Lanta Islands National Park
Covers 152 square Kilometers of Lanta Islands. 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.
Lanta Noi Island
Lanta Noi used to be a community of local people in
the old days. The old life style and traditional-styled-
houses can still be seen in this island, offering
somewhat charming atmosphere.
Weather
Weather in Krabi is typically that of the tropical
monsoon, providing the province with just two seasons,
the hot season from November to April, and the rainy
season from May to October. Monsoon winds, which change
according to season, blow from the southeast, the
southwest, and the northeast. Temperatures for the
year range between 16.9 and 37.3 degrees Celsius;
yearly rainfall averages 2,586.5 millimeters.
Most visitors prefer to visit Koh Lanta from November
to April due to the end of monsoons, allowing the
bright blue sky and good weather. The average temperature
varies from 24 to 34°C.
Local
Festivals
Krabi Berk Fah Andaman
This festival takes place in November and celebrates
the opening of the tourist season in Krabi. Watersport
competitions, caltural shows, and good-natured fun
are the schedule.
The Setting Adrift of the Chao Ley Boats
Takes place on Lanta Island during full moon of the
sixth and eleventh months in the lunar calender. This
is a religious rite performed by sea gypsies who gather
on the beach near Ban Saladan Village.
They dance their famous Rong Geng round the boats
to be set adrift Ceremonies feature singing and dancing;
the reason for the fest it to bring prosperity and
happiness to the participants, it is something hard
to find elsewhere.
Lanta Islands National Park
