Two guidebooks cover the rock climbing to be found in southern Thailand concentrating on the Krabi area of Railay and Tonsai. Both of these guidebooks can be bought from
our shop.
The King Climbers Thailand guidebook
Climb Europe - helping to organize your rock climbing holiday in Thailand
Rock climbing in Thailand
The Krabi area of Thailand is a popular holiday resort, but it is also a world-famous rock climbing destination. The limestone cliffs of Thailand’s magnificent Phra Nang peninsula, near Krabi, are home to the famous Railay and Tonsai rock climbing area. Here there are many excellent single pitch sport routes and some bolted multi-pitch routes most of which are right off the beach in a magical setting.
For guided or instructed climbing holidays in Krabi we recommend our friends at
Rock & Sun.
Map of the rock climbing areas in Thailand
In addition to the rock climbing at Railay and Tonsai there are many more climbing areas being developed especially in southern Thailand. For example in the Phang Nga bay is the island of Koh Yao Noi, which offers single pitch sport climbing and deep water soloing (DWS). The mountains behind this bay in Phang Nga Province have recently being developed, though there is enormous scope for developing many new routes. Other areas include Ao Nang, Koh Lao Liang, and the island of Koh Phi Phi, which also has some deep water soloing.
In northern Thailand the main area is around Chiang Mai, particularly the Crazy Horse Buttress area. Here there are more than 170 established bolted routes on brilliantly featured limestone rock. Many of these routes are multi-pitch on steep and overhanging walls. Across the border in Laos the two main rock climbing areas are at Thakheh and Vang Vieng.
The best time to go rock climbing in Thailand is November to March when the weather is dry and warm, which is also the main tourist season, and therefore the prices are higher. Though it is possible to climb all year round during April and May are extremely hot. The rainy season is from April through to November with September and October the wettest months. During November the rain tails off though whilst it may rain every day it is not for long. February is the driest month.
Click on the images opposite to view a larger photograph. These photographs illustrate the fantastic rock climbing to be found the Krabi area of Thailand.