Ko Lanta

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Ko Lanta
thai=เกาะลันตา
province=Krabi
coordinates=coord|7|39|20|N|99|2|31|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
capital=Ko Lanta Noi
area=339.843
population=27,654
population_as_of=2005
density=81.4
postal_code=81150
geocode=8103

Ko Lanta ( _th. เกาะลันตา, also "Koh Lanta") is a district ("Amphoe") in Krabi Province, Thailand.

Slogan

Based upon Krabi province, it holds the slogan as of the province i.e.:

"The province of coal mines , Fossil shell beach , towering mountains, beautiful streams, an abundance of islands, palm plantations, sandy beaches, wonderful sea world, Emerald of Andaman, and heavenly Phi Phi Islands."

History

The district was established in December 1901.

The origin of the name is unclear, but it may originate from the Javanese word "lantas", meaning a type of grill for fish. The name of the island was officially changed to "Ko Lanta" in 1917.

From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.

Geography

The district,located approximately 70km from Krabi Town, consists of two major islands, the larger, more populated Ko Lanta Yai (Commonly known as simply Ko Lanta) and the smaller Ko Lanta Noi, as well as several minor islands. The island (Ko Lanta Yai) has 9 attractive white sandy beaches, splendid scenery; coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. The geography of the island is typically mangroves; coral rimmed beaches; and rugged tree covered hills. A popular tourist destination, the islands are known for their long, sandy beaches and scuba diving.

Neighboring districts are Nuea Khlong to the northwest and Khlong Thom to the northeast and east. Whereas, the rest of the sides are surrounded by Andaman Sea.

134 km² of the district belong to the Ko Lanta National Park, which was established in 1990 as the 62nd national park of Thailand.

Administration

The district is subdivided into 5 subdistricts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 37 villages ("muban"). Ko Lanta Yai has township ("thesaban tambon") status and covers part of the "tambon" Ko Lanta Yai.

Transportation

Roads

The road system is very straight forward on Ko Lanta, there are two main roads. One in the north-east and another in the south-west which runs parallel to the beach. On Ko Lanta Noi there is just the one main road in the east and a smaller one which links that with the ferry pier. On the mainland, Highway 4206 connects Khlong Thom district, passing Khlong Yang and Koh Klang sub-districts to a public car ferry at Baan Hua Hin.

Ferry Boat

There are regular daily ferry boats operating between Ko Lanta and Krabi, Phuket and Ko Phi Phi.

Long-tail Boat

Tourists enjoy hiring long-tail boats to take them to nearby islands.

Motorbike

These can be either hired or taxied out. The island is full of both motorbike rental places and motorbike-taxi drivers.

Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)

The public passenger pick-up vehicle run up and down the main roads and have fixed fare for passengers. This is a very common way of travelling for people on the Ko.

Train

The nearest train station to Ko Lanta is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok.

Air

The nearest airports are at Krabi, Trang and Phuket. All three airports have diect road and boat connections. Krabi Airport, the most popular one for travel to Ko Lanta, is approximately 10km from the provincial town and operates international flights to several foreign destinations. Destination Air runs a private charted seaplane to the island.

Tourism

Tourism on Ko Lanta, like the rest of Krabi province, has exploded only very recently. In the early 1990s only the most adventurous travelers visited the island, staying in only the most basic accommodation costing the likes of 50-100baht a night. Nowadays, however, the place has turned into one of the major destinations for visitors to Krabi. The development however, is still nothing on a par with the likes of Phuket or Ko Samui.

Attractions

*Ko Lanta National Park Covering a total area of 152 square kilometres, Mu Ko Lanta National Park is located in Amphoe Ko Lanta and consists of many islands. The two major islands are Ko Lanta Yai (เกาะลันตาใหญ่) and Ko Lanta Noi (เกาะลันตาน้อย)

*Lanta Old Town It's one of the region’s most culturally diverse with Chinese merchants, original Thai fishing families and an ancient Sea Gypsy community. Many years ago, Ko Lanta's Old Town acted as the port and commercial center for the island and provided a safe harbor for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between the larger ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore.

*Khao Mai Kaew Caves These Caves, located in the centre of the island, house impressive stalactites and stalagmites, some of the caves are just very large and one contains a pool.

*Sea-Gypsy Village Known to the Thais as Chao-Le, sea gypsies have occupied the area for hundreds of years settling along the coast in stilt-built houses erected in the sea. They are unique in that they mix very little with the general population, speak their language and have their very own supernatural and traditional beliefs and rituals.

*Orchid Nursery Farm This farm is for those who like flowers. The Orchid Nursery Farm is located at Long Beach (Pra Ae beach).

Activities

Diving & Snorkeling

The diving sites surrounding Ko Lanta are considered by many to be among some of the best the country has to offer. There is an enormous variety of fringing reefs, marine life, caves, rocks and islets.

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang near Ko Lanta are perhaps the best dive sites in Thailand (ranking in the world’s top ten) with more than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish catalogued in a study underway, but thousands more organisms abound. Hin Daeng has the steepest and deepest in the whole of the country with beautiful marine life. Hin Muang next door is completely underwater and it is covered with delicate violet coral. The sites also have one of the world's highest incidences of whale shark sightings.

Fishing

Fishers usually catch the likes of marlin, sailfish barracuda, red snapper and tuna during a long tail boat trip having a choice of either day fishing or night fishing.

Kayaking

The east side of Ko Lanta with its rich mangroves is the most suitable for kayaking in peace and quiet while admiring the natural surroundings. Kayaking is also the best way to explore caves. Kayaking can also be done on Ko Talabaeng, the limestone cliff near Ko Lanta.

Trekking

Ko Lanta’s pristine forests with excellent flora and fauna are suitable for trekking. Elephant riding are usually arranged to take visitors to the top of the hill in Ko Lanta National Park.

Thai Boxing

There is one small boxing stadium on the island which hosts regular fights. The stadium is a popular place with foreigners for learning the art.

Ko Lanta now has its very own mini-boxing stadium which arranges regular fights. These are popular with foreigners interested in this ancient martial art. Tourists can train there if they wish as there is also a training camp.

Thai Cooking

Thai cooking courses on Ko Lanta offer foregn tourists the chance to learn to cook up all their favourite dishes such as tom yum kung, sweet green curry and chicken with cashew nuts.

Spa

Traditional Thai massage, characterized by its holistic approach to health, is aimed at enhancing not only one’s physical and emotional state but also to allow one to grow spiritually. There are many spa places on this island. However, massage on the beach is also possible – you won’t know however, if she is well-trained (otherwise there could be risks involved)

Local Product

Batik

Even though it is Malay in origin, the art of batik has embedded itself within the local culture. There are also a lot of handicrafts such as pineapple paper.

Nightlife

Since it is a small island relatively free of crime and drunkards, the local law-enforcers are more lenient about allowing bars along the beach to stay open until what time they wish, and that is usually when the last customer goes home. Many of the beer bars have hostesses.

Local Culture

Lifestyle

Krabi and Ko Lanta are a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. The area however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Most of the folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.

With this kind of mixture, Krabi is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.

The unique lifestyle of the Chao-Le (sea-gypsy) in Ko Lanta particularly is well-worth a witness, a life-style that has been almost completely unaffected by the booming tourism on the island.

Events & Festivals

*Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival (งานกระบี่เบิกฟ้าอันดามัน) This is annually held in November to inaugurate the province’s tourist season. Water sports competitions, cultural shows, and good-natured fun are the schedule.

*Laanta Lanta Festival (เทศกาลลานตา ลันตา) The festival is usually held in March every year at the Old Community in Ko Lanta called Lanta Old Town, which has a very old history of more than 100 years. Ancient Chinese style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, tourists can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, Southern local performances, folk games, water sports competitions and enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by prestigious hotels on the island.

*Loi Ruea Chao-Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as, from other neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.

*Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ) This is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.

*Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ) The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats are pulled along on the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.

Art

*Likae Pa (ลิเกป่า) An adapted play, Like Pa follows the adventures of an Indian merchant from Calcutta who married a local girl named Yayi. The story is then followed by other plays. Like Pa is accompanied by the music of folk instruments such as various kinds of drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lyrics are a mixture of the traditional Manora and Buranyawa songs. With its long history of popularity in Krabi, Like Pa performers are abundant here. It is believed that the play originated in this province. Many companies are still performing this dramatic art such as Mr. Truek Plodrit who won a cultural award.

* Shadow Plays (หนังตะลุง)This is an Indian influence. There are many shadow play or nang talung companies in Krabi.
*Manora (มโนราห์) This is a dance performance, native to southern Thailand, which truly reflects its traditional culture.

*Rong Ngeng (รองเง็ง) and Phleng Tanyong (เพลงตันหยง) A Malaysian adaptation, which is of Portuguese origin, rong ngeng is a traditional folk dance and music customarily performed in noble houses. It was later performed by the locals with Thai lyrics called phleng tanyong.

Local Food

In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani.

As for Ko Lanta, reasonable priced and tasty seafood is obviously what most tourists long for when visiting a coastal province like Krabi. In this connection, the wing shell (หอยชักตีน) is Krabi’s famous cuisine. In addition, stirred fried Spotted Babylon (หอยหวาน), which is found in mangrove forests, with chilies and basil is also famous. This cuisine is common in Ko Lanta’s restaurants. Another great Krabi taste is, of course, seafood. The Ko Lanta beach areas have several restaurants with the 'catch of the day' displayed on ice outside. One can find all kinds of fish; juicy crabs and langoustines; shellfish, including giant oysters; as well as squid and lobsters.

Medical Health Care

The major and the most common medical facility providers are: the Ban Saladan Clinic in Saladan and on the eastern side of the island: Koh Lanta Hospital.

Retirement

Ko Lanta is ideal for retirees who want to retire in peace and quiet and lead a no-hassles life. The weather is just right for those who are fed-up of the cold back home and want instead to enjoy tropical weather. The locals are renowned for their friendly nature, crime is virtually non-existent and the cost of living is cheap.

Media/Contact

Nationwide television, cable TVs, local cable TV channels are available on Ko Lanta especially in tourist spots. International newspapers and magazines are available at some bookstores.

Landline telephones, satellite phones, all mobile phone systems, high-speed internet (ADSL) are available. There is also a post office with parcel services.

External links

* [http://www.thai-tour.com/eng/krabi/kohlanta-map.htm Lanta Map]
*
* [http://www.kolanta.net Ko Lanta's Major Tour and Bookings Agency]

* [http://www.southernonline.com leading tour service on Koh Lanta ]
* [http://www.lantalanta.com/map.htm Lanta Beaches]