Krabi is one of Thailand’s oldest historical sites with evidence reflecting to this day, what it once had been
27,000 to 37,000 years ago the primate ancestors of prehistoric man inhabited the area. Their remains are believed to have been discovered by archaeologists in Nuerklong’s lignite mine.
     Early evidence Scientific proof of the migration of primitive man and wall paintings in cave sites of Krabi and Phang Nga show that those sites had been settled in by prehistoric man. As for the early cave painting depicting symbolic images of land and marine creatures in black , red and brown, estimates of their age vary at between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.

Later evidence
Other proof, - stone tools, earthenware, skeletons, beads, bronze tools, items of pottery, coins, metals, moulds and seals – collected from than twenty local sites, show that what became a wild jungle was once the home of cave dwellers.

 

Tribes
It is generally believed that the history of krabi’s modern day settlers began with the merging of two tribes the Sagai or Semung shack dwellers with the Orang La Oat or Chon Chao Num wandering sea gypsies.
 

Prosperity
     Krabi has very rich natural resources, coming from the streams, flowing down onto the valleys, along lowland plains and out into the coastline. It was the river estuary and coastland of Krabi, where the people settle, which brought early prosperity. It became a sort of treasure gateway for the pioneering traders, a number of different races, which included Romans, Arabs and Indians. From a geographical point of view, it was inevitable that the land of Krabi should serve as a trading centre for the Malayan peninsular, offering shelter from the monsoon rains and winds, a natural harbour and a shipyard.
     Furthermore, it was to become a place where provisions for onward voyages could be prepared, and where stock from incoming traders could be collected and dispatched by the fortune hunters.

Across the peninsular
     According to records left to us by a Chinese monk in 381 – 414 AD, any voyage passing through the Malacca channel to the tip of the Malayan peninsular was threatened by the high risk posed by pirates.
     Moreover, the technical knowledge and development of ships of this period was not advanced enough to make a long sea journey Secure. Instead, the navigators traded increasingly along the coastal piers before traveling across the peninsular.
 
Community
     One early settlement of people was on the banks of a canal known as Klong Tom, which flows from the mountain range along the border, where the two provinces of Krabi and Trang meet. Klong Tom itself is deep enough to allow ships to penetrate as far as 20 km inland. Klong Tom is also connected with many other water courses, three of which lead to the sea on the East coast in the province of Surat Thani.
 

 Monsoon Historians claim that Klong Tom was the most suitable direction for ships to head to in the monsoon period. Most ships on their return to India would have needed to change course to the West, but the monsoon caused ships to change their route to between  7 and 8 degrees latitude, in the area of Trang, Klong Tom and Phang Nga.
     Pier & Market Ancient Klong Tom or Kuan Luk Pad was probably the earliest pier of a community supplying herbs, aloes, wood, and black peppers, amongst other products for foreign traders from many different western countries. Proof from archaeological findings – Roman or Egyptian coins, beads showing human faces, art, a piece of Roman earthenware, and the largest production site of beads on the peninsular confirm beyond doubt that this area was a major international market place of those times.
     Lost civilization With the discovery of an inscribed seal in Klong Tom dating back 2,000 years, the historians conclude that people had established settlements here several times before the beginning of history. What caused  Klong Tom’s later impoverishment, however, remains a mystery. One theory is that Klong Tom fell to cholera, another is that it was attacked and defeated by Tamils.
     Invasions  In 1024 – 1044 the Dravidian forces from India encroached on and occupied the Malayan peninsular. They used the islands of Phuket and Sriboya to base their navy and attempt to conquer the sea on the West coast. The Tamils were later annihilated by Prachao Jantharapanu.
 

Nopparat Thara Beach
     Is just North up the coast from Ao Nang, 19 km from Krabi town. It is also the longest beach in the area, 3 km long The National Park headquarters are situated at the northern end of the beach, close to a tributary of water flowing from the mountain in the North. The office’s facilities include tourist information, bungalow accommodation and a camp site. Local fishing reflects the traditional way of life here.
     Nopparat Thara Beach is popular with local people. It has a special atmosphere of tranquility and privacy, coming from the spacious area and the shade from the conifer trees. An ideal picnic spot, just a short walk away there are rows of mouth – watering food stalls, featuring local sea food and  son tam. People come here to swim, sunbathe, read and relax, away from the noise and disturbance of everyday life. At the furthest end in the North is a pier with daily boat services to Phi Phi Island.
     Just outside the restricted area of the National Park is a selection of hotels and places to stay. One very private and quiet resort is Success Beach Resort, with easy access to local beaches and islands.

Where to eat in Nopparat Thara Beach
     Krua Tara is on Nopparat Thara Beach, and close to the National Park office. There are both international and Thai dishes on the menu, and the speciality is the fresh, local seafood. Rakhang – thong is also noteworthy for its wide choice of food and drinks. It is also just in the tight location for a beautiful sunset.

Poda Islands
     At the back of the island, you can find yourself in an underwater world of brilliantly coloured marine life. Locals refer to this is land as Poda Nok Island ( Koh Darm Kwan ). As low tide it is possible to walk along a connecting beach or sandbank from Chicken Island to Mor Island (500 m North, with good snorkeling) and from Chicken Island to Tup Island. This area, although quite small in size, is one of the most memorable highlights of a local island tour. The wonderful seascape is highly popular for photography, exploring, sunbathing and swimming. Poda Nai Island has a National Park office on the coniferous and broad beach to the East. The rocky tower of Saohinpoon Island in the North is the symbol of Poda Nai Island. This is a great location to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the surrounding clear waters with magnificent scenery.

How to get the Poda Islands  they can best be reached from Ao Nang by local taxi boat in 20 minutes or speed boat in 10 minutes. There are many tour packages to these islands available, three of the biggest tour operators being Koh Phi Phi Tour, Ao Nang Travel & Tour and Chok Paisan Andaman Tour.

Ao Phra Nang Beach
 
Ao Nang Beach part of Ao Phranang, the bay and beach of Ao Nang lie between Nopparat Thara and Phranang Cave.
     The first impression travelers have on arrival is, if not the dramatic backdrop of the sheer limestone cliffs, the closeness of the islands in the day. These islands have various rock formations, taking the shapes of a chicken’s head, a boot and a junk respectively. Local taxi boats are readily available to let you explore these attractions at a moment’s notice. Barely 50 m off the main beach of Ao Nang is a concentration of shops, travel agents, bars, restaurants, accommodation and other facilities. Its wealth of conveniences and rapid development have put Ao Nang into the spotlight as the tourist center of krabi mainland. Like all international resorts, there is a buzz of excitement, with the feeling that there’s something happening 24 hours a day.

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