Ko Klang

Ko Klang lies in the estuary directly opposite Krabi Town - a five-minute longtail ride and a completely different place. It is an island of around five thousand people, almost entirely Muslim, whose economy is fishing, boat building, rice farming on the estuary flats and, more recently, community tourism. There are no cars in the usual sense; motorbikes and small trucks on narrow concrete lanes, mangrove channels, rice fields with karst towers behind them, and a working boatyard where longtails are built by hand. Batik painting is taught in the village and is one of the standard activities, along with mangrove boat trips, rice planting in season and cooking. Homestays in family houses are the accommodation. Mangroves cover about four fifths of the island. It is a conservative Muslim community: alcohol is not sold or welcome, modest dress is expected, and the daily rhythm follows prayer times. Booking through the village scheme rather than arriving unannounced is the norm.

What's there

• The boatyard - longtail boats built by hand in the village.
• The rice flats - estuary paddy with karst towers behind.
• The batik - painting taught and sold in the village.
• The Muslim community - about five thousand people, five minutes from Krabi Town.

When to go

November to April. Rice planting and harvest fall at particular times - ask if you want to join. Ramadan changes the daily schedule considerably.

What to expect

A conservative Muslim community - no alcohol, modest dress expected, and prayer times structure the day. Homestays are simple. Arrange visits through the village scheme rather than turning up. No bridge; longtail only.

Nearby

Krabi Town is across the water; Ao Nang and Railay are west.