WHY WE LOVE IT:

Rock-climbing? Cooking classes with waves curling around your toas? Chasing the tide on horseback, untamed hair billowing a-la Danielle Steele-heroine? If all this sound irresistible, then Klong Muang is your beach this summer. Known as the ‘beach not taken’, it offers snorkeling, scuba-diving, kayaking and cave excursions, along with welcome piece of mind. There are also elephants expeditions, river rafting and hot springs, all at a short, picturesque distance from the beach. Add to this an eclectic, boho nightlife, Thailand’s singnature bingeworthy shopping and you’ve got a summer destinationto die for.

MUST DO:
Visit Thai temples. Eat street food. All water sports are relatively cheap and safe.
Shopping, dining and nightlife here are all decidedly modest but that’s the very charm of the place. If you want full-on tourism go to Ao Nang or Phuket; if you want a peaceful retreat Klong Muang is the place for you.
GET THERE:
Fly directly to Krabi or fly to Bangkok and the take a budget airline to Krabi. Downside: you’ll have to hang around Bangkok airport for about three hours till you flight to Krabi. Most hotels offer airport pick-up as part of your package. Take a pre-paid taxi at the airport. The drive to Klong Muang takes about 40 minutes.

WHERE TO STAY:
• SPLURGE:
Nakamanda Resort and Spa, 126 Moo 3, Klong Muang Beach, Tambon Nongtalay, Muang Krabi. Tel: (6675) 628200 E-mail: info@nakamanda.com
• SPEND:
Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort, 155, Moo 2, Tambon Nongtalay, Muang Krabi. Tel: (6675) 628000 E-mail: sheraton.krabi@sheraton.com.
• SAVE:
Amara Residence, 197 Moo 2, Nongtalay, Klong Muang, A.Muang, Krabi. Tel: (6675) 600067/8.
E-mail: info@amararesidencekrabi.com.

RISK FACTOR:

Sunburn, credit-card theft and touts.


More Information at Klong Muang