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Mu Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands)
 Regarded by travelers from all walks of life as being among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. In addition, the islands are famous as the location where the movie "The Beach" featuring Leonardo Di Caprio was shot. The islands, together with the nearby Noppharat
Thara Beach, a total area of 390 square kilometers, were recently established as a national park.
Phi Phi Islands are located just 40 kilometers away from both Krabi and Phuket. Thus, despite the fact that both Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi administratively are a part of Krabi Province, most tourists think that Ko Phi Phi is part of Phuket Province.
The islands and the coastal hills are composed mainly of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-Nga Province. The main characteristics of these mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the rock crevices, like those in Phang-Nga Bay.
Interesting Attractions of Mu Ko Phi Phi:
The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le.
Ko Phi Phi Don - covers an area of 28 square kilometres. Outstanding attractions are the twin bays with curving white sandy beaches of Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Da Lam. Ko Phi Phi Pier, accommodation, and restaurants are situated at Ao Ton Sai. Visitors can walk from this bay uphill to the scenic spot where the visibility of the twin bays is generally excellent. Beside Ao Ton Sai, there are also other attractive beaches and bays around the island. A number of accommodation is available at Hat Laem Hin, Hat Yao, and Ao Lo Bakao. At the northern end of the island is Laem Tong, renowned for its underwater natural beauty with lodging available. A huddle of fishermans huts (15 20 families) is located here. Most of them have previously migrated from Ko Li Pe of Tarutao National Park, Satun province. A day trip by boat or snorkelling spectacular coral shallows around. Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le is recommended.
Ko Phi Phi Le- Covering an area of only 6.6 square kilometres, this islet is surrounded by limestone mountains and sheer cliffs plunging hundreds of metres to the sea. The sea is 20 metres deep and the deepest point in the south of the island is around 34 metres. Ko Phi Phi Le offers superb scenic bays such as Ao Pi Le, Ao Maya, and Ao Lo Sa Ma. In the northeast of the island is a large cave called Tham Viking. The cave was renamed Tham Phaya Nak or Naga Serpent Cave by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej because of a stone resembling the mythical creature, which His Majesty saw when he paid a visit here in 1972. The cave is considered sacred to locals who come here to collect swallow nests. Inside the eastern and southern parts of the cave are ancient rock paintings of elephants and various types of boats, including a European sailboat, an Arabian sailboat, a sampan, a Chinese junk, a waterwheel sailing boat, and a steamboat. It is believed the paintings were the works of sea merchants or pirates because the study of west-to-east ship routes indicates that this area may have been a stopover for boats seeking shelter from storms, transferring cargo or making repairs.
Ao Maya and Ao Lo Sama - Phi Phi Islands scenic coves are favorite snorkeling places while the sea around the islands, especially the southern part, which are deep and full of coral formations are popular diving spots. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea is calm.
Ko Yung- An island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don, has a stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. In addition, the island is teeming with diverse colorful coral reefs. Ko Phai, another island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung, has spectacular beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler corals stretches from the north to the south of the island.
Ko Mai Phai - Ko Mai Phai is north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung. Marvellous beaches are in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs with staghorn corals, in particular, stretches from north to south of the island.
How to Get to Ko Phi Phi
It is accessible from both Krabi and Phuket. From Krabi, take the Song Thaeo service (12 baht) from the provincial town of Krabi to Pak Khlong Chilat Pier. From there, ferries depart for Ko Phi Phi twice daily at 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. On return, the ferries leave Ko Phi Phi at 9.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. The 2-hour trip costs 350 baht per person. For further details, contact Phi Phi family Co., Ltd., Tel. 0 7561 2463. Chao Ko Co., Ltd., Tel. 0 7563 1823. Andaman Wave Master Co., Ltd., offers a ferry service from Pak Khlong Chilat Pier twice daily at 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. (200 baht). For further details, contact A D V Co., Ltd., on Khao San Road, Tel. 0 2281 1463 - 5 or Andaman Wave Master Co., Ltd., Tel. 0 7563 0471.
Alternatively, a one-day trip on a speedboat is available at Ao Nang. Departure time is 9.00 a.m. On return, it reaches Ao Nang at 5.00 p.m. Contact Ao Nang Travel and Tour Co., Ltd. for more information, Tel. 0 7563 7152 - 3. The trip costs 1,200 baht per person with lunch included. |
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Than Bok Khorani National Park
Than Bok Khorani National Park is one destination of ecotourism . It occupies a variety of attractions including natural trails, waterfalls, mangrove forests, Tham Lot, Tham Phi Hua To (a cave with prehistoric paintings) and Mu Ko Hong (limestone islands with crystal clear water, fine beaches and coral reefs). The islands are suitable for snorkelling and sea-canoeing and open only for one-day trippers. Visitors can get more information at the Visitor Centre of Than Bokkhorani National Park at telephone number 0-7568-1071, 0-7568-2058 or http://www.dnp.go.th/ .
 Than Bok Khorani National Park covers an area of 37.5 rai of land in Tambon Ao Leuk Tai. Its headquarters is located just one kilometer from Tambon Ao Leuk Neua Market intersection on the Ao Luk Sak road. The Park is covered by a canopy of diverse species of trees such as wild gardenia, asoka, and Apocynaceae that are scattered around Sa Bok Khorani, an attractive emerald pond after which the park is named where visitors can swim.
At the north end of Sa Bohk Korani, which flows through a winding passage in the mountain, is a wood carving of a footprint of the Lord Buddha and a shrine of Chao Pho To Yuan - To Chong. Other attractions in the park include several limestone mountain caves, verdant mangrove forests and beautiful islands which can be reached only by boat
Admission fee for adults and children are 200 and 100 baht per person. The Park does not provide accommodations, but camping in the park is allowed although tourists have to bring their own tents. For more information, Tel. 0 7568 1071, 0-7568-2058 .
Other attractions include:
Than Bokkhorani - Located near the parks office, Than Bokkhorani is a stream formerly known as Than Asok, where Asoka or Asok trees in Thai were grown. Its topography sees various flowing streams on their journey to numerous pools of different cascades among a shady forested area.
To the north of Than Bokkhorani sees a replica of the Lord Buddhas footprint carved from wood. It is situated near the shrine of Chaopho To Yuan To Chong.
Tham Lot and Tham Phi Hua To - They are located 6 kilometres from the park. To get there, proceed from Amphoe Ao Luek via Ao Luek - Laem Sak route for 2 kilometres. Turn right for Bo Tho Pier. Take a 15-minute long-tail boat ride along Khlong Tha Prang, which passes through the mangrove forests.
Tham Lot is a tunnel under a limestone mountain where stalactite and stalagmite formations are found. Tham Phi Hua To or Tham Hua Kalok is 500 metres from Tham Lot. Oversized human skulls had been discovered in the cave, thus giving the cave its present name. The prehistoric paintings of men and animals, as well as, a pile of numerous seashells on the floor can be seen in the cave. Tourists can enjoy the serene view of the mangrove forests by canoes. Rental including lunch costs 1,200 baht per/person. A canoe rental service is available at the Bo Tho Pier.
Tham Chao Le - Located to the west of Laem Sak, Tham Chao Le is a cave that sits within the bay, where mountains and picturesque islands surround it. The prehistoric paintings of men, animals, and geometric symbols, as well as, stalactite and stalagmite formations are found. It is assumed that the paintings may have been painted after those of Tham Phi Hua To. Canoeing near the cave is possible. Tham Chao Le is accessible by a boat service or rental boat from Laem Sak. The trip takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Ko Karot/Garose - It is situated to the east of the end of Laem Sak. Canoeing is possible.
Ko Dang - With its white sandy beach stretching 25 metres, Ko Dang offers a cave measuring 70 metres wide and 20 metres high, and a diving spot for coral reefs.
Mu Ko Hong - Mu Ko Hong is a group of islands including Ko Lao or Ko Saka, Ko Lao Riam, Ko Pakka and Ko Lao Lading. Ko Hong or Ko Lao Pile is the biggest island in the south. Most of them are limestone islands with crystal clear water, fine beaches, coral reefs in both deep and shallow water, most suited for diving and fishing. There is a 400-metre hiking trail around Ko Hong. This area is also suitable for sea-canoeing. The parks entrance fees for adults and children are 200 and 100 baht, respectively. In addition, the park charges 20 baht for camping on the island. Visitors must bring their own tents. Mu Ko Hong is accessible by long-tail boat from Ao Nang. The trip takes about an hour.
To get there: Located 46 kilometres from the provincial town of Krabi, Mu Ko Hong is situated at Than Bokkhorani, Tambon Ao Luek Tai, a distance from the Talat Ao Luek Intersection. Proceed along the Ao Luek - Laem Sak route for 1 kilometre. Alternatively, take the local taxi or Song Thaeo ride (Krabi Ao Luek Neua Tai) from Amphoe Mueang and get off at the parks entrance. |
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Travel Ayutthaya
Regarded as the symbol of Krabi, Khao Khanap Nam are two mountains that are roughly 100 meters tall, separated by Maenam Krabi and located at the entrance to Krabi city. Khao Khanap Nam has beautiful caves with amazing stalactites and stalagmites worth exploring. In addition to natural attractions, a large number of human skeletons have been found here. It is theorized that they are the remains of people who came and established a home at Kanab Nam, but were cut off by an inundation and quickly perished. The mountains can be reached by taking a 15-minute long tail boat ride from Chao Fa Pier. For visitors interested in a more extensive excursion, it is possible to tent a boat can be rented at 300 baht per trip to visit Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove forests and Ko Klang fishing village. 
