Getting to Know Koh Lanta:Koh Lanta is located about 70 kilometers south of the province of Krabi by Kohlantaresorts.com

Geography Climate
          Koh Lanta is located about 70 kilometers south of the province of Krabi. It is one of the most precious islands in the Koh Lanta archipelago which composes of more than 50 islands. Koh Lanta Yai has an area of 152 square kilometers and measures 30 kms along the north-south axis and less than 6 kms from east to west. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape, unspoilt beaches and tropical forests.

           Geographically, Koh Lanta Yai is divided into two parts. To easily remember, the west coast overlooks the Andaman Sea with picturesque beaches adjacent to warm, clear and peppermint-green water. All the resorts are concentrated on this side of the island. The east coast is more low-key and reflects more of the traditional way of life where several local villages are found. To get to the east coast, visitors need to cross the mountain from the west coast. The main attractions along the way are forests, rubber plantations and rice paddies.
The average temperature is 27-33 degrees Celsius or 81-91 Farenheit year-round. From May to October, the monsoon occasionally brings heavy rains, but days are sunny and the rain starts and stops alternately. From November to April, the humidity is low, and the breeze can be quite cool in the evening. These periods are commonly called ‘low-season’ and ‘high-season’ respectively.

Population
          Koh Lanta’s population is 20,000, the majority of which are Muslims. The Sea Gypsies (Chao Lay in Thai) and Thai-Chinese people also blend into the total population living on Koh Lanta. Despite their difference, the three groups of people have managed to live happily together for several centuries. The steadily increasing population of people other than Muslims come from other parts of the country because of the development of tourism. During the high-season, it must be said the tourists are more visible than the local residents.
Most people live in Koh Lanta Noi, which is Koh Lanta’s administrative center and Koh Lanta Yai has recently become a melting pot of people of all cultures. The Sea Gypsies are still making a living fishing. Some others take care of their rubber or coconut plantations. The local, younger generation have begun to seek work in the new professions offered within the island: tourism. Seasonal residents also are foreigners, mostly Europeans who spend six months of the year in Koh Lanta running small businesses such as bars and restaurants. They temporary close during the low-season and head home.

Places of Interests
Tambol Saladan
          Located at the north end of Koh Lanta Yai, the Saladan Village in Tambol Saladan is the central district of the island where banks, diving schools, travel agencies, mini-marts and restaurants are scattered around. Incoming visitors from Krabi arrive at Saladan Car Ferry which is located a few minutes away from the village. During the low-season, 70 percent of the establishments close down—the village looks lonely but somehow decent restaurants and all-year-round necessities such as banks remain open. It is quite refreshing if you are a loner and seek tranquility. But if you’re looking for more people to interact with, the high-season should be a better time for you to come to Koh Lanta.

Lanta Old Town Village
          Lanta Old Town Village, which is located between the police station and Koh Lanta Hospital on the east coast, used to be the administrative center of Koh Lanta but nowadays it is a charming little fishing village. Lanta Old Town Village’s pier serves as private pier for some high-end resorts that take their guests on a speedboat transfer. Boats also park around at the pier so it’s possible to negotiate your trip directly without having to book it through your resort or excursion tours. The view of this side of the island includes various islands such as Koh Po, Ko Bu Bu and Koh Kham. There are practically no restaurants open during the low-season but there are shop houses that offer food and noodles, the local way. Lanta Old Town Village, though very small and private, gets a bigger vibe during the high-season.