The town was called the same as the island – Lanta for a long time. The origin of this name is unknown. Presumably, it is associated with a special device for drying fish, which the locals call Lantus. Sea Gypsies still use it in everyday life despite the archaic nature of this type of utensils. Perhaps the name refers to the Arabic language. The island was indicated as "Janub Lanta" on ancient maps of the East. This translates to Northern Lanta. Unfortunately, the Arabs did not tell their descendants why it was "Lanta". There are suggestions that this is somehow related to the Malaysian Pulau Lun-Tuk. This translates as "land with a mountain in the middle".
The Old Town of Lanta is not an ideal place for shopping. Not too many people live here. The number of tourists arriving is not yet so large that large retail chains have reached here. So if … Open
Unique natural attractions are the main treasure of the Ko Lanta Archipelago. Fans of hiking and fascinating tours will definitely find this place special. One of the most visited sites … Open
There is a small lighthouse nearby. It still works. There are dangers for sailors in the small bay of the Old Town. This can be seen if you look at the sea surface: the masts of a recently sunken ship stick out not far from the shore. Be sure to take a walk through the streets of the settlement. It is better to do this at sunset or at dawn. Small one-and two-story houses, unusual for a European outline of "homes for spirits", a lot of greenery and decor in the Thai style – all this is fascinating despite the fact that the Old Town is small and there are no known architectural attractions here.
The old town of Lanta was the capital of the island half a century ago. But it lost this status after the construction of a new port. Today, as a century ago, people still fish, carve crafts … Open
Be sure to visit the local market. The day and evening market of the Old Town is not much different from any other market in any country in the world. The only distinctive feature is that the product is often placed directly on the ground here. Everything is transfigured at night. Lanta night market is not only a place where you can buy or sell something but also a platform for artisans who are ready to work right in front of you. Traditional music groups and performers of folk Thai dances perform here. If you have time, you can spend half a day or all day on a tour of the sea Gypsy settlement. It is built on stilts according to the old tradition.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Ko Lanta and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.