Destinations / The Best Places to Visit in Thailand / Krabi
Krabi
Krabi is a typical Thai city with a population of about 25,000 people. There are no popular bars and beaches, there is no fuss and McDonald's. Thailand's economy is heavily dependent on inflows of foreign tourists, but the city seems to have escaped the trap and feels quite confident. Based on the bank of the river, the administrative center of Krabi is satiated with tourists. Many beautiful natural scenery, fantastic white sand beaches and clear waters, the jungle-covered interior area open to visitors tours to the towering cliffs of various forms, caves, waterfalls and exotic wildlife animals.
Krabi's most popular attractions are the Railay Beach , Koh Lanta and the Tiger Cave Temple . In the province there are more than 150 beautiful islands. A shelter for Asian pirates, today, these islands offer excellent opportunities for recreation. Thanks to its attractions Krabi quickly turned into one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, attracting about two million tourists annually. Many travelers who come to Thailand , are eager to learn the culture and the traditions of the people, but the charm of beaches and beautiful islands is so strong that the original intentions fade into the background. To learn about the culture of Thailand, it is necessary to step away from the beaches (Thais despise tan in the sun, and most of them cannot swim) and pay attention to provincial cities and rural areas. Krabi, the city has not only cheap hotels, offices and numerous travel agencies, but is a starting point to explore the rich natural attractions of the province. The city is located 20 minutes from the popular beach Ao Nang, the relatively short journey by sea to the islands of Koh Lanta and Phi Phi, as well as a particularly popular and famous beaches Reilly and Tonsai .
Visitors are offered a wide selection of accommodation from simple bungalows to luxurious five-star mega-resorts, prices are flexible and very competitive. Friendly people you meet everywhere, visiting shops or kiosks, you can get a good discount from merchants, visit the same night club ( you can listen to Thai music), you'll be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of people wanting to buy you a drink. But, as elsewhere, you must be careful not to fall for the bait scammers. Traffic lights have never been the object of fun, and they never refer to places of interest. Krabi is different in this respect. In the city center you can see many statues of primitive people carrying heavy bags that act as traffic lights. "The bustling city, lovely people" - is the slogan of the city. Fortunately, the tourists have little to do with the "busy" nature of Krabi, in contrast to the locals who make purchases on the market in the morning, eat near the shops on the side of the road during the day and drink whiskey and dance the night away at local clubs, which gives Krabi a "lively" character.
Krabi is Thailand's typical City, that is why if you love Thailand, you'll love Krabi. One of the main attractions of Krabi is the fact that even if relatively unspoiled, still retained its charm. Many kilometers of beautiful coastline, lush, green interiors, a variety of water recreation and rock climbing contribute to the rapid development of tourism in the region. Krabi offers the opportunity to visit many beautiful places and offers all kinds of recreation: introduction to wildlife, canoeing, high-speed boats for trips to Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Island , snorkeling around the beautiful island of Koh Hong, scuba diving, rock climbing in West Raleigh. It is possible to rent a jeep or a boat and go into a separate trip, or take an organized tour. Landscape islands are dotted with caves, coral reefs, beaches, tropical forests, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs - a great opportunity to explore these natural attractions. There are many interesting places to visit, but the vast majority come here to relax on the beaches.
Railay Beach
Railay Beach is one of the most famous and popular beaches in Thailand. Situated on a small peninsula, around a rocky promontory between the towns of Krabi and Ao Nang, Railey offers its visitors a vacation in a remarkably beautiful and extraordinary environment. On the peninsula are beautiful beaches with soft white sand, towering cliffs form beautiful caves, a lagoon connected to sea at high tide, two observation platforms overlooking the magnificent view of the territory of the peninsula. There are no roads and any form of transport except for boats and motor boats.
Railay Beach consists of four zones: Western Raleigh (West Railay), Raleigh East (East Railay), Phra Nang and Tonsai , the latter more appealing to climbers. Railay is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the South of Thailand. Walking, you can visit and compare all of its four parts. The access to the peninsula from the sea is due only because of the high and steep cliffs, cutting it off from the mainland. These rocks, separate from the rest of Raleigh province of Krabi, is a magnet for rock climbers from around the world since the late 80s of last century, when the province of Krabi began to gain popularity the sport. Many visitors come here just for this. Beginners are taught the basics of climbing and offer dozens and even hundreds of different routes, which range from simple to most complex. In addition to scuba diving, snorkeling, soccer and rock climbing, especially popular is Sepak TACRO - a game that resembles volleyball, but the ball is allowed to play only by feet.
Koh Lanta
To the south of Krabi, is an administrative district of Koh Lanta with approximately 25 kilometers of sandy beaches along the west coast. It is located 70 kilometers from Krabi town. Koh Lanta consists of 52 islands, the largest of which is Koh Lanta Yai. This beautiful area of the southern coast of Thailand was home to sea gypsies, ancient nation with its own language and beliefs. After some time, settled here Thai fishermen and farmers. Lovers of hiking and German divers rediscovered the island of Koh Lanta in Thailand recently and the island gradually gained popularity.
Once a quiet and a peaceful place before our eyes has become a famous resort, its popularity among tourists is increasing all the time. Now the 25 km coastal resorts have natural materials and combine with the environment. Even at the height of tourist season, you'll never see a lot of people on the island, Koh Lanta remains one of Thailand's best kept secrets. The untouched nature is one of the main attractions of Koh Lanta. Covered with small mountains in some areas, its green forested hills, sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear waters and traditional way of life of local people push back the machine of modern life. The west coast of the island is a single long deserted beach, creating a sense of isolation from civilization, yet has all the necessary amenities for recreation.
The population of Koh Lanta, along with sea gypsies is of only 20,000 people. Various ethnic groups continue to adhere to their traditional customs and culture. Along with the Muslim and the Chinese community, they give the island its unique atmosphere and remain in full harmony with respect to each other. Although local residents are increasingly involved in the booming tourism industry, many still earn their living by traditional methods of agriculture, fisheries, farming shrimp. Many believe that scuba diving in Koh Lanta is better than in the Red Sea. Dive sites are regularly listed in the top ten places in the world. Here you can rent a bike or jeep and explore the beaches, rivers, caves and waterfalls. Getting here is not cheap, but to stay costs are not expensive. This region of the province of Krabi is poorly developed industrially. The friendly population meets visitors with a constant smile. If you lived here, you would also like to smile, here you need to smile! The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, beautiful sunsets and the green jungle. It is an island where people return again and again. A place where you forget about time.
Khao Kanab We
Khao Kanab consists of two hills, which many local people consider the symbol of the province. It is located in close proximity to the city of Krabi and it is easily visible from the road, quite interesting to look at the two hills facing each other and separated by a river flowing between them. The height of each hill is about 100 meters, in one of them is a cave with two entrances. A boat from Krabi town brings visitors to this site in 15 minutes.
Chicken Island
The Chicken Island got its name from the unusual form of rocks from one end of the island, which looks like a head and neck of an ostrich or chicken. One part of the island consists of steep cliffs and the other has beautiful beaches. The warm and clear water of the island with a rich world of coral is a popular place among fans of snorkeling and diving. Because the chicken does not have an island of the rainy season, you can visit at any time of year. Koh Poda Koh Poda Island is small, less than a kilometer in diameter, covered with palm trees and almost completely surrounded by soft white sand beach. This is one of the most popular beaches among tourists who visit Krabi. The coral reef is located approximately 20 meters from the beach with a rich variety of marine life. The combination of diving, excellent fishing, beautiful scenery and white beaches of Koh Poda made it a popular destination for lovers of snorkeling and beaches are never crowded here. From Ao Nang city on the sea journey lasts for 25 minutes.
Koh Talu
Koh Talu is a small island height of 45 m Talu name literally means "to sail through." The name comes from a large hole in the center of the island, which was the result of the erosion process of the breed. On an island inhabited by a huge number of swifts nest which is an important ingredient for making the famous Chinese delicacy - bird's nest soup . The scenery of rocks, which dominate in the region have developed a system of caves, both along the coastline and inland areas of the province of Krabi. Many contain beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Many of the coastal caves were destroyed in the process of erosion and formed a lagoon, which are connected with the sea only during the tides through tunnels in the rocks. Local travel agencies offer tours inside these cave systems - a great opportunity to get acquainted with this unique eco - system.
Tiger Cave Temple
One of the best scenery of Krabi, in Thailand, is the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua), the most famous caves of the province. It is said that a Buddhist monk meditating in a cave in the 1960s saw wandering a tiger near. Hence the name – the Tiger Cave Temple , although there is no tiger. A large monastery and a temple built in the mountain rock, which is easy to stumble on silent meditating monks. This is one of the most interesting temple complexes in southern Thailand, the monks live and worship in a maze of natural caves. The surrounding area - the jungle, the age of trees greater than hundreds of years.
The Tiger Temple teaches the form of Buddhism, which is called Vipassana (insightful meditation), based on the teachings of the early Buddhist texts. In the main temple cave you will find strange pictures of internal organs and cut cadavers, which are designed to strengthen the mortal body and to help the monks to concentrate on spiritual matters. The most famous are the steps in 1237, during which the tourists climbing around the monkey, who steals all costs from the hands of a meal or trying to pull an object. Unpleasant impression a lot of stray dogs and cats. Exhausting 30 - 40-minute climb, and you get to the rocky summit, where the statue of Buddha dominates the surrounding area, stretching from the town of Krabi to the rocks near Raleigh. The temple is interesting to visit, it is the most impressive surrounding scenery overlooking the Andaman Sea. Best time to visit Krabi is from November to April, the best months - January and February. The rainy season lasts from May to October, during this period, the influx of tourists almost disappears, wet weather is unpredictable and abrupt sea deters virtually all but the hardiest.
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The country is often called the "land of smiles", because here there are more people smiling than in any other part of the world.
Only in Thailand you can take a cruise on a converted rice barge, you can scream upstream in a boat or bamboo raft, you can go into a dizzying journey and you can stay in jungle tree houses or homes of villagers floating on the river.
Equally memorable are the trails leading deep into the rainforest past cooling waterfalls and beautiful endless white sand caressing the translucent sea.
Do not miss the dynamic city of Bangkok, with its futuristic buildings juxtaposed against the glittering Grand Palace.
Early morning, monks dressed in robes leave the sanctuary of temples to receive alms from the people or in a dusty village or on crowded city streets.
Here Buddhism is a way of life and, with the respect people have for the monarchy, a dynasty that has maintained an independent country for centuries, resulting in a blend of tradition and contemporary living.
His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, having come in 1946.
With the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy, but this was thwarted by the military, who staged coups in protest at government policies.
The latest blow came in September 2006 when a bloody revolt overthrew the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and replaced him with an interim prime.
Thailand has surpassed the economic collapse of 1997, SARS, avian flu and the devastating tsunami in December 2004 to become a popular destination for tourists, with its many natural beauties and rich cultural heritage.
Thailand is a tropical country, so it's warm all year round, but the best time for tourists is from November to March during the dry season.
The main attractions • Wonder at the beautiful architecture in Bangkok Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, a temple complex which houses a statue of the Emerald Buddha.
Further up the river are the royal barges.
They are richly decorated and are only used for special processions on the Chao Phraya River.
• Do not miss Wat Pho, Bangkok's largest temple and the place where Buddha is Down.
The statue is huge - 46m long and 15m high.
• Discover Vmanmek, a lovely palace with 18 rooms, the former royal summer residence, rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900.
Let yourself be excited by the former house of silk merchant, American Jim Thompson.
• Travel north to Chiang Mai, the second largest city of Thailand and a center for excursions to temples in the region, hill tribes and the Golden Triangle.
Climb its 300 steps to the temple of Doi Suthep to have wonderful views of the city.
• Visit Kanchanaburi, a place about the horrors of the Second World War and Allied forces forced to build the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai.
From the town you can go on trips to explore the waterfalls and the jungle region.
You could spend a night on a floating house.
• Take a trip back in time and visit Ayutthaya, the former Thai capital.
Wander among the ruins of palaces on foot,by bike, or even on the back of an elephant.
• A visit to Ayutthaya is not complete without a trip to Sukhothai, an ancient capital of the Thai.
Beyond the city walls there are ruins of ancient temples and a few ancient engravings.
• Visit the north-eastern Thai, less known, especially Phimai, one of the most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand, dating from the eleventh century.
The complicated structure resembles that of Angkor Wat.
• Thailand is not about just beaches and temples.
Venture Khao Sok National Park exploring the southern Thai.
Here the rainforest covers the limestone cliffs crossed by streams and waterfalls.
Experience the lifestyle of a tree house or a house on the water, made of bamboo.
• Make a day trip from Bangkok by train over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, on the bridge that was built by Allied prisoners, led by the Japanese during the Second World War.
• Admire the skills of kite fighters.
Your opponents kites male Chula and female high Pakpao in a battle of the sexes.
Do not miss playing takraw, which involves handling a cane ball from one player to another, which are disposed in a circle, using in acrobatic feet, knees, thighs and chest.
The goal is to keep the ball in the air and place it in a suspended basket.
• Take in a Thai kick-boxing match.
This traditional sport can be seen every day in stadiums across the country.
Boxing matches are preceded by elaborate ceremonies and accompanied by music.
• Get rid of all worries through meditation.
Thailand has dozens of temples and meditation centers specializing in vipassana .
You can attend one lesson or you can follow a whole.
• Meet more closely with northern Thai, especially remote provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, hiking, riding elephants and rafting on the river.
• Join the crowd that goes to Suri, where elephants assembly occur in November.
There are demonstrations of techniques and re-training scene of episodes in history.
• Enjoy thousands of kilometers from the Thai coast on the sand or under water.
Try kayaking, canoeing in the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay and explore the grottoes and caves that are half under water.
• Learn traditional massage and the healing properties of herbal medicine at ancient Wat Pho.
• Try Thai cooking at one of the many cookery schools.
Learn how to blend herbs and spices for the unique flavors of Thai food.
In some schools students encouraged to buy food in the market themselves.
• Take a boat trip through Bangkok's Floating Market or network of channels of the river, lined with dwellings opening directly to water.
Life has hardly changed over the centuries to those who live on canals.
• Dive with the Sharks at Siam Ocean World aquarium in Bangkok and experience to tell the tale.
• Take tea in the afternoon at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, one of the most famous hotels in the world.
The former residence of Somerset Maughan and Joseph Conrad, today is attended by kings, princes and celebrities.
Gastronomy Thai cuisine is famous for the way that balances the five fundamental flavors in all meals and dishes - spicy, sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional).
Thai cuisine which includes specific four main regions of the country - North, Northeast (Isan), Central and South America.
The cuisine of each region is influenced by neighboring countries of that region.
Thai dishes include plenty of fresh, not dried herbs, spices and fish sauce.
Nam pla is a fish sauce, flavored, which is found in almost all dishes.
It is widely used and shrimp paste.
Thais are accustomed to eat so much rice at every meal even.
Most of them consider sandwiches not a meal but a snack.
Also, locals do not really sit at table, because, especially children and teens eat when hungry.
If you do meet a Thai, you may be wondering "gin khao yung" every time you meet, meaning " did you eat ?" or better said "have you eaten rice?".
If you visit Thailand and stay at a local family take care not too eat too much, your body will get fat.
History Thailand existed as several small states since 1000.
Influenced more by India, Burma and Khmer people, the region was quickly engulfed in Buddhism.
By 1350 the kingdom of Siam was created.
At a distance of more than two centuries the Portuguese arrived, along with other Europeans, dealing with trade or were missionaries.
Siam avoided European colonization but was forced to cede control of more distant areas (portions of Malay, Laos and Cambodia) France and Great Britain.
Occupied by the Japanese in 1941, Siam declared war on the United States and Great Britain, while secretly monarchy suppressed resistance movements against the Japanese.
During the Vietnam War Thailand was significant especially for the U.
S.
Army.
Attracting investors and tourists, Thailand developed until 1996, when the military government triggered a decline in the economy.
Tips The royal family is highly esteemed in Thailand, which must be respected by visitors.
Locals are concerned with the public manifestations of anger as a fact and creates a very humiliating public image.
It also discourages emotional manifestations gender and touching a person's head or your foot to straighten, it is a lack of good manners.
Take care of your shoes before entering someone's house or a temple.
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