A rugby day trip

Rugby fans visiting Krabi next week are in luck, as Phuket will be holding its annual Phuket International Rugby Tens tournament. An advert for the event can be seen here. This two day tournament is taking place on May 25^th and 26^th at Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club and makes for an exciting day trip out of the province.

This is the 15^th year that the tournament is being held and it is hosted by the Phuket Vegabonds, who will also be competing for the trophy. Other teams that will be competing this year include last year’s champions the Moorabin Rams from Australia as well as favourites the Wanderes from Singapore and the Asian Japanese Dragons. This year there will also be a few first timers, including the Jakarta Komodos and the Alor Star Blues.

The tournament is not only exciting but also for a good cause. For the 11^th year in a row all funds raised at the Phuket International Rugby Tens will be given to the Asia Center Foundation, a foundation that schools underprivileged children in Phuket.

The drive from Krabi town to the Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club in Phuket is only around two hours by car and information on car rentals can be seen here. If you would rather drive to Phuket, look at this updated bus schedule on One Stop Krabi’s transportation guide.

Koh Lanta, an unspolied gem

Escape the tuk tuks, girly bars and markets and head to Ko Lanta, one of Krabi’s unspoiled gems. Ko Lanta is much more low-key than beaches on the mainland and then the popular Koh Phi Phi, making it the perfect place to kick back, relax and unwind.

Like Koh Phi Phi, Ko Lanta does not have much in terms of infrastructure, although it is the biggest island on the province. Here, visitors can escape reality and live a life of tranquillity, well at least until the holiday comes to a halt. It is the place to go to for escaping parties, but has a handful of great beach bars to relax in and watch the sun go down or drink until dawn.

If you do feel like getting up and doing something the island offers plenty of activities, including sea kayaking, snorkelling and fishing. Ko Lanta also has plenty of natural sights to see, like the Khao Mai Kaew Caves, the Orchid nursery farm and the Sea-Gypsy Village, or spend an afternoon wandering around Lanta Old Town visiting temples, art galleries and local shops.

There are a number of fabulous beaches on Ko Lanta, and choosing the right one is the hardest decision one will make when planning a trip here. After that life on Ko Lanta is pretty easy.

Read more information on the island and its various beaches on this One Stop Krabi guide.

Stunning Ko Ngai

There are heaps of stunning untouched islands in the Andaman Sea and 132 of these belong to Krabi Province. Most of these are much less travelled than some of the more built-up islands in the province, such as Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta and are a great place to head to escape the crowds and modern day lifestyle. One of these islands in Ko Ngai, which is actually more accessible from Trang than it is from Krabi.

Ko Ngai is a small picturesque island that boasts long white sand beaches and clear water. It is surrounded by magnificent coral reef that is ideal for snorkelling, while its interior is made up of lush tropical forest that is great for hiking and bird watching. This is the perfect place to relax on a stunning beach and forget about all of your woes back home.

The best way to get to Ko Ngai is via Trang, where boats run from Pak Meng Pier. Once on the island you will find no roads or cars, just tranquillity and natural beauty. Buses leave for Trang every 45 minutes between around 06:30 and 19:00, making it very easy to access the stunning island. For more information on getting to Trang from Krabi look at this One Stop Krabi transportation guide.

Child-like fun

Krabi is famed for its stunning natural scenery and activities that enable visitors to explore the scenery and landscaped that make it such a popular tourist destination. But there are other things to do here that have nothing to do with the province’s pristine nature, such as go karting.

The Krabi Kart Speedway is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping and as well as offer go karting is also home to a paintball park. Those wanting to spend an afternoon of pure child-like fun will feel right at home at this exciting attraction.

There is a selection of go karts available for use, from safe double seat karts that are suitable for children to racing karts that are for the most advanced go karter. If paintball is more your thing than get geared up and spend the afternoon at war with your friends.

The Krabi Kart Speedway is open daily from 09:30 to 19:00 and is just 10 minutes away from Ao Nang. If you purchase two or more tickets than they will come and fetch you at your hotel free of charge.

If you are looking for other things to do in Krabi this One Stop guide has loads of information and tips.

Before the rain

The main tourist season in Krabi is slowly coming to an end, as the province prepares for their upcoming monsoon season. What this means is that if you are planning on visiting Krabi, in particular the islands, it is best to do so as soon as possible.

Though Krabi can still be visited during the monsoon season those that wish to do things such as diving, snorkelling, sea kayaking or climbing should do this straight away. The Andaman Sea can get quite rough come July so now is the time to enjoy spotting the province’s surrounding under water life. Koh Phi Phi is one of the best places in the province to do this from, though it is possible to book a day of diving on the mainland as well. Read more about diving in Krabi here.

Sea Kayakers will also want to get their fix soon, exploring the caves and discovering the magnificent limestone karsts that make Krabi so beautiful. Discover the province’s lush nature up close and spot monkeys, monitor lizards, eagles and other wildlife. For more information on kayaking in Krabi have a look at this One Stop Krabi guide.

Climbing is also very popular in Krabi, particularly in Railay and Tongsai Bay. During the monsoon season climbing can be quite dangerous and many courses actually shut down for the season. Still, there is plenty of time to enjoy climbing in Krabi and there are at least a dozen schools that will take out beginners and advanced climber. This One Stop guide to climbing in Krabi has some great information.

Have a safe Songkran

Songkran has finally arrives and with it the government has introduced some new laws to ensure that everyone has a safe day. This is great news for some, though for others it may feel more like a slap in the face. Regardless, in the end it will hopefully mean less traffic accidents and crime.

One of the main things that will be enforced this year is the sale of alcohol, something that in the past was not extremely strict. Tomorrow all shops will have restricted times in which alcohol can be sold and they have been told not to sell to those that are already drunk. In additional to this people will no longer be allowed to use talcum powder, which when mixed with water can sting and be very dangerous if it gets into someone’s eyes. There are a number of other laws that will be in place this year to ensure that everyone has a safe Songkran.

Songkran is quite low key in Krabi but still very fun, and those on holiday here that wish to get in on the action should head to Ao Nang or Krabi Town, though every area will have some sort of water fight going on. You can read more about Songkran and other popular festivals in Krabi here.

The temperature is on the rise

Songkran is fast approaching, which means the temperature is on the rise. It is summer time in Thailand and as the temperature in Krabi soars the beaches are starting to get empty. This does not mean that there is no one around, it just means that they have left the beach to escape the heat. If you are in Krabi and are feeling the heat and looking for things to do to escape it there are some options. Escaping to the air conditioning of your room is one way, though not the only one.

Diving is a great way to escape the heat for a day and there are a great number of fantastic dive sites close by, particularly for those that are staying on Ko Phi Phi. To read more about diving in Krabi visit this One Stop Krabi page. If diving is not your thing you can always go sea kayaking through the shaded mangroves and caves. This is also a great way to take in Krabi’s picturesque scenery and there are plenty of tour operators throughout the province that offer these trips. Read more about sea kayaking in Krabi here.

If you prefer to stay on land there are also some options, like treating yourself to a day or half-day at a luxurious, air conditioned spa. There are places to get a massage all over Krabi, though the more high-end ones have air conditioned rooms as opposed to just fans and are therefore more ideal in this heat. Visit this Krabi massage guide for more information on the various types of massages and treatments available.

The art of Thai dancing

Traditional Thai dancing is an art, where dancers are graceful as they act out myths and tales of their ancestors. Dancers are usually in elaborate costumes that include ornate crown like headwear as well as finger extensions that flow with each movement of the dance. Thai dancing takes place only from the knees down, while the upper body remains upright, though great emphasis is placed on ones fingers and hands, which twist and bend in an amazing way.

Watching traditional Thai dancing is a must for all visitors coming to Krabi, especially ones that have never experienced it before. A great place to see a traditional show is at Rim Saai Restaurant at the luxurious Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi. Each Saturday the restaurant has a Thai buffet that is paired with Thai dancing performances. It truly is an incredible experience that should be had by all. During peak seasons the restaurant can get quite full so it is highly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time.

To read more about Thai dancing or other Thai art forms visit this 1Stop Krabi page.

Krabi, home to some of Asia’s best beaches

Krabi truly is one of Thailand’s most stunning provinces, and Tripadvisor agrees. The famous travel website has named Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach in its top five Asian beaches, beating other popular tourist destinations such as Phuket’s Patong, Kamala and Kata beaches.

Railay Beach can be found on Krabi’s mainland just south of Ao Nang though is only accessible by boat. This laid-back beach is most popular among rock climbers, though anyone can enjoy a relaxing holiday here. Railay is on the west side of a stunning peninsula, while Phra Nang Beach is one the east side of the same peninsula. Together they are truly the most stunning beaches in the kingdom. To read more about these picturesque beaches visit One Stop Krabi’s Railay Beach guide.

Getting to either of these top rated beaches can easily be done from Ao Nang, as longtail boats are readily available to make the short trip. For more details on getting to Railay or Phra Nang visit this transportation page.

Visiting Namtok Ron Khlong Thom

When people think of the tropics they often think of beautiful cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush jungle.  Namtok Ron Khlong Thom is just this and can be found around 28 miles from Krabi town on route to Trang. This picturesque waterfall is surrounded by shady forest with numerous hot springs nearby.

A day trip to Namtok Ron Khlong Thom is a must and will allow visitors to not only snap photos of this beautiful waterfall but to also enjoy plunging in its warm cascading water, which sits at around 40-50 degrees Celsius. There are many ‘bathtubs’ here that range in size and temperature and are caused by the running water of the springs. Enjoy bathing in one of the baths while listening to the waterfall, the birds and the surrounding nature.

The best time to visit Namtok Ron Khlong Thom is between 7am and 8am and 4pm and 5pm, though it can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The admission fee is just 10 baht per person and makes for a great day trip from Krabi.

To get here hire a car and drive south along Phetchakasem Road to the Khlong Thom District Office and then continue onto Sukhaphiban 2 for an additional 7.5 miles. This trip can also be done with an organized tour and will often also include a stop at the Emerald pool.

For more tips on what to see while in Krabi visit One Stop Krabi.