Climbing in Thailand - Railey Beach and Ton Sai

Krabi - Rayley Beach and Ton Sai

Without doubt Thailand's most developed and extensive climbing area. With over 500 bolted routes in walking distance, the ability to belay off the beach in many areas and all year round sunshine, this has deservedly become one of the world's top climbing holiday destinations. Many choose to spend their entire winters here on the famously steep rock. Prices are cheap by western standards with most bungalows charging nothing more than it would cost to pitch a tent at home.


Someone called Ste on Jai Dam 8b (ben)	Elise on Tidal Wave 7b+ (photo courtesy of RAPSODIA Agency)

The area was first discovered by climbing in the late eighties and since then has grown extensively and continues to do so. Some of the charm has certainly been lost and prices continue to rise in tandem with the crowds. Rayley (and more and more Ton Sai) are well on the map of SE Asian travelers now and you can expect to almost be in the minority.

The area is wonderfully laid back and relaxed and I have spent more than a month there on a number of occasions having meant to just pop down for a few days.

The climbing is steep in the whole and with some wonderful exceptions single pitch. The grades are fairly soft and although there is enough below 6c to keep you going it can be busy at that grade making a trip to Phi Phi, where there are more easier climbs, worthwhile. On the Climbing in Thailand Forum on this site is a list of my Top Ten Climbs in Krabi

If you have never visited before I recommend you check out the info for first_time_visitors, what_to_bring and a trip report from 2002.

Over my six years in Thailand I have had some wonderful times and met some great people here. You can almost guarantee a great time.

Enjoy.

Railey beach and Ton Sai as seen from the air