In Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman Sea, limestone cliffs rise from the water and waterfalls hide in the forest. The team at Phulay Bay, a resort on this coast, has put together a guide to seeing it like a local. Its picks run from a fishing village you reach by boat to a seaside home where you’ll make fish curry in banana leaves.
Phulay Bay is the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, and it holds three Michelin Keys. Thai architect Lek Bunnag designed its villas and pavilions, and every guest gets a personal butler, or “Ton Hong.” Still, all four of the resort’s Krabi tips take you off the property, and one of them ends with you cooking in a seaside house.
Cook Hor Mok Overlooking the Andaman Sea
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, recently launched Heritage Flavors of Krabi. It’s a four-hour food tour through the communities and kitchens behind Southern Thai cooking.
Chef Laongdao Tohkhot, who goes by Chef Aong, designed it. The resort’s chef de cuisine, she’s been at Phulay Bay since it opened in 2009 and has cooked for members of the Thai royal family.
Your day starts at a local market. Next, you’ll head to the Curry Paste House in Ao Thalane, a Muslim fishing village on Krabi’s mangrove coast.
There, owner Khun Matee, 70, teaches you her family’s chili paste recipe. Paste-making in her village began as a way to rebuild after the 2004 tsunami.
The last stop is a seaside house, where you’ll make Hor Mok, a steamed fish curry wrapped in banana leaves.
“To understand the spirit of Southern Thailand, you have to taste it,” Chef Aong said. She leads the experience when she’s available, and local experts she trained step in when she isn’t.
Ride Through the Mangroves to Koh Klang
For a look at daily life, hop on a long-tail boat. It’ll carry you through the mangroves to the limestone cliffs of Khao Kanap Nam.
From there, you’ll cross to Koh Klang, a traditional fishing village. You’ll get around by tuk-tuk. Along the way, you can meet local artisans and try your hand at batik painting.
Find Prehistoric Cave Paintings in Ao Luk
Ao Luk has limestone cliffs, ancient caves, forests and hidden waterfalls. Paddle a kayak or take a long-tail boat to Phi Hua To Cave.
You’ll find prehistoric paintings there, along with scattered seashells that point to the area’s ancient past. Save time for Bang Thong Temple too. Its golden pagoda and serene setting make it worth the stop.
Hike Dragon Crest for the Sunrise
The resort calls Dragon Crest Mountain one of Krabi’s most scenic viewpoints. Reaching the top takes a two-hour trek through dense rainforest and ancient trees.
From up there, you’ll look out over the forests, limestone karsts and the Andaman Sea. Time it right, and you’ll catch the sunrise too.
You don’t have to give up your beach days to try any of these. Pick the one that fits your trip and build a single day around it.
If it’s Dragon Crest, set an early alarm. That trail takes two hours, and the sunrise won’t wait.