PHUKET: Krabi has nine new projects underway that are designed to assert the claims of Phuket's up-and-coming neighbor to a greater number of tourists.

While Phuket has its Heroines Monument to two brave sisters, Krabi aims to use a monkey holding a coconut as its prime image.

Among the projects now being carried out are improvements to the pier for the ferry from mainland Krabi to Phi Phi island and improvements to facilities at the Klong Tom hot springs.

Perhaps the largest of the projects is a Tsunami Museum, to be built in Krabi Town at a cost of 11 million baht.

Phuket has always been relatively coy about memorialising the December 26, 2004 big wave. Phang Nga and Krabi have no such qualms about the importance of the natural disaster in Thailand's history, perhaps because most of the 5400 victims died in those two provinces.

Krabi's prehistory and history is to be the topic of several of the projects, including a historic wall graphic at the Krabi art gallery.

Of practical importance will be the eight million baht spend on improving parking in Ao Nang, among the places where the monkey holding the coconut is likely to appear.