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Crag & Route Beta

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International	(General)	(General)	(General)

Topic Date User

Krabi travel safety 9-Oct-2012 At 12:52:23 PM yenwongdvm

Message

I've been to Tonsai 3 times, including once just after Thai elections and it has been fine. Two mates of mine have returned from Tonsai in the last few weeks and they reported no trouble at all. Yes, Tonsai being a peninsula is relatively isolated from most political troubles, theft and tourist attacks. It is a unique location only accessible by long tail boat. It is safe to wander around by yourself at night, the only trouble would be from drunk or stoned visitors. Unlike other parts of Thailand, prices of food and goods are very transparent and clearly displayed, nobody hassles you to book a tour/buy souvenirs/eat at their restaurant unless you go inside their establishment voluntarily. Yes, it is a strategy of the local business people to run things this way to encourage people to come and chill out! The locals are very friendly, peaceful and genuinely helpful. Many times I have misplaced stuff and the locals have hung on to the stuff and returned it to me. Clothes and climbing gear that I hang on the balcony to dry stay where they are.

One word of caution: if this is your first time going to Tonsai, take the bus (instead of taxi) from Krabi airport to Nopparat Thara pier for the long tail boats. Last time I took a taxi the driver tried to take us to another pier with more expensive "speed boats", and we had to firmly ask him to load our stuff back on the taxi and drive us to the right place. Once you arrive in Tonsai these things don't happen.

If you get injured, medical evacuation is only by long tail boat. Best to be careful not to get a serious injury. Boats tend to come quickly when needed. I would recommend bringing a medical kit with essential medications (including manuka honey for dressing wounds) as there is no hospital or pharmacy in Tonsai. Due to the humid weather wounds tend to get infected easily and take a long time to heal. When I was there I dressed a lot of climbers wounds with manuka honey and sugar, worked like a charm.

I would highly recommend going to Tonsai. January is high season, so things will be a bit more expensive and you will have to queue up for popular climbs in the lower grades. Higher grades are relatively quiet though. Enjoy!