:: City Attractions part 2

How to get to Ko Phi Phi
Ferries depart from Chao Fa Pier in Krabi town at 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The 2 hour trip costs 150 baht per person. On return, the ferries leave Ko Phi Phi at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.   A one-day trip on a speedboat is available at Ao Nang. The trip starts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 0-7563-7152-3 for more information. 

Andaman Wave Master Co., Ltd. operates boat services, departing Chao Fa Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.   The fare is 200 baht per person. Call 0-7563-0471 (Krabi Office) or 0-2281-1463-5 (Bangkok Office).

On arrival to Ko Phi Phi Don, trips to the surrounding islands can be made in a long-tail boat. Visitors travelling from Phuket can contact tour operators who organise a one-day trip to Ko Phi Phi. 

:: Khao Phanom

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park   The park office is at Ban Huai To, 20 kilometres from town.  The park covers a total area of 50 square kilometres with high mountains and thick forests.  Its marvellous scenery is enhanced by streams, waterfalls, and wild animals. 

Namtok Huai To is some 500 meters from the park's office. The waterfall itself runs down over rocks into 11 huge pools, each with their own name, such as Wang Thewada, Wang Sok, and Wang Chan.  Another waterfall is called Namtok Huai Sa-de.  The waterfall has 3 tiers and is 300 metres from the park office.
Trekking to the peak of the Phanom Bencha Mountain, 1,397 metres high, is an interesting activity for adventurous tourists. Trekking takes at least 3 days, passing streams, waterfalls, caves and view points on high cliffs.

Admission is 200 baht per person.  A tent can be rented at 50 baht per person per day. Contact the headquarters of Phanom Bencha National Park, P.O. Box 26 Amphoe Mueang, Krabi 81000, Tel: 0-7662-9013.

:: Ao Luek


Than Bok Khorani National Park  The park office is situated 46 kilometres from town or 1 kilometre from Ao Luek Nuea Market.  Near the park office there are several natural ponds of emerald water in a shady forested area. Tourists can enjoy swimming in these ponds.

Admission is 200 baht per person.  Camping in the park can be done but tourists have to bring their own tents.Other attractions in the park include several caves in the limestone mountains, verdant mangrove forests, and beautiful islands which can be reached only by boat.    

Tham Lot can be reached by boat from Bo Tho Pier.  The pier is located 2 kilometres from Amphoe Ao Luek on the way to Laem Sak. Ride a long-tail boat along a canal passing through mangrove forests for 15 minutes.  Tham Lot is a tunnel under a limestone mountain where a natural stream runs through a small tunnel and charming stalactite and stalagmite formations are found. The cave can be visited only during low tide.

 Tham Phi Hua To is 500 metres from Tham Lot and can be visited by boat from Bo Tho Pier.  The cave is in Phi Hua To Mountain which is surrounded by mangrove swamps. There are 2 split paths inside the cave.  On the left lies the shortcut to the back of the cave, where sunbeams shine through, and on the right is a path to a natural hall believed to have been once a shelter for prehistoric people.   The prehistoric paintings of men, animals and human organs including numerous seashells, can be seen in the cave. Big human skulls had been discovered in the cave, thus giving the cave its present name.

Tham Chao Le is located to the west of Laem Sak in the bay where mountains and picturesque islands surround it. It is accessible by taking a boat from Laem Sak. The trip takes 10 to 15 minutes. In the cave, there are prehistoric paintings featuring men, animals and geometric symbols including stalactite and stalagmite formations.  It is assumed that the paintings may have been painted after those of Tham Phi Hua To. 

Mu Ko Hong is a group of limestone islands including Ko Lao or Ko Sa Ka, Ko Lao Riam, Ko Pakka and Ko Lao La Ding. Most of them are limestone islands with fine beaches, coral reefs in both deep and shallow water, and various kinds of fish.  Ko Hong or Ko Lao Li Pe is the biggest island in the south. There is a 400-metre hiking trial around the island.  This area is also suitable for sea-canoeing.   Mu Ko Hong is located at the edge of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, and is accessible by boat from Ao Nang. The trip takes about an hour.  The park charges 200 baht for entrance and 20 baht for camping on the island.

 
 
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