Krabi
Province is situated approximately 814 kilometers from
Bangkok which one of most attractive destinations in
southern Thailand. Covering an area of 4,708 square
kilometers, the western border of Krabi falls by the
side of the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat
Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders
are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern
borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces.
Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural
attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating
coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant
forests with caves and waterfalls.
The topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated
by plains in some parts. Krabi river is flowing through
Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district
which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there
are several canals originating from the province's highest
mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong
Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush
mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Krabi
river particularly before it empties into the Andaman
Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable
for growing various agricultural products, particularly
rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.
Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there
are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from
January to April and the rainy season from May to
December. Temperatures range between 17 ?C and 37
?C.
Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphurs (Districts):
Amphur Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya,
Koh Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The
provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts
and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130
large and small islands including the world famous
Phi Phi Islands.
In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class
beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous
diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions
in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and
rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers
and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers
outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular
natural scenery.
 History
of Krabi
Some archeologists claim that Krabi City is one of
the older settlements in the country as there is archaeological
evidence indicating that this area had been home to
homosapiens during the prehistoric times or between
25,000 - 35,000 B. C. The assumption has been strongly
supported by the discovery of stone tools, ancient
colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains
in the provinces cliffs and caves.
In 1200 A.D., the area was known as Ban Thai Samo,
one of 12 royal cities that had a monkey as the town
symbol. During this period of time, Krabi was under
the rule of the Kingdom of Ligor, a city better known
today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.
During the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), the
community was known as Pakasai Sub-county and remained
under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat
province.
Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai Sub-county
to Krabi Province with the provincial administration
office situated at Krabi-yai Sub-county (currently,
the office is located near the estuary at Pak Nam
Sub-district) and in 1875, ordered the separation
of Krabi Province from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
During the present reign, the corps of civil servants,
merchants, and the people of Krabi and nearby provinces
have collectively organized the construction of a
royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape which is thirty
kilometers west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast
to be presented to His Majesty the King.
Origin
of Krabi
There are two legends regarding the origin of the
name "Krabi". The first is that villagers
presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that was
discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a
smaller, on discovering a smaller one, it was also
presented to the governor. Regarded as sacred and
auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in the
province. As the process for the establishment of
the province was still in progress, the swords were
placed crossing each other in Khao Khanap Nam cave.
Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part
of the provincial seal.
The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived
from the name of a local tree known as "Lumphi".
The Malay and Chinese merchants mispronunciation of
the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi"
finally resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).
Distances
from Amphur Mueang (Town) to Neighbouring Districts
| Ao Luek |
43 kms. |
| Plai Phraya |
66 kms. |
| Khao Phanom |
39 kms. |
| Khlong Thom |
42 kms. |
| Ko Lanta |
103 kms. |
| Lam Thap |
67 kms. |
| Nuea Khlong |
17 kms. |
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Geography
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by
nighlands and plains on the mainland; the provincial
administration also covers more than 130 islands big
and mangrove and Cassia trees.
Krabi's sandy clay soil conditions are perfect. For
a variety of agricultural product, including : Rubber
trees, palms, oranges, coconuts, and coffee.
Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by
highlands and plains on the mainland; the provincial
administration also covers more than 130 islands big
and mangrove and Cassia trees. Krabi's sandy clay soil
conditions are perfect for a variety of agricultural
products, including : Rubber trees, palms, oranges,
coconuts, and coffee.
The Krabi River flows 5 kilometers through the city
and falls into the Andaman at Tambon Pak Nam. There
are other streams as well: The Klong Pakasai ; the klong
Krabi Yai ; and the Klong Krabi Noy ; these have
their source in the province's highest range of mountains,
the Kao Panom Benja.
Administration
Krabi is divided into eight districts : Amphoe Muang
(Krabi town), Kho Panom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya,
Ko Lanta, Ao Luk, and Lam Thap and, Nhua Khlong.
Population
Krabi's estimated poputation, as of 31 March 2001,
was 366,919.
Weather
Weather in Krabi is typically that of the tropical
monsoon, providing the province with just two seasons,
the hot season from November to April, and the rainy
season from May to October. Monsoon winds, which change
according to season, blow from the southeast, the
southwest, and the northeast. Temperatures for the
year range between 16.9 and 37.3 degrees Celsius;
yearly rainfall averages 2,586.5 millimeters
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