We will assist you in this endeavor as well with a few tips on how you can spend a romantic day in Krabi. 

Rent Your Own Longtail Boat

Joining an organized tour is without a doubt the easiest way to get a good glimpse of what a specific area has to offer. However, when your plan is to spend a romantic voyage at sea alone, then nothing kills the mood faster than rubbing shoulders with at least a dozen of other tourists and listening to the whining of children. We assume that’s the last thing you want to endure. That’s why renting your very own longtail boat is a much more pleasant alternative. 

Plenty of boat drivers offer their services on the popular beaches and piers around Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Depending on how long your trip is supposed to last and where you want to go, the prices can vary between 2,000 and 3,000+ Baht. You also need to take various national park fees into consideration. But what don’t you do for love?

Once your eyes are set on a nice and peaceful beach or island, all you need to prepare is a little picnic. Big shops like Makro, Tesco Lotus, or Mother Marche have everything in store from wine and water to cheese and bread. There is also a small restaurant called Hotdog & Coldcat that sells a variety of delicious cold cuts and other western groceries for a reasonable price. It is located just a few minutes outside of Ao Nang. Alternatively, restaurants like Jenna’s Bistro & Wine and Café8.98 offer classy picnic baskets packed with everything you could wish for.

Dining Away From the Crowd

“A restaurant of the highest standard located right at the beach as the sun slowly descends in a haze of orange.” This sounds like a picture-perfect example of how to end a day of togetherness, right? The reality, unfortunately, is sometimes different as these restaurants tend to attract large crowds as well.  Instead, why not escape the crowd by hiding under a limestone cliff? This may sound like a strange suggestion at first, but the Rayavadee resort makes it work expertly with The Grotto – a luxurious restaurant tucked away in the mountainous heart of Phranang Beach. As you can imagine the prices are as steep as the surrounding limestone walls. For example, their Seafood BBQ at sunset is phenomenal, but with a price tag of 4,000+ Baht, you should make sure to come with a growling stomach.

But, once again, what don’t you do for this one special day in Krabi? In the end, all that really matters are the fond and loving memories you will treasure your whole life.

Although the Thai people always referred to their country as ‘Mueang Thai’ or ‘Prathet Thai’ (Land of the Thai), the outside world knew it only as Siam for many centuries. This was the name that the Portuguese gave this region in the 16^th century during their era as an empire.  The first time the Kingdom was officially regarded as Siam was when King Mongkut in the mid-19^th century signed his documents with ‘King of the Siamese. To this day is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the word “siam”. Most people say it comes from the Sanskrit word “śyāma” meaning “dark”, but, again, there is no absolute certainty about this claim. 

The change to ‘Thailand’ came in 1939 after the fascist leader Luang Phibunsongkhram (short: Phibun) and his radical People’s Party succeeded in a bloodless coup years before. He wanted the country to step away from the traditional ideology of a monarchy and instead embrace the modernity of a nationalist society.  This was heavily inspired by the nationalism spread throughout Europe like in Germany and Italy. The dictator Phibun had two big goals in mind; one was to limit the immigration of Chinese people into Thailand, which had the effect that many Chinese schools, businesses, and newspapers were shut down. His philosophy or slogan was “Thailand for the Thai” and he enforced these words mercilessly. The other goal was to regain control over Laos, Cambodia, and Burma. These were former Thai territories that, one after another, had been lost over the years. In order to achieve his goals, Phibun sided with Japan during the Second World War. He assumed that he was joining forces with the winning force. As we all know now, this was not the case. When the war was over it was only thanks to great diplomacy that Thailand didn’t face any major consequences for their association with Japan. But in the face of his defeat, Phibun had to resign in 1944 and one year later, Siam was once again the official name. 

However, yet another military coup – this time with the strong support of the United States – would bring Phibun back in 1947 and with him ‘Thailand’. 20^th July 1948 is the historical date when the Siamese constituent assembly, once and for all, voted for and solidified the name we now know to this day. 

There are some people today, who want to bring back ‘Siam’ because it promises more inclusiveness in terms of ethnicity and religion. But as we mentioned in the beginning, throughout most of history Thai people always saw themselves as Thai – whether that means as ‘free’ (the literal translation of Thai) or as a distinct people.

We will give you a rundown of everything you need to know about their affection for the colorful and the important role that it can play.

Every Day of the Week Is Associated With a Color

A careful observer will notice that local people in Thailand often wear yellow clothes on a Monday. This is because every day of the week has an auspicious color associated to it and yellow is the one for Monday. The importance of wearing the appropriate color every day dwindled in face of modern times, but Monday is different. The reason for this is that both the late King Bhumibol and his successor King Vajiralongkorn were born on this day. The Royal flag is, therefore, kept in the same color as we mentioned in our previous post.

The origins of this belief come from Hindu mythology, where nine planets, referred to as Navagraha (Nava = Nine; Graha= Planet), are represented by a color and a mythical deity. Down below you can see a quick overview.

You don’t have to adhere to this code when you visit Thailand. If you want to show your knowledge of Thai culture, then you can wear yellow on Monday or light blue on Friday, which is the day the Queen was born. However, no one expects you to.

Color In Everyday Lives

In recent years there has been confusion about the color yellow because of political reasons. The People’s Alliance for Democracy, a group protesting against the current Thai government, wears yellow shirts and are also known as such. The opposition is the “red shirts” and both frequently march, mostly peacefully, through the populated and popular districts of Bangkok. The importance of yellow doesn’t stop there. Together with orange, it also plays a vital role in Theravada Buddhism. Here the colors symbolize peace, which is one of the reasons why you see all the monks clad in an orange robe. 

An animistic belief is that guardian spirits live in every object, creature, and place such as trees, stones, flowers, and homes as well. In order to appease the good as well as the bad spirits, people build miniature houses, which they decorate with colorful garlands and paper flowers. You will also observe that some trees have multi-colored scarves wrapped around them. This is a sign that they are inhabited by a special spirit.

Finally, there is something we can probably relate to a little more – the colors of busses in Bangkok. They can tell you everything about the fare, the age and condition of the bus and whether or not it has air conditioning. The orange and blue ones are the best options since both of them have air conditioning. The red buses are open-aired and are good for short trips, but the green ones are a real adventure. There is no air conditioning and the driver picks people up until there is no inch left inside or even outside. If you are with your children then you should probably avoid this bus. The fare for the orange one is 20 Baht, compared to the 3 Baht for the lowest tier. However, you are able to travel and see the landmarks in a more comfortable manner.

We will present you with three fantastic dining places in Krabi Town. There are plenty more out there, but for now, we will stick to these three fine restaurants.

Ruen Mai Restaurant

It is not uncommon to hear that people come to Krabi specifically to dine at Ruen Mai Restaurant. It is located amidst sugarcane and banana plantations and has, therefore, a serene atmosphere that is emphasized by the traditional architecture. There are several bamboo pavilions linked by a series of wooden paths that serve as the dining area. It is a spectacle to come here in the evening when the interior emits a warm light that can be the herald of a special dinner.

Expect nothing less in terms of food quality, for all of the vegetables and herbs are grown on site. We recommend the coconut soup with prawns and vegetables (Pak Mian Tom Kati) as an appetizer. Ruen Mai has a lot of options when it comes to main dishes, but you can’t go wrong with any of the classics such as the Massaman curry. 

The only thing you need to pay attention to is the level of spiciness, especially considering your children. A popular southern Thai dish is a yellow spicy and sour soup called Gaeng Som that is really spicy. It’s never a bad idea to ask the staff to help you out and adjust the dishes to your western taste buds. 

Opening times: 10am – 3pm; 5pm – 9:30pm (Daily)

Address: Sai Thai, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand

https://goo.gl/maps/5bEdyte5Q4p

Nong Joke

Despite the name, this restaurant definitely is “No joke”; it is seriously one of the best in Krabi Town. It is a little off the main part of the town, but it’s worth the trip. Nong Joke is well known amongst the local people since it has been around for many years. It started off as a simple street food stall and thanks to the consistent high-quality food and growing popularity, Nong Joke turned into a bonafide restaurant. 

The menu mainly sticks to the regular southern Thai dishes, some of them with a Chinese influence. For a little snack, we recommend the shrimp cakes and as a light starter, the glass noodle salad. If you haven’t tried any fish or seafood dishes yet, then this is a great place to change that. The sour curry with barramundi fish and coconut shoots (Gaeng Som Pla Krapong Yawd Ma Prao) is a fantastic choice. Although, as we mentioned above, it is spicy, so ask the staff to tone it down a bit.

For authentic Southern Thai food in Krabi, Nong Joke is certainly one of the best places to go.

Opening times: 11am – 2pm; 5pm – 9pm

Address: 50/3 Moo 7, Sai Thai, Krabi Town, Thailand

https://goo.gl/maps/hXYkguixgH92

Gecko Cabane

After our two more traditional choices, Gecko Cabane is the one that brings the modern flavor to our list. The interior is classy with wooden furniture, beautiful tablecloths, and green walls. The plants hanging from the ceiling are a nice touch as well.

The cuisine is inspired by a fusion of European and Asian dishes. They offer the classic Thai dishes as well, but we highly recommend dishes such as the lamb shanks with mashed potatoes, and chicken burgers. Their steaks are juicy and delicious as well. A great Chinese inspired option is the duck breast in orange or peppercorn sauce.  You can top it all off with a Thai vegetarian dish like the fried rice with pineapple. 

As a little treat at the very end, we recommend the salty caramel ice cream. It is as good as it sounds, if not even better.

The prices are obviously a little higher, due to the International dishes, but for a special night out, Gecko Cabane is a great option. 

Opening times: 11am – 2:30pm; 5pm – 11:30pm

Address: 1/36-37 Soi Ruam Jit Muang Krabi Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand

https://goo.gl/maps/jsxD2jwYkYx

Where Does This Belief Come From and What Does It Mean?

This symbolism starts with the belief that the sun, and/or fire, is represented by gold. This, in turn, comes from the association with Surya, the god of the sun in Hinduism. As a little side note, it is not uncommon that Buddhist traditions and structures, in particular, temples, include Hindu traits and vice versa. 

Therefore, the connection between the Hindu god and gold grants the metal a sacred status. During ancient times, people were using gold foil in religious ceremonies. They would place them onto statues of the Buddha, which is a tradition that lives on even to this day. This is also the reason why you will never see the color of gold mixed with another because it is seen as inauspicious. You could say that it would be sacrilegious to the holy nature of it. Speaking of color, in Thai culture and Buddhism every color has its own attributes. This is something we will talk about in a later post. Gold stands for enlightenment, purity, happiness, knowledge, and freedom; everything the sun is supposed to represent. 

Famous Examples of Golden Buddha Statues

Regardless of where you go in Thailand, you will find countless of Buddha statues coated in gold. Whether it is the Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho or the Standing Buddha in Wat Intharawihan, they are all covered with the precious metal. But there is only one example of a statue that is completely made out of gold and this one stands in the Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok. It weighs a whopping 5 ½ tons! We know that nowadays gold has a mostly monetary value, but this is a perfect example of an iconic sculpture that is, without a doubt, priceless. 

A good example of a golden Buddha statue in Krabi is the one on top of the popular Tiger Cave Temple. We have written about it before. Another one you can find in Wat Kaew Korawaram located on a hill just outside of Downtown Krabi. As it is often the case, it is inside the ordination hall, which is used for praying. 

Other Examples of Gold in Thai Culture

These are more little fun facts, but still interesting to know. For example, the old name of Thailand, Siam, is the Sanskrit word for gold. You could, therefore, say that Thailand literally used to be the Land of Gold and you would be more right than you know. The biggest airport in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi, can be translated to – you guessed it – Land of Gold. This is probably luckiest and most auspicious way to enter a new country. In case you share this belief, of course.

When we hear about spirits or ghosts, we usually think that they are bad, thanks to horror movies and books. This is partially true in animism, but spirits come in all kinds of characteristics and not just good or bad. Some can be loyal or treacherous, benevolent or malevolent, hateful or kind – the list of ghosts, each with their individual story, is long. So, how do the Thais live with their immaterial fellow neighbors? In order to live in peaceful harmony with the spirits, people build so-called spirit houses, where the ethereal beings can rest. You will find those miniature houses everywhere around Thailand like in hotels, parks, households, shops, sanctuaries and temples. A monk from the local temple needs to visit each location in order to find the best possible spot for a new spirit house.

Daily offerings to the spirits need to be made as well in the form of food and beverages. Strawberry fantas are commonly found in all places for reasons that don’t seem to be completely clear-cut. Some say it’s because of its red color that replaces the ancient blood offering, others deny this popular theory and say it’s simply a tradition. Whatever the truth is, you can be certain to come across hundreds of those sugary bottles. 

The main reason for the offerings is to appease the spirits. Happy spirits create happy households and thus, everyone can live in perfect harmony. If on the other someone forgets to make their daily offerings, then this person is asking for trouble. For example, when someone is involved in a traffic accident, then this can be seen as a sign that the spirits were not happy and need to be appeased. The worst case scenario is a haunting; something that we’ve seen in many horror movies to some extent. When this happens, a witch doctor needs to be called to perform an exorcism in order to purify the haunted place.

This superstition is not just something you will encounter in rural areas and small villages, but also in the major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. In cases, where ghosts are presumably being spotted, the police are often called to investigate the supernatural disturbances to their fullest capabilities. These stories are then found all over the news and it also gives the creative artists enough material for books, comics, movies and even soap operas. So, it seems that animism is not likely to leave anytime soon and the Coca Cola Company can be quite happy about it. After all, Thailand is their fourth-largest market. All thanks to the spirits with a sweet tooth, who enjoy sipping on strawberry fantas.

Buddhism in the day-to-day lives of the Thais

These teachings are being followed by almost 95% of the Thai population and it plays a vital role in their everyday lives. Most of the local people try to perform good deeds throughout the day in order to make merits, which is a ritual we have touched on in our post about “Songkran”. This can start early in the morning by giving offerings in the form of food or money to the local monks. This is not seen as charity where there is a giver and a receiver, but it is a purifying act of simply giving and receiving. There are roughly 300.000 Buddhist monks in Thailand and it’s a tradition for Thai men to become monks once in their life before their 20^th birthday. This period doesn’t have to be long; it can be for only a few days or weeks.

Following the Buddhist teachings for most of the Thais is about being free of worry. They know that true happiness can’t come from material enjoyment, but only from within through personal practice. This doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy the many things this world has to offer – they certainly do. But they know that these things can’t give them happiness, peace and a life without worries. Buddhism is therefore considered a way of life instead of a religion. There is no God that needs to be revered or even feared. It is more about the respect the followers have for the Buddha and his teachings.

What does this mean for tourists visiting Thailand?

Thailand has some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world, a lot of which can be found in bigger cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. When visiting those cultural landmarks, it is highly recommended to behave accordingly and to dress appropriately. The dress code usually calls for long-sleeved shirts and pants. It is totally fine to take pictures of yourself with the Buddha, but don’t stand on the statues and try to keep your kids from climbing on them. As we mentioned in our first post about Cultural Insights, the feet are the lowliest part of the body and should not touch such a holy artifact under any circumstances.

Although 95% of the people in Thailand are Buddhists, you might be a little surprised to find almost as many mosques as temples in Krabi. This is due to the fact that this region is quite close to Malaysia, where the majority of the population is Muslim. Therefore you can find many Malay-Muslims in Southern Thailand. Fortunately for everyone, the Buddhists and Muslims, at least in the Krabi area, live in peace and harmony, so you don’t have to worry about any religious or cultural disputes.

Muay Thai is a martial arts form and contact sport where boxers use their entire body.It is also known as “The Art of Eight Limbs”, as martial artists of Muay Thai employ eight parts of the body that mimic weapons of war.

• Hands are like swords or daggers.
• The elbows are like a mace or hammer, to fell opponents.
• The legs are like an axe.
• The knees are like the staff of the axe.

More about Muay Thai http://www.krabi.co.uk/thailand-celebrates-national-muay-thai-day/

THE CAUSE
The Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation was established in 1995 to provide scholarships for needy students in Krabi Province. It was founded by Khun Chuan Phukaoluan, then the Mayor of Krabi, and now the President of the Foundation. The Foundation was named in honor of his late father and, since the tsunami in December 2004, has widened its scope to aid victims of the tsunami in Krabi Province.

While other aid agencies will come and go, The Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation will remain for years to come with its long term commitment to those adversely affected by this natural disaster. The Foundation provided long term benefits to 101 children who have lost at least one parent to the tsunami.

The Foundation believes in creating a stable society, where educated, self reliant, productive members of the community can live together in harmony. The Foundation believes the long term goals of a stable society are not achieved by cash handouts, but by empowering people through education, skills and occupational training and promotion of arts, culture, and sports.

THE VENUE
The Krabi Resort is located on the magnificent Ao Nang Beach and is the only resort in Ao Nang that has direct beachfront access. The Krabi Resort lies amid lush vegetation of coconut palms with the breathtaking view of the Andaman Sea. Ao Nang Beach is the most popular beach in Krabi, with pristine beaches and an interesting array of shops, restaurants and bars. Krabi resort can be reached by just half an hour from Krabi International Airport, and it will surely make be the perfect backdrop for our event and make it an unforgettable experience.

THE RACE
The race will consist of two distances a 5k and a 10k, it will start at Krabi Resort and run along Ao Nang Moo 2 towards Nopparattara Beach. At the end of Nopparattara the runners will turn around and head back, for 5k runners they will do this once, and for 10k runners they will do this twice. There will be water stations placed along the route to make sure runners are hydrated and there will also be a Marshall team and an ambulance / medical assistance on hand in case of any emergencies. Awards will be given to the first three finishers Male and Female, as well a participation medal awarded to every finisher.

There will also be a 3 Kilometer Kids Run on Ao Nang Beach that will start from the back of Krabi resort and run to the end of Ao Nang Beach and back. This will be open to children between the ages of 6-11 years old and it will be free of charge.

SPONSORSHIP OPPURTUNITIES

PLATINUM CHAMPION – 50k
1 Spot Available (Our Presenting Sponsor)

• Top billing on all adveritising materials / marketing promotions for 5k/10k Event
• Super Size Logo on back of race t-shirts
• One resevered Promo Space to set up
  company booth
• 5x Free 5k/10k Registations and 15% Discount for addiotnal registratoins
• Recognition on website, Facebook, and emails with Platinum Champion (highest) designation
• “Thank you” in event recap on website and Facebook

GOLD CHAMPION – 25k
2 Spots Available (5k Presenting sponsor)

• Large logo on back of race t-shirts
• ONE reserved Promo Space to set up a company booth
• 3x FREE 5k/10k registrations and 10% discount for additional registrations
• Placement of promotional merchandise or materials in race packets
• Recognition on website, Facebook, and emails with Gold Champion designation
• “Thank you” in event recap on website and Facebook

SILVER CHAMPION – 10k
4 Spots Available

• Medium Logo on back of race t-shirts
• 3x FREE 5k registrations and 10%
  discount for additional registrations
• Placement of promotional merchandise or materials in race packets
• Recognition on website, Facebook, and emails with Gold Champion designation
• “Thank you” in event recap on website and Facebook

BRONZE CHAMPION – 5k
6 Spots Available

• Small Logo on back of race t-shirts
• 2x FREE 5k registrations and 10%
  Discount for additional registrations/li>
• Placement of promotional merchandise or materials in race packets
• Recognition on website, Facebook, and emails with Bronze Champion designation
• “Thank you” in event recap on website and Facebook

Source: http://krabiraceforkids.com

D & E’s Jungle Kitchen

What literally started off as a small kitchen with a handful of tables set in a jungle area is now considered to be the one of the best Thai restaurants in Ao Nang. The owner and head chef Eve welcomes every guest with an infectious smile ever since she opened her restaurant at the end of 2013. Her authentic Thai dishes made from fresh ingredients have not only earned her a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award, but also a constant stream of loyal customers. Due to the latter, we advise you to make a reservation beforehand, especially if you want to come in the evening. Otherwise you may not be able to get a table.

Everything the Jungle Kitchen offers is delicious, but we personally recommend the spring rolls as a starter and the fried cashew nut with beef and rice as the main course. The curries like massaman, phanaeng, red and green curry are fantastic as well. Although with some of them you have to be careful, since they can be pretty spicy. Let the waiter/waitress know how spicy you would like to have it. You can also stick with the classics by ordering a Pad Thai (= fried noodles) or a Kao Pad (= fried rice). Whatever you end up choosing, we can guarantee with certainty that you won’t be disappointed.

Opening times: 11:00am – 2:30pm; 5:00pm – 10:00pm; closed on Sunday

Umberto’s Cuisine

After trying out all the local Thai delicacies, you might be craving something different – something Mediterranean. Almost every restaurant on the beach front offers pizza and pasta, but Umberto’s Cuisine is the real deal when it comes to fantastic, authentic Italian Food. Prior to his Cuisine located at the Alisea Boutique Hotel, Umberto Barbieri was the owner of the ‘Red Devil Grill & Lounge’, a smaller restaurant also in Ao Nang.

At Umberto’s Cuisine you can enjoy all the classic Italian dishes everyone knows and loves. Start your culinary journey with an antipasto like Bruschetta or one of the many platters filled with cheese, prosciutto and olives. The Cuisine team offers a wide variety of pizzas, but another personal recommendation would be the amazing lasagna.

If you want to deviate a little from the Mediterranean kitchen for your main course, then you might want to try out one of their award-winning steaks. Especially their Black Angus Prime Ribs are an absolute winner. And finally you can finish the night off with another Italian classic: A slice of Tiramisu. Molto benne!

Opening times: 11:30am – 10:00pm

Jenna’s Bistro & Wine

Amidst the nearby Starbucks, McDonald’s and Subway, the recent award winner Jenna’s Bistro & Wine sticks out like an elegant sore thumb. The owner Mikko Kataja and his team offer the best of both the Thai and the Western cuisine. For example how does a slow cooked pork belly with mashed potatoes, caramelized onions and apple compote sound like? This is one of their most famous dishes and it’s just as delicious as it sounds like. Before you start choosing a meal from their eclectic menu, we recommend one of their cocktails from the bar. On Jenna’s Facebook page they claim to serve a “mean mojito” and you can expect the same high quality from your mixed drink.

The interior and exterior of Jenna’s Bistro & Wine also mirrors their promise for professionalism and excellence with a burgundy colored décor. This high standard comes mostly from head chef Mikko’s culinary history in renowned restaurants like the ‘Mirabelle’, ‘Orrery’ and ‘Avenue Restaurant’ in London, and the ‘Red Sky’ in Bangkok’s Centara Grand Hotel.

So, if you want to spend one of your nights in Ao Nang in class and style, then Jenna’s Bistro & Wine is the number one address.

Opening times: 8:30am – 11:00pm