Up-and-coming Krabi By Elan Perumal
Publisher:The Star - Publication Date: 13-05-2008

Krabi, some 175km away from the more popular Phuket, is set to become a hot tourist destination in the near future.

If Phuket, Thailand’s only island province, is known for its beach, entertainment and shopping, Krabi offers a more exotic and scenic holiday. Connected to the Andaman Sea via Krabi River, it is ideal for those seeking a holiday destination that is still not too commercialised.

You can take in magnificent sights while here, especially when taking boat–rides on the Krabi River and the Andaman Sea. Surrounded by more than 120 islands, Krabi – which literally means 'sword' in English – offers some pretty attractive, close–to–nature type of resort accommodations.

These resorts usually come with recreational facilities ranging from water sports to sauna and open bath. Besides a swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi and karaoke, they also offer foot reflexology and massages under gazebos in green surroundings.

These resorts cost around 250 ringgit (US$79) per night during the low season and 450 ringgit ($141) or more during the high season. Sightseeing and tour packages are additional options for guests who want to do more than just sit back.

Cruise services are available from the resorts to places like the popular Tiger Cave Temple, which houses a Buddhist monastery. The cave is also home to more than 10 monks who live in unique wooden mini–houses.

These houses are located about 200m inside the cave and come in different sizes. Only visitors with special permission are allowed to stay here overnight.

Take a boat up the Krabi to Kao Khanap Nam, which is a hill cave outside Krabi Town. Tourists come here to enjoy the splendid views from inside the cave and its peak.

There is a fishing village along the river, where you might get to inspect the catch of the day – crab-fish, blowfish or cobia among others.

Trips over land include a tour to the 40–million–year–old Shell Fossil Beach, some 17km away from town. Aficionados of seashells will find the place a delight, but remember, you are not allowed to keep any of the many precious shells found here.

Like in Phuket, visitors to Krabi have plenty of opportunity to go island hopping – Railay Beach offers rock and cave climbing, Chicken Island is known for its coral sand beach and snorkelling. The place to view sunsets is Ao Nang Beach, 25km from town. By 7pm the beach turns golden.

Here, one can find many restaurants serving fresh seafood by the sea – crabs, prawns, lobsters and more. Ao Nang is also regarded as the best shopping place in Krabi with its night markets selling all sorts of things. And it has a bustling nightlife too, offering nightclubs, discotheques, bars and entertainment outlets.

Air Asia flies to Krabi directly from Kuala Lumpur. Currently, the flights are on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Malaysian tourists can do a combined tour that covers Krabi and Phuket as well. They can either choose to arrive in Krabi and depart from Phuket or vice versa. The road trip from Krabi to Phuket takes slightly more than two hours.

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