Why Krabi should be on your next Thailand itinerary

Phuket has become a top destination for tourists looking for island paradise in Thailand, but just three hours away is a lesser known haven that deserves just as much attention.

Krabi province in southern Thailand has its share of pristine beaches, rock formations, and a tranquil Muslim community where you can spend the night at a homestay.

Among the places visitors are gradually being drawn to is Hong Island, an archipelago consisting of 12 islets stretching from the north to the south of Krabi sea. The highlight of the trip is the lagoon in the middle of Hong's main island — Koh Hong — where turquoise waters welcome its visitors.

Tourists are allowed to swim in the waters of the lagoon as long as the tide is high. The lagoon can turn into a sandy field during the low tide. Photo: Joseph Tristan Roxas.

Koh Hong also has its own stretch of white sand beach where tourists can get a tan. You can also go snorkeling, but sometimes the water is so clear you won't need to use goggles to spot the schools of fish.

Kayaking, on the other hand, offers a great view of the limestone cliffs across the Koh Hong.

Krabi province also boasts of more than 130 other paradisal islands, including Koh Lanta and the six islands of Phi Phi Island National Park.

The island is only open to tourists until 5 p.m. or until the tide is high enough for boats to dock near the shore. Photo: Joseph Tristan Roxas.

Home away from home

Spending the night at a posh hotel or villa sounds great, but a homestay experience at a traditional fishing and farming community can make a trip mean more a dip in the pool or enjoying the sand at the beach.

Koh Klang village is a community of about 5,000 inhabitans, 90 percent of which are Muslim, whose way of life is centered in agriculture.

Alcoholic drinks are prohibited in the island, so better leave the booze in the mainland. Tourists are also encouraged to wear clothes respectful of the Muslim culture and observe proper decorum.

Tourists can get to Koh Klang via the long-tailed “hua tong” fishing boats — but before heading to Koh Klang, make sure to pass by Khao Khanap Nam, two adjacent hills flanking Krabi River.

The array of mangrove forests surrounding it makes for an Instagram-worthy photograph.

Khao Khanap Nam offers a unique sense of how mother nature works in mysterious ways. Photo: Supawas Inthip/Thai AirAsia.

Krabi River has an array of mangrove forests and tourists have the option to pass through them via boat or kayak. Sometimes you can randomly see monkeys up in the trees. Photo: Joseph Tristan Roxas.

One of the recommended homestays in the village is Kidthung Cottage, where tourists can live like locals thanks to the efforts of owners Matt and Muna, who have been married for five years.

Matt and Muna even grant interviews about their lovelife! This lovely couple got married three days after meeting each other for the first time  — no dating.

“In three days we got married. We dated after we got married,” Matt said, adding that he and Muna are both the fifth sibling in the family.

Matt, 36, and Muna, 31, established Kidthung Cottage to serve as a home away from home for visitors. The house can comfortably accommodate a maximum of 20 people. They also have board games for visitors to enjoy. Photo: Joseph Tristan Roxas.

What to do in Koh Klang?

To complement the homestay, tourists can experience planting paddies of the “sang yod” rice strain — an aromatic and soft kind of red rice similar to glutinous rice when cooked. Better visit them during the planting season (middle to late in the year) to enjoy this activity.

Other activities in Koh Klang include digging clam and shellfish, making miniature models of the hua tong boat, Batik cloth making, and if you're lucky enough, be able to participate in teaching the community how to communicate in English.

Journalists across Southeast Asia plant sang yod rice paddies as part of the activities of the ASEAN Travel Journo Camp organized by the Thai Journalists Association in partnership with Thai AirAsia. Photo: Supawas Inthip/Thai AirAsia.

Koh Klang has been placed under the Journey of Development, “Journey D”, program of low-fare airline Thai AirAsia.

Journey D additionally aims to uplift the standards of living of local communities through sustainable community-based tourism.

Under Journey D is the "English On Air" program, where Thai AirAsia staff visit local communities such as Krabi and teach locals how to communicate in English. Photo: Supawas Inthip/Thai AirAsia.

The program helps locals improve their tour programs, accommodation, and quality of services, as well as their English communication skills.

Its partners include the United Nations Development Programme and Local Alike, a social enterprise that provides tours to communities such as Koh Klang. — AT, GMA News