CURRENT NEWS
Green Season on Lanta
By Duane Lennie - Ko Lanta Magazine.com
Jul 31, 2008, 08:33

TITLE:
WORDS: 990

Songran Festival unofficially marks the start of low season (or green season as TAT prefers to call it) here on Koh Lanta. The passenger ferries from Phi Phi and Krabi continue to run till mid-May but the island has already slipped back into slow mode – a perfect time to discover what makes Lanta so charming.

But charming isn’t a word you’ll likely hear if you ask locals in Ao Nang, Phi Phi or Riley Beach about their sister island of Ko Lanta during low season. In fact, you’ll likely get the impression Lanta resembles the Hawaiian leprosy island of Molokai in the mid 1800s.

It’s a situation not unlike Cinderella’s ugly sisters trying to keep her locked away so no one can see that she’s more beautiful then them. Let’s face it: When only a limited amount of suitors (or tourists in this case) are available a girl has to take care of herself.

Granted, Koh Lanta still has many unresolved issues that hinders it from becoming a popular low season tourist destination, such as quick and easy passage onto the island and regular beach cleanings, but it still offers visitors great value on one of Thailand’s most beautiful and diverse islands.

With hundreds of islands to choose from, deciding on which tropical islands to visit when you’re in South Thailand is a daunting task. Ask a local or friend which southern atoll they prefer and you’ll get a thousand different answers and reasons on why “their” tropical island is the best.

The fact of the matter is that each island in South Thailand, whether on the Andaman Sea coast or the Gulf of Thailand side, has a distinct personality. And each island tends to attract tourists and travelers who appreciate “their” island’s particular qualities.

For Ko Lanta, it could be said it has a duel personality: One, the west coast, which caters to carefree tourists on short vacations, looking for a great beach and a good time. And another personality, the east coast, that’s ideal for the curious traveler looking for adventure, nature and culture.

Low season life on one of Lanta’s ten western beaches is compromised by weather but between the refreshing and (normally) short periods of rain, there are often glorious sunny days where visitors can enjoy beachfront seclusion in 5-star luxury resorts or inexpensive beach bungalows.

But those after adventure, nature and culture will want to visit or even stay on the east coast of the island, especially during low season months as this shoreline is sheltered from the monsoon winds and waves.This coast is home to Ko Lanta’s unique indigenous and historical fishing communities which all live on the fringes of an ancient mangrove forest and a protected national park.

The heart of this area is Lanta Old Town, an old Chinese fishing village that has not significantly changed in over 50 years according to the locals. The same daily activities and traditional structures, such as traditional markets, long tail fishing boats and 100-year old Chinese shop houses remain as they did when the town served as one of Thailand’s busiest merchant hubs just a century ago.

Si Raya (the official name of the village) is a study in cultural diversity with three distinct groups of people – the seas gypsy people of the Urak Lawoi clan, Thai Muslims and Thai Chinese – coexisting in harmony for over 200 years. In today’s world, where tolerance towards cultural differences is becoming increasing complex, this area could easily serve as a model society where cultural and religious differences are showcased as a natural way of life.

For those wanting excitement this village is probably a place to avoid. Old Town, to say the least, is a very sleepy village. But if you want to experience simple Thai life, as it was a hundred years ago, there’s probably no better place.

There are several guesthouses open all year in the village including Mango House’s renovated, over-the-sea homes and Orange House’s affordable seafront rooms. Also, the protected harbor is perfect for low season boat moorage but most people arrive in Old Town from resorts on the island’s west coast.

These are some fun and inexpensive things to do in low season on Koh Lanta:

Fishing
The pier in Lanta Old Town is a great place to spend a day with your line in the water. And if by chance you catch something that is even better. Also, since the area is the island’s main center for fishing, it’s easy to join in for a traditional trip you’ll forget.

Island Exploring
The east coast is the only place in low season where the waters are calm enough for boating excursions to near by islands and caves. It’s also a great launching point for overnight visits to smaller islands such as Koh Rok, Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan.

Cultural Experiences
Old Town has new museum which documents the history of Koh Lanta but living history can be found everywhere in town including locals building long tail fishing boats, collecting rubber from the farms and drying fish traditional style.

Visit the Sea Gypsy Village
The end of the east coast road brings you Ban Sangkha-U, home of the Urak Lawoi, one of three ancient “sea gypsy” clans that have roamed and lived on the coastlines and islands of Southeast Asia’s Andaman Sea for the past five centuries. A new museum opened last month and visitors are also welcome to wonder around their fishing village.

Exploring Nature
Adventure awaits you on the east side of the island and in the 134 square kilometer Lanta National Marine Park which includes the east coast of Ko Lanta and 15 of the surrounding, smaller islands. The Island also has six eco-tourism centers set up to showcase the local heritage and educate locals about the environment.



© Copyright by kolantamagazine.com