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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.
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