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Destination guide

Krabi

Krabi, ThailandKrabi

Krabi Province on Thailand's Andaman coast offers some of the country's most dramatic scenery — karst limestone formations, turquoise water, and access to islands including Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, and Koh Ngai. Its long-stay expat community is smaller than Phuket's but growing, particularly among retirees and remote workers who prefer quieter surroundings than Phuket's more developed tourism infrastructure.

Who Chooses Krabi For Long-Stay

Krabi appeals to a specific profile: those who want Andaman Sea access without Phuket's scale, tourist density, and price premium. The province is large and varied — Ao Nang is the tourist hub; Krabi Town is the genuine provincial city; the surrounding villages and Koh Lanta offer quieter long-stay alternatives.

Best Areas

Krabi Town: the provincial capital. Local markets, government offices (including Immigration), good transport links. Less scenic than the coast but practical. 1BR apartment: 8,000–15,000 THB/month.
Ao Nang (beach resort area): the main tourist strip. High density of restaurants, services, and boat departures to islands. Less residential feel but convenient. Condo/apartment: 10,000–22,000 THB/month.
Klong Muang / Tubkaek (north of Ao Nang): quieter, more residential, long quiet beach with limestone view. Pool villas and condos. 1BR: 12,000–25,000 THB/month. Popular with long-stay retirees.
Koh Lanta (island, 70 km south): separate island destination with its own long-stay expat community. Quieter, more rural, lower cost. No Krabi Immigration — Lanta residents must ferry to the mainland for Immigration visits. 1BR house: 7,000–15,000 THB/month.

Immigration

Krabi Immigration Office (Krabi Town): handles all visa extensions, 90-day reports, re-entry permits for Krabi Province. Koh Lanta residents ferry to Krabi Town (1.5 hours). Less congested than major urban offices.

Healthcare

• Krabi Hospital (public, Krabi Town): adequate for emergency care. • Krabi Nakharin International Hospital: private, English-speaking, direct billing capability. Better for expat use. • Bangkok Hospital Krabi: part of the Bangkok Hospital network; opened to serve the growing international population. Best option for anything requiring specialist consultation. • For serious cases: Phuket (1.5 hours by car via Phang Nga) or Bangkok (1 hour flight from Krabi Airport).

Transport

Krabi International Airport: direct to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang (1 hour, multiple daily), Singapore (direct), Kuala Lumpur (direct). Seasonal Australian charter flights during peak season. Car rental in Krabi: 12,000–18,000 THB/month. Motorbike: 3,000–4,500 THB/month. Long-tail boats for island access.

Cost Of Living (August 2026 Estimates)

1BR apartment (Ao Nang/Krabi Town): 8,000–20,000 THB/month Local meal: around 100 THB; mid-range restaurant: around 320 THB/person
General guidance, drawn from Numbeo (June 2026) — note Krabi has a thinner sample size than most Thai destinations we track, so treat these as a starting point rather than a precise figure. No dated, defensible villa-rental, grocery-total, total-budget or couple-specific figure is currently available — ask us for a current comparison. Independent visa assistance agency; not affiliated with any government body.

Immigration office

Krabi immigration office

Confirm the local immigration office, hours and required documents with the Thai Immigration Bureau before visiting.

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Further reading

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Visa paths

Destination Thailand VisaDTV eligibility, permitted activities and application support.Digital nomad visa supportRemote work planning, proof and long-stay route selection.Retirement visaNon-OA, Non-OX and extension planning for applicants aged 50+.Business visaNon-B applications, employer documents and business setup support.Non-Immigrant O visaRetirement, marriage, family and volunteer Non-O routes.Non-Immigrant B visaEmployment and business Non-B before work-permit steps.SMART visaTalent, investor and executive long-stay routes for targeted sectors.Tourist visaSingle-entry, multiple-entry and stay-extension planning.Long-Term Resident visaLTR route checks for professionals, investors and wealthy pensioners.Work permitThai work authorisation after the correct visa route is selected.Marriage visaFamily-based Non-O visa and in-country extension planning.Education visaApproved study, language, Muay Thai and training routes.Visa extensionIn-country extensions, deadlines and required evidence.Document legalisationCertified documents, translations and consular preparation.

Further reading

Thailand digital nomad guideDTV context, city fit and remote-work planning.DTV application guideStep-by-step preparation for Destination Thailand Visa evidence.Thailand retirement visa guideFinancial rules, timing and extension cycles.Thailand Non-B visa guideBusiness and employment route requirements.Can I work on a DTV?Foreign income, Thai clients and permitted activity boundaries.DTV vs LTRCompare two long-stay routes before choosing.SMART visa guideTarget sectors, eligibility and SMART vs standard work routes.LTR visa complete guideWealthy pensioner, professional and investor LTR categories.Non-OA vs Non-ORetirement route differences before you prepare bank evidence.How it worksOur managed application process from enquiry to approval support.All visa servicesBrowse every Thailand visa and support service we manage.800,000 baht rule explainedBank-balance timing and retirement extension risks.Check eligibilityStart with a route fit check before preparing documents.Free enquiryAsk Visa Centre to assess the best route for your situation.