Koh Lanta Culture Travel Guide

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The Island of Lanta was known long ago as Pulau Satak, a name of Malayan origin meaning Long Beach Island. Today’s name is most probably a corrupted form of the Javanese word lantas, that means a fish grill, which is built of wood with a square grill on top where the fishes are set in a circle. This finally gave the island the name Koh Lantas. In 1917, the name was changed to today's Koh Lanta and the two main islands together with 51 smaller isles became a district of Krabi Province. [more]

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At this time Lanta island was of some importance, as the trade ships between Kantang and Phuket passed the island regularly. With the construction of road No 4 from Krabi southwards to Trang and Hat Yai, goods transportation changed to the road.

In the late 1980s, the first bungalows opened up the island to tourists. Resorts like Kaw Kwang, Lanta Villa, Lanta Sea House, Relax Bay Tropicana, Dream Team and Waterfall Bay Resort date back to this time.

Since 1996 the island is connected to the electric power supply of the mainland and can be reached by car ferry. The number of cars, that was around 15 pick-up trucks before the car ferries started their operation, increased rapidly due to the easier access to the island. Until 1998, the district office was located in Si Raya Village (Lanta Pier), but was then moved to a new building on Lanta Noi Island, opposite Saladan Village. The main street from Saladan to Lanta Pier and Sang Ga-U village on the east coast was paved in late 1998, other roads are still without surface.

In January 2001 the island received the first telephone lines from the mainland, the antenna for the mobile phones followed immediately. GSM phones are now working at most beaches along the west coast and in Si Raya on the east coast of Lanta.

In December 2001, the district of Koh Lanta turned 100 years, an event, that was celebrated with a street procession of decorated cars and trucks from Saladan Village to Si Raya, the releasing of prawns into the Andaman Sea, a sumptuous gala dinner attended by many high-ranking officials, and with different performances on the stage and nightly fireworks. Demonstrations of local customs like mat weaving and shadow play were shown, while sport competitions were running during the following days with participants coming from neighboring provinces.