Krabi is one of the best places in Thailand for taking a Thai food cooking class during your holiday in southern Thailand. The cooking school in Krabi will teach you every step, from preparing ingredients, chopping, pounding, and stir-frying to plating and then enjoying a delicious meal you made yourself. Looking for the best Thai food cooking class in Krabi? Discover the list of the most popular Krabi Thai cooking classes and find our firsthand tips on how to choose a cooking school for the best experience.
Why choose Krabi for a Thai food cooking class?
Things that make a Thai cooking class in Krabi a good choice:
- Thai cooking classes in Krabi offer a wide variety of options, suitable for both beginners who want to learn popular Thai dishes and those seeking more advanced professional knowledge.
- Classes here are often small groups, like private classes with experienced local chefs.
- Students learn in nature, near the sea, or in gardens. Thai cooking kitchens are often open-plan with views, creating a relaxed learning atmosphere.
- Students learn to cook using local ingredients, especially those from Southern Thailand.
- There are classes specifically focused on Southern Thai cuisine, teaching students dishes commonly eaten daily in the South. Furthermore, students gain an understanding of authentic and unique flavors that you won't find anywhere else.
- Most Thai cooking schools in Krabi offer vegetarian options.
Which Krabi Thai food cooking class is the best?
Most Krabi cooking schools have good review scores that are normally in the range of 4.8-5.0 out of 5 on GetYourGuide. Therefore, choosing one according to the reviews might not be easy.
As travelers have different preferences, consider the criteria detailed below before choosing the best Thai cooking school in Krabi.
In case you already know what you are looking for, click here to skip to the list of the most popular Thai cooking classes in Krabi.
How to choose the best Thai food cooking class in Krabi?
When choosing the best Thai food cooking class in Krabi for your experience, the things you should consider are:
- Location of cooking school
- Cooking school facilities
- Class schedule
- Dishes cooked
- Additional activities
- Cooking class price
1. Location of cooking school
Cooking schools in Krabi province are located in diverse locations. Most are situated in Ao Nang, a touristy beach area near accommodations and hotels, such as Authentic Thai Cooking School, Smart Cook Thai Cookery School, and Ao Nang Thai Cookery School. Some are located in Krabi town, offering a more local feel. However, Railay Thai Cooking School is located on Railay Beach, boasting world-class natural beauty. Its highlights include white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning limestone mountains, providing a more natural and enriching learning experience than other locations.
Most cooking schools offer free shuttle service from hotels or designated pick-up points. However, choosing a cooking class close to your residence is often a good idea, as it saves travel time.
2. Cooking school facilities
Most Thai cooking schools in Krabi province conduct classes in open kitchens, providing a comfortable, home-like cooking experience. The kitchens are equipped with similar basic equipment, including pans, stoves, mortars, and other cooking utensils, as well as various Thai cooking ingredients. Each student has their own private cooking station.
3. Class schedule
Most Thai cooking schools in Krabi are open almost every day. To check the availability of classes at your chosen cooking school on the specific day, use the forms present in the class list below.
Cooking classes in Krabi vary in duration, allowing students to choose a time that suits them. Most offer three sessions per day: morning, afternoon, and evening. However, Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio only offers morning and afternoon classes.
Morning classes typically run from 9:00-10:00, afternoon classes from approximately 12:00-14:00, and evening classes from approximately 16:00-18:00. Some, like Thai Charm Cooking School, finish late, around 21:00, ideal for those who want to cook and eat dinner late.
Normally each school's class lasts approximately 3-4 hours, and time to enjoy the meal they prepared. However, Authentic Thai Cooking School offers the shortest class duration, at only 2 hours.
4. Thai food dishes cooked
The number of dishes prepared in each cooking class at cooking schools in Krabi varies. Most offer 4-5 popular Thai dishes. Thai Charm Cooking School offers the most, up to 7 dishes (5 savory and 2 desserts). Smart Cook Thai Cookery School offers 6 dishes, while Ao Nang Thai Cookery School offers either a short 3-course or a longer 5-course option. Authentic Thai Cooking School in Krabi offers only 3 Thai dishes, suitable for beginners who want to learn simple Thai cooking in a short time.
The Thai dishes offered are popular or street food items like spring rolls, Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Tom Kha Gai, Green Curry, and Pad Krapow. However, Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio differs by focusing on authentic Southern Thai cuisine, not typical tourist favorites, making it suitable for those seeking an immersive experience and an understanding of true Thai food culture. For dessert, almost every school teaches how to make delicious mango sticky rice.
5. Additional activities
No cooking school in Krabi takes students to the local market before starting their cooking class. However, some will let students visit organic farms, explore ingredients, and pick herbs to use in the class. For example, Railay Thai Cooking School grows kaffir lime leaves in pots, which students can use in the Thai dishes they prepare.
In addition to cooking classes, some schools offer fruit carving courses, such as the Ao Nang Thai Cooking School, which teaches students how to carve fresh, seasonal fruits.
6. Cooking class price
The price of cooking classes in Krabi varies depending on the duration and the number of dishes. Prices start at just 900 THB per person for Authentic Thai Cooking School, which offers classes where students learn to cook three Thai dishes such as Tom Kha Gai, Pad Thai, Pad Kra Pao, and Som Tam.
Meanwhile, Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio is the most expensive, costing around 2,500 THB per person, offering a luxurious yet authentic Thai experience.
Most popular Thai food cooking classes in Krabi
Explore the list of the most popular Thai cooking classes in Krabi with all the necessary details for making a reasoned decision for the best cooking school according to your preferences.
1. Authentic Thai Cooking School
Authentic Thai Cooking School is one of the best Thai cooking schools in Krabi, offering students a fun and hands-on cooking experience in a relaxed atmosphere. It's perfect for those looking to start cooking affordably and in a short amount of time.
Location: Authentic Thai Cooking School is located in Ao Nang, a popular tourist destination in Krabi (Google Maps).
Facilities: The Authentic Thai Cooking School has excellent, fully equipped kitchen facilities. Authentic Thai Cooking School features an open kitchen, in the style of a traditional Thai family.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 10:00 to 12:00
- Afternoon class: from 14:00 to 16:00
- Evening class: from 18:00 to 20:00
Dishes cooked: Authentic Thai Cooking School in Krabi offers you the chance to learn how to cook 3 popular and authentic Thai dishes in 2 hours: soup, stir-fry, and salad. You can choose your favorite from the following: soup (traditional chicken soup or coconut milk chicken soup), stir-fry (Pad Thai, Pad Krapow, or stir-fried cashew nuts with chicken), and salad (Som Tum or cucumber salad). Vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options are available upon request.
Students will receive complimentary drinking water.
Students can download cookbooks in PDF format to recreate dishes at home.
Price level: Starting from 900 THB per person
Transfer: There is no shuttle service from the hotel to the school.
Class bookings: Booking Authentic Thai Cooking School
2. Smart Cook Thai Cookery School
Smart Cook Thai Cookery School is one of the leading Thai cooking schools in Krabi province. This family-run cooking school is located in a home in Ao Nang. With dedicated, friendly, and knowledgeable chefs, you'll have a fun and unique cooking learning experience.
Location: The cooking school is located in Ao Nang, Krabi (Google Maps).
Facilities: Smart Cook Thai Cookery School is set up in an open-air kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, wok, and cooking utensils. Each student has their own individual cooking station.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 9:00 to 12:30
- Afternoon class: from 13:00 to 16:30
- Evening class: from 17:00 to 20:30
Dishes cooked: You can choose one menu item from each of the six categories, allowing you to learn a total of six dishes: soup, stir-fried, curry paste & curry, appetizer, and dessert. Menus include dishes such as Tom Yum, Pad Thai, Green Curry, Massaman Curry, Som Tum, and Mango Sticky Rice. Students can customize menus to include vegetarian, vegan, or non-spicy options.
Upon completion of the class, you'll get to enjoy a full meal made entirely by yourself.
Students will also receive a recipe book (PDF) and a digital photo album.
Price level: Starting from 1,450 THB per person
Transfer: Free pickup from the hotel in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. Pickup times for each zone:
- Ao Nang: 09:00 / 12:50 / 16:45
- Klong Muang Beach: 08:30 / 12:40 / 16:20
- Krabi Town: 08:30 / 12:40 / 16:30
Class bookings: Booking Smart Cook Krabi
3. Thai Charm Cooking School
Thai Charm Cooking School is a popular cooking school in Krabi province, founded by a traditional Thai farming family. The school teaches authentic Thai cooking, giving students a genuine experience and understanding of Thai culinary culture. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to prepare a wide variety of Thai dishes in class.
Location: The cooking school is located in Krabi, near Ao Nang (Google Maps).
Facilities: Thai Charm Cooking School has excellent, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 8:30 to 12:30
- Afternoon class: from 13:00 to 17:00
- Dinner class: from 17:00 to 21:00
Dishes cooked: Students will prepare a total of 7 delicious Thai dishes, consisting of 5 menu courses and 2 desserts, from a selection of over 15 options such as Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup), chicken with cashew nuts, chicken with ginger, cucumber salad, red curry, and Panang curry. The desserts everyone will make are mango sticky rice and bananas in coconut milk.
Students will get to eat meals they made themselves after class.
Students can take home a recipe book and a certificate.
Price level: Starting from 1,750 THB per person
Transfer: Free shuttle service for all hotels within Krabi Town or Ao Nang. If you stay at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas, please take the hotel shuttle boat to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. If you stay at Railay Beach, take the pickup service from the boat ticket office at Ao Nam Mao Pier, which is just a 15-minute longtail boat ride from Railay East. If you stay in Ton Sai, please come to the meeting point at Phra Nang Inn reception in Ao Nang.
Class bookings: Booking Thai Charm Cooking School
4. Ao Nang Thai Cookery School
Authentic Thai Cooking School is one of the best Thai cooking schools in Krabi, offering students a fun and hands-on cooking experience in a relaxed atmosphere. It's perfect for those looking to start cooking affordably and in a short amount of time.
Location: The cooking school is located in Krabi, near Ao Nang (Google Maps).
Facilities: Ao Nang Thai Cookery School has an open kitchen with separate cooking stations for each student and uses equipment just like a real Thai kitchen, such as a gas stove and a mortar and pestle for grinding curry paste.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 9:00
- Afternoon class: from 13:00
- Dinner class: from 17:00
Cooking sessions typically last 2.5 to 4 hours. A 3-course class takes 2.5 hours, while a 5-course class takes 4 hours.
Dishes cooked: Students can choose to prepare either a 3-course or a 5-course meal at Ao Nang Thai Cookery School. The 3-course course will include dishes such as Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, and Green Curry, while the 5-course course will include appetizers like spring rolls and vegetable tempura, and desserts such as mango sticky rice, banana in coconut milk, and fried bananas.
Students can eat the food they made themselves or take it home.
Upon completion, you will receive a cooking certificate as a mark of your new skills.
In addition, you will receive a recipe book as a souvenir to cook Thai food at home.
Additional activities: Ao Nang Thai Cookery School offers a full-day fruit carving program where students can carve fresh, seasonal fruits.
In addition, there are special cooking courses focusing on specific dishes that students can choose from, such as the Thai Roti Pancake Course, Pineapple Fried Rice Course, Baked Prawn with Grass Noodle Course, and Crispy Prawn in Tamarind Glaze Course.
Price level: Starting from 1,450 THB per person
Transfer: Free shuttle service for all hotels within Ao Nang. The extra charge for roundtrip transfer is 200 THB per person in Krabi Town, Klong Muang, and Tub Kaek.
Class bookings: Booking Ao Nang Thai Cookery School
5. Ya Thai Cookery School
Ya Thai Cookery School is one of the first Thai cooking schools in Krabi, established in 2000. The school is taught by Chef Ya, a professional chef with experience both domestically and internationally, who has students from around the world, including renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay. This Thai cooking school teaches everything from popular street food to restaurant-style creations, suitable for both beginners and those who want to master Thai cuisine.
Location: The cooking school is located in Krabi, near Ao Nang (Google Maps).
Facilities: Ya Thai Cookery School has excellent, fully equipped kitchen facilities. Each student is provided with individual equipment—wok and stove.
Class schedule: Classes are available from Monday to Saturday.
- Morning class: from 9:00
- Afternoon class: from 13:30
- Evening class: from 18:00
Dishes cooked: Students can choose 4 dishes from a variety of Thai cuisine. Everyone will learn how to cook jasmine rice and sticky rice and make curry pastes, soups, salads, and desserts. Dishes students can choose to make include green curry, Massaman curry, fried rice, chicken basil stir-fry, stir-fried morning glory, chicken soup with coconut milk, Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), and Som Tum (papaya salad). For dessert, you'll learn how to make delicious mango sticky rice.
Once your food is ready, you can sit and enjoy it or take it home.
After the class, students receive a complimentary Thai recipe and instructions book, allowing them to recreate the learned recipes in the comfort of home.
Price level: Starting from 1,600 THB per person (pricier private classes are also available)
Transfer: Free shuttle service for all hotels in Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao. Round-trip transfers in Klong Muang are available at 250 THB per person, at Tubkaek Beach at 300 THB per person, and from Krabi Town for 250 THB per person.
Class bookings: Booking Ya Thai Cookery School
6. Railay Thai Cooking School
Railay Thai Cooking School, located on Railay Beach, focuses on fresh ingredients and local techniques for preparing authentic Thai cuisine. Students will have an exceptional Thai cooking experience and learn original recipes step-by-step from experienced chefs from five-star hotels.
Location: The cooking school is located at Railay Beach, a beautiful beach in Krabi Province (Google Maps).
Facilities: Railay Thai Cooking School has excellent, fully equipped kitchen facilities. Cooking equipment and ingredients are provided for everyone.
Class schedule:
- Morning class: from 9:00
- Afternoon class: from 13:00
- Dinner class: from 17:00
Classes typically last about 3 to 4 hours (average ~3.5 hours), providing ample time for you to immerse yourself in the culinary journey and learn essential techniques of Thai cooking.
Dishes cooked: Students can choose to prepare 5 Thai dishes from a diverse and unique menu, including appetizers, soups, main courses, and desserts. Popular dishes include spring rolls, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup), and various Thai curries.
The school provides welcome drinks.
After the course, you can dine in or take away the food.
Additional activities: Next to the cooking school, herbs such as kaffir lime leaves are grown. Students can pick fresh leaves from the pots and add them to Thai dishes.
In addition, the school offers special classes focusing specifically on seafood. These are private, small-group classes where students will learn to cook Thai dishes using primarily high-quality seafood ingredients such as tiger prawns, sea bass, squid, and various shellfish like mussels and clams. Examples include steamed sea bass, seafood pineapple fried rice, seafood curry, and stir-fried seafood.
Price level: Starting from 1,800 THB per person (pricier private classes are also available)
Transfer: No shuttle service. Students need to take a longtail boat from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao, which takes about 10–20 minutes.
Class bookings: Booking Railay Thai Cooking School
7. Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio
Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio is one of the Thai cooking schools located in the Ao Nang area of Krabi province. It specializes in teaching authentic Southern Thai cuisine, focusing on dishes that aren't the typical tourist favorites. The school offers small group classes, emphasizing quality instruction by Chef Alice, allowing students to learn and practice cooking in a luxurious setting.
Location: The cooking school is located in the Ao Nang area, but it's a hidden location in an alley (Google Maps).
Facilities: The kitchen of Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio is an open-air kitchen, surrounded by a natural atmosphere and gardens. Each student has their own cooking station, complete with a stove and all the necessary cooking equipment.
Class schedule: Classes are available daily.
- Morning class: from 9:00 to 13:00
- Afternoon class: from 14:30 to 18:30
Dishes cooked: Students will learn to cook 4-5 authentic Southern Thai dishes, not just popular local specialties. The menu changes daily and includes dishes such as yellow curry with sea bass, stir-fried squid in black ink, Pad Thai, and seasonal desserts. The school uses fresh ingredients, some harvested directly from the school's own organic garden. All menus are available in a vegetarian option.
Throughout the class, students will enjoy unlimited Thai snacks and drinks and then sit down to eat the food they prepared together with their new friends.
In addition, everyone will receive a PDF of the recipe and a takeaway box so you can take the flavors of Thailand home with you.
Price level: Starting from 2,500 THB per person (pricier private classes are also available)
Transfer: Free hotel pick-up and drop-off service is available in Ao Nang. Additional charges apply for areas outside Ao Nang.
Class bookings: Booking Rern Bai Reng Cookery Studio
8. Siam Cuisine Thai Cookery School
Siam Cuisine Thai Cookery School is one of the family-run Thai cooking schools in Krabi province, offering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Chefs, possessing extensive culinary knowledge and experience, will explain and guide you through every step of the cooking process. The school offers a diverse menu, with each session featuring a different dish.
Location: The cooking school is located near Krabi Town, between Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao (Google Maps).
Facilities: Siam Cuisine Thai Cookery School is an open-air kitchen, providing a comfortable, home-like learning environment. Cooking equipment, including stoves, chopping, pounding, stir-frying tools, and seasonings, is provided for everyone.
Class schedule: The school offers three class times to choose from, each with a different menu.
- Morning class: from 9:00 to 12:00
- Afternoon class: from 12:00 to 15:00
- Evening class: from 16:00 to 19:00
Dishes cooked: Students can choose to cook 4 classic Thai dishes, including main courses, desserts, and snacks. Popular menu items include spring rolls (which students will roll themselves), Massaman curry, red curry chicken with vegetables, Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), Pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
Students will receive a Thai recipe book to bring back home.
Price level: Starting from 1,700 THB per person
Transfer: Free pick-up and drop-off service is available only from hotels in Ao Nang.
Class bookings: Booking Siam Cuisine Thai Cookery School
Other Thai Food Experiences in Krabi
In addition to attending a Thai cooking class in Krabi, there are plenty of other special culinary experiences in this beautiful seaside destination.
Krabi Food Tour with Local Guide
The Krabi Morning Food Tour with Local Guide is a unique tour that lets you explore hidden gems and less-known restaurants in Krabi. You'll sample over 10 dishes, starting at Krabi's morning market, where you can try delicious traditional Thai snacks and a variety of fresh tropical fruits. Next, visit a popular dim sum shop to sample dumplings and fluffy buns. Then, explore a third-generation Thai-Chinese restaurant serving homemade crispy pork, clay-oven roasted pork, fragrant chicken, and Thai herbal drinks. The tour concludes at a Muslim roti shop, offering not only freshly made roti but also authentic Southern Thai curry.
Koh Jum Sea Cucumber Farming Tour
Experience a unique marine and cultural adventure with the Koh Jum Sea Cucumber Farming & Local Village Experience tour. You'll visit a community-managed sea cucumber farm in a traditional fishing village on Koh Jum. Adventure seekers can even try snorkeling to harvest sea cucumbers and seagrass themselves. In addition to enjoying a delicious local lunch, you'll have the chance to sample sea cucumber dishes for the first time in your life.
Ao Nang Pub Crawl
Ao Nang offers a wide variety of nightlife options. Not sure where to go? Join the K-Bunk Pub Crawl, Ao Nang's most affordable pub crawl! Start your night out at K-Bunk, where bartenders will serve you your choice of alcoholic drinks, and as a welcome treat, you'll receive a complimentary drink. Afterwards, your guide will take you to some of the best bars in Krabi for a wild night out.