Lanta Island

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:

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.