This old town of Lanta in the old days was like an Ampher Muang-prosperous with overseas freighters that usually stopped over at the pier in Tumbon Koh Lanta Yai making it the freighter ? center between Phuket ? Kantang of Trang and Koh Lanta?s center point. Later after Petchakasem Road was cut, this pier was fallen in to disuse until 1997 the District Office and important governmental offices were moved to Koh Lanta Noi. Talad Saladan Pier built as the main port for all passenger boats to stop. Saladan market has become Koh Lanta?s new center point.

Nevertheless, that was over 100 year ago, today Lanta Old Town in Tumbon Koh Lanta Yai has come back to life and become more attractive with its significance in history and culture that remains for tourists to experience one again.

Long ? stay tourists are so fascinated with this small town, as they may choose to do any activities they like ? eating, sleeping, going out to the sea fishing or driving to tour the city viewing government offices and old district office built in 1901. At present, the old building in blue made the Office of Sanitation District. Going out pay homage to the Statue of HRH Prince Chumpon Khet Udomsak and staying overnight at huge local wooden houses with things from oversea freighters are pleasurable.

Never to miss is diving for corals viewing at Koh Por and Koh Bu Bu or the ?Blue Pearl of the Andaman? that can be done by local boats at the pier in Tumbon Koh Lanta Yai as a half ? day or one ? day tour including a visit to the islands of the Trang?s Sea. Coming to Koh Lanta without a visit this Lanta Old Town is not worth the travel a long way?

Koh Lanta Yai

Koh Lanta Yai has two Districts ? Saladan sub District and Koh Lanta Yai sub District. In the old days, Koh Lanta Yai sub District was the island?s hinterland with important pier for overseas freighters to pass, making its economy prosperous.
why Koh Lanta Yai is so crowded with tourist, as it is easy to tour either by hiring motorcycle or by jeeps. If still enjoying, just drive to see the local life styles of the Lanta Old Town and further to the original sea gypsies at Ban Sang Ka ? U, now that the island is done.

Koh Lanta Noi

In the old days, Koh Lanta Noi was just a pass way for travelers from Krabi and Trang on their way to Koh Lanta Yai by private cars or vans.

Koh Lanta Noi, with on resorts, luxurious restaurants and other facilities as good as Koh Lanta Yai, though, has one thing better that is the prosperity with a perfect nature and real islander life styles ? rubber tearing rice growing and fishery.

If not satisfied yet, try another round of adventure by motorcycle in the next morning tour in the longest and most beautiful
In high season, it is not surprising beach on Koh Lanta Noi ?Long Sord Beach ? and end it by taking a fisherman boat to see the abundant mangrove, this is almost what should be done at Koh Lanta Noi.

Geography

A clan of Chao Ley, or “Sea Gypsies” is resident on Koh Lanta 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 opened to view.

 Almost all the attractions are located in the west shores of Koh or Ko Lanta island. There are various activities for your favorite choices, for example, trekking, diving, sea canoeing, swimming, sight-seeing the old town and the lighthouse at the southernmost side of the island.

Koh or Ko Lanta is geographically regarded as the gateway to the dive sites of the southern Andaman Sea. It is surrounded by many islands well-known for dive sites. 

Nearby Islands                                                              Koh Phi Phi Lai (also known as Koh Phi Phi Lae) is the smaller island to the south popularised when parts of the movie "The Beach" were filmed there although it's   

Koh Ngai a fine sandy beach and coral reefs rundown the east side of this island. It is wonderful for diving.

Koh Rok The twin limestone islands 30 kms south of Koh Lanta Yai are named Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai with only 100 meters between them. There are almost no people living on Koh Rok, only the Marine Park Rangers reside here, leaving the islands to remain unspoiled. Koh Rok Nok has some beautiful beaches to offer.

Ao Maan Sai Beach in particular is ranked in the top ten most beautiful beaches in Thailand. This long beach has real white powder sands and crystal clear waters, with a fairly shallow tide rich with fabulous corals offshore.

Just a few steps walk into the forest enables you to see a jungle of huge banyan trees, about 6 meters wide, which gives the beach its name. A little further into trees brings you to another beach named Ao Tha Lu. The sands here are shaped like a horseshoe and surrounded by black limestone cliffs.

The Weather on Koh or Ko Lanta Island

The best time to travel to Koh Lanta Island is from November to April. November is the coolest month of the year with day temperatures of 28 - 30°C, the nightly temperature is regularly 5 - 7 degrees lower. The temperatures on Koh Lanta Island are slowly raising from November until May, in January, you can expect temperatures of 30 - 33°C, in April the temperatures will climb up to 35 - 41°C and occasionally downpours might occur.

The monsoon season on Koh or Ko Lanta Island lasts from May through to October with temperatures slowly declining to their lowest level in November. During this period, the Andaman Sea is rough and swimming is not recommended.