Krabi’s five star beaches

After the surveying 233 beaches throughout 18 provinces, the Pollution Control Department have awarded only six sandy stretches with a “5 star” status. The criteria was based on how well the beaches adhere to the strict guidelines on environmental protection; pollution management; conservation of natural resources; and tourism management.

Two Krabi beaches received acclaim: Koh Rok Beach (off coast of Koh Lanta) and Pulay Beach on Koh Hong. Both beaches are located within National Park boundaries, with no human settlement nearby.

The overall findings from this survey reflects the general deterioration of beaches throughout the Kingdom; litter, pollution from diesel engines and waste water discharges are constantly increasing and damaging beaches nationwide – particularly in Phuket.

Krabi may be home to two five star beaches, but officials and communities must work together to maintain levels, and more importantly, resuce those beaches which are rapidly sliding down the scale.

Krabi hotels win gold circles

On 30 July, Agoda.com, one of Asia’s most reputable global hotel booking sites announced five Krabi hotels as Agoda Gold Circle Awards.

The Gold Circle Awards are presented to hotel partners who excel in offering the best rates and promotions to Agoda customers, and who received positive reviews from travelers on the Agoda.com site.

Five Krabi hotels excelled in every category and can now add the Gold Circle Awards to their glowing acclaim. Railay Bay Resort and Spa was one of the winning properties.

Mr Weerachoke Waiyarat, Sales and Marketing Manager of the Railay Bay Resort and Spa said, “Agoda is certainly a professionally-maintained tourism website that is highly regarded in the tourism industry.”

“The issuance of coveted awards contributes vastly to the professionalism. I have yet to see another tourism website that presents itself in such a friendly manner and accomplishes so much.”

Two of the other winners in the Krabi area were Phra Nang Inn Hotel and Ao Nang Orchid Hotel, both establishments are located in the beach town of Ao Nang. While Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa, and Phi Phi Island Cabana were the only winners on the island of Koh Phi Phi.

Northern food in Krabi

Local food in Krabi reflects the influx of immigrants to the region during the past two centuries; many dishes are rooted in Indian, Chinese and Malaysian cuisine.

However, it is also possible to find food from other areas of Thailand in Krabi. If you only have time to travel in the southern regions, dining on northern style food while in Krabi allows you a broader experience of Thai cuisine.

Chiang Mai House Restaurant is located in the Sai Thai area of Krabi, on the road between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. This charming little restaurant enjoys a leafy enclave under the shade of a mountain range.

The restaurant serves a good selection of Northern dishes including khao soi, which is a thick and creamy coconut broth with noodles and chicken.

Open during the day and evening, the restaurant is the ideal spot to refuel after a day at the beach. Expect company while your dining, as there is no shortage of monkeys and monitor lizards hanging around.

Korean BBQ restaurants in Krabi

As you drive around the outskirts of Krabi you may notice the various garden restaurants with huge signs outside shouting about something involving 89 baht. You may have guessed it – it’s an all you can eat feasting ground for 89 baht per head.

Locally known as ‘moo ga tat’ but best translated as Korean BBQ or sukiyaki, this style of restaurant has grown in popularity in Krabi over the last seven years, originally starting out at 69 baht.

Diners are seated at large tables which can accommodate big parties of diners, with numerous mobile cooking units featuring a grill and pot for soup.

Once seated and drinks ordered, diners can help themselves to a variety of vegetables, meats and noodles for cooking at the table. There is often pre-prepared food such as fried rice, kanom jeen (rice noodles in coconut curry), as well as som tam (papaya salad) and an assortment of fresh fruit.

Diners make a soup and grill their seafood and meat at the table and spread the feasting over an hour or two.

There is always a great atmosphere and the chances of going home feeling unsatisfied are very slim.

Sator season in Krabi

Love it or loathe it there is no escaping it this season – sator beans are in abundance in the south of Thailand at present. The long twisted pods of the petai bean (sator in Thai) are dangling from vendor stalls throughout the region.

The bean didn’t receive its off-putting nickname ‘stink bean’ for no reason; there are quite a few unpleasant side effects from consuming sator beans. While the taste isn’t very strong, just mildly bitter, the smell of the bean lingers for days.

Like most beans, sator causes a lot of flatulence due to its complex carbohydrate structure. The gas produced carries the intense smell of the bean, and so does urine.

Despite these unpleasant side effects, sator is a nutritional powerhouse. The bean is packed with protein, iron, vitamin B12, fibre, potassium and is an excellent source of energy.

In Thailand, sator is usually eaten raw with nam prik or stir fried in curry with shrimp. Most Thais can’t get enough of it, but also admit it is an acquired taste!

Isaan food in Krabi

Despite its lengthy distance from the north eastern region of Thailand known as Isaan, Krabi is a great place to enjoy Isaan cuisine.

Isaan food can be found throughout Thailand and is normally very authentic – thanks to the vast number of Isaan natives who have moved away from their home turf.

Som tam (papaya salad) is the most popular dish: is a delicious mix of unripe shredded papaya, chillies, garlic, peanuts and dried squid. Som tam is always served with sticky rice and a selection of fresh crunchy vegetables and fragrant leaves.

Other dishes include a tasty minced meat or fish creation known as laab, plus a variety of barbequed meats and sausages.

Loso Restaurant is the Krabi local’s favourite. It’s is a cool relaxing bamboo hut, offering a good selection of dishes and reasonable standard of service.

The restaurant is located on Krabi Road, next door to Kwan Music Shop; most taxi drivers and locals should be able to point you in the right direction.

A safer and more scenic journey

A 55 million baht road widening programme in Krabi is more than half way to completion. The stretch of main road between Klong Chilat and Klong Muang has been widened to allow four lanes of traffic. Cones and lights have also improved the road, allowing motorists a more relaxing journey between the beach resort and town.

Anyone who has made the journey from Krabi to Ao Nang by songthaew will remember the experience to have been a little hair-raising, despite the stunning scenery. Now drivers and passengers have more opportunity to enjoy the forest-topped karsts, pineapple fields and rubber plantations as the road is much less dangerous.

If you are driving yourself, it is still very important to be cautious. Road accidents are very common due to the hazardous nature of drivers in the region. Always wear a helmet and drive with extreme caution.

Uproar over tsunami sculpture

There was uproar in Krabi recently when the Secretary for Culture requested that the tsunami memorial sculpture be relocated to Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre.

On a recent visit to the province, Mr Apinan noticed that the sculpture was deteriorating due to its close proximity to the sea, soon after the sculpture was taken to Bangkok for repairs. Mr Apinan tried to contact the French artist who had created the artwork to commission another piece only to find she had passed away.

Realising her death would increase the value of her artworks, Mr Apinan recommended the sculpture be displayed in the Bangkok gallery. This upset Krabi residents and representatives of tourism in the area as the piece has an important meaning for them and is also considered a tourist attraction.

After hearing of their upset, Mr Apinan arranged for the piece to be returned to Krabi immediately to resolve the conflict. The sculpture has arrived back in Krabi and is currently on display in the city hall.

Best pizza in Krabi

While Thai cuisine is surely one of the world’s most flavoursome, it’s always good to enjoy the comforting taste of home now and again while travelling. Whether you are touring around Asia or on a two week Thai jaunt, you may experience a day when rice or noodles just won’t cut the mustard.

Krabi has no shortage of cafes and guesthouses selling farang comfort fodder such as chips, sandwiches and burgers; however, good pizza isn’t always on the menu. One restaurant in Krabi which bakes up consistently good pizza is Viva, in the centre of town.

The Italian-run restaurant serves a long list of scrumptious pizzas as well as an array of other dishes including crunchy salads, antipasti platters and juicy steaks. Viva also has a fairly good wine list which is mainly dedicated to Italian wines.

The restaurant is bright and airy, and the Italian owner, ‘Renato’, is always around in the evenings to offer travel tips and friendly chatter.

Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara Beach

If you have just left the smog and congestion of Bangkok in search of clean air, surf and sand, then you have landed in the right place. The beaches of Krabi Province are some of the Kingdom’s most stunning, and at this time of year you can have them all to yourself.

Arriving in Krabi, the beaches within easiest reach are Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara; both beaches are just a 20 minute drive from the airport or bus station.

The stretch of Ao Nang Beach running parallel to the promenade isn’t the most attractive, walk in the direction of the mountains and you will find a much quieter, more peaceful area. There are two bars on the beach, both serving good food, shakes and cocktails at a fairly reasonable price.

Nopparat Thara Beach is a long sandy stretch, just around the corner from Ao Nang. This beach is most popular with local families and day trippers, especially on the weekends. On weekdays it is very peaceful and in low season you may find yourself alone with only the baby crabs for company.