Thailand: A boat returns from the islands, Hat Noppharat Thara, Krabi Province

Hat Nopparat Thara is located about 18 kms north-west of Krabi Town. The beach used to be called Hat Khlong Haeng (Dry Canal Beach) because the canal that flows into the Andaman Sea here is dry except during, and just after, the monsoon season. Now it's called Hat Nopparat Thara, which when translated is quite beautiful - a Pali designation meaning 'Beach of the Nine-Gemmed Stream' with reference to the small canal that flows into the Andaman Sea at this point. It's around 2km long and forms part of the Hat Nopparat - Ko Phi Phi National Park, which has provided the area with some degree of protection against environmental degradation.