Ban Ta Khun - Ao Luk

We'll begin from Ban Ta Khun, the midway point on Highway 401 between Surat Thani on the Gulf side of the peninsula to Takua Pa on the Andaman coast. Ban Ta Khun is also the gateway to Rajjaprapa Dam, today's Point A, which is 12 kilometres off the highway.

Four and a half kilometres west of Ban Ta Khun - yes, on the 401 - there's a minor road on the left-hand side leading to Ban Tham Phueng, a village that boasts several attractions for ecotourists.

Now, back to the 401 one more time. Less than two kilometres further west along the highway, you'll reach an intersection. Here, if you went straight on, you'd reach the headquarters of Khao Sok National Park - but that's not our destination today. We're going to Krabi, remember?

So veer off onto Highway 415 and drive towards Ao Luk, a district in upper Krabi. The 415 comes to an abrupt end at an intersection where it meets with Highway 4 (Phetkasem). Drive straight through the intersection and you'll find yourself on another road labelled as the 4040. This road goes about four kilometres before it forms a T-intersection with Rural Highway 1002. Turn left.

Drive on 16.5 kilometres and you'll reach another intersection. Here, you'll see Ao Luk's district office.

Now, take a left turn onto the 4039, continue for two and a half kilometres and you'll see Rural Highway 4012 which leads to a boat pier from where you can get to Nam Lod and Phi Hua To caves.

Laem Sak is at the end of Highway 4039, to get to Ao Noi you have to split off the 4039 eight kilometres before Laem Sak onto a small road for two kilometres. Just follow the road signs. It's easy.

After Ao Noi and Laem Sak, you'll have to drive back to that intersection in front of Ao Luk District Office. This time turn right and you'll see the pass that's our Point F. From there you can drive out of Ao Luk to Krabi town.
Bangkok Post October 2005 www.bangkokpost.com