Living in Krabi

An introduction to some of the issues involved if you decide to stay on in Krabi.

If you're planning a long break in Krabi, your requirements may be different than those of short-stay visitors. For example, you may prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation in an apartment, private villa, house or condo. You may also be happy to stay further away from the beach, perhaps with a deal on accommodation and motorbike rental to help you get around. There are an increasing number of options available for those who have come to regard Krabi as a second home.

Self-catering accommodation: On average, private houses for rent tend to go for around 7-10,000 Baht + a month. As they are mainly designed for use by local and expat workers, they tend to be unfurnished and only available for a minimum of six months' at a time. You may also find that the level of comfort falls below western standards.

There are only a handful of fully-furnished rental properties that are able to be reserved for month-by-month rental. They usually offer fairly comfortable accommodation, with air con and hot water as standard, often with extra facilities such as pool, private garden and security services. Please email us with your requirements and we will let you know what is currently available.

Hotel timeshare: On the other hand, you may simply want to stay in your favourite hotel for several weeks or more. In this case, we may be able to help you get a better deal. Many hotels offer discounts on their standard rates to long-stay guests, but these are unofficial and vary according to the season - and who is asking! When you send us your reservation enquiry, we can make enquiries on your behalf.

A few hotels also offer their rooms on a timeshare basis, so that you are guaranteed your 'own' room for a certain slot every year, at rates far below the norm - although you will be expected to pay for several years' worth of stays upfront.

If you are planning to live for part of the year, or all year round, in Krabi, you will probably need a place of your own. The following links provide a brief introduction to living more permanently in the province.

•   Expat scene in Krabi
•   Krabi Property portal
•   Advice on where to live / finding rental accommodation
•   Buying property in Krabi: an introduction
•   Krabi property listings
•   Krabi local news
•   Everyday practicalities (useful phone numbers etc.)

Practicalities for the long-stay visitor:
Anyone who stays in Thailand for longer than 30 days requires a visa issued by a Royal Thai Consulate or Embassy before arrival in the kingdom. The standard tourist visa is a single entry two months, extendable by a further month upon payment of the appropriate fees at Krabi Immigration Office. You can also apply for a double entry x 2 (3) months. If you have this type of visa, you will have to leave the country once during your stay. The nearest border to Krabi is with Malaysia, some 4-5 hours' drive away.

Please note that a tourist visa strictly forbids employment of any kind, including voluntary work.

If you are staying further away from the beach, transport will be an issue. Many people are content with a bicycle, which can be bought relatively cheaply. For trips further afield, however, you may wish to rent a motorbike. Long term rental (by the month) currently comes in at around 3,000 Baht. If you plan to stay here for a long time, you may wish to buy your own motorcycle or automatic scooter (easier to drive). Prices for a basic model are around 40,000 Baht, which can then either be sold or loaned out at the end of your stay. A Thai person, or ex-pat with a work permit will need to buy the bike on your behalf, so make sure they are reliable first!

Car rental by the month is not widely available, although you may be able to find some deals once you are here. If you are planning to drive any vehicle at all, it is advisable to bring an international driver's licence with you, in case of police checks.

For coverage of more of the issues that concern long-stay visitors, please see our Expat guide to living in Krabi.