Koh Lanta Hotel and Travel Guide

General Information

Lanta Islands National Park
Covers 152 square Kilometers of Lanta Islands. This island forms the most southern district of Krabi province. It was known long ago by its name in the Malay language, Pulao Satak, which means Long Beach Island. Later, so many Thais, both Buddhist and Muslim, came to live on the island that there seemed to be a million eyes, which is what some people think Lanta means in Thai.

Others hold that the name is corrupted from Javanese "lan-tas", and means a fish grill (which is built of wood with a square grill on top where the fish are set in a circle). Several islands are in the National Park:

Lanta Yai Island
is where the District & National Park offices are located. The island geography is mountainous and rugged, especially near the southern tip; some beaches are gravelly, others have fine white sands. A clan of Chao Ley, or "Sea Gypsies" are resident on Koh Yao Yai and they preserve many of their ancient customs and ceremonies; e.g. the setting of ceremonial boats adrift to bring good luck and prosperity on the full moon nights of the sixth and eleventh month This and other features of their lives are open to view. To visit the island take a regularly scheduled ferry from Ban Hua Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Klahng, Bor Muang Pier in Tambon Sai Kao or Jao Fah Pier in Krabi Town.

Lanta Noi Island
Lanta Noi used to be a community of local people in the old days. The old life style and traditional-styled- houses can still be seen in this island, offering somewhat charming atmosphere.

Weather
Weather in Krabi is typically that of the tropical monsoon, providing the province with just two seasons, the hot season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. Monsoon winds, which change according to season, blow from the southeast, the southwest, and the northeast. Temperatures for the year range between 16.9 and 37.3 degrees Celsius; yearly rainfall averages 2,586.5 millimeters.

Most visitors prefer to visit Koh Lanta from November to April due to the end of monsoons, allowing the bright blue sky and good weather. The average temperature varies from 24 to 34°C.

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Local Festivals

Krabi Berk Fah Andaman
This festival takes place in November and celebrates the opening of the tourist season in Krabi. Watersport competitions, caltural shows, and good-natured fun are the schedule.

The Setting Adrift of the Chao Ley Boats
Takes place on Lanta Island during full moon of the sixth and eleventh months in the lunar calender. This is a religious rite performed by sea gypsies who gather on the beach near Ban Saladan Village.
They dance their famous Rong Geng round the boats to be set adrift Ceremonies feature singing and dancing; the reason for the fest it to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants, it is something hard to find elsewhere.

Laanta Lanta Festival
In a world where culture and religious differences often divide communities and countries, Ko Lanta offers positive proof that people of diverse and varied ethnic groups can live together in peace and harmony for hundreds of years, and still welcome foreign visitors with open arms.

The Laanta Lanta Festival held annually in tourist season at differing locations around the island is a celebration of this harmony, and a chance for locals and visitors alike to enjoy unique cultural facets still prevalent on this unspoiled tropical isle today.

Authentic food and traditional entertainment is the mainstay of any Thai celebration and the festival does not stray from this successful formula. With a variety of delicious meals and snacks available throughout the whole three days, you can enjoy traditional local coffee and exotic drinks whilst sampling the local cuisine at over 50 food and beverage booths.

Performances of Rong-Ngan, the traditional music and dance of the ancient Sea Gypsies, can be enjoyed on the main stage, as well as acts presented by groups from all over Thailand. A second beachside stage features contemporary jazz and reggae performances nightly, in a relaxed party atmosphere.

Protection for a safe and happy event is sought by the Sea Gypsy ritual of casting bad spirits out into the sea, at a traditional boat floating ceremony. Side-street cultural booths display and demonstrate the making of traditional arts and crafts including Pa-the, traditional Muslim cloth weaving and Toi-pa-nun, a handicraft made from Toi leaves. Other booths throughout the festival grounds feature organizations and individuals dispersing information about special projects on the island.

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Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand