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.

Ao Nang may offer the liveliest entertainment scene during peak season, but once the rain season blows in, the seaside strip becomes deserted and Krabi town takes over.

Most of the tourist-orientated bars are located on Chao Fa Road, including the breezy Rooftop Bar and The Chilling Room, which are the most upmarket offerings. A good scattering of cosy little guesthouses also have bars and there are new ones popping up on a regular basis.

Nightclubs offer a glimpse at how the locals let their hair down. The scene usually follows the same formula of very loud, fast, trance-techno, with a DJ talking on the mic at regular intervals. Few people actually dance, but instead congregate around elevated tables, talking and drinking.

There are also some live music venues in Krabi; Crazy, Bolero and Room 69 are the most popular choices.

The weekend Walking Street Market is a popular shopping arena and even the long-standing Vogue Department Store has had a facelift in order to keep up with competitors.

On Tuesday 8th June, Krabi’s new night plaza is throwing a five-day grand opening party. The charming little bamboo village opposite the river is the latest addition to Krabi’s shopping and entertainment scene.

Outlets in the plaza will sell a wide range of goods including souvenirs, clothing, local products and much more. There will be two stages of live music each night, one located next to Krabi’s iconic ‘big crab’, and the other within the plaza. At the heart of the action, Amata Bar will be serving great cocktails and providing the ideal spot to sit and soak up the atmosphere.

So beaching and island tours are off the list, well, unless you are a duck. Thankfully there’s lot of other interesting things to do and places to visit, so the rain doesn’t spoil your time in Krabi.

Visiting a temple is a great way to learn more about the local Buddhist faith. The main temple in Krabi town is Wat Gaew, and just outside the town you will find ‘Wat Tham Seua’. The latter has a steep set of steps leading to a hilltop Buddha and pagoda; however, if it is very rainy this trek might be best avoided as it could become quite slippery.

Other things to do include: sampling local cuisine, shopping or taking a Thai cookery course. If you fancy soaking up the local culture instead of the rain, then just find a nice cosy café bar with comfy seats, a good view and good food.

If you have visited the area, no doubt you will have been struck by the craggy outcrops and mountains which characterize this southern province. Aside from providing a stunning backdrop for beachside relaxation, they double up as a challenging terrain for climbing enthusiasts.

A large percentage of Krabi’s visitors are attracted by the area’s natural climbing walls, and the annual climbing competition is a huge event. Both Thai and foreigners competed in the competitive climbs during daylight hours, while after dark the other elements of the competition heated up.

Fire shows are part of the experience of staying in Railay, and visitors are always wowed by the synchronized shows locals lay on. Competitors created a mesmerising display of dancing flames on the sand in time to their favourite tracks. After the competitive heats finished, spectators got the chance to dance as a number of local bands provided music and entertainment for the event.

Songkran is a country-wide water fight and undoubtedly, Thailand’s most vibrant festival. Crowds gathered on the streets in Krabi from early morning, ready to soak every thing that passed.

Armed with water canons, buckets and garden hoses, people of all ages and nationalities enjoyed this wet and wild water festival.

Religious aspects of the festival are overshadowed by the water play, but traditionally Songkran is a time for cleansing and renewal. Many Buddhists visit the temple to pray and sprinkle water on the Buddha images.

It’s a huge celebration across the country, with festivities continuing for a week in some areas. Krabi’s water fights mainly take place on 13th April; however, you are very likely to get splashed for a few days after.

The newly opened gallery showcases work from established Thai artists, as well as regular exhibitions of work from locally based artists. Open from 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday, the gallery provides insight into Thai art and popular techniques.

Many art pieces are for sale, and as the majority depicts landscapes from around Thailand, they make beautiful souvenirs or gifts.

As Krabi develops at record rate, it is a relief to see cultural, educational and recreational institutions form a branch of the growth. Other new additions include a WWII ship which is presently being converted into Krabi town’s first museum, and a library in the new temple, which will house the south’s largest collection of Buddhist literature.

Each year during March the Laanta Lanta Festival kicks off on the island of Koh Lanta. The festival lasts around three days and is a vibrant display of the cultural diversity found on the island.

Koh Lanta is home to Buddhist, Chinese, Muslim and sea gypsy inhabitants, all of whom reside together in perfect harmony. Unlike so many places in the world, the people of Koh Lanta respect each other’s beliefs and customs, and live at peace with one another.

The festival features live music, dance, cultural displays, market stalls and, of course in typical Thai festival style, plenty of feasting. It is a lively affair which attracts revellers from across the Krabi Province as well as many tourists.

Just wandering the streets and browsing the small shops is a great way to get a feel for this bustling little town. Krabi’s population is made up of a blend of Buddhist, Muslim, Chinese and Indian residents, and this diverse mix is reflected in the local culture and cuisine.

You can find the popular southern Thai dish ‘khao moo daeng’ (red marinated pork on rice) on one side of the street, while aromas from Malay-inspired dishes such as ‘khao mok gai’ (chicken on aromatic rice) drift from across the road.

Indian-owned fabric shops sell an array of vibrant textiles, while next door the Thai Chinese community sip tea and dine on dim sum. There are lots of small souvenir shops dotted around the town, selling wooden carvings, silk scarves, jewellery and other random little trinkets.

Two markets set up on a nightly basis, while another larger market takes place each weekend; these markets are a great place to sup up the local social scene. Even you only have a few hours to spare Krabi town is worth a wander, just to ensure you take home a truly authentic experience of a Thai town.

A path along the river leads to a large park, known as Thara Park, which has a football field, tennis courts and a children’s play area. This is a pleasant spot to enjoy the late afternoon, when the sun begins its journey southwards and there is a light breeze blowing in.

The park comes alive at 06:00 when locals begin their morning exercise routine, which is mostly jogging and tai chi. Throughout the day, students and office workers come to eat lunch under the trees, then at around 17:00 locals return to play sports, stretch their legs and take their pets for a walk.

Vendors selling fruit, cold drinks, fried chicken, papaya salad and sticky rice, can be found along the park, but there is also a handful of good cheap restaurants overlooking the river. The park should be visited during daylight hours for maximum safety.