PATTAYA HOTEL REVIEWS

VISAS FOR THAILAND
Visitors to Thailand must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in the kingdom. Citizens of 41 countries qualify for a 30-day ‘permission of stay’ stamp, which is given out when you pass through immigration at the airport. There is no charge for this. Others are granted only a 15-day ‘Visa on Arrival’.

People who do not qualify for this permission of stay, or who wish to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days must apply for a visa at their local Royal Thai Embassy before departure. The standard tourist visa is a single entry, 60-day permit, which can be extended by one month while in Thailand, on payment of 1,900 Baht.

For a full list of countries that qualify for visa exemption (i.e. permission of stay granted at airport), ‘Visa on Arrival’ and further information about all types of visa, see the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

THAI MONEY
The only unit of currency accepted in Thailand is the Thai Baht, available in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 (notes) and 10,5, 2 and 1 (coins). It is best to exchange money once you are here as rates are much better than those abroad. For the latest exchange rates, click here. Currency exchange booths in Krabi accept cash and travellers’ cheques in most denominations: dollars, euros and sterling being the most popular.

ATMs are another option for withdrawing cash in local currency as you need it from your bank account at home. Machines are widely available in Krabi Town and Ao Nang; however, offshore and in more remote areas you may have problems finding one.

Krabi is slightly more expensive than other areas in Thailand; however prices in general are much, much lower than in the West. So how much spending money to bring? Click here to see our new holiday budget planner.

PACKING ADVICE FOR KRABI
Pack lightweight clothes, unless you’re coming in the rainy season (May - October), in which case you should bring a light (non-woolly) sweater or cardigan. Laundry services are widely available at around 35-40B a kilo.

Sunglasses are a must - the sun is extremely strong. Cheap, original, designer sunglasses can be bought from opticians here. Bring at least one pair of flip-flops or slip-on shoes (or buy them here). As well as being cooler, they are also easily removed before entering a Thai home or temple. A small flashlight can be useful for occasional power cuts or to find your way back to your bungalow at night if you are staying at the beach or at a remote guest-house.

Other holiday essentials such as suncream, most types of camera film, mosquito repellent as well as brand-name toiletries such as Colgate and Nivea are widely available here, so there’s no need to panic if you run out!

If you plan to spend a great deal of time in the water, you might want to bring your own snorkel and mask - although these can also be purchased here. Some people may want to bring their own specialised equipment for diving and climbing.

ELECTRICITY IN THAILAND
The standard voltage in Thailand is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz. Most laptop computers do not require a converter but check with your manufacturer before you come. The type C (two pin, round head) outlet is universal in Thailand. This is the plug used by the majority of Europe, Asia and Africa, and adaptors are not needed for electrical equipment bought in these regions. Most standard sockets also accept flat two-pin plugs. Any other type of plug (UK, US) will require an adaptor.

KRABI is located on the south-west coast of Thailand, around 800km from Bangkok and 170km from Phuket. It is easily accessible by road, air and sea.

By plane to Krabi

Krabi Airport is small and conveniently situated for just about everywhere in the province as it is on the main highway, Route 4. Many larger hotels offer a (paying) transfer service if you specify your arrival time; otherwise there are efficient, regulated taxis available. The standard fare to hotels in Krabi Town is 350 Baht per car; to Ao Nang, 600 Baht per car; to Klong Muang 900 Baht per car.

A new international terminal has recently been opened. With customs and immigration services providing visas on arrival, this will open the door to direct international flights - at least during the high season months.

Another airport near to Krabi is Phuket International Airport, around two hours’ drive away (taxi 2400 - 2600 Baht per car). This is worth considering as an alternative arrival point as there are often cheap charter flights available to Phuket, which could save you money, even factoring in the extra cost of the taxi.

FLIGHT SCHEDULES Updated 7 September 2007.
These are the current schedules, valid until 27 October 2007. Prices quoted are for one-way tickets including applicable taxes (return double unless stated). Flight time Krabi - Bangkok is 1hr 20 mins. There are 2 airports in Bangkok, please make sure you have the right one if you have a connecting flight. Airport codes: DMK - Don Muang Airport (Bangkok); BKK - Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bankgok); KBV - Krabi Airport. If you do need to transfer between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi Airport, please allow at least 4-6 hours in peak periods.

All of the airlines have online booking facilities; links are provided for your convenience, but please note that we are not affiliated with the airlines in any way and cannot be held responsible for bookings made on these sites.

Air Asia
Krabi Airport Office: +66 (0)75 701551
-from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi: 3 flights daily, FD3163 10.20; FD3167 13.45; FD3165 17.05
-from Krabi to Bangkok (BKK): 3 flights daily, FD3162 12.05; FD3166 15.30; FD3164 18.50
-from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi: 3 flights weekly, Tue, Thu, Sat, AK862 10.05 (arrival 10.25)
-from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur: 3 flights weekly, Tue, Thu, Sat, AK863 10.50 (arrival 13.10)
Tickets from 1018 baht one way. Budget airline with varying price structure; check website for current promotions.

Bangkok Airways
Krabi Office: n/a
**Flights start from 28 October 2007 only**
-from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi: 1 flight daily, PG261 12.30
-from Krabi to to Bangkok (BKK): 1 flight daily, PG262 14.40
-from Ko Samui to Krabi: 3 flights weekly, Tue, Thu, Sat, PG265 12.25
-from Krabi to Koh Samui: 3 flights weekly, Tue, Thu, Sat, PG266 13.50

Nok Air
Online sales only.
-from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi: 1 flight daily: DD310 10.00
-from Bangkok (DMK) to Krabi: 1 flight daily: DD7920 18.10
-from Krabi to Bangkok (DMK): 1 flight daily: DD7911 11.40
-from Krabi to Bangkok (BKK): 1 flight daily: DD321 19.50
Promotional fares from 1250 baht one way. Check website for further information.

Orient Thai
Krabi Airport Office: +66 (0)75 701539
-from Bangkok (DMK) to Krabi: 1 flight daily: OG297 10.30
-from Krabi to Bangkok (DMK): 1 flight daily: OG296 12.20
Tickets 1750 baht one way. Check website for current promotions.

Thai Airways
Krabi Airport Office: +66 (0)75 701559-61
-from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi: 2 flights daily, TG249 08.00; TG259 18.55
-from Bangkok (DMK) to Krabi: 1 flight daily, TG1245 14.45
-from Krabi to Bangkok (BKK): 2 flights daily, TG250 10.10; TG260 21.05
-from Krabi to Bangkok (DMK): 1 flight daily, TG1246 16.50
Tickets from 3865 baht one way. Business class also available.

Tiger Airways
Online sales only.
Tiger Airways’ route gives you another option: instead of travelling via Bangkok, Singapore may also be a convenient connecting airport, especially if travelling from down under. This is a budget airline, so prices vary considerably, but start at 1200 baht one way.
-from Singapore to Krabi: 1 flight daily, TR188 18.05
- from Krabi to Singapore: 1 flight daily, TR189 19.20

By bus to Krabi

Buses for Krabi leave from Bangkok’s Southern Bus terminal on Boromratch Chonnani Road. Most travel at night and cost from 626-920 Baht, depending on the levels of comfort inside. Journey time is around 10 hours. Tickets rarely have to be booked in advance, excepting around Thai public holidays. There are also direct bus connections from Ko Samui (via Surat Thani, around 400 Baht); Had Yai (234 Baht); Phuket (155 Baht); Trang (129 Baht); and many other destinations, including Malaysia. Private tour buses also operate the same routes; contact an agent once you are here for more information. We have had many reports of thefts on private tourist buses, so keep all your valuables on you at all times. You should also note that not all buses have toilet facilities - please check before you travel!

Buses all arrive in Krabi Town. Government buses go to the bus terminal in Talaat Kao; private tour buses arrive in the Andaman Wave Master station in the centre of town. From both of these places it is easy to catch a local bus or taxi to the beach areas, or to the pier if you are heading to the islands.

By train to Krabi
There is no railway in Krabi, so you can’t actually get here by train! But it’s a common misconception that you can, so we feel it’s worth noting, if you were planning to come by this route. The nearest train stations are actually in Surat Thani to the west and Trang to the south. From either of these stations, it is possible to continue your journey to Krabi by bus (see above).

By boat to Krabi

Ferry companies operate several regular routes between the mainland and the islands, see below for more details. Please note that these routes are for foot passengers only. If you would like to take a car or motorbike to or from Ko Lanta, please use the local car ferry service between Saladan, Lanta Noi and Hua Hin pier (around 70km from Krabi Town). Boats run every hour or so until around 10pm.
All prices listed below are for one-way tickets.

Krabi Town - Ko Phi Phi:
10.00 , 15.00. 350Bht, journey time 1.5 hours.
Krabi Town - Ko Jum/ Ko Lanta:
10.30, 13.30, 350Bht, journey time approx. 2 hours. Boats leave from the new Krabi Passenger Pier on Tharua Rd - not Chao Fah pier as is stated in many out-of-date guidebooks, Lonely Planet included! Take a transit bus from the town centre (30Bht), or from Ao Nang (40Bht).

Ao Nang/ Railay - Ko Phi Phi
9.00, 380Bht, journey time 2.5 hours (includes snorkelling stop)
Ao Nang/ Railay - Ko Lanta
10.30, 420Bht, journey time 2hrs 15mins
Ao Nang/ Railay - Phuket
15.00, 550Bht, journey time 3hrs
Boats leave from Nopparat Thara pier (free pick-up bus from Ao Nang Beach), going via Railay West beach and (to Ko Phi Phi) via Ko Phai (Bamboo Island).

Lanta - Phi Phi - Phuket
8.00, 13.00, 350Bht (Phi Phi) and 650Bht (Phuket)
Lanta - Ko Jum - Krabi Town
8.00, 13.00, 350Bht, journey time 2hrs, boats go via Ko Jum..
Boats leave from Saladan Pier.

Phi Phi - Phuket
9.30, 14.30, 350Bht
Phi Phi - Lanta
11.30, 14.00, 350Bht
Phi Phi - Krabi Town
9.00, 14.00, 350Bht
Phi Phi - Ao Nang/ Railay
15.30, 380Bht
Boats leave from the main pier in town on Ton Sai beach.

Phuket - Ao Nang/ Railay
8.00, 550Bht
Phuket - Phi Phi - Lanta
8.30, 13.00, 350Bht (Phi Phi) and 650Bht (Lanta)
Boats leave from Rassada Pier outside of Phuket Town. There are also several one-day tour boats leaving from here which carry passengers to Phi Phi, price 350-500 Bht, departure around 8.30am.

LOCAL buses, or songthaew, run throughout the day and are an excellent way of making a day trip into or out of Krabi Town. There are regular stops, but you can hop on or off almost anywhere. Similarly, if you’re not close to a bus stop, you can stand by the side of the road and flag one down, like a taxi. Prices are around 30B per journey (see FLYER for more detailed information when you arrive).

Motorcycle taxis can also be found in Krabi Town and are a fast, if hair-raising, way to get around. The drivers will take you anywhere - for a price, which is best to negotiate before you get on. In Ao Nang beach, there are small minivans (tuk-tuks) and motorbike sidecar taxis (samlor) everywhere, which will take you most places in the local vicinity for 20B per person. Because they charge per person, it is wise not to load too many people into the sidecar as they are not very stable - for more than 2 passengers, take 2 taxis, even if the driver insists it is ok.

There are also regular taxis, which people often hire as a ‘car and driver/guide’ on a daily basis for around 1800 Baht, depending on where you wish to go. They will also take you from Ao Nang to the airport for 500B, to Krabi Town for 400B and to Phuket for around 2200B. Prices for many other destinations can be seen on the board outside Phra Nang Inn on the Beach Road.

If you’re planning a day out at sea, the traditional wooden longtail boats found on all mainland beaches are your best option for independent island hopping. There are also frequent ‘taxi boats’ running from Ao Nang to Ton Sai and Railay Beach. These wait until they have enough passengers (in theory 5, but in high season they usually hold out for 10 or more) to depart. Buy coupons for the boats at the booth on the corner of the beach road opposite Phra Nang Inn.

Prices for trips are fixed by the boatmen’s club (i.e. are not able to be bargained down) and displayed on a board outside the ticket office. The prices are the same all year round and children under 12 travel free:

Longtail boat prices

One way to Pai Plong, Ton Sai or West Railay / Phra Nang Bay: 60B per person.
(100B after 7pm) Minimum 5 people required.

Return from Ao Nang to:
Chicken, Tub or Poda Island: 300B per person, min 5 people.

You can also charter a boat with driver for your own use (not sharing with other passengers); buy tickets at the same booth. The prices are for maximum 6 people, for more you will pay extra.
Chicken, Tub, Poda Island and Phra Nang beach: 2000B (local islands, max. 8 people)
Ko Hong islands: 2200B
Bamboo Island: 3000B

Boats can also be found at Nopparat Thara; Chao Fah pier in Krabi Town; Klong Muang; and Railay. Prices may vary slightly from those in Ao Nang, depending on how much closer or further away from the destination you are. In these destinations you pay the driver directly (no tickets).

For independent exploration further afield, there are numerous private rental options. The cheapest is to hire a motorcycle, although this is recommended only for those with previous experience, as insurance coverage for accidents - or theft - is never included and the roads can be dangerous.

Car rental is perhaps a safer, more comfortable option if there are a few of you to share the cost - prices for an average 4WD can start from around 1200B per day, including insurance and with unlimited mileage. A few hundred Baht extra will get you a better maintained vehicle with an international company such as Budget or National.

Finally, if you can’t be bothered with the hassle of organising your day yourself, there are plenty of reliable tour companies to do it for you. Once you are here, contact your hotel, or nearest agent for more information about the itineraries on offer.