Ao
Nang This bay is beautiful and at
the same times very strange to the eye because of its limestone mountains.
Its famous beaches include Rai Ley. Tahm Pra Nang (where the tahm. Or
cave, is scared to local villagers). And Nam Mao; none of these can
be reached by road. However, boats leave regularly from the accessible
part of Ao Nang to take visitors to them. There are also other islands
to visit as well: Kal Island. Tap Islands, Mor Island, and Podah Island,
where there are clean sandy beaches, clear water and schools of colorful
fishes in abundance perfect for diving, snorkeling, or swimming. Boats
to the islands are bored at Ao Nang.
Phi Phi Islands The
name is derived from Malay, and the originals were Pulao Pi ah Pi,
wherein pulao is the Malay word for island, and pi, pronounced
with only a half p sound, was very close in pronunciation to the English
word be; the ah was eventually dropped, so the name was said
something like Bi Bi. Later the p was pronounced with a stronger
aspiration and the name became the Pi Pi we know today (the h with
which it is usually spelled is confusing and superfluous). The names
refer to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are in the group;
Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai; total
area is 42 square kilometers, They were incorporated into the national
park in 1983. Some of the interesting places to visit include:
Yung Island lies to the north of Phi
Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the East Side, and a smaller strand
of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are
found there.
Pai Island lies also to the north
of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yuhng. Sandy beaches are on the north
and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the
south.
Phi
Phi Don Island covers a total area of 28 square kilometers on
length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is cape
Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gypsy
village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Taruntao National
Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent,
as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are
long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are
especially beautiful: Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations
and tourist services are found.
Phi Phi Ley Island is 6.6 square kilometers
in length and area: 3 Kilometers in length and 1 at its broadest point.
The island is an entirely limestone and steep cliff rising from the
sea rising from the sea very nearly ring it. Surrounding waters average
about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at the deepest point off
the island’s southern tip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful bays: Pilehm
Maya, and Loh Samah; Ao Pileh is very nearly enclosed by the limestone
walls of the island’s cliffs, so that the water appears almost to be
an Inland Sea. On Phi Phi Ley’s northeast is the famous Viking Cave;
this was renamed by H.M.Rama IX when he visited it in 1972, Tahm
Pya nak, from the shape of a particular boulder, which resembles
in shape the head of the great serpent of Buddhist legend, the Naga.
It is a place much revered by the local people who come there to collect
the swift’s nests used to make Bird’s Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy.
On
the eastern and southern walls of the cave are colored drawings dating
from historic times. There are pictures of elephants and also of various
boats: European, Arab, and Chinese sailing ships; barques, motorboats,
and steamships, It is theorized that these pirates who paused in their
travels from west to east, sheltering in the cave to escape the monsoon
winds, transfer cargo, or make repairs. Travel to the Phi Phi islands
Tour operators in both Phuket and Krabi provide transport and tour packages
to this popular destination. Regular boat service is available from
Jao Fah pier in Krabi.
Jahm Island or Poo Island A large Muslim populated island
forming its own sub-district in Krabi. The population engages mostly
in fishing, rubber cultivation and the local craft of cloth weaving.
This last has become so well known that Krabi province is famous for
its cloth, called Pah Tor Koh Poo woven cloth. During the fair-weather
months of dry season, passage to the island can be made by taking a
boat from the Jao Fah pier in Krabi Town; when the weather is rainy,
take a boat from Laem Kruad pier in Neua Klong District. Beach bungalows
are available for overnight visitors.
Lanta
Islands National Park covers 152 square kilometers of Lanta
Islands. This island forms the most southern district of Krabi Province.
It was known long ago by its name in the Malay language, Pulao Satak,
which means Long Beach Island. Later so many Thais, both
Buddhist and Muslim, came to live on the island that there seemed to
be a million eyes, which is what some people think Lanta means
in Thai. Others hold that the name is corrupted from Javanese lan tas,
and means a fish grill (which is built of wood with a square
grill on top where the fish are set in a circle). Several important
islands are in the national parks:
Lanta Yai Island is where the District and National
Park offices are located. Island geograaphy is mountainous and rugged,
especially near the southern tip; some beaches are gravelly, others
have fine white sands. A clan of Chao Ley, or sea gipsies
are resident on Koh Yao Yai, and they preserve many of their ancient
customs and ceremonies; e.g. ,the setting of ceremonial boats adrift
to bring good luck and prosperity on the full moon nights of the sixth
and eleventh months. This and other features of their lives are open
to view. To visit the island take a regularly scheduled ferry from Ban
Hua Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Klahng; Bor Muang Pier in Tambon Sai Kao;
or Jao Fah Pier in Krabi Town.
Taleng Beng Island This island is in some ways a smaller
version of Phi Phi Ley: Made of limestone, hon
eycombed
with caves, inhabited by the same swifts whose nests are made into soup.
Small beaches and caves appear when the tide ebbs.
Hah Islands A group of five islands. Hah Yai Island
has a field of grass on its ridgeline. Another island resembles in shape
a sailboat; one has water that passes from one side to another beneath
it. There is some coral in shallow waters.
Ngai Island A fine sandy beach and coral reefs rundown
the east side of this island. It is perfect for diving. Regular ferries
and charter craft are available from Pak Meng Beach in Trang Province.
Rok Nai Island is composed largely of formidable cliffs.
On the east side are a fine sandy beach and coral gardens growing around
sea rocks. On the north side are San Jao Bay and Tohng Bay
Rok Nok Island The southeast and southern ends of this
island have fine sand beaches and shallow water corals. Also not to
be missed are Man Sai Bay and TaIu Beach. Transport to the island is
via charter from either Pak Meng Beach in Trang Province of from Lanta
Yai Island. There are tents for rent, contact Lanta National Park Tel.(075)
6290 18-9
Beach, because when the tide ebbs the stream flowing from the
northern mountains almost disappears, so that the beach has no
shore and stretches all the way to Koh Kao Pak Klong Island. In
the vicinity of the beach are many places to stay serving tourists.
Details and further information may be obtained by writing to
Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, P.O.Box 23, Muang District,
Krabi 8100, Tel (075) 637436 or call National Park Headquarters,
The royal Forestry Dept, Tel (02) 5790529