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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.
Provided by Tourism Authority
of Thailand
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