Heralded as the gateway to the pristine beaches, jungle-dressed karst cliffs and secluded seaside enclaves of Thailand’s magnificent Andaman Coast, the town of Krabi has risen to become one of the country’s best-equipped and most serviceable touristic centres. But it’s not all about the ubiquitous homestays, hostels, traditional Siamese massage parlours and heady expat hangouts here (although these do exist ad infinitum). Between the tarmacked roadways and bustling piers of Krabi port, there is also a curious contemporary art museum, and two sprawling night markets churning out steaming soya milk teas and sticky southern rice dishes to explore. And before you leave urban life behind for the beaches of Ao Nang and Had Yao, or the cliff-climbing heaven of Railay and nearby Ton Sai, be sure to ask your Krabi tour guide for tips on trekking to the viewpoints of the Tiger CaveTemple, or longboat excursions to the looming limestone monoliths of Khao Kanab Nam in the north.