Khao Khanap Nam

Khao Khanap Nam is regarded as the symbol of Krabi. It sits before the city and can be visited by long-tail boat from Chao Fa Pier. Travel time is about 15 minutes.

From the boat, one climbs a staircase to see caves with stalactites and stalagmites. A boat can be rented for 300 baht per trip to visit Khao Khanap Nam, mangrove forests and the Ko Klang fishing village.

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Pi Pi Island

Mu Ko [ ‘’marine park’’ ] Phi Phi is a major natural site and is close to Phuket and Ao Phangnga. It lies between the Krabi Province coastline and the Island of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. The Phi Phi National Park comprises over 390 square kilometres [ 150 square miles ] of which 65 square kilometres [ 25 square miles ] is land. For wildlife watchers the area has in excess of 60 seabird varieties, corals, lime stone plants that cling to the limestone cliffs, fish, bats and marine mammals.
Tours are available from Phuket and the pier at Krabi city and customised tours with personal charters are recommended. The main recommended places for diving and snorkling are south and west of the islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley.

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Ko Samui [ Samui Island ]

Samui Island [ Ko Samui ] is located off the east coast of the Malay
Peninsula on the west shore of the Gulf of Siam. Immediately north of Ko Samui is the resort of Ko Pha Ngan and smaller islands, Ko Nang Yuan and Ko Tao, all tourist destinations. These Islands are part of the archipelago of some 60 islands. Additionally and to the north is Ang Thong Marine National Park. Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest Island [ approximatley 229 square kilometers ] and one of its most popular destinations for budget holidays. The nearest mainland town is Surat Thani to the West. Samui is well serviced by numerous domestic flights from Bangkok. The Island does not have the attractions of Phuket and Ko Chang for scenery.

Its appeal is its flat landscape and budget holidays for the cost conscious traveller.Samui is famous for its long white sand beaches, the rocky points, the coral reefs and panoramic views. There are numerous resorts in secluded coves and at places rocky coasts and rugged inland walks.

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Wat Pha Sing

This “Monastery of the Lion” was constructed in 1345 to enshrine the ashes of King Kham Yu, the 6th ruler of Chiang Mai. In 1367, the Phra Singh Buddha was installed in the Viharn Lai Kham, so the temple was given its present name. This is the finest site for classic Lan Na style [ Tai Yuan ] art and architecture.
Although the temple fell into disrepair in the 18th century, it was renovated in the early 19th century. Later in 1929 the bot and the ho trai were renovated, and another viharn was constucted. A few years ago, some cosmetic renovation was undertaken on the stucco and gilt work of the buildings. The Viharn Lai Kham is the wat’s major attraction. Constructed in traditional teak it is a beautiful example of Lanna or northern Thai architecture, with its low walls and winged three-tiered roofline. The portico has very finely carved gables. Lai Kham refers to the “gold-patterning” of the highly decorated façade that magically catches the eastern morning light. Inside the viharn, realistically painted murals on the walls document the daily life of the people of Lan Na in the 19th century. Other murals depict fables of the jataka story.

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Chaiang Dao Cave

The cave of Chiang Dao is located 70 kilometres north of Chiang Mai on the road to Fang. The Chiang Dao Caves penetrate in to the Doi Chiang Dao which is a massive outcrop of rock rising to a height of 2,175 metres to be the third highest in Thailand. The mountain is usually shrouded in cloud and the area is home to Lisu, Lahu and Karen villages.The caves penetrate up to 14 kilometres into the mountain but access for the tourist is limited to 1 kilometre due to the location of illuminated lighting and how far the local guides will take visitors. Local guides [ with electric lanterns ] are recommended due to the the fact there are different levels one can wonder into and soon become lost in the dark [ it is very dark ].The Caves have had a significant presence for the locals for over 1,000 years as is evident by the ancient Shan Chedi near the entrance and the folklore surrounding the Caves. The caves are venerated by the Thai and Shan people as is evidenced by the offerings, statues and decorations present at the entrance and inside. At various locations within the Caves are small temples and statues of the Buddha. The Caves are interesting for the experience of being in such a location, the dripping stalactites, and other stalagmite rock formations.
Located 70 kilometres due north of Chiang Mai on the road to Fang, Chiang Dao shelters beneath the impressive bulk of Doi Chiang Dao, a massive outcrop of rock which rises steeply over the town to a height of 2,175 metres. The peak Thailand's third highest is usually shrouded in clouds, and is home to a number of hilltribe villages, including Lisu, Lahu and Karen settlements.

Chiang Dao is a small, rather traditional town of two-storey teak shop-houses and quiet back streets which have little to hold the visitor's interest for long. About 5 kilometres distant, however, on the eastern side of Doi Chiang Dao, lies the entrance to the extensive subterranean network which makes up the Chiang Dao caves. Various stories and legends surround these caverns, which are reported to extend as far as 14 kilometres under the mountain though they are only illuminated by electric light for the first kilometre or so.One legend holds that the caves are inhabited by an Indian recluse who has lived there for more than one thousand years. Another, more complex, tradition tells how a group of hermits who live in the caves once called a meeting of deities and angels to create seven sacred objects. A demon called Chao Luang Kham Daeng Khun Yak was appointed to guard these sacred artefacts which are hidden beneath the mountain. Local people say that if one penetrates deep into the caves, the first thing encountered will be a stream which flows from the pedestal of a golden Buddha. Still further in is the legendary town of Laplae, where may be found the cloth of the gods, a great lake, the divine city of the Nagas, heavenly food, a sacred elephant, and the resting place of the hermits themselves. Here, too, is the great golden Buddha from which the stream springs. Locals, whilst professing to believe in this legend, say that nobody has ever seen these marvels because no one has ever gone far enough into the caves. People have, however, heard the howling of a huge dog signalling, according to customary belief, the approaching ghost of a Buddhist monk who died within the caverns long ago.Perhaps moved by the new spirit of ecological awareness that is growing in Thailand, the people of Chiang Dao strongly support the belief that anyone removing anything from the cave complex even a fragment of rock will become hopelessly lost in the eerie, dripping passages, detained forever by the magical powers of the place.The Chiang Dao caves are reached by a well-maintained road. At the entrance there is a parking area with numerous refreshment stalls, an old Shan style chedi, an ornamental garden and a small, crystal clear mountain stream which flows into a karst pool containing huge ornamental carp and catfish. Entrance is via a covered stairway leading to the first chamber. This section of the cave has long been venerated by local Thai and Shan peoples, as is evident from the great number of statues, offerings and decorations present in various stages of disrepair.Visitors can penetrate some way into the caves on their own, marvelling at the dripping stalactites and weird rock formations which abound. Enthusiasts who wish to explore further the secrets of the mountain's roots can hire a guide with an electric lantern for a modest fee.

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Wat Pho (Traditional medical science)

Thai traditional medical science can be found throughout all of the Thai community, with certain cures from herbs and other ingredients. In the old days there were 2 types of doctors: a royal doctor and a local one. At the start of the Rattanakosin period, King Rama III appointed a royal doctor, Phraya Bamroer Rajaphat, as the chief of the doctors to inscribe medical texts on pieces of slate and framed them on columns of the cloisters around the Pra Maha Chedis and in pavilions or Sala Rai.
In 1856 King Rama V appointed his royal doctors to translate the great edition of Pali-Sanskrit medical texts into a Thai version;

indexing the books as Medical Science Textbook (Royal Edition); and another on body massage known as Massage Hand book – Royal Edition. On 30th May, 1962, a council of ancient medical science doctors were approved by Ministry of Health to found Wat Phra Chetuphon Thai Traditional Medical Science School (Wat Pho) for Thai traditioanl medical science and body massage only. This school is located at 2 Sala Rai in the East.

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Tee lor Su

This Park is in Northern Thailand, about 8 hours drive from Bangkok and 3-4 hours from Chiang Mai. It is quite an isolated spot and upto now has managed to remain relatively free of tourists. That said, it is still a very popular spot with Thais and in peak seasons it can get quite busy. But this is Thailand, almost everywhere receives visitors whether Thai or otherwise. Umphang National Park contains the stunning Tee Lor Su waterfall, one of the tallest in Thailand and I think also one of the most beautiful. It has many different parts and layers to it.
It is possible to find small pools here and there to relax in away from the crowds. You can also climb parts of it quite safely. The trek I went on was excellent, although all tied up with a local resort. It included rafting, trekking(or 4x4 for the less energetic) and an overnight camp. Also another night's accomodation in the resort's bungalows was included.I'm sure that more secluded and quieter treks are available but they're becoming increasingly difficult to find in ever popular Thailand. This was just about the best option I could find.

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