Railay, Aonang, Krabi

Railay, this name is rarely known among Thai people, unlike foreign tourists.  Railay was originally recognized as a little village of fishermen on the mainland, it’s not on an island.  Due to its surroundings by limestone cliffs, people feel isolated from prosperity of the town and think of being on an island.  How to get there: only by long-tail boats from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao or Krabi Town, if you come from Krabi. By a cruise, if you travel from Koh Phi Phi. Conservative tourists want to preserve this place as it is.  So far there is no road access to Railay.  Only by boat, you can get there from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao (the shell fossil). It depends the monsoon season during Mid of May till Late Oct every year.

Lastly I went here on 17 Apr 08 to survey further any new resorts or changes, after the previous time in Apr 06.   A lot of foreign tourists are walking along the beach, sun-bathing, taking a trip.  All rooms have been fully booked now and then.  Tsunami did not negatively affect here much. Contrarily due to limited accommodation in Koh Phi Phi (after Tsunami), tourists chose Railay as their destination instead. 

See more photos of Railay.

Why I had been here many times and What I like:  we have to talk for quite a long. The first time I came here for 15 years ago.  Thinking about the time before building Rayavadee and the Beach movie, so then it is my first time here.

Things of Railay have not much changed but accommodation has.  The resorts have expanded rapidly in terms of numbers of bungalows.  Luckily, not changed are attractions such as lagoon, nice view point of the hill top, caves, and beaches.  Activities become more attractive like sea canoeing, rock climbing, trekking, etc.  Knowing that most of the resorts belonged to two big families: Ngafa and Kayankarn.  Both are well known in Aonang and Railay. They and their cousins should be more wealthy when they built more properties in Aonang. However, we have to say "Thank you" to them. Under a local club "Koh Rak Railay" or "คนรักไร่เลย์" means Railay Lovers, the group still conserve and keep this rock and beach environment unchanged.  During end of Apr, they arrange a competition of International Rock Climbing every year. This year 2009 is as well.

See more below:

Rock Climbing  is likely to be an ideal activity of Railay.  By this picture, a trainer of rock climbing is showing. Limestone cliffs on Railay East are plenty for rock climbers.  I would recommend Cliffs Man on Railay West. Check it first if you like. ....Map of Railay Cliffs between Tonsai and Railay beaches are very interesting. It's suitable for a novice like me. See the Clip of  Rock Climbing cool!

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Railay Lagoon
	Another attraction for the adventure lovers.  You have to climb up and down. Some steps are too steep and you need to jump or tightly hold a rope.  There you will find a lagoon.  Find a post to Lagoon while you are trekking to view point.

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Pranang Cave Beach From my experience, this beach is the most beautiful, white sand, suite for swimming, sun bathing, enjoy jogging, etc.  The cave is at the end of the beach with a local tale about this cave (I cannot remember the story).  You can take about 15 minutes by walking from Railay Beach. Recently, TV (Pepsi) Ads show a superstar soccer Ronaldinho playing a football on this beach. See the video clips of: - Pranang Cave - Macaque a kind of local monkey, rarely found  elsewhere.

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Pranang-nai Cave
Located behind Diamond Cave Resort. It's a part of Moo Koh Phi Phi and Nopparatthara Marine National Park. Path is good for visitors to walk through. Cave is pretty short for 10-15 minutes sight-seeing. Don't miss if you come to Railay even though it is quite hard to find.

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Railay West
	It’s good for sun bathing, swimming, sea canoeing, etc. It is the pier for tourists from Ao Nang.  9:00 am everyday, boat from Ao Nang will be stop for tourists for 10 minutes and leave for Koh Phi Phi.  If you want to go to Koh Phi Phi you may book at counter of any resorts.  Check out and be ready for the boat. 1- day trip is also available. Sea Canoeing is another popular activity.  What are the recommended resorts: Railay Village, Railay Bay, Sand Sea Resort.  Only three resorts are here.
Railay Village; by beach, good taste of food Sand Sea; by beach, modern resort, and swimming pool (coming soon). Railay Bay; by beach, many cottages and building units and swimming pool.

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Railay East
Beach here is not suite for swimming as mangrove.  Plenty of food shops, mini pub, near places of rock climbing. Three of resorts are recommended. Bhunga Thani Resort, Newly open year 2009 Sunrise Tropical Resort, very new just open in late 2002. Ya Ya Resort, well know for many years with wooden rooms amidst coconut trees.
Diamond Private Resort, with many rooms, swimming pool on the little hill.  Recommended sea view room here. You may enjoy watching the sea or sunrise from the balcony. Diamond Cave Resort, with many new rooms, swimming pool on the little hill. Internet, food shops, tour package are available at the resort. A lot of changes here from the previous days.

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Tonsai Beach Traveling is not much convenient and far from attractions, pier. But not far from food shops, boats, ATM, internet, etc.  You may walk along the beach from Railay to Tonsai.   Tonsai Bay; by beach, many bungalows and a swimming pool is planed to be built soon.

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Popular activities includes rock climbing, sea canoeing, trekking, sight-seeing of islands e.g. Koh Kai, Koh Thap, Koh Poda, one of Unseen Thailand.

Railay is suite for the ones who love natural relaxation, escaping the ever-growing crowds, neither light nor sound like Phuket or Koh Samui.  Shadow of limestone Cliff in the evening, while I'm watching the sun on the beach, is attracting me to return once again.  Another highlighted attractions are white sand beaches of nearby islands and viewpoint of Railay.