 KIB: Of the dozens of stellar tropical islands that dot the coastline of Thailand, Koh Lanta is considered one of the most tranquil and laid-back. Situated in the beautiful Andaman Sea along the country’s west coast, Koh Lanta is actually a protected group of around 50 small islets with Koh Lanta Yai at the heart of everything. All of the development is on Lanta Yai, while the other islands are basically deserted slices of paradise. Since it’s a national marine park, the island has been spared the gross overdevelopment which has blighted some of Thailand’s other islands. People don’t come to Koh Lanta to party, they come here to relax and envelope themselves in a quiet realm of lapping waves and whispering palm fronds.
In contrast to the majority of Thailand, Koh Lanta is dominated by Muslim Thais, who have their own customs and are quite conservative. It makes for an interesting change of scenery from the rest of the country when you hear the call to prayer echoing is the background. The smaller and more reclusive Sea Gypsies also call Koh Lanta home and offer a rare glimpse at a fascinating group of seafaring nomads.
 There isn’t much to do on Koh Lanta in terms of entertainment, but the island excels in natural beauty. The beaches are powdery white and the sea clear and blue. There is world-class snorkeling and diving at some of the other remote islands in the area and sea kayaking offers an ideal way to explore Koh Lanta from a unique perspective. Ride an elephant, go caving or just rent a motorbike and cruise around the island’s nearly empty roads. There’s a lots to do on Koh Lanta if your goal is to get away from it all.
A popular alternative to Krabi’s Ao Nang or Phi Phi, Lanta has developed into one of Thailand’s best hospitality infrastructures of any of Thai islands. The entire length of the West Coast is lined with resorts, each enjoying a waterfront location with its own beach. Some villas and bungalows practically empty onto the white sand. The northern stretch of Koh Lanta is more densely packed but offers a lively atmosphere, while more exclusive bays towards the South have more private settings. There is a good range of resorts, mostly independently run by locals, offering excellent value with typical Thai hotel hospitality and charm. Booking well in advance of the holiday season is recommended.
History
 Koh Lanta’s original name was Pulau Satak, which means ‘long beach island’ in Malay. But today, Thailand’s third largest island is named after the Javanese word for ‘fish grill’. There are actually two central islands, Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai, along with 51 tiny isles in the group known as Koh Lanta. In the early 1900s, the islands were a vital stopover along the sea trade route from Phuket to Katang. This formed the basis of much of the island’s economy, along with self-sufficient fishing and simple farming. But as soon as a road was built from Krabi to the southern hubs of Hat Yai and Trang, almost all sea transportation switched to land-based trade.
The Southern Chinese who moved to the area to make a living formed one of the main ethnic groups. Oil palm plantations and mining for gypsum became new industries and the Chinese who stayed continued to assimilate into the local community. The original inhabitants of Koh Lanta were Muslim Thais from the southern borders with Malaysia, and the Chao Ley, Thailand’s famous Sea Gypsies who make their somewhat nomadic living by moving around catching fish and diving for other edibles.
 It wasn’t until the late 1980s that Koh Lanta discovered the economic benefits of tourism and opened their doors to intrepid backpackers. Small bungalow operations began appearing on Lanta Yai, forming the basis of the island’s modern economy. These first resorts were simple affairs, with no electricity and few trucks or motorbikes plugging along the single dirt road that ringed part of the island.
In 1996, power arrived on Koh Lanta which created a mini-boom in development and resort construction. A car ferry service followed soon after, opening up the island to even more visitors. Although Koh Lanta remains a sleepier, laid-back alternative to Phuket or Koh Samui, the island continues to evolve into one of the country’s main beach destinations. Fortunately, the island was spared the wrath of the 2004 tsunami, allowing development to continue unabated. Yet its reputation as one of the quieter island destinations remains intact for the time being.
Weather
 The subtropical climate of Koh Lanta is dictated by the annual monsoon, which brings heavy consistent rains to the region from May through October. During this rainy season, as it’s known, temperatures are hot and humid, averaging 32°C. The seas are also very rough and swimming becomes more dangerous. Many of the smaller resorts on the island may close up entirely for a couple of months as tourist numbers drop significantly and sea travel can be frequently delayed by rough seas. But not every day is cloudy and rainy and room rates are much lower during the rainy season, so it may be worth a chance if you aren’t coming specifically to go scuba diving.
The rest of the year brings idyllic weather to Koh Lanta and the surrounding region as the cooler northeastern monsoon brings a refreshing breeze, pleasant temperatures and dry blue skies. November through April you can expect consistently excellent conditions. The lack of storms means the water becomes calmer and better for swimming. This is also the prime diving season, when underwater visibility is at its greatest. The month-long shoulder periods between the dry and rainy seasons can also be good times for a visit. The weather is hard to predict, but suffice to say you’ll have a mix of afternoon thunderstorms and sunny skies.
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