November 27 Thursday Krabi: No parking near Ao Nang Beach so drove on to Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, hiked to Huay To Waterfall, drove to Khao Khom dam, Khlong Muang Beach sunset

STAY: The Ozone Krabi Condotel

Phuket or Krabi:

Andaman Coast of Thailand is comparatively best to visit between November to April as the climate is good with clear skies and calm sea.

Phuket is bustling, cosmopolitan, and known for its vibrant nightlife (Patong), diverse activities, luxury resorts, and easier accessibility via its international airport, while Krabi offers dramatic scenery (limestone cliffs), a more laid-back vibe, pristine beaches (Railay), better diving, and a stronger focus on nature and adventure, though with fewer amenities and nightlife options. Choose Phuket for action, parties, and variety; choose Krabi for tranquility, stunning nature, and authentic Thai charm.

Krabi is renowned for its stunning islands, beaches, and natural beauty, making it a popular tourist destination. It boasts a diverse landscape of verdant forests,limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, offering a wide range of activities from adventurous water sports to relaxing spa treatments.

Choice was clear for us!!

The Thai word for Krabi starts with the letter gor gai, ก, that’s pronounced with a “g” sound rather
than a “k”, making the province more “gra-bee” than “kra-bee”.

Island Hopping:Krabi is the gateway to numerous islands, including Koh Poda, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi,and Hong Island, each offering unique experiences like snorkeling, diving, and exploring hidden lagoons.
Beaches:Popular beaches include Railay Beach, Ao Nang Beach, and Phra Nang Beach, known for their
soft sands, turquoise waters, and dramatic limestone karsts.
National Parks:Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is home to the Emerald Pool, while Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park includes the Phi Phi Islands.

We had a late start by our standards. Son went to the nearby 7/11, got some provisions. We drove to AoNang beach by 10.30am

Drove to Ao Nang Beach

Our plan was to park at the beach and take a long tail boat to islands. There was no parking available

son suggested parking further away and taking a taxi to the beach. But we decided otherwise, we drove to Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

see how windy the roads are... this is true of most of Thailand. One has to be really alert as oncoming traffic is sometimes right in the middle of the road

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is one of the smallest parks in the country, covering about 50 km² of area between Maung, Ao Luek and Khao Phanom districts of Krabi Province. The park is a popular destination for its waterfalls, caves and trails through montane forests.

The main visitor center area is around 27 km from Krabi Town at the east side of the park. The visitor center area is the access point to two waterfalls, two circular trails and a cave. There is a restaurant with, a parking space and a very small camping ground right next to the visitor center.

The park is named after Khao Phanom Bencha which is a mountain at 1,397 meters

Huay To Waterfall hike

Huay To Waterfall is the main attraction of the park, a falls with 5 major and several other smaller tiers/ponds cascading over 80 meters. The tiers are accessible by a short stroll of about 500 meters from the visitor center. The first few tiers are relatively easily accessible, then the trail leading all the way up to the last tier and beyond gets gradually steep and difficult to walk. It is possible to swim at some ponds.

It was an enjoyable hike

We thought we'll hike the nature trail but the women sweepers said not to bother!!

We drove to a lagoon Khao Khom dam

Khao Khom dam

Enjoyed the scenic beauty

Had our packed lunch

Khlong Muang Beach

We drove on to Khlong Muang Beach and enjoyed the sunset [Klong Muang is a quiet beach in Krabi, perfect for a peaceful retreat. Ideal for families, with shallow waters and minimal amenities]