BAN NAM KHEM TSUNAMI MEMORIAL PARK

Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park is situated near the Ban Nam Khem Coast, 7 kilometres away from Takua Pa District. Being in the area of 8000 square metres, it consists of 5 main parts: Resting Area, Health Area, Playground Area and Tsunami Memorial Area, which is the highlight of this park. The curved concrete wall, which represents tsunami, is located opposite an old fishing boat, which was damaged during the tsunami. Another side of the park, is the path along a clay wall mixed with brick and ceramic tile being carved with more than 1,400 names of the dead.

The royal statue of the Prince of Chumphon, who is the Father of Royal Thai Navy, and a Buddha Image are widely worshiped by fishermen before every voyage. There are also seafood restaurants, tourist information provider and souvenirs produced by villagers. Another attraction around Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park is a beautiful beach, with its clean white sand and clear blue ocean that make a walk along the beach pleasurable until the fishermen villages and various restaurants. This Memorial Park is not only the reminder of the damage, exhibiting numerous pictures of before/after the tsunami, but is also an enjoyable place for a family picnic. 

Visitors can come to the Memorial Park and the beach, which are open around the clock, and the exhibition building that is open from 8:00-17:00. 

HOW TO GET THERE

By Car

From Krabi Town & Ao Nang area: Our shop is located in Ao Nammao, see google maps above. We are just 2 minutes from the Ao Nammao long tail boat pier to Railay East Beach. We are situated on the main road that services Ao Nang to Ao Nammao, opposite the Shooting Range. From Ao Nang it is a 5-10 minute drive to our shop. From Krabi Town a 30 minute drive to our shop. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel for free, simply sign up and enter your name at checkout!

By Bus

There are both government run air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses that connect Bangkok, Phuket, Phang Nga, Trang, Hat Yai, and Surat Thani (Samui) to Krabi Bus Terminal. The bus from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi takes approximately 12 hours. In addition to these buses, many private bus companies and travel agencies provide air-conditioned buses or vans to and from Krabi and these other provinces. There is a regular shuttle bus service between Krabi and Phuket airports, which are roughly 2 hours apart. Krabi Bus Terminal is located 4 kilometers north of town at Talat Kao. For schedules and additional information contact the Krabi Bus Terminal.

By Train

There is no train service to Krabi. The nearest train stations are in Surat Thani and Trang, where visitors can transfer to busses to Krabi.

By Plane

The Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 10 km from the city limits, 15 km from the city center, and 40km from Ao Nang. Krabi is serviced by Thai Airways from Bangkok, Bangkok Airways from Koh Samui, and Thai AirAsia from both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Major airlines recently added routes to the Krabi Airport, check out the airport website for the most up-to-date info.

By Other

Real Rocks Climbing customers get a FREE hotel pick up and drop off service from any hotel in Railay Beach, Krabi Town, Ao Nang & Klong Hang area.

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MU KOH SIMILAN NATIONAL PARK

Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively, namely: Koh Bon, Koh Bayu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Miang (two adjoining islands), Koh Payan, Koh Payang, and Koh Huyong. Occupying an area of 32,000 acres, it was declared as a national park on September 1, 1982 and the park office is located on Koh Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometers from Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November and April.

Interesting attractions in the National Park include:

            Koh Similan or Koh Paet is the largest island of this group. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay and the average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its white sand beach is beautifully soft and very stunning. Diving around here is the must as it allows you to touch the real underwater world that full of fish and corals. To the north, lies a striking large rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal looKohut point with a rock of a sailing boat shape.

            Koh Ba-ngu is the ninth island of the Similan group. Its strange shape can be looked in different ways including a skull. Underwater scene is as beautiful as a coral reefs valley with deep gorges and various sizes of fish.

            Koh Huyong, the island offers the whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands. During turtles’ egg laying season, from November to February, there would be tracks on the beach made by turtles come onshore to lay eggs, resembling centipede tracks.

            Koh Miang is the second largest island among the group. It is where the office of the National Park is located. The island offers a scenic beach suitable for camping.

            Diving Spots: There are several diving spots suited both snorkeling and scuba diving. The famous scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the west of Koh Tachai where whale sharks can be seen, Koh Bon, Christmas Point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao Kwang En (to the east of Koh Paet), etc.

Snorkeling spots are scattered around these islands. The suggesting spots are sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island.

            Accommodation: There are bungalows and tents as well as restaurants available on the island. For reservation, contact Mu Koh Similan National Park, tel: 0 2562 0760, www.dnp.go.th

Opening hours: 9am-5pm

Admission: 500 baht for adult and 300 baht for children
Contact: Mu Koh Similan National Park, Mu 1, Thap Lamu, Tambon Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Mueang, Phang-nga 82120, 076-421-365, 076-595-045, 02-562-0760
Getting there: Thap Lamu Pier, located 70 kilometers north of Phang-nga at Amphoe Thai Mueang, is the nearest point to Similan. A boat trip takes around 2 hours. There is no regular boat service for travelers to the island. Boats leaving from Thap Lamu are suitable for chartered with the rates range from 30,000-40,000 baht, depending on various factors.  It is sometimes possible for individuals to hitch a ride or pay a reasonable fraction of the rental cost on a boat chartered by a group. This method is by no means certain and should be an option only for the adventurous that have time to spare. Visitors may contact the park office at Thap Lamu (Tel: 0 7659 5045) for further information.

            A boat trip from Patong Beach, Phuket takes around four hours. Visitors can contact Seatran Travel Tel: 076-219-391/2. Diving companies in Phuket also organize a three-day trip ranging from 9,000 to 25,000 baht depend on the level of luxury, food and accommodations.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Car

From Krabi Town & Ao Nang area: Our shop is located in Ao Nammao, see google maps above. We are just 2 minutes from the Ao Nammao long tail boat pier to Railay East Beach. We are situated on the main road that services Ao Nang to Ao Nammao, opposite the Shooting Range. From Ao Nang it is a 5-10 minute drive to our shop. From Krabi Town a 30 minute drive to our shop. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel for free, simply sign up and enter your name at checkout!

By Bus

There are both government run air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses that connect Bangkok, Phuket, Phang Nga, Trang, Hat Yai, and Surat Thani (Samui) to Krabi Bus Terminal. The bus from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi takes approximately 12 hours. In addition to these buses, many private bus companies and travel agencies provide air-conditioned buses or vans to and from Krabi and these other provinces. There is a regular shuttle bus service between Krabi and Phuket airports, which are roughly 2 hours apart. Krabi Bus Terminal is located 4 kilometers north of town at Talat Kao. For schedules and additional information contact the Krabi Bus Terminal.

By Train

There is no train service to Krabi. The nearest train stations are in Surat Thani and Trang, where visitors can transfer to busses to Krabi.

By Plane

The Krabi International Airport (KBV) is about 10 km from the city limits, 15 km from the city center, and 40km from Ao Nang. Krabi is serviced by Thai Airways from Bangkok, Bangkok Airways from Koh Samui, and Thai AirAsia from both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Major airlines recently added routes to the Krabi Airport, check out the airport website for the most up-to-date info.

By Other

Real Rocks Climbing customers get a FREE hotel pick up and drop off service from any hotel in Railay Beach, Krabi Town, Ao Nang & Klong Hang area.

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PHANG NGA BAY OR AO PHANG NGA NATIONAL PARK

The marine national park covers a total area of approximately 25,000 acre in Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Amphoe Takua Thung, and Amphoe Koh Yao. It was declared a national park on April 29, 1981 and became Thailand’s second marine national park where most of the area is seawater and islands of Limestone Mountains of different shapes and beauty. It is also the home of mangrove forest and a breeding area of marine animals. December to April is the most appropriate period to visit the Park whereas May to October is the period of heavy rainfalls and strong waves.

Interesting Attractions within the National Park:

            Koh Panyi is a small island with a plain of approximately 0.5 acre and 200 houses of sea villagers. Most of the dwellers are Thai Muslims, earning their living by fishing and selling souvenirs and food to visitors. There is a school and public health center as well the giant floating football stadium that is listed as one of the most fascinating football stadium around the world.

            Koh Phanak is a beautiful island with stalactite and stalagmite caves and a small-tiered waterfall inside.

            Koh Phing Kan is an island on the beach that derives its name from the fact that a stone mountain split in two and the smaller part slid down, so that its base was buried into the soil while the top parts still lean against each other. The scenery behind Koh Phing Kan is very picturesque with “Koh Tapu”, otherwise known as “James Bond Island” is seen in the sea in the background, looking like a nail—Tapu—stuck into the water.

            Koh Ma Chu is on the way to Koh Panyi and looks similar to a dog, with a head, body, and a hairy tail.

            Koh Khian or Rock Paintings is on the way to Koh Panyi. It houses rock paintings on the cliff of various animals believed to have been painted by sailors who moored their ships here to take shelter from the monsoon. According to the Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, the paintings are at least 3,000 years old.

            Tham Lot is a mountain similar to Koh Thalu. The opening of the cave is approximately 50 meters wide and 40 meters high, through which a small boat can sail to the other end of the cave. There are weird stalactites on the cave’s ceiling.

            Koh Hong features undulated hills hugging the sea, looking like a large chamber with 2 doors and housing beautiful coral reefs.

Accommodation: The Phang-Nga Bay Resort near the Tha Dan pier offers comfortable rooms while national park itself also has bungalows and tents for rent. The national park bungalows has room for 4-15 persons and rates range from 700-1,500 baht. In case visitors bring their own tents, a fee of 20 baht each will be charged for showering. For more information contact Ao Phang-Nga National Park at 80 Mu 1, Tambon Koh Panyee, Amphoe Mueang, Phang-Nga 82000 or tel. 076-411-136, 076-412-188.

Opening hours: 8am-5pm

Admission: 300 baht for adult and 100 baht for children

Contact: Ao Phang Nga National Park, 80 Mu 1 Tambon Koh Panyi, Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Phang Nga 82000. 076-411-136, 076-412-188, or National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tel.   02-562-0760, www.dnp.go.th
Getting there:

            By car, the Park is approximately 8 kilometers from the provincial town. Take Highway No. 4 and turn left for some 4 kilometers into Highway No. 4144 until reaching the Customs Checkpoint Pier. A boat for rent is available from the pier. Otherwise, take a daily Song Thaeo (minibus) from the provincial town to the Customs Checkpoint Pier.

            Boat Cruises in Ao Phang Nga is available from various piers, as follows:

·        Customs Checkpoint Pier, near the Phang Nga Bay Resort, boats of different sizes are available. Contact Khun Han Karaket at Tel. 081-894-1499—Boat for 1 - 8 persons 1,200 Baht / Boat for 8 - 20 persons 2,000 Baht / Boat for 20 - 40 persons 4,500 Baht. The cruise takes about 3 - 4 hours.

·        Surakun or Kasom Pier, Amphoe Takua Thung, provides boats for rent of different sizes.—Boat for 1 - 10 persons 1,200 Baht / Boat for 1 - 20 persons 1,500 Baht / Boat for 1 - 30 persons 1,600 Baht

·        Ao Phang-nga National Park’s pier, speedboats and long-tail boats available. For more information , contact 076-411-136, 076-412-188.—Boat for 2 - 6 persons 1,000 Baht / Boat for 7 - 12 persons 1,500 Baht / Boat for 35 - 45 persons 4,500 Baht The Cruise takes about 3 - 4 hours. Note: Boat rental rates are subjected to change without prior notice.

For more information call:

·        Kiatjaroenchai 1, 076-496-475, 081-677-5971

·        * Kiatjaroenchai 2, 076-496-342, 081-676-2906

·         Ran Pol, 076-496-381, 086-691-4802. Or contact the following businesses: Sayan Tour, 076-430-348.

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