Thailand is also known as ‘the Land of Smiles' and this nickname stems from the country's welcoming locals, and the people of Krabi know exactly how to cater to tourists. Transportation throughout the province is mainly based on local boats used to get from island to island and songthaew (shared taxis) to get around the road systems.Krabi is well used to large numbers of foreign visitors and as such, the locals are aware of foreign etiquette. One important rule to follow is to always remove shoes when entering a religious temple and women should cover their shoulders and avoid low cut or revealing clothes off the beach while men should ensure they wear a shirt.
Tipping is a social norm in Krabi's tourist spots as many staff rely heavily on tips to bulk out their otherwise poor wages. Women should not touch a monk and neither sex should touch a Thai on the head. Another important factor to take into consideration is to avoid any insult toward the king as he holds an extremely high status with Thai people, with the royal family worshipped by many.
The Thai baht (BHT) is the local currency and it is easy to change money in Krabi, with countless ATMs, money changers and currency exchange booths found throughout the province. The airport, large hotels and banks are the most costly places to change foreign moneys, with local shopping malls proving cheaper.
Credit cards are largely accepted but travelers are advised to use cash wherever possible in Thailand to avoid the possibility of fraud. Supermarkets, restaurants and hotels are cheap compared to western prices and travelers checks can be used to top up cash supplies.
Krabi is fairly unusual with its weather and seasonal changes are dramatic. It welcomes a high annual rainfall that fuels the region's rainforests, giving them a year-round lushness and rainbows of deep colors.
From November to April Krabi experiences its driest periods and this is when the majority of people visit the area. Temperatures range from 24ºC to 32ºC with cooling sea breezes often welcomed in the evenings. From May to September Krabi enjoys the same temperatures but predicting the rains is tricky, with weather varying from one day to the next.
It is worth noting that during the rainy season hotels are far emptier, as are the beaches and national parks, making it a great time to visit to avoid the crowds.
The best way to get around on dry land in Krabi is by hire car or local taxi, known as songthaew. Metered taxis are also available although not in large numbers and the roads throughout the province can be dangerous so it is best not to hire a motorbike unless you are an experienced rider.
Long tail boats are used to get around the island with a few larger boats for those who wish to enjoy an organised tour with larger numbers. Krabi is home to Krabi Airport (KBV), which serves the province and many of the area's visitors arrive by plane. The airport is located 15kms from Krabi Town and some hotels provide shuttle transfers to and from the airport.
Population: 400,000 (province); 25,000 (Krabi Town)
Spoken languages: Thai
Religions: Buddhism (95 percent), Muslim (5 percent), Christian, Sikh and Hindu (minorities)
Phone/calling code: +66 75
Find more information about Krabi and hotels in the area:
Krabi hotels | Thailand hotels
