by these boats and also some of the inland waterways.

Beaches in Lower Andaman Thailand

If there is an area of coastal Thailand that can lay claim to being relatively un-spoilt, then it is the Lower Andaman Coast line - home to mainland Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces.

The further south you travel, this description will hold good - in spite of the ripping out of the Mangrove forests over the years.

It is an area of mainly white but sometimes golden sanded beaches, made all the more spectacular by the stark cliffs of limestone rock, that attract rock climbers from all over the world.

Abutting Malaysia - as with its East coast counterpart of the Deep South, it has much to offer in the way of natural beauty, with varied topography and historic cultures.

The food will be noticeably different to that of mid and northern areas - with Malay cuisine intermingling with Thai.

The Southern Muslim food is spicy as with the Isan food - but different - though the readings on the Richter scale will be about the same.

Krabi beaches are legendary for their beauty and relative calm, which is not to say there is little to do. If you decide to lie in the shade of a palm or casuarina, it is from choice rather than necessity.

Whilst rock climbing is not for the faint hearted, there are many places to explore by foot and by kayak. Leave the transport to others and you can end up being ferried in a long boat - like the ones you see in the holiday brochures.

Things to do in Lower Andaman

It’s all very well having a holiday on or close to a beach, but you will need other things to do besides lying on a beach under a shade umbrella.

The lower Andaman coastal region has plenty to offer in varied beaches and the normal activities on or below water. Many areas can be visited and explored with a long tail boat tour, together with which there are amazing cave tours from the ‘comfort’ or perhaps convenience of a tour boat.

There are also mangrove forests along this coastline which are worth a visit if you are in any way interested in nature. Many can be explored by kayak.

But, move inland for a day or so to visit some of the National Parks, or fine historic buildings. You will see from the lists below, that there is no shortage of beaches – most of which offer holiday packages by way of hotels, guest houses and super resorts.

Beaches in Krabi Province

Beaches in Trang Province

Beaches in Satun Province

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