Krabi Town

Why go

Krabi Town is easy to pass straight through on the way to Ao Nang. It is worth a night if you want a Thai town rather than a beach strip: evening markets, a riverfront, and boats that leave from here for Railay East and the islands.

Not for you if your days are all island tours from Ao Nang: the beaches and most boat trips start on the coast, not here.

What you will find

The town sits on the Krabi River. Two limestone peaks of about 100 m, Khao Khanap Nam, stand on either side of the water and are the town's emblem; a longtail takes you across, and steps lead up from the landing to a cave. On the riverbank, the Black Crab monument (Lan Poo Dam) faces them.

Wat Kaew Korawaram, with its white ordination hall, blue roof and naga staircase from the street, is the province's principal temple; it dates from the late nineteenth century. It is sometimes called Krabi's White Temple, which has nothing to do with the White Temple of Chiang Rai.

In the evening, the Walking Street runs at weekends on Soi Maharat 8, and a night market sets up by Chao Fah pier on the river. The name of the town is usually explained by a legend of two old swords found by villagers: "krabi" means "sword".

Getting there

By road from the airport, which lies east of town, and from Ao Nang by songthaew, the shared pick-up taxi.

From Chao Fah pier, shared longtails leave for Railay East when enough passengers are aboard. Klong Jilad pier, south of the centre, serves Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta from November to April.

Before you go

"Krabi" on its own means the province: a hotel or a ticket marked Krabi may be in Ao Nang. Check which one you are booking.

The songthaew to Ao Nang is reported to stop running early in the evening, especially in the low season: plan your way back if you go out for the markets.