Lanta Old Town Village
Lanta Old Town Village, which is located between the police station and Koh Lanta Hospital on the east coast, used to be the administrative center of Koh Lanta but nowadays it is a charming little fishing village. Lanta Old Town Village’s pier serves as private pier for some high-end resorts that take their guests on a speedboat transfer. Boats also park around at the pier so it’s possible to negotiate your trip directly without having to book it through your resort or excursion tours. The view of this side of the island includes various islands such as Koh Po, Ko Bu Bu and Koh Kham. There are practically no restaurants open during the low-season but there are shop houses that offer food and noodles, the local way. Lanta Old Town Village, though very small and private, gets a bigger vibe during the high-season.

Sang Ga-U Village
Sang Ga-U Village is where the Sea Gypsies live. There are currently almost a hundred families in this village. The Sea Gypsies are mostly ‘entrepreneurs’—they own their own fishing boats and they work daily—if the weather permits—they leave to the middle of the sea in the morning and get back in the afternoon with a bunch of seafood. Although friendly, they are reserved and shy people. Don’t be surprised if they don’t reply to you when spoken too. It’s not because they don’t welcome outsiders, they are just shy. Although they are Thai citizens, mainstream Thai tourists will have difficulty in understanding them because of Chao Lay’s own language. They are still practicing traditional customs and ceremonies.

The Lighthouse
Koh Lanta’s lighthouse locates itself in the premises of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which is at the end of the west coast. To come to the national park is quite an adventure. First, you need to drive a four wheel drive vehicle only (or a motorbike if you are a really great biker). The road is bumpy and dangerous. A normal city-car will have a hard time climbing up and down the three-kilometer mountainous dirt passage. Inside the national park stands the Lighthouse—it takes quite a climb to get to the actual Lighthouse just a few meters away from the ground, but with a good pair of trainers you are all set. The view up there is sensational. From the high cliffs you will see turquoise water from a birds-eye view, the neighboring Koh Ngai, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai. Once up, you’ll get a better panoramic view of the park. Here you will realize that Koh Lanta offers the best of both worlds with exotic beaches and tropical forest.

Viewpoint
This viewpoint is actually misleading as it is not a viewpoint per se, but it’s a restaurant which is called “Viewpoint.” Located on the hill, in between the mountain from the west coast to the east, Viewpoint Restaurant (Tel: 01-787-8679) offers a stunning view of Koh Lanta Yai’s east coast. It is also a decent restaurant to drop by for lunch or dinner but if you just want to see the view, drop by for a drink. The picturesque landscape from up here is breathtaking. On the backdrop is the mainland and islands such as Koh Nui, Koh Talenbeng, Koh Kham, Koh Bu Bu, Ko Po and Koh Ngai. Viewpoint is like a prequel to your island-watch, as once you arrive at the Lanta Old Town Village, those islands will become closer to reach.