Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 806

By bus and minibus The bus station is on Highway 4,
5km north of Krabi town at Talat Kao, from where there's a
frequent songthaew service (B30) to the town centre.
Private a/c minibus services (all roughly hourly) run from
various o ces in Krabi town to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Trang and Ko Lanta - ask at a travel agent or
your guesthouse. A/c minibuses to Phuket and Ko Lanta
use the Talat Kao bus station.
Destinations Bangkok (12 daily; 12hr); Phang Nga (every
30min; 2hr); Phuket (every hour; 3-5hr); Ranong (2 daily;
5hr); Satun (4 daily; 5hr); Surat Thani (5 daily; 3hr); Trang
(hourly; 3hr).
By boat There are boats to Ko Phi Phi (year-round; 2-4
daily; 2hr) and Ko Lanta (roughly mid-Nov to mid-April; 1-2
daily; 2hr 30min) from Krabi Passenger Port (Tha Khlong
Jilad), 2km southwest of Krabi town. Ferry tickets bought
from tour operators in town should include a free transfer
from central Krabi. There are also boat services from Hat
Nopparat Thara, next to Ao Nang, some of which call at
Railay, to Ko Phi Phi Don (1 daily; 2hr) and to Phuket (1-2
daily; 2hr 30min), both year-round in theory though they
sometimes don't run in the monsoon season; and to Ko
Lanta (2hr 30min) from roughly November to April. Transfers
from Ao Nang hotels are included in the ticket price.

K Guest House 15-25 Th Chao Fa, just southwest off
Th Utrakit T 075 623166, E [e-mail].
Deservedly popular and well run, this long, timber-clad
row house sits in a peaceful but central spot. The nicest
bedrooms are upstairs with wooden floors, streetside
balconies and hot showers, but there are also cheaper
rooms with shared bathroom downstairs. Free wi-fi.
Double B250
Pak-up Hostel 87 Th Utrakit T 075 611955. Colourful,
modern hostel in a short tower block on Krabi's busiest
corner, with smart, a/c, ten-bed dorms. Lots of tours
available, as well as free wi-fi throughout. This is the place
to come to meet people, with lots of comm on ar eas, a
rooftop bar and an adjacent garden bar. Dorm B270

10

EATING
Try either the riverside night market near the longtail-boat
pier on Th Kong Ka, or the inland night market on Soi 10,
Th Maharat, off the northern end of Th Utrakit. At
weekends, the pedestrianized night bazaar on Soi 8 offers
cheap eats in a lively atmosphere.
Ko Tung 36 Th Kong Ka, opposite the longtail pier. Though
it looks nothing much, this little Thai restaurant is always
packed with locals savouring the excellent seafood. Special
highlights include the sweet mussels and baked crab. Most
dishes around B80. Mon-Sat 11am-10pm.
Pizzeria Firenze Th Kong Ka, north of the longtailboat
pier. Authentic Italian dishes, including great thin-crust
pizzas (around B200) and home-made pastas, espresso
coffee and Italian wines. Daily 9am-9.30pm.

INFORMATION
Tourist information The unhelpful TAT o ce (daily
8.30am-4.30pm; T 075 622163, E [e-mail]) is
3km north of the centre on Maharat Rd.

ACCOMMODATION
★

DIRECTORY
Hospital Krabi Hospital is about 1km north of the town
centre at 325 Th Utrakit ( T 075 611212).
Immigration o ce In the compound of government
o ces on the way to Krabi Passenger Port (Mon-Fri
8.30am-4.30pm; T 075 611097).

Chan-Cha-Lay 55 Th Utrakit T 075 620952,
W chanchalay.com. With its stylish blue-and-white theme
throughout, this is the most charming and arty place to stay
in Krabi. The en suites in the garden are by far the nicest
option; rooms in the main building share bathro oms a nd
some don't have windows. Wi-fi available. Double B300

SEA KAYAKING IN THE KRABI AREA
By far the most enjoyable way of exploring the glories of the Krabi coastline is by sea kayak .
Paddling into the mangrove swamps and secret tidal lagoons, or hongs , hidden inside the
limestone karsts is a fantastic experience and gives you close-up views of birds, animals and
plants that would be impossible from a roaring longtail.
The most popular kayaking destination is Ao Thalen (also called Ao Talin or Talane), about
25km northwest of Krabi Town, where you can paddle out to the hongs and beaches of Ko
Hong and Ko Bileh. Another 25km north up the Krabi coast, the Ban Bor Tor (aka Ban Bho Tho)
area of Ao Luk bay is famous for its caves, in particular Tham Lod, which has a long tunnel
hung with stalactites, and Tham Phi Hua Toe, whose walls display around a hundred prehistoric
cave paintings.
Kayaking trips usually cost about B2000-2500 for a full day or B1000 for half a day. Trips can
be arranged through any tour operator in Krabi Town, Laem Phra Nang or Ao Nang, or with
reputable, though more expensive, kayaking operators such as John Gray Sea Canoe ( T 076
254505, W johngray-seacanoe.com) in Phuket Town.