● Koh Lanta in Brief Area: 152 sq.km. 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:
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.
● Taleng Beng Island
This island is in some ways a smaller version of
Phi Phi Ley;
made of Limestone, honeycombed with caves, inhabited by the
same swifts whose nests are made into soup. Small beaches and caves appear
where the tide ebbs.
● Hah island
A group of five islands. Hai Yai island has a field of grass on its ridgeline.
Another island resembles in shape a sailboat; one has water that passes
from one side to another beneath it. There are some corals in shallow waters.
A fine sandy beach and coral reef run down the east side of this island.
It is perfect for diving. Regular ferries and charter craft are available
from Pak Meng Beach in
Trang Province.
The southeast and southern ends of this island have fine sand beaches and
shallow water corals. Also not to be missed are Man Sai Bay and Talu beach.
Transport to the island is via charter from either Pak Meng Beach in Trang
Province or from Lanta Yai Island. There are tents for rent, contact Lanta
National Park Tel.: (075) 629018-9.
● Hin Dang
This submerged open water reef in the Andaman features a multiplicity of
colorful corals to attract serious scuba divers.
Local festivals and Religious Rites
● The Setting Adrift of the Chao Ley Boats
takes place on Lanta Island during full moon of the sixth and
eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed
by
Sea Gypsies who gather
on the beach near Ban Saladan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng"
round the boats to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing;
the reason for the festival is to bring prosperity and happiness to the
participants, it is something hard to find elsewhere.
● Krabi Berk Fah Andaman
This festival takes place in November and celebrates the opening of the
tourist season in Krabi. Water sport competitions, cultural shows and good-natured
fun are the schedule.
Getting to Koh Lanta
● By Air (to Krabi Airport) See timetables
here
● By Bus (to Krabi) See
timetables
here
● By Car
From
Bangkok take Route 4 passing
Petchburi,
Prajuab-Kirikan,
Chumporn,
Ranong, and
Phang-nga, and Phang-nga Provinces
before reaching Krabi; a total distance of 946 kilometers. An alternate
route is to take Route 4 to Chumpom and then tum onto Route 4L. This leads
through Lang Suan District of Chumpom to Chaiya and Wieng San Districts
of
Surat Thani; from
there follow Route 4035 passing Ao Lur District of Krabi, back onto Route
4, and down to Krabi Town. This shortcut is just 814 kilometers, and is
followed by the bus services from Bangkok. For information regarding bus
transport, contact tel. (02)435 1195-6 (non-air conditioned buses);or tel.
(02)435 1200(air conditioned buses).
From
Phuket
Take Route 402 to Route 4 and pass Tambon Koto Kloy of Takua Tung D istrict
in
Phang-nga; Tap Puhd District,
Phang-nga; and enter Ao Lur District of Krabi; the total distance is 185
kilometers. Regarding bus transport, tel.(076) 211 480.
|
:: FERRY TIME TABLE ::
|
:: MINIVAN TIME TABLE :: |
| KRABI - KOH LANTA |
KOH LANTA - KRABI |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 10:30 |
12:00 |
08:00 |
12:00 |
| 13:00 |
15:00 |
13:00 |
15:00 |
| |
| KOH LANTA |
> KOH PHI PHI > |
PHUKET |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 08:00 |
09:30 |
09:00 |
10:30 |
| 13:00 |
14:30 |
14:30 |
16:00 |
| |
| PHUKET |
> KOH PHI PHI > |
KOH LANTA |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 08:00 |
10:00 |
11:30 |
12:30 |
| 13:00 |
15:00 |
14:00 |
15:30 |
| |
| AO NANG - KOH LANTA |
KOH LANTA - AO NANG |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 10:30 |
12:45 |
13:30 |
15:30 |
|
| KRABI - KOH LANTA |
KOH LANTA - KRABI |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 11:00 |
13:00 |
08:00 |
10:00 |
| 13:00 |
15:00 |
13:00 |
15:00 |
| 16:00 |
18:00 |
|
|
| |
| TRANG - KOH LANTA |
KOH LANTA - TRANG |
| DEPART |
ARRIVE |
DEPART |
ARRIVE |
| 10:00 |
12:30 |
08:00 |
10:30 |
| 11:30 |
14:00 |
12:00 |
14:30 |
| 12:30 |
15:00 |
- |
| 13:30 |
16:00 |
- |
| 14:00 |
16:30 |
- |
| 15:30 |
18:00 |
- |
|
● By Train
From
Bangkok Station take the train to one of the following stations:
Trang, Putt Pin in
Surat Thani
Province, or Tung Song in
Nakorn Sri Thammarat
Province; from any of these places a bus may be taken onward to Krabi. Regarding
train schedules and costs, contact the travel office of State Railway
of Thailand, tel.(02)223 7010.
Remark
Until recently limited access has been the major restraining factor in the growth of Krabi's
tourism industry. The nearest airport was 155km to the east in Phuket and the drive on what is
a rather basic road took a good two hours. But all of that has changed with the opening of Krabi
Airport Now there is easy access and plenty of hotels and resorts for every budget.
Map of Koh Lanta Yai(click on the map to zoom in)
text
