Krabi

Krabi (Thai: กระบี่) is a town (thesaban mueang) on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River into the Andaman Sea. As of 2005 the town has a population of 24,986. The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi district.

Krabi town is very close to the river mouth that opens to the great Andaman Sea. Krabi river flows about 5 km through the town and opens into the Andaman sea at Tambon Pak Nam. Quite a few other rivulets originating from the mountain ranges in the province, Kao Panom Benja ; the Klong Pakasai, Klong Krabi Yai and Klong Krabi Noy, also joins the sea at this area. Krabi province in Thailand is divided into eight districts : Amphoe Muang (Krabi Town), Khao Panom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luk, and Lam Thap and, Nhua Khlong.

Krabi offers more than just spectacular scenery above the surface, go below and you'll find an abundance of marine life awaits. Although some dive sites have suffered recent tsunami damage the deeper waters remain relatively intact. Krabi can serve as a good base to explore the smaller local offshore islands or go further afield to Koh Phi Phi. Most of the local dive operators are located at Ao Nang, a coastal resort around 30 minutes drive from Krabi town. Krabi is distinguished by its mountains, hills, and plains. There are more than 30 small islands off the coast. The still pristine jungles include white mangrove and mangrove forests. The soil is mostly sandy clay and rich loam, perfect for rubber, palm, cashew nuts, coffee, and coconut plantations. Within the Muang district flows the Krabi River, which enters the sea at Tambon Pak Nam. Other streams include: the Pakasai, the Big Krabi (Krabi Yai), and the Little Krabi (Krabi Noy), which have their sources in the Panom Benja mountains, Krabi 's largest range of mountains.