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

Places of Interests
Sang Ga-U Village
Sang Ga-U Village is where the Sea Gypsies live. There are currently almost a hundred families in this village. The Sea Gypsies are mostly ‘entrepreneurs’—they own their own fishing boats and they work daily—if the weather permits—they leave to the middle of the sea in the morning and get back in the afternoon with a bunch of seafood. Although friendly, they are reserved and shy people. Don’t be surprised if they don’t reply to you when spoken too. It’s not because they don’t welcome outsiders, they are just shy. Although they are Thai citizens, mainstream Thai tourists will have difficulty in understanding them because of Chao Lay’s own language. They are still practicing traditional customs and ceremonies.

The Lighthouse
Koh Lanta’s lighthouse locates itself in the premises of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which is at the end of the west coast. To come to the national park is quite an adventure. First, you need to drive a four wheel drive vehicle only (or a motorbike if you are a really great biker). The road is bumpy and dangerous. A normal city-car will have a hard time climbing up and down the three-kilometer mountainous dirt passage. Inside the national park stands the Lighthouse—it takes quite a climb to get to the actual Lighthouse just a few meters away from the ground, but with a good pair of trainers you are all set. The view up there is sensational. From the high cliffs you will see turquoise water from a birds-eye view, the neighboring Koh Ngai, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai. Once up, you’ll get a better panoramic view of the park. Here you will realize that Koh Lanta offers the best of both worlds with exotic beaches and tropical forest.

Viewpoint
This viewpoint is actually misleading as it is not a viewpoint per se, but it’s a restaurant which is called “Viewpoint.” Located on the hill, in between the mountain from the west coast to the east, Viewpoint Restaurant (Tel: 01-787-8679) offers a stunning view of Koh Lanta Yai’s east coast. It is also a decent restaurant to drop by for lunch or dinner but if you just want to see the view, drop by for a drink. The picturesque landscape from up here is breathtaking. On the backdrop is the mainland and islands such as Koh Nui, Koh Talenbeng, Koh Kham, Koh Bu Bu, Ko Po and Koh Ngai. Viewpoint is like a prequel to your island-watch, as once you arrive at the Lanta Old Town Village, those islands will become closer to reach.

Local Products
          The Thai government has established a brand called OTOP (One Tambol, One Product) to help generate income to the villagers. Therefore, each district in Thailand now specializes in something. The various products include batik textiles, wooden furniture, local coffee, herbs, crab cakes, shrimp crackers and handicrafts made from toey panan (pandanus tectorium soland), a local plant. In the fresh food department, there is hoi chak teen—wing shell which looks similar to walking legs referred as “feet” or ‘teen’ (informal Thai). Smaller and brown, this kind of shell is found in Krabi and nearby provinces. Hoi chak teen is eaten with a Thai seafood sauce which is a dip made with fish sauce, garlic, chilies, lime juice and sugar. If you have a Thai friend (who cooks) in your city, bringing back kapi (shrimp paste) and koong haeng (dry shrimps) for her (less him) will be equivalent to a brick of gold.

Money Bangking
         One thing as certain as death and taxes is wherever you travel, even in the remote areas, you’ll feel comfortable to find an ATM to cash some or lots of money. Koh Lanta may be small but in recent years, the number of ATMs has increased immensely. There are ATMs everywhere scattered all over the island, even at the odd corners that you wouldn’t think of. There is actually no need to bring a bunch of cash from home. For more serious banking activities, Siam Commercial Bank (Tel: 075-620-621-3) and Siam City Bank (Tel: 075-611-320), located in Saladan Village, operates Monday to Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm. There is also a Western Union, just in case disaster strikes and you need money from home instantly.

Immigration Office
         There is no immigration office in Koh Lanta. For visa extensions, visitors must contact the offices in Krabi. Krabi Immigration Office (Tel: 075-611-097) is located on Utarakit Road in Krabi Town.