Krabi may be a perfect holiday destination, but what kind of place is it to live in?

Thailand is a beautiful country with many beach destinations – Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui – all of which have established tourist infrastructure, as well large expat communities. So, if you are considering building a house in the kingdom, you may ask why you should even add Krabi to that illustrious list. What’s so special about this place?

It’s a good question, which previous visitors to the region will tell you has one obvious answer, one that can be discovered the moment you land in the airport. Krabi Province quite simply has one of the most striking landscapes in southeast Asia. The impressive karsts cliffs can be seen at every turn, while offshore, more than 130 islands – several of which are inhabited – offer white sand beaches and clear emerald waters.

It’s this majestic scenery that has made the area so popular with tourists and provides so many of the activities available to them: rock climbing, trekking, island cruising, diving, snorkeling and kayaking; not to mention other natural attractions such as waterfalls, caves and hot springs. With first class man-made enticements - golf courses, spas, shopping malls – also on offer, it’s hard to get bored here.

But living in Krabi is not the same as a week’s holiday, you may say. And you’d be right: it’s so much better.

Infrastructure in Krabi arrived long before the tourists – unlike in many Thai beach areas, which are struggling to keep pace with new population influx. There is an excellent, well-maintained road network, which makes it very easy to get around; and the public water and electricity supply is widespread and efficient. Even outlying islands such as Koh Jum and Sriboya are now connected to the mains grid.

The Krabi area is still relatively under populated, meaning it is possible to build a house on a large, private plot of land of 1- 2 rai. Sea views, like everywhere else, can be scarce and expensive, but the ubiquitous cliff panoramas make a breathtaking and affordable substitute. The presence of skilled and experienced firms, such as Ton Company, who are able to provide a full service of tailor made house design and western-standard construction, makes the whole process easy to achieve, even for first-time house builders. 

Krabi is a small and friendly place, primarily known as a family destination. There is none of the late-night entertainment found in Pattaya or Phuket, but rather a wide variety of restaurants, bars and pubs that all age groups can enjoy. Western products and produce are now easily available, allowing residents to enjoy a standard of living unthinkable a few years ago. 

With the recent opening of an international school near Ao Nang, and a new international hospital and marina on the horizon, Krabi is becoming a much more viable option for those seeking a tropical lifestyle without forfeiting home comforts and convenience. Direct flights from the Southeast Asian hubs of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, as well as European charter flights during the tourist season, mean accessibility is on the increase.

Yet, even with all this development, Krabi remains a quiet and peaceful place to live, taking pride in its strengths of natural beauty, outdoor activities and a clean, safe environment for families. It will never be Pattaya, nor does it want to be - and that it is exactly how people here like it.

Ton Company was established by Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton) and has more than 10 years of experience in Krabi. We offer a one stop solution, from design to construction, at highly competitive rates (up to half those quoted in Bangkok). All architecture, engineering and drafting of our projects is done in house in our office in Ao Nang. Prior to starting construction, we also secure all the necessary permits required for building.