Thursday, February 14, 2013

Lanta Old Town: Where Thais, Muslims, Chinese and Sea Gypsies formed the community

See the locations on Ko Lanta Old Town Google Map by #treasuresofthailand
See the Thai Meteorological Weatter forecast for Krabi

Old town

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The old town seen from the pier

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Picture DarkB4Dawn

Thais, Muslims, Chinese and sea gypsies form the community of Sri Raya, doing business in old wooden shops and living in homes built on stilts. On Sundays you can stroll through a lively market. Only two restaurants, Mango House and Frogs and Apples, are noted in travelfish.org.

Picture Billa

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Two hundred years ago, a group of Chinese from the provinces of Fujian and Hokian emigrated to Koh Lanta and founded the town. They made charcoal from mangrove trees and traded it with some fish in Penang, Singapore and Indonesia. And from there they imported household goods and foodstuffs, especially sugar, salt and vegetables. For fishing they used very big nets. For that they extended the terraces of houses. There they hung the nets. This was the beginning of longhouses. The three longest ones are nearly 100 metres long. Around sixty years ago a fire destroyed the old town. Then the present houses were built. They survived the Tsunami in 2004 wholly. A museum in Sri Raya shows the history of the three communities on the island: Chinese, Muslim fishermen and the sea gipsies.

More informations: Lanta Oldtown on Facebook


Where to stay in the old town

Mango House: The guestrooms reflect the minimalism and dimness, that are characteristic for the town’s houses. They were built on the water to catch the breeze. Like this the rooms are cooled - you need a light cover in the night. Honeymoon Room with a bathroom, fridge and terrace set over the sea is the best room. Mango House i run by the Canadian Duane Lennie.

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Mango House Villa. Picture Gaelle

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Picture Gaelle


Orange House: 15 Moo 2, Sri Raya Rd. There are two suites on the first floor with stunning views over Old Town and the surrounding islands. Each suite has a western style bathroom, large bedroom with king sized bed and private lounge.

Picture Dave_B_


Lanta Pole Houses: Two villas to rent, Coconut House and Lychee House. "Owned and run by a local art teacher, these two oceanfront wooden homes are authentically Thai on the outside, and modern, renovated warehouse-style (think bare cement and jewel-tone local silks) on the inside", writes Fah Thai Magazine. "You can sit on the porch overlooking the water for days. Quiet, and serene the water lapping at the pole supports, amazing sunrises, fishing boats on the horizon, and even next door", adds elbe 57 on tripadvisor.com.

Picture: Susanna
Coconut House



Where to eat in Lanta Old Town

Fresh Restaurant:

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Beautiful Restaurant: 118/1 Moo 2. Not only a Thai restaurant on stilts on the sea at the north end of old town, but also an ocean front guest cottage on stilts (with aircon, 1000 Bath per night). See pictures by ssmmacleaod


Baan Hua Laem - the Muslim fishing village

Ban Hua Laem is a Muslim fishing village with around 80 households. It was severely damaged by the Tsunami in 2004. Afterwards NGOs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) formed the Community Network for Restoration of Lanta Island (CNRLI. The fishermen got new boats, the Chao Ley in Baan Sang Ga Ou got new homes.

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Baan Sang Ga Ou - the seaa gipsy village

Ban Sang Ga U was the original home of the Chao Ley (sea gypsies), Lanta’s first settlers 500 years ago. Today it counts around 500 inhabitants. The Chao Ley seem to have their origins in Indonesia (Banda Aceh). They lived on house boats and Ban Sang Ga U was their first settlement on the land. The Chao Ley record their history in songs. Rong-ngeng, a ritual with singing and dancing, is practiced during festivals, especially the boat-releasing ceremony. Then a boat is sent out to sea to appease the sea spirits.

Sang Kha Ou Resort and Spa: 86 Moo 7, Sang Kha Ou. They have Boat Houses, Tree Houses, Cave Houses, Stone Houses and a Thai House. One critical review on tripadvisor.com. "Ideal location for nature lovers, adventurers and anyone looking for a peaceful stay away from the busier west coast", writes Mojothailand on igougo.com. And the you find a big dsicussion on Thorntree about the rating by Lonely Planet.


Tree House. Picture Dan

Boat Houses. Picture Dan


Koh Po

You can pay a fisherman to bring you with his boat to Koh Po, a small island with sandy beach only ten minutes away from Sri Raya. Koh Por is located between Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Bu Bu. There is a village with a school. Tha Kang Beach is Koh Pors longest beach (in the pier area in the west of the island). On Nai Ban Beach (Northeast of KOh Por) you find a fishermen communicity. Read more about Koh Por. See picture by Miek37

Cultural Homestay Experience: 700 Bath (transfer and three meals inclued). You can experience the life of a local island family. No bikinis and no alcohoil, as you stay with Muslims. Mobile: +66 (0)874 743 247, e-mail: sanae.yamae [at] yahoo.com.



More to find on Koh Lanta:

Koh Lanta เกาะลันตา - what guests discover here: Reviews of resorts and beaches.

Diving around Koh Lanta

Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest: Listen to the nature





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Koh Rok เกาะรอก: Go snorkeling
and meet the lizards

See the location on Koh Rok Google Map by #treasuresofthailand
See the Thai Meteorological Weather forecast for Krabi

Koh Rok Nai, seen from Cape Tanod. Picture marhas1

Picture Pewee

Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok are two islands, separated by a distance of only 250 metres, but about 30 km away from Tanod Cape on Koh Lanta.

Koh Rok Nok:

On Koh Rok Nok you find the ranger station of Mu Koh Lanta National Park. You can rent tents and five houses there (from 2000 Bath) and you find toilets and a restaurant. Reservations; dnp.co.th or phone: 0 7562 9018-9.

Mansai beach (1 km long) is very good for snorkeling.

Laem Thong: A nice place for sunsets, west of Koh Rok Nok. This beach is unique for its round stones.

Ao Thalu: From the Park Ranger station a walkway leads to Thalu Bay in the North of Koh Rok, a stone beach with mangroves. At the left you walkp up a nature trail leading to Pha Samed Daeng Viewpoint, from where you can see Koh Lanta.

Ao Marn Sai: Reachable on low tide. Located further next to Koh Rok Nok Beach with Laem Hin in between, The 300 m long white sand beach with moderate slope (good for swimming) is called after the banyan tree forest in the rear.


Koh Rok Nai:

The island has only one beach: San Chao Beach. There is a shrine of Chao Mae Thaptim. Along the water channel between the two islands you find a diving area with coral reef. At Laem Siam, the cape south of Koh Rok Nai, you find the ancient city pillar constructed in the reign of King Rama V. It indicated the boundary of Thailand. In the Southwest of Koh Rok Nai there is also a waterfall during the rainy season.


What you can see around Koh Rok, when you dive: divetheworldthailand.com


Read about snorkeling and the giant lizards on Koh Rok on Wanderlust.


How to get to Koh Rok

From Pak Meng Pier in Trang there is a public boat of Libong Travel leving at 9 am and departing from Koh Rok at 2 pm.
From Koh Lanta you can take a tour from Saladan Pier by speedboat or longtailboat.


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Koh Rok Nok.Picture apdurruti

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Picture polietileno



Recommend this blog on Twitter and Facebook:

Diving around Koh Lanta

See the locations on Ko Lanta Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

See the Thai Meteorological Weather forecast for Krabi
See the weather for Koh Lanta by Windguru

Picture Ilse Reijs and Jan-Noud Hutten


On Koh Lanta you find many Diving Centers. An overiew:


Blue Planet:


Narima Diving:


Scubafish:


Should you go diving on Koh Lanta in low season (May to October)? The answer.


Picture elitemedia



More to find on Koh Lanta:

Koh Lanta เกาะลันตา - what guests discover here: Reviews of resorts and beaches.

Lanta Old Town: Where Thais, Muslims, Chiense and Sea Gypsies formed the community

Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest: Listen to the nature



Recommend this blog on Twitter and Facebook:

Friday, February 1, 2013

Discover Koh Lanta:
Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา

See the locations on Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา includes the islands Ko Rok, Ko Mai Ngam Tai, Ko Ta La Beng, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Ngai, Ko Tu Kon Lima, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Rok Nai, Ko Hin Dang and nearby islands of Ko Klang district, Ko Lanta Noi district and Ko Lanta Yai sub district. The park covers an area of 134 square kilometers. Read more on the Thailand Magazine.

During the rainy season from 16 May to 31 October the National Park is closed for visitors.



Cape Palm / Cape Tanod แหลมโตนด

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The lighthouse of Cape Tanod

At Laem Tanod you find the headquarter of the National Park. It provides bungalows for guests. More about the plants and animals of the Park and the reservation of the bungalows: Thai Nationalparks

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Sugar palms at Laem Tanod

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Beach at Laem Tanod. Nearly for you alone, because the road to Laem Tanod is rough, not fit for mass tourism.

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Two trees in love at Laem Tanod



Discover Koh Lanta (places and beaches from North to South):

Ban Saladan ศาลาด่าน
Kawkwang Beach คอกวาง บีช
Khlong Dao Beach หาดคลองดาว
Long Beach (Phra Ae) หาดยาวหาด (พระแอ๊ะ)
Relax Bay
Baan Phu Klom Beach and Khlong Khong Beach
Khlong Toab
Khlong Nin Beach หาดคลองนิน
Ba Kantiang Bay อ่าวบากันเตียง
Nui Beach อ่าวนุ้ย
Khlong Jak Beach (Waterfall beach)หาดคลองจากหรืออ่าวคลองจาก
Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Phai) อ่าวไม้ไผ
Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา

And some Hidden Treasures on Koh Lanta):
Lanta Old Town: Where Thais, Muslims, Chinese and Sea Gypsies formed the community
Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest: Listen to the Nature
Diving around Koh Lanta

Back to overview:
Koh Lanta เกาะลันตา: What Guests discover here



Recommend this blog on Twitter and Facebook:

Discover Koh Lanta:
Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Phai) อ่าวไม้ไผ

See the locations on Koh Lanta Google Map by #treasuresofthailand






LaLaanta Hideaway Resort: From 1200 Baht. 188 Moo 5, Bamboo Beach (Ao Mai Phai). 3 hour transfer from Krabi airport, via 2 ferries (which only take 10 mins) and a very bumpy road, according to very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. The beach is not for swimming (rocks) and there are no other restaurants. See walk from top of the resort to the beach on video by 72Chicky.

Picture matias.dutto

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Bamboo Bay Resort แบมบู เบย์ รีสอร์ท: From 1200 Bath. 87 Moo 5, Aow Mai Pai. 21 simple bungalows with a great view of the sea, a peaceful place, far from the crowd. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See pictures by Łukasz Bederski and tony.



Discover Koh Lanta (places and beaches from North to South):

Ban Saladan ศาลาด่าน
Kawkwang Beach คอกวาง บีช
Khlong Dao Beach หาดคลองดาว
Long Beach (Phra Ae) หาดยาวหาด (พระแอ๊ะ)
Relax Bay
Baan Phu Klom Beach and Khlong Khong Beach
Khlong Toab
Khlong Nin Beach หาดคลองนิน
Ba Kantiang Bay อ่าวบากันเตียง
Nui Beach อ่าวนุ้ย
Khlong Jak Beach (Waterfall beach)หาดคลองจากหรืออ่าวคลองจาก
Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Phai) อ่าวไม้ไผ
Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา

And some Hidden Treasures on Koh Lanta):
Lanta Old Town: Where Thais, Muslims, Chinese and Sea Gypsies formed the community
Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest: Listen to the Nature
Diving around Koh Lanta

Back to overview:
Koh Lanta เกาะลันตา: What Guests discover here



Recommend this blog on Twitter and Facebook:

Discover Koh Lanta:
Khlong Jak Beach (Waterfall beach) หาดคลองจากหรืออ่าวคลองจาก

See the locations on Koh Lanta Google Map by #treasuresofthailand



A bay for who loves the "untouched feeling", with the little village Ban Klong Jark nearby. From here you follow a stream to walk to a waterfall in the National Park after three kilometres (30 to 45 minutes each way). On the way you discover some bat caves. Elephant trekking is available. Beach "superb for swimming, free of rocks", comments travelfish.org





Anda Lanta Resort อันดา ลันตา รีสอร์ท: Closed from may 2010 onward. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See pictures by Liquid Lense.



Picture by Angela Rutherford

Picture by Jennoit
Treehouse at Anda Lanta Resort

Picture by Angela Rutherford
Khlong Jak Waterfall






Picture by Jennoit
Sunset on Khlong Jak Beach


Discover Koh Lanta (places and beaches from North to South):

Ban Saladan ศาลาด่าน
Kawkwang Beach คอกวาง บีช
Khlong Dao Beach หาดคลองดาว
Long Beach (Phra Ae) หาดยาวหาด (พระแอ๊ะ)
Relax Bay
Baan Phu Klom Beach and Khlong Khong Beach
Khlong Toab
Khlong Nin Beach หาดคลองนิน
Ba Kantiang Bay อ่าวบากันเตียง
Nui Beach อ่าวนุ้ย
Khlong Jak Beach (Waterfall beach)หาดคลองจากหรืออ่าวคลองจาก
Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Phai) อ่าวไม้ไผ
Mu Ko Lanta National Park อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา

And some Hidden Treasures on Koh Lanta):
Lanta Old Town: Where Thais, Muslims, Chinese and Sea Gypsies formed the community
Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest: Listen to the Nature
Diving around Koh Lanta

Back to overview:
Koh Lanta เกาะลันตา: What Guests discover here



Recommend this blog on Twitter and Facebook: