Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is located approximately 70 km south of Krabi on the east side of Southern Thailand's Phang Nga Bay ( See Map ). It stretches for 27 kms in the north-south direction and is traversed by a mountain range that is still covered by virgin rain forest. The range reaches heights of 500m in its northern and southern parts. The water off the west coast is crystal clear & the beaches powdery white

Getting there

By air:
You can get to Koh Lanta by air by taking a plane from Bangkok domestic airport. Thai international and BP Air operate daily flights to Krabi. From Krabi, you have to continue your journey to Koh Lanta by car.

By car:
You can reach Koh Lanta Yai by either driving from Trang or Krabi provinces. By driving to Baan Hua Hin, there you have to cross to Lanta via the ferry crossing at Baan Hua Hin pier. Take car ferry (operate from 7.00a.m. to 7.00 p.m.) to Koh Lanta Noi then drive to Ban Lang Sog to take another car ferry to Ban Saladan pier.

By boat:
There are ferry services from Phuket (via Phi Phi) or you can hire longtail boat everyday.

To get around Ko Lanta
You'll have to rent a motorbike and this can be done at most resort counters. Make sure that you are familiar with the vehicle, test the brakes, the lights and horn and remember to drive carefully when you pass through or by villages and schools. The Island has a population of approx. 20,000 people. The Community is a mixture of local muslims & northern Buddhist. The northern Thai's have come to the Island to work in the tourism industry. Most of the muslim community earn their living from fishing, prawn farming and rubber plantations whereas the local trade, especially in Saladan is predominantly under the control of Thai's from Chinese descent.

The name Lanta is derived from the language of the 'Chao Lay' Sea Gypsies that still inhabit on the south-eastern coast of Lanta.