Key Points     Key Point Sixteen The junction of H4 (KM 164) and H415 (KM 47). Key Point Seventeen The junction of H4  and H415  (south to Phang Nga). Key Point Eighteen The junction of H4  (KM 47) and H4090  (from Takua Pa).

KRABI

The small downtown area of Krabi is located opposite mangroves on one bank of the Krabi Yai River. Several hotels are found in the centre of town which forms a small square below a low hill. The best places to stay, however, are amongst the 390 km² of the Hat Nopparat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi Marine National Park 12 kms distant. Boats to Phi Phi Don Island, considered the most spectacular of all islands, leave from the jetty in front of town (10:00 & 14:30. 300 Baht return. Overnight required).

Accommodation Krabi City :
Krabi Meritime Hotel,  Tungfah Rd. Resort hotel in lush grounds on city outskirts $$-$$$. Tel: (075) 620028-46.  Fax: (66 75) 612992.	Thai Hotel, Issara Rd. Downtown hotel $. Tel: (075) 611474-6.  Fax: (66 75) 612556.

Wat Tham Suwankhuha, Phang Nga

KHAO PHANOM BENCHA NATIONAL PARK AND WAT THAM SUA
The 500 km² park protects a small range of mountainous rain forest (Khao Phanom is 1,350 metres high) which contains several species of large mammals as well as 156 species of birds. A sealed road goes 20 kms from H4 to the park HQ and the Huai To Falls.
Wat Tham Sua is a famous meditation temple set in caves. The path past the monks quarters and main hall set in a shallow cave leads to a 1,272 step climb to the top of the ridge and a 'meditation valley' of tall trees and limestone caves.

SOUTH OF KRABI
Places to visit south of Krabi include the 2.5 km Tung Tieo Nature Trail (16 kms from Khlong Thom - good for bird watchers) and Ko Lanta, where more beaches and bungalows on the west side of the island may be reached after a short ferry ride. Full information with maps may be found in an informative 46 page booklet "Krabi, Holiday Guide" (90 Baht).

NORTH AND WEST FROM KRABI  ALONG H4
At Ao Luk (H4 KM 149) H4039 to Laem Sak goes past the Than Bok Khorani National Park (2 kms) where a river emerges from a cave to flow through groves in a valley enclosed by vertical limestone walls. Lot Cave (turn right (west) after 5 kms and then first left (south) on newly sealed roads) is accessible only by boat.

PHANG NGA

The fastest way to Phang Nga from Krabi is by H415 south from Thap Phut district town, but the older northern route on H4 is more scenic. Phang Nga is a small provincial capital stretching along three kilometres of H4 in a valley between limestone bluffs. Restaurants are found near the bus station, but the accommodation is basic.

Go to Tha Dan (H4, KM 34 east turn 8 kms) for boat tours (500-600 Baht/boat through the creeks and mangroves out to Phang Nga Bay. Sights include Ko Phang Ngi, where a Muslim fishing village survives on stilts and tourism, and 'James Bond Island'. Local places inland to visit out of town include the modest Manohra Falls (east turn 4 kms north of Phang Nga on side road (4 kms) and Wat Tham Suwankhuha (KM 31) west turn 1 km).

From Phang Nga the return to Phuket (87 kms) is by the main highway H4 to Key Point 4, the intersection of H4 at Khok Kloi with H402. Take H402 across the Sarasin Bridge to the island province of Phuket and to the end of your tour at our airport office.

SIDE TRIPS *Hat Nopparat Thara, Ao Phra Nang & Su San Hoi (H4034) - ST 2 Limestone monoliths soar sheer above azure waters, coral sand beaches and coconut palm groves of Phra Nang Headland. Boats may easily be hired at the southern end of Ao Nang Beach, where numerous bungalow resorts are located, to explore the nearby islands. Scuba and rock climbing adventures are available at several of the guest house on Rai Leh Beach, which may only be reached by boat. To the east, the Su San Hoi Beach consists of a 30 cm layer of 75 million year-old fossil rock. Visitors may find the nearby souvenir stalls more interesting than the slabs of rock.

Phang Nga

Phang Nga Valley Resort, Phang Nga (2 km south of town). Best choice near Phang Nga City $. Tel: (076) 412201.  Fax: (66 76) 411393. Phang Nga Bay Resort, Tha Dan. Modern hotel with view towards mangroves and karsts $-$$. Tel: (076) 412067-70.  Fax: (66 76) 412057.