Krabi is one of Thailand's 77 provinces, situated in the southern part of the country, close to the border with Malaysia. This province is a renowned resort destination situated along the coast of the Andaman Sea, at the mouth of the river bearing the same name. In addition to the mainland, Krabi comprises more than 200 islands.
It's worth noting that Krabi is one of Thailand's most sparsely populated and secluded provinces, with a population slightly over 440,000 people. The provincial capital, Krabi Town, is home to just over 30,000 residents. The popular resort of Phuket, Krabi's closest neighbor, is located approximately 170 km to the west of Krabi.
Life in these areas traces its roots back to approximately 35,000 years ago. Archaeologists have uncovered rock paintings in the karst caves of Krabi, recognized as the oldest human drawings found in Southeast Asia. The first settlements, whose remains have been discovered in Krabi, date back to the 7th century BC.
The name "Krabi" translates from Thai as "sword." According to legend, locals discovered two ancient artifacts in the province, which they presented to the governor. Authorities interpreted this as an auspicious sign and subsequently renamed the province as Krabi. The swords from this legend still feature prominently on the provincial coat of arms. Krabi Province officially became an independent territorial unit in 1875.
Today, tourism stands as the cornerstone of the province's economy. Each year, thousands of tourists from around the world travel here to relish a splendid vacation along Thailand's Andaman coast.
