OUR FAMILY’S EDUCATIONAL VACATION TO SOUTHERN THAILAND
by: Musafir Lara Bin Selamat


ABOUT KRABI

Krabi is located on the south west coast of Thailand, some 800km or 10 hours ride by road or a mere 1 hour and 20 minutes flight from the capital, Bangkok. It is bounded by Phang Nga province to the north, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani to the east, and Trang to the south.

Krabi province is divided into eight administrative districts, called Ampur in Thai. They are Ao Luk; Plai Praya; Muang (which covers Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi Town, Klong Muang and the Phi Phi Islands); Neua Klong; Klong Thom; Khao Phanom; Lam Tup and Ko Lanta.

132 islands offshore in the Andaman Sea also fall under Krabi's jurisdiction, several of which - including the Lanta Islands, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Jum - are inhabited and much commercialised.

Among the most famous island among them would indeed be Phi Phi, where the film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio were shot several years ago and thus putting Phi Phi in the limelight of the world stage.

The province covers a total area of 4709 square kilometres. Krabi's population is almost 400,000 people, of which 60% are Buddhism in religion and the remaining 40%, Muslims.

The geographical landscape in Krabi, as in the Southern Thailand provinces elsewhere, are mountainous in nature, with pocket of interesting caves dated several thousand years ago found in the rocky limestone mountain of the province, some believed by archaeologists to have been once a shelter for prehistoric people.

Its beaches and bays are typically dotted with many luxurious and cheap hotels and resorts alike, dominating the coastal front, while several others built inwards land on higher ground with spectacular views and settings.


AO NANG BEACH & SOUVENIR STREET

The beach of Ao Nang is decent and offers a nearby swimming spot out in the sea, within proximity of your hotel or resort precinct. You could also visit the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach or the much acclaimed beautiful Railay Beach, accessible by boat.

But by far, the attraction of Ao Nang would be the Streets - which are typically dotted with souvenir shops selling you all kinds of items, souvenir and merchandise, as well as littered with bars and nightclubs/pubs, and numerous massage parlour/house that offers you affordable Traditional Thai Massage experience.

Also, restaurants and eateries, including street food-stalls/karts, are set up in numbers and offer you a variety of choice of food to sample. From cheap, local street food to expensive chic restaurants, you are put at great liberty to choose your lifestyle and spending spree there.

Ao Nang, thus being a tourist centre, is truly comfortable and convenient with resorts and hotels abounds, and so are alike the banks and ATMs facilities.
Moving around Ao Nang or to Krabi Town is convenient too; with the Tuk-Tuks or the local buses (known as Songthaews: a truck transportation vehicle, modified with side benches to ferry passengers around) you could move safely, yet cheaply, to wherever you want to go within Ao Nang or further apart to Krabi Town and the airport.

Or if you prefer, you could walk the street of Aop Nang all day or night long, till you’re heavenly, pleased at heart....