How to get there ?
In HK, you can find a travel agency to buy a cheap two-way air ticket (around HK$1500 to Bankok , then take a overnight bus directly to Krabi. It costs 400B. Railey is located on the south of Krabi and the only way to get there is by long tail boat. It cost 70B and takes 30min. You can also go to Ao Nang by minibus 20B, and find a long tail boat near Ao Nang beach. It cost 50B and takes 15Min.

Where to stay?
There are a few options to stay in this Climbing Paradise.
1. Most people like staying in Railey bay because of Convince.
I will recommend staying in Tonsai because you can find different cheap bungalow range from 150B to 500 per night. You can stay longer and enjoy climbing!
2. I saw some Korean and Japanese pitch their tent between Tonsai Bay and coconut tree forest. It costs nothing but it is quite hot in summer. You can also cook by yourself.
3. Try to hang on the limestone crag like Bigwall climbing.
Sai Thong Bungalow in Tai Sai is my choice. But power supply is only provided from 17:00 to 22:00.

In Krabi town I will suggest you to stay in Cha Guesthouse. You can have a clean single room just pay $100B. I met Chris Sharma surfing Internet in Cha Guesthouse. He just sits beside me .Oh! My God!

To seek a cheap guesthouse in Bankok , you can head to Khan San Road. There are different guesthouses range from 60B to 500B per single room.

What kinds of gear should I bring?
Most of the existing route in Krabi is sport-climbing routes, they are all bolt protected. Also there are few climbing equipment shops nearby which sell or rent rope, rock boots, quickdraw, biner..... It is better to bring your own shoes and harness. You are advised to have a 60metre rope and at least 15 quickdraws. If you will work a long time in some hard routes, bring at least 2 pairs of rock boots.

Eat and Drink?
Both Railey and Tonsai have lots of resturants, you can eat a plate of fry noodle in lunch time and have a bottle of Sprite and curry rice in dinner. Food and drink are a bit pricey compared to Krabi town. I prefer to eat simple food in climbing days and during the rest days I will go to Krabi town to eat everything I like. There are many many delicious fruits can be found in Food Market.

Food Price in Tonsai for Reference :
Vegetable Fry Rice , 50B
a bottle of Sprite or Coke , 15B to 20B
a slice of watermelon , 10B

Water, many people like drinking bottle water, but I will discourage to do this in order to decrease the impact to the natural environment in Railey peninsular even bottle water is cheap (5 to 10 B). I suggest to buy a big, heavy bottle water which is just cost 70B. You can refill to your favourite bottle many times. The most important is the big bottle can be cleaned and reused again.

Look for a Climbing partner?
If you go alone and wish to climb in Railey, It is not difficult to find a partner if you have quickdraws and rope. I met partner from England, Finland, Spain, USA, France, China, Japan, and Austria..... But be careful and should have sense of safety. You should check everytime like knot, belay device, hardness before you go to lead or top-rope. Tell them to should their belay method. If you feel insecure, you should correct or tell them how to do.

Posting your request on the message board in climbing equipment shop. And you can leave your message on http://books.dreambook.com/simonfoley/main.html.

Need Information?

Route Guidebook is published by KingClimber which may cost you 450B.New-route information paper can be found in climbing shop like kingclimber.

Lonely Planet travel guidebook is a good resource for backpacker and climber.

Hong Kong people who hold a HKSAR passport can have 1 month no-visa-stay in Thailand.

The best online resource is SimonFoley's thailand climbing website,

Grade in Krabi follows French F system.
ie : 6a=5.9 , 8c=5.14b

Simple Thai language , learn with me!
Mai Kao Jai, means I don't Know
Nit Noy, means a little
Kun Shui Mua Mua , means You are very beautiful
Pon Lap Kun, means I love you!
Na Paa, means climbing

Edited by Windclimb on 11/7/2002