Full Moon Party. Full Fun Party! Ko Pha Ngan , Thailand

Full Moon Party:


The Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party that takes place in Haad Rin on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand on the night of every full moon.
The party was originally a small affair with a small number of backpacking travellers dancing through the night of the full moon, mainly to psychedelic trance music. Originally, the music was some tapes coming from Goa'Party (India), and the first Full Moon Party was improvised at a wooden disco not far from the beach in June 1987.



And now, there are 7,000-10,000 people at the party each month. The party begins at dusk, When the round yellow moon make its appeareance over the white sand beach. In twilight, small tables are lined up on the beach and thousands of lamps are lit….



As the evening progresses the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy as different m.c.‘s’ take their furn on the decks. There is somethings for everyone here, trance, techno, drum and bass, commercial dance and ragge, no-one is disappointed. Jugglers and fire-eaters entertain the crowds as the night goes on and with the brilliant impromptu fireworks display, the party atmosphere is complete. After a few hours is coul be time to chill-out for a while, maybe grab a drink or a bite to eat from one of the many beach traders and wade out or sit down in the warm surf of the Gulf of Thailand, pure, pure heaven.



Revived and relaxed it’s time to return to the main beach and get blown into another dancing dimension,While all around people are doing the same, there are no barriers here, no inhibitions, just people enjoying themselves with one unified intention, to rejoice in the magic that is the paradise of FULL MOON PARTY!




Ko Pha Ngan is an island off the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand, halfway between the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao. It is known as a land of coconut trees and, above all, the world famous full moon parties and Haad Rin is on the island of Ko Pha Ngan off the coast of Thailand. Most famous for their Full Moon Party.



The Full Moon Party gained fame quickly through word of mouth, and the event now draws a crowd in excess of 10,000 every full moon evening. The party carries on until the sun rises the next day. All the bars on the sunset beach of Haad Rin town stay open and play music such as R&B, drum and bass, house and reggae.


The event has become a part of the itinerary of many travellers to Asia. Entry to the event is completely free. In recent years, local entrepreneurs have attempted to expand upon the event with spinoffs like the Half Moon Party and Black Moon Party.

Half Moon Party:


Half Moon Party is Presented by “Harmony Team” which provides the latest sound system, highest quality equipment and professional DJs, VJs, live artists and performers (Thai& International).


The are is Covered by artist’s UV decoration, there are visuals projected on two big screen, there is also a fire show across from the main dance floor.


Half moon is Famous for its good music. It provides an original blend of tribal house and trance beats for an unbeatable party night. All music is mixed live and the party showcases the latest remixes and unreleased tracks from our private studio and worldwide connections.


The Half Moon Party is an outdoor dance music (rave) event on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand held at the intervals between full moon and new moon, i.e. approximately twice a month.


The Half Moon Party complements the bigger Full Moon Party events in the itinerary of hedonistic and just plain curious visitors to the island. Unlike the FMP, a charge is made for admission, although this is genuinely to enhance the security of the event as much as make profit. It is also smaller than the FMP, attracting up to 3000 partiers and employing only one main arena.


The promoters mainly employ local DJs using CD decks rather than vinyl. Various guest DJs play unannounced sets but the event is not the place to see big name stars. The focus is on the music and atmosphere, which suits most of the clientele. While the Full Moon Party attracts a wide range of attendees - from the very young to the very old and the very hip to the very square - the Half Moon attracts a more specific set of serious partiers.

The event has been held at several venues including on the beach at Ban Tai on the southern coast, and in the surrounding jungle. It is currently held in a venue designed specifically for the event in Ban Tai on the road to Thong Nai Pan. After-parties can usually be found at Ban Sabaii as well as in Thong Sala.


Half Moon Festival takes place twice, One week before and one week after Full Moon.




Black Moon Party:


The original 'Black Moon Culture' party is another of the island's outdoor events on a Beach in Ban Tai with flourescent decorations with resident DJs playing progressive beats and underground trance.

Full moon Party Schedules:


January 10-12

Februaty 09-11
March 10-12
April 09-11
May 08-10

June 07-09

July 06-08
August 05-07
September 04-06
October 03-05
November 12-13
December - Cristmas Party 24-25
- New year party 30-31


***Please note that schedules are subjected to change without any prior notice by the party organizer. ***

Tips of Full Moon Party:

- Take your passport copy with you, and keep original passport in the resort’s secure safe.


- Do not bring your valuables to the party.Thousnads people are there, you’ll never catch the thief.


- At the party, you may forget or lose your bags, so it’s better if you leave them at the resort.


- Bring enough money for the drinks and keep it attached to yourself.


-Take the resorts details for contacting the resort in case of emergency.


- Wear shoes to protect your feet from broken bottles bud do not wear the expensive one.


- Take good care of your camera, you’re not gonna lose only the item but also memories of the good time.


- Keep away from drug, no matter what anyone says. Someone might try to sell them to you but remember drugs are illegal in Thailand and very strong penalties.


- Do not eat or drink anything that is offered by strangers.


- If you don’t plan to stay up all night at the party, you are advised to stay in bungalow facilities outside Hadd Rin (unless you think you can sleep with that very lud party noise).


- Beside, there are more than hundred bungalow places to choose and you can go back to your bungalow anytime you like by all night taxi service.

- Important! .Keep the beachs clean…

How to get Ko Pha Ngan:



By air;


The closest airport is Ko Samui (USM) which has frequent flights from Bangkok and Phuket, daily flights from U-Tapao and Singapore, and several direct flights each week from Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur. Transportation to the ferry dock is easy to find at the airport.

Ferries depart several times a day with the last one around dusk.
The next nearest airport is Surat Thani (URT) on the mainland.


- Thai Airways International has 2 daily flights connecting Bangkok with Surat Thani. The flight time is approximately 70 minutes. For more information, contact their -
Bangkok office at tel. 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or get your on-line e-ticket at www.thaiairways.com
One-two-Go also operates flights to Surat Thani. For more information please visit www.fly12go.com or contact call center 1126.
Air Asia offer flights Bangkok-Surat Thani. For more information please visit www.airasia.com or call 0 2515 9999


By boat;


There are approximately 10 daily transfers to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats depart between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on weather conditions. Boats leave from Thong Sala Pier and Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan to Ko Samui Pier including Na Thon Pier, Mae Nam and the Big Buddha. The fare is approximately 115 baht to 250 baht / trip / person.


From Surat Thani;

Surat Thani Pier operates a minimum of 6 daily departures to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats leave from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. and arrive at Tha Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan. The fare ranges from 200 baht to 370 baht / trip / person


From Ko Tao;
Approximately 6 daily departures from Thong Sala Pier to Ko Tao are provided. They leave from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. The fare ranges from 180 baht to 350 baht.

- Seatran (077 275060, 136 Na Meuang Road) operates a bus/boat combination to Ko Samui. The fee is 150 baht.
- Phantip Travel (077 272230, 293/6-8 Talat Mai Road) offers tickets to Ko Tao (500 baht), Ko Pha-Nhan (250 baht), and Ko Samui (140 baht). The operator is Raja Ferry (07 314523, 077 371151 or 077 371206) who offers bus/boat combinations to the islands


By bus and boat ;


The best way in by bus is by Governmnent Bus to the Na Dan ferry piers: these are the most direct, quickest, reliable, safest, and hassle-free services. Tickets for these services can be bought at Government Bus Terminals.


Buses also arrive in Surat Thani, capital of Surat Thani Province, from where passengers are inexorably swept up in the machine that will, several buses and at least one ferry later, spit you out on the rusty pier of Thong Sala.
Buses originating from Khao San Road (or others with travel agent sold tickets) are notorious for thefts from passenger luggage and should be avoided at all costs.

Under no circumstances should passengers on Khao San Road buses leave valuables in bags that will go in the luggage stowage areas, even if the bags can be locked; consider it inevitable that every bag will be opened while the bus is in motion.


-Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Surat Thani Province everyday. Call the southern Bus Terminal tel: 0 2434 5557-8 or visit www.transport.co.th



By train, boat and bus ;


Overnight train from Bangkok is an interesting option. Trains arrive in Surat Thani or Chumphon, and from there you can transfer by bus and then boat. Combined train-bus-boat tickets can be bought direct from the official Advance Booking Counter at Hualamphong station in Bangkok, although sometimes train get late, and your boat is already gone and you have to pay extra for the next boat. Thus joint ticket is not the best choice.


In theory, train tickets may be reserved up to 60 days in advance and paid for by email. In reality, the Thai authorities are lax in returning emails and/or will give the runaround, or flat-out refuse to reserve seats for non-Thais during peak travel periods (December - January and Songkran holiday in April). If your heart is set on going by train, start early, be persistent, and have a backup plan to go by bus or plane.


- Trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station 10 times daily from 12 p.m. until 10.50 p.m. The trip takes approximately 12-13 hours. Ask for the train from Bangkok to Phun Phin, the closest station to Surat Thani. For further details, please call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th


***Surat Thani Railway Station is 12 kilometers from town. A bus service between the station and the town is available.***

Accommodation:


There is more to Ko Pha Ngan than the full moon party and Haad Rin, so don't be afraid to venture out to other beaches. You can still get to the party from just about everywhere.


The decent rooms tend to run out a few days before the full moon party, and throughout the peak season (December-February). If you have a short vacation or like to have a soft landing, you might want to book a room in advance.


If you decide to test your luck, try to arrive as early in the day as possible to have the most time and options for accommodations.


For a cheap bungalow, literally moments from white beaches (but no surf whatsoever), turn left from Thong Sala and you will pass strings of quiet bays, each with one or more 'resorts', featuring a bar, a restaurant, rooms and bungalows, and a few dozen laid back tourists and travelers for company. Try Haad Yao, Haad Son, or any of the others along the same strip.


For the North of the island, Chaloklum, Ko Ma & Bottle Beach are popular.

Thong Nai Pan (Noi and Yai) is to the Northeast and is more remote, but is well worth the bumpy drive through the forest. It is a pair of particularly beautiful and relaxing beaches with plenty of accommodation, restaurants, and nightlife.


- Jumunjy Guest House (Tong Sala) clean cheep rooms from 250b 2 mins walk to the pier.

- Mandalai Hotelwww.manda



Dinner & Drink :


For an authentic experience (and cheaper than the well-decorated cafe/restaurants by Haad Rin beach), look at the more modest cafes where you might see some Thais eating.


The best area for authentic cheap eats is definitely Thong Sala, the main town on the island.


- Me'n'u restaurant at Hin Kong has become firmly established as the island's premier eatery, sourcing only the finest ingredients to create their Modern European cuisine, and has one of the finest locations and ambiance of any restaurant on Phangan island.


- Fellini, Srithanu. A new, stylish Italian restaurant. Stone-cooked pizzas, a wide choice of pastas, steaks, seafood, salads. Good choices of wine.
Ando Loco - Thongsala's Mexican restaurant of the year for two years running, authentic cuisine only using imported spices, best tequilla and Margarita's on the Island


- Sheesha (Chaloklam). A classy take on the Thai bar, definitely worth a look.
The Livin' Room. Sip cocktails while you enjoy air-con & movies on a 5m screen, with your own private phone to order drinks & foo

For more Information : http://www.tourismthailand.org

Thailand Songkran Festival

History

Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word “Songkran“ means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures.

With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival.

Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including the bathing of the Buddha image. Also, the festivities would include the forming of sand pagodas and entertaining celebrations. In the Rattanakosin period, the rituals had been conducted in the similar pattern as those during the Ayutthaya period.

Announcement

The Great Songkran Day this year is falling on Sunday 13 April 2008, corresponding the Year of Mouse. Its symbolic is a Deva of water element nature, before B.E. 1370, intercalary month in Lunar Calendar and the extra day added in February every four years.Songkran Queen is name Tungsatevee, wearing bangle and pomegranate flower, red dress, preferred wild fruit, the right hand holding Chakra and the left hand is holding a shell, sitting on the back of garuda.

In this year, Wednesday is the Thongchai or Lucky Day, Tuesday is Athibordi Day, Tuesday is Ubat or Bad Luck Day, Thursday is Lokawinat or Destructive Day. Songkran in this year is falling on Sunday, it shall inspire raining 400 ha (the word to call the shower of the rain) as divided as 40 ha in human world; 80 ha in the oceans; 120 ha in Himmabhan Forest; 160 ha in Chakkrawan Mountain. There were 4 Naga spraying water, the prediction about food is called Wibat the rice paddy in the farm shall be half part productive and half part destroyed and there shall have little water. From the above announcement of Songkran if we compare with ancient prediction, it is noticeable that Songkran in this year is falling on Sunday, it is said that there shall have little grain, several sickness, and, as the first day of Aries is falling on Tuesday, it is the prediction that all civil shall be happy and over come the enemies.

In Lanna concept it is predicted that there shall expensive goods, several sickness, the plant shall be seriously destroy by insects, all are more worse than good things. For Songkran Queen name Tungsatevee is sound not only terrible, she has also garuda as vehicle, and discus in the right, shell in the left hand. Garuda is the vehicle of Narayana, and discus and shell is his weapon also. Thus Songkran Queen, Tungsatevee is representatives of Narayana as to get rid of troublesome of the world. Prediction about the Great Songkran Day, the first day of Aries and New Year Celebration Day.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Sunday, the plant shall give inappropriate productivity. In case of the first day of Aries is falling on Sunday, the rice shall be died, lot of foreigners entering the country, the senior shall be falling in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Sunday, the King shall have great power to eliminate all enemies from all directions.

In case of Sonkran day is falling on Monday, the senior government officers and their ladies shall have great power. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Monday, there shall have sickness and expensive salt. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Monday, the queen and her lady-in-waiting shall be happy.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Tuesday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Tuesday, all fruits shall be expensive. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Tuesday, all civil servant shall be happy and overcome the enemies.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Wednesday, the senior government officers shall be admired from international. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Wednesday, all foods shall be expensive, the widowed woman shall loss her residence. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Wednesday, all psychologist shall be happy.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Thursday, the junior shall be loss his advantage to the senior and boss. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Thursday, fruits shall be expensive, the royal family shall be in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Thursday, all priests, nuns and Brahmins shall perform their good activities.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Friday, there shall be rich with food and plant, heavy rain, strong storm, peoples shall be suffered from eyes disease and sick. Should the first of day of Aries is falling on Friday, chili shall be expensive, birds are suffered from disease, danger to the wild animals, the widow shall be lucky. Should the New Year Celebration Day is falling on Friday, the merchant and head of household shall have good luck in their business and earn lot of profit.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Saturday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Saturday, foods shall be expensive, less rice product, expensive fruit, less water and fire in the center of the city, the nobleman shall be punished. Should the New Year Celebration Day if falling on Saturday, all soldiers shall win the enemies.

In addition, there are prediction of Lanna from other orthodox that if the Great Songkran Day is falling on Sunday, the Songkran Queen is Mrs. Paengsri, the affect is the rice in such year shall be very expensive, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases, enemy attack, rice and plant are destroyed by insects, uneven rains, the millionaire shall be lost, rubber tree is the great plant for other plants, the rice holy is remained at the bamboo tree.

On Monday, the Songkran Queen is Manora, in such year, there shall have lot of snakes, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases and most of bad luck, the rice holy is remained at Mai Dua Kliang.

On Tuesday, the Songkran Queen is Raksot Thevi, in such year there shall have good raining in the beginning and ending of the year but less raining in the middle of the year, destructive rice farm, less productivity of fruits, bad situation in the country, rice and plant are destroyed by insect, the rice holy is remained at Mai Oye Chang.

On Wednesday, the Songkran Queen is Mantha, in such year there shall have uneven rain, half productive and half destructive rice farm, expensive goods, bad luck for nobleman, the rice holy is remained at Mai Kram.

On Thursday, the Songkran Queen is Kanyathep, in such year there shall have regular rain according to the reason, the senior shall be in danger, lot of dead animal, the peoples are happily stay and good being while the nobleman and priest shall be in worrisome, the rice holy is remained at Bastard Teak.

On Friday, the Songkran Queen is Rintho, in such year there shall have good rain in the beginning of the year and lowered in the middle of the year, the plant and rice are destroyed, danger to the priest, the rice holy is remained at Mai Phuttha.

On Saturday, the Songkran Queen is Sama Thevi, in such year there is lack of rain, the plants are destroyed by insect, great fire and expensive goods.

Nang Songkran

According to the legend, the story has been involved with King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban. Born to a wealthy family, Prince Thammaban was very intelligent since he was only seven years old King Kabilaprom had asked him three questions with the conditions that if his answers were correct, King Kabilaprom was willing to sacrifice his head but if they were wrong, the Prince must do likewise.And the questions focus on the good signs of a person at each period of the day from morning to noon until the evening.

To the surprise of the King, the Prince had answered the questions correctly. As per the good sign of a person in the morning is at the face, at the chest in the noon time and at the foot in the evening. The King then had to cut off his head as proposed. However, the King’s head had been so powerful that the whole world would be on fire if the head had touched the earth, that a serious drought would occurred and that all ocean water would dry up should it be thrown up in the sky or down in the ocean respectively. Evidently, the King had assigned his seven angel daughters to take turn carrying his head clockwise around Phra Sumane Mountain. And if Songkran Day ( April 13 ) falls on any day of the following, that year will be honoured by that Nang Songkran.

Sunday: “ Tungsatevee ’’ red dress, preferred wild fruit, discus in the right hand, shell in the left hand, garuda as vehicle.

Monday: “ Korakatevee ” yellow dress with pearl ornament, preferred butter oil, dagger in the right hand, walking cane in the left hand, tiger as vehicle.Tuesday: “ Ragsotevee” light red dress with agate ornament, preferred blood, trident in the right hand, arrow in the left hand, pig as vehicle.

Wednesday: “ Montatevee” emerald green dress with cat’s eye ornament, preferred milk and butter, sharp iron in the right hand and walking cane in the left hand, donkey as vehicle.

Thursday: “ Kirineetevee” greenish yellow dress with emerald ornament, preferred nuts and sesame seeds, elephant hook in the right hand, gun in the left hand, elephant as vehicle.

Friday: “ Kimitatevee” white dress with topaz ornament, preferred banana, dagger in the right hand, Indian vina in the left hand, buffalo as vehicle.

Saturday: “ Mahotorntevee” black dress with onyx ornament, preferred hog deer, discus in the right hand, trident in the left hand, peacock as vehicle.

Evidently, the prediction for the New Year will be made according to that particular day of the Nang Songkran. For example, if the preferred food of Miss Songkran are nuts and sesame seeds, it is predicted that the year will be productive, prosperous and healthy. And if the preferred food is blood, the prediction would go for a bloody year with all the quarrels. And if Miss Songkran prefers to carry gun, it is predicted that the weather would be full of thunderstorms, etc. Also, at the venue where the grand Songkran Festival is organized, a procession of the Miss Songkran is indispensable for the people to appreciate the festival

Rituals

April 13 or Wan Sangkan Long

Wan Sangkan Long means the old year passes by (Sangkan derived from the word Songkran. Lanna people cannot pronounce double consonants. So Songkran is pronounced Sangkan; Pret is pronounced Pet; Krot is pronounced, Kot.) According to the belief of the northern people, there are Kun Sangkan (a male) and Nang Songkran (a female). On New Year’s day (Sankan Long) a prediction will be announced, similar to the Songkran announcement of the central region, for example, “Sankan Long happens on Sunday with Kun Sangkan, riding on the Naga with a cloud in his hand, moving quickly from the west. Nang Songkran named Siri, holds a cannon, meaning there will be war. Insects will destroy the rice fields. Rain will be abundant. Cattle will fall ill. The wealthy will suffer. White Yang wood is the best quality wood. The spirit of rice lies in the bamboo. Those born on Tuesday will face problems. Those born on Saturday will have good fortune. Red objects and live beings will be costly. White objects will cost less.”

April 14 is called, Wan Nao or Wan Da (preparation day)

Wan Nao or Wan Da is an auspicious day when everyone must be cheerful, and must not curse or behave badly. In the morning, food and offerings for the monks are prepared and distributed to friends and relatives in the following morning. In the afternoon, sand is brought to the monastery compounds and sand stupas are created as a form of worship to the Lord Buddha. Finally the time comes for gently splashing water at one another with a word of blessing.

April 15 is called, Wan Phaya Wan

Wan Phaya Wan, which is the most important day of the New Year celebration or the Wan Taleung Sok of the central region. There may be also 4 additional days of celebration: April 15th (Wan Paak Pee), April 16th (Wan Paak Deuan), April 17th (Wan Paak Wan), April 18 (Wan Paak Yam) Wan Songkran involves merit making, offering food to monks, listening to sermons, paying respect to elders, and having fun.

Songkran Activities

"Wan Chai"(the day of offering)

On this day, apart from preparing new dresses to wear, people will make desserts to offer to monks and to give to friends and relatives. This act of generosity is also a way to show off each family’s cooking skills.

Well-to-do families will make a large amount of desserts to give away to others. In the past it was not possible to buy desserts since everyone made their own. Nowadays, some Thais follow western traditions by buying and giving cakes to others, as it is more convenient to do so rather than cooking.

Offering food to monksOn the dawn of the first day of the incoming year, people will prepare the best varieties of food to offer to monks. They will also dress up in their best attire. After giving alms bowl to monks, monks will eat the offered food in a temple hall. People will go home after monks finish their meal.

Making sand pagodas

There is no specific date for making sand pagodas. It can be done on any days close to Songkran in temple grounds or on riverbank. People in Kamphaengphet province also make offerings to monks on riverbank. People in Nakhon Si Thammarat build their sand pagodas twice; first in a temple on the last day of the outgoing year, and then in the grounds of their houses on the first day of the incoming year. Sand used for building pagodas is often taken from riverbank.

Releasing birds and fish

This tradition began long time ago and it is normally done during the Songkran festival. Before the festival, the weather is usually very warm and there is not enough water in ponds and rivers for fish to dwell, as a result, people will go out to catch fish in dry ponds. Small fish which can not be eaten will be kept at home until Songkran when there is more water, and then they will be released back to their natural habitat. This tradition has evolved over time and is widely practiced nowadays. At present, in addition to fish, people also free birds as an act of merit-making.

Bangsukun Atthi

Apart from releasing birds and fish, there is also a ritual performed by monks to the relics of the dead in order to pass on merits to them. This ritual is known as “Bangsukun Atthi”. It will be performed once during the Songkran festival on any of the three days. In the past, Thais did not bring ashes of the dead back home, but the remains were buried under the Bodhi tree in a temple and monks would be invited to perform the ritual there.

This ritual is believed to be local and is not influenced by Indian traditions because the Indians usually discard ashes in water source, especially into the Ganges. In some areas in Thailand, people also perform a rite to worship guardian spirits of the village and town. In Central Thailand, household choirs such as gathering firewood and fetching water are prohibited during Songkran, and these choirs must be done beforehand.

Song Nam, Rot Nam, and Sat Nam

To bathe a Buddha image, people will first make an offering of flowers, candles, and incense sticks to the image. Then they will sprinkle lustral water signifying bathing onto the image as a gesture of respect. A procession of the Buddha image will be made prior to the bathing. After that people will also bathe a Buddhist monk, usually the chief monk, by pouring over him lustral water. The chief monk will change to the new robe offered to him by laymen, then he will give a sermon and bless people who attend these bathing rituals. Besides, people will also call on elders and respected ones to ask for their blessings.

After that, people will “play” by splashing water at one another. A feast in the temple grounds will follow. Traditional desserts will be served there.
The Songkran festival is very much related to water, since people believe that water splashing will induce abundant rainfalls in the incoming year. Water is also a symbol of fertility and is used to clean up bad things. As a result, water is used widely in different ceremonies and rites of passage.

Rod Nam Dam Hua

People in Northwest Thailand conduct the bathing ritual to the elders and respected ones on New Year’s day. Apart from flowers, candles, incense sticks, and new clothes, betel nuts, Acacia water, and traditional perfume are also part of the gifts presented. Betel nut is a symbol of respect and hospitality. In the old days, Acacia water was used as soap. Once the elders receive the gifts, they will sprinkle the Acacia water and the perfume on top of the youngs’ heads to give them blessings.Nowadays, some people still bring their new clothes and personal belongings along with other ritual objects, such as banana, sugarcane, and jackfruit leaves, to the temple so that Buddhist monks can sprinkle them with holy water in order to purify the clothes. These clothes and objects will be kept untouched for days for auspiciousness

Songkran Tips

Get To Know Songkran Custom!

1. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. The festival offers not only the fun water throwing but also other interesting activities such as merits making and house cleaning, considered a way to help protect the environment.

2. The purpose of bathing or splashing water in the Songkran Festival is to give and request for blessings through water, not for the rigorous water war.

3. Applying soft chalk powder called "Din Saw Phong" on one’s face or body is traditionally an individual’s choice of dressing and, thus, a personal business. You should not offer unsolicited help with it. To touch others without their permission is considered an ill manner by civilised Thais.

4. The proper bathing is divided into two categories:

- The bathing rite for the elders (aged over 60 years old, according to the old custom) as a tribute of respect and for blessings. As a youngster, you can pour scented water onto the hands of the elders without pronouncing any blessings. The elders in return will bestow their best wishes upon you.
– The bathing rite for the peers or juniors. You should ask for permission before gently pouring the scented water over the person’s shoulder and down his/her back and uttering words of blessing for the New Year. However, if you are close friends, you can enjoy splashing water on each other as you wish yet with appropriate manners and moral and safety cautions.

5. The water used for bathing and splashing is regarded as sacred. Thus, it must be clean water, "Nam Ob" (water saturated with perfumes, either of Thai or Western origin) or scented water with floral pedals, and NOT dirty water or ice.

6. Traditionally, upon the bathing ritual, the elders are presented with toilet items, namely clothes, “Pha-hom”, “Pha-nung” (loin cloth), handkerchiefs, towels, soap, perfumes and powder. However, not every aforementioned article is required. You can prepare the toilet gift set as you see fit and may or may not add other presents such as flowers and sweet.

7. Making obeisance is the highest form of respect by prostrating oneself with palms pressed together and then bowing until the pressed palms, arms and forehead touch the floor in front of the person or the image one pays respect to. The palms must be kept pressed together and separated when making obeisance to the Buddha image or monks only.

8. To bathe the Buddha image or any idol, it is more appropriate to pour the scented water on other parts of the Buddha image than on its head.

9. “Rod Nam Dum Hua” or paying respect through the pouring of Songkran water is the northern Old Lanna custom. The ceremony is different from those in other parts of Thailand in some details. The term ‘Dum Hua’ is dialectal and may present a wrong meaning if employed for the Songkran ceremonies elsewhere in the country.

10. Songkran is the custom of all Thai people regardless of religions. Those who are not Buddhists can make merits on this occasion based on their religions and beliefs and also enjoy other activities of the Festival.

11. The Songkran festival is held only once a year. We would like to invite all Thai people to come out and celebrate the festival in Thai traditional costume to preserve our glorious culture. Besides, our costume is cool!

Hilight

Chiang Mai Songkran Festival

A procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing, paying homage to elderly, local traditional shows and local artistic game demonstration , splashing water around the city ditch, walking street and all international food.
Further InformationMunicipality Tel: 0 5325 9000TAT Northern Region Office, Region 1 (Chiang Mai) Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607

Songkran Festival at Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan

Swan and centipede flags parade, Miss Songkran parade, decorated vehicles and all beautiful ladies wearing Thai Raman dresses parades also traditional local games especially Sa-ba of Thai Raman tribe, and paying homage to the elderly, Miss and Mister Songkran beauty contest as well as how to play splashing water as Thai-Raman traditional way
Further InformationPhra Pradaeng district office Tel: 0 2463 4891 ext. 129-130TAT Central Region Office, Region 8 (Nakhon Nayok) Tel: 0 3731 2282, 0 3731 2284


Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.Making merit to the monks, releasing of birds and fish, paying homage to the elderly.

Further InformationEducation Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality. Tel. 0 3525 2168TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1


Nakhon Phanom Songkran and Lao New Year Festival

Tying the holy string around the 2000-year-old Chedi that is revered by the people of Thailand and Lao PDR. and is located in the middle of the Mekong river to pray and bless for both Thai Lao neighbors.
Further InformationCultural Center Ranu Nakorn, Ranu Nakorn District Office Tel: 0 4257 9240TAT Northeastern Region Office, Region 4 (Nakorn Panom) Tel: 0 4251 3490-1

Songkran The Water Festival on the Beach , Phuket

View the procession of Phra Phuttha Sihing along Patong Beach, paying homage to the elderly, demonstrations of Thai culture and Thai games, procession of motorcycles, and enjoy splashing water.
Further InformationTAT Southern Region Office, Region 4 (Phuket)Tel: 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 7138.

Information from : http://www.tourismthailand.org

Thailand Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is Thailand’s most popular water sport and the country boosts some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world – the water is clear, sea life plentiful, transport and accommodation readily available and instruction to a very high standard. Diving in Thailand is comparatively cheap, and once you have achieved your certification in Thailand, you can use it to go scuba-diving all over the world.


Thailand is long-time seen as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Each year, there are millions of visitors come exploring its endless beauties by different activities and in different places. Programs of high interest include edutainment tourism to perceive legendary .

Thai culture and traditions, and natural tourism where travelers can enjoy its beautiful sceneries of mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and/or seas.


Known to all globetrotters and dive lovers that both Thailand’s western (The Andaman Sea) and eastern (Gulf of Thailand) seaboards still have very much of their natural underwater resources abundant and intact. Statistics shows over 400,000 divers over the world arrive in Thailand’s southern provinces each year, generating revenue to the country not less than 20 billion in Baht.


Scuba Diving in Thailand is available at all times of the year, although visibility changes according to the season. In the Andaman Sea, the best time to dive is from October to April, and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September. At recommended dive sites in Thailand the water is so clear that the under-water world is visible from the surface: whale sharks, manta rays, marlin, flying fish, dolphins and coral reefs.


All reputable dive shops are affiliated with PADI or other international dive bodies, and most hold courses in multiple languages. All over Thailand, you can expect modern amenities, international standard boats and professional facilities.


For group or family travelers, all good live aboard operations will take non-divers along at a substantially reduced fee. Friends and family can relax, swim, sunbathe, snorkel and still enjoy the food, trip, scenery and experience of sailing in some of the world’s most beautiful waters.

Top Dive sites In Thailand :


Diving around Koh Similan


Koh Similan is a group of islands that offers some of the best diving in Thailand and the world. Many divers argue that what makes the diving so great at Similan is the big variation in the underwater environment found here. No other place in the world offers such a variation in the same dive area.
The Similans are located approximately 100 kilometers north-west of Phuket. There are a total of nine granite islands covered with tropical jungle and surrounded by chalk white beaches and crystal clear blue water. The name Similan was derived from the Malaysian word for nine, "Sembilan", which was used long ago by Malaysian fishermen when they called the islands "The Nine Eyes". Today, each "eye" of the nine islands has a number as well as a name. For example Huyong, island number 1, is the southern most island in the chain.
Today the area is a national park and is protected as a reserve. The National Park Authority have camps on two of the islands; Koh Similan, island number 8, which is the largest and Koh Miang, island number 4. The last few years these islands have gained much attention from the royal family who themselves are eager divers and outdoor people.
The archipelago runs north to south and either side of the islands you will discover a completely different underwater environment.


Diving around Koh Lanta - Dive Sites


In the time between November to April you can use the express boat for most of the stretches. You can book the tickets for the tour in a local traveling agency, which usually also takes care of the transfer to the boats. When arriving Ko Lanta you will be picked up from your booked hotel or resort, or you get the possibility to book something right there.


Due to the weather the boat transport will be stopped from Mai to October. The whole year through you get the possibility to travel within Thailand with public transport. If you have some time, which you should have if you’ve traveled that far, we recommend this kind of traveling.


It always takes some more time, but Thai people travel like this and it gives you the opportunity to get closer to culture and native people of your host land. And it is easy. You can book this kind of travel in a local travel agency. From there you will be picked up by a bus or mini bus and transferred, for example, on a car ferry.




Diving in Chumphon


The dive sites surrounding the islands of Koh Ngam Noi, Koh Ngam Yai, and the outcrops of Hin Lak Ngam and Hin Pae, offer excellent diving opportunities. Divers can experience fascinating seabed configurations from coral gardens to rock piles and caves. The main attraction which adds color to the sea is the extravagance of the fish. Most divers find the need to record the amazing variety in their logs! This is a plankton rich sea and the fish life proliferate at a remarkable rate. Visibility varies according to tide and weather factors.


On a favorable day, the visibility can be 20 meters but at low tides it can be reduced to only 8 to 10 meters. Hin Lak Ngam This dive site is located 1 1/2 hours away from Thung Wua Laen Beach. The landmark comprises two weather-beaten rock outcrops. Like all other outcrops, they serve as roosting areas for sea birds. As the boat approaches, these birds take flight. Sensing that the boat and divers are of no threat, they calmly resettle on the rocks.
The rock outcrop gradually broadens its formation to form the reef base at 27 meters. Its walls are terraced with crevices, holes, caves and protuberances.


Hard and soft corals grow on the surfaces of these undulating formations. The abundant microscopic food among the corals attract schools of fish with possible sightings of whale shark and manta ray.



Diving around Koh Tao


The tiny gem of Ko Tao or Turtle Island is just 21 square kilometers, yet it is the beating heart of diving in the Gulf of Thailand and home to an incredible 20 diving schools and more than 100 professional instructors.

Ko Tao's proximity to "under- water classrooms" makes it ideal for beginners. There are dive sites just one kilometer from the island where you can see pelagics, large schools of great barracudas, big-eyed jacks, tuna and giant travellys. There are also clown fish, shark whales and swordfish. Ko Tao's is also a departure point for trips to the Mu Ko Ang Thong i National Marine Park, and its coral makes it great for snorkeling as well as diving.

Many international diving agencies are represented on this small island, including PADI, SSI, IANTD, BSAC & NAUI. All course levels are available from beginner to professional, including special courses like UW- photography and technical diving (nitrox) for the more adventurous, so if you just fancy a few days of fun diving or wish to go on with your underwater career, it's all here.

Actually Koh Tao has become the leading area in Thailand for Instructor Development Centers (IDC). IDC's are held at the larger dive resorts or shops with courses running every two months .Equipment quality has also improved with shops using the latest models including Scubapro, Suunto, US Divers, Technisub and Seac Sub. There are repair shops for divers traveling with their own equipment and who may need a service.

There is also a selection of retail centers for those who wish to purchase some scuba gear. Safety has been much increased with the nearest decompression chamber located in Samui only 90 minutes away by speedboat and a heliport is now operational on the south side of the island.



Diving at Koh Nangyuan


The owners of Koh Nang Yuan Resort have created an island retreat unusual in comparison to other resorts of Southeast Asia. Located on a small private island near Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Nang Yuan is a vision of paradise. Her beauty takes your breath away. Her atmosphere is so extraordinary it makes you want her to remain a well-kept secret only for you and your closest friends. Her comfortable bungalows make you want to stay forever.


Her beaches, formed by the ocean’s currents interacting with the three peaks of the island made this triple strand of beach which is unique to the world. The resort’s architects studied the island carefully, and built a resort harmonious with the natural rock formations of the island. They left the beach untouched, and built on the boulders of the island to ensure privacy, solitude, and environmental serenity.


More than 15 dive sites are located a short distance from the dive center. Sites include pinnacles, coral reefs, patches of boulders covered with soft and hard corals, and tropical fish life. Whale sharks are frequently spotted during the peak season between January and May. Tao means turtle, and you have a good chance of encountering one of the ocean’s most beautiful creatures during your dives.


The dive sites are suitable for all levels of diving ability and training, and depths range from over 30 meters to just a few meters. Visibility is considered good to excellent most of the year, and the water is warm, still, and full of marine life.


Diving in Koh Samui and Around.


Koh Samui is a good starting point to discover scuba diving. There are many dive schools scattered over the island offering all PADI courses from Bubblemaker to dive master. On Samui you will mostly learn the basics and first steps of scuba diving while the actual dives will take place near the surrounding islands like Koh Tao or the Angthong National Marine Park.
Most dive schools have their own boats and will offer daily dive trips for beginners and professionals but of course you can join them for just a snorkeling trip.

Seson Dive around Thailand:


Pattaya ;

Dive seson - All year
Depths - 18 – 30 m
Visibility - 6-10 m.

Phuket;

Dive seson - Nov-April
Depths - 30-45 m
Visibility - 10-25 m

Trang;

Dive seson - Jan-May
Depths - 20-45 m
Visibility - 20-40 m


Chumphon;

Dive seson - Jan-Oct
Depths - 27 m
Visibility - 8-20 m



Ko Samet;

Dive seson - Nov-June
Depths - 18 – 30 m
Visibility - 10-20 m.


Ko Chang;

Dive seson - Nov-June
Depths - 18 – 30 m
Visibility - 10-25 m.

Ko Samui;

Dive seson - March-Oct
Depths - 15 – 40 m
Visibility - 10-25 m.



Ko Tao;

Dive seson - All year
Depths - 14 – 30 m
Visibility - >20 m.


Ko Phi Phi;

Dive seson - Jan-March
Depths - 25-40 m
Visibility - 15-30 m

Ko Tarutao;

Dive seson - Dec-May
Depths - 15-35 m
Visibility - 15-30 m

Koh Lanta;

Dive seson - Nov-April
Depths - 20 – 45 m
Visibility - 20-40 m


Mo Ko Similan;

Dive seson - Dec-April
Depths - 25-90 m
Visibility - 35-40 m


Mo Ko Surin;

Dive seson - Dec-April
Depths - 25-70 m
Visibility - 20-40 m

Mo Ko Surin;

Dive seson - Jan-May
Depths - 20-45 m
Visibility - 20-40 m

Introduction of Dive Trip


Diver’s amazing


Day 1 : Transfer from Phuket Airport to Chalong Bay. Board night boat from the bay to Similan islands.


Day 2 : Arrive Similan. Rest of the day at dive sites around island exploring the reefs of the Similan Archipelago and myriad colours exhibited by countless fish and corals. There are three dive spots scheduled, and one night dive.


Day 3 : Continue your diving odyssey at three locations. Three daytime dives are scheduled at Ko Bon island and Ko Tachai, home to manta rays, whale sharks and colourful coral. There is one dive at Surin Island.
Day 4 : Three dives scheduled at Richelieu Rock, playground of the whale shark.


Day 5 : Dive at three more Similan locations before taking the night boat to Phuket

Divers' paradise


Day 1 : Arrive Samui and continue by boat to Ko Tao (Turtle Island). After lunch, enjoy swimming and snorkeling around this tiny island considered to be the best dive site in the Gulf. The marine ecology of Ko Tao is the habitat of several rare species, including spotted rays, giant trigger fish and the occa-sional and harmless whale shark.


Day 2 – 7 : Enjoy diving lessons offered by international-standard diving schools or discovering the beautiful under-water world with experienced divers.


Day 8 : Leave Ko Tao for Chumphon. City tour and visit to the many caves and beautiful beaches. Overnight in Chumpon.

Misconceptions about learning

IT IS DANGEROUS.Not true. All the recommended dive companies listed here are PADI certified and have well qualified, experienced staff. As long as divers follow instructions and are prepared, there is less danger than swimming in the sea.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO LEARN AND IS EXPENSIVE. Not true. All PADI centres offer beginner’s courses in a swimming pool for a half or full day. Becoming PADI certified will take four days in Thailand. Anyone over eight years can do a “Bubble Blowers” course in a pool for free. A Discover Scuba Diving course will cost around 4,000 baht and take one day. A full Open Water PADI course will take four days and cost around 10,000 baht.

IT’S DIFFICULT AND YOU HAVE TO BE VERY FIT.Not true. Anyone over the age of 12 can do a PADI certified course. As long as they are in good medical condition and have no history of asthma, heart or breathing problems, a severe cold or problems with your ears, then they are ready to dive.

Precautions & preparations before diving


There are some precautions and preparations that should be taken before diving, whether you are experienced or a beginner.


1. Never go diving too soon after or before flying. The change in atmospheric pressure can cause “The Bends” either underwater or in the air, so divers should always consult an instructor to time diving and training to flight schedules.


2. Never dive after a heavy meal. The blood flows to the stomach to aid digestion and may cause cramp.


3. Never consume alcohol before diving (including the night before). The underwater effect of alcohol is multiplied many times, leading to disorientation and lack of judgment.


4. If a heavy smoker, cut down before beginning to dive.


5. Always follow safety procedures as advised by the instructor.


6. Never go diving alone.


7. If a diver has experience but has not been diving for a while (six months or more), they should tell the instructor and ask for a quick refresher course on procedures, safety and practices.


8. Look for PADI certified dive shops only. Ask around at the resort to see who is recommended. Don’t take the first option or the cheapest (necessarily).
9. If sure to dive before leaving on a trip, access the official PADI site at Padi.com and look for PADI certified dive shops at the destination.


10. Read as much as possible about the destination. If experienced, a diver should know about the best dive sites before they even get to a resort.

Information from : http://www.tourismthailand.org

Mo Ko Lanta...Paiadise on Earth..

General Info:

Establised in 1990, according to the order of Mr. Chaun Leekpai, Prime Minister and Wild Animal and Plant Foundation of Thailand. It includes Ko Rok, Ko Mai Ngam Tai, Ko Ta La Beng, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Ngai, Ko Tu Kon Lima, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Rok Nai, Ko Hin Dang and nearby islands of Ko Klang district, Ko Lanta Noi district and Ko Lanta Yai sub district, Amphoe Ko Lanta, Krabi province. It is the 62th national park of Thailand which covers area of 134 square kilometers or 83,750 rais


Mo Ko Lanta is in fact a district consisting of several islands. The two largest are Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. Although Ko Lanta Noi is inhabited, Ko Lanta Yai is the primary tourist destination and this article discusses Ko Lanta Yai.


Mo Ko Lanta is popular with tourists seeking a holiday away from the parties. It's popular with a significantly older crowd than nearby Ko Phi Phi: more walking on the beach and watching the sunset than drinking and dancing. However, there are plenty of bars and the longer term stayers are friendly and know how to party! It is also popular with families with young children, and of course, with divers. You could say that while Phi Phi is chicken barbecues and Mekong buckets, Lanta is chicken flesh and buckets and spades. But you'd be wrong. Ko Lanta can certainly provide a party if you know where to look.


Mo Ko Lanta is a little less well-known than Ko Phi Phi, which has become more commercialised and corporate, but it is hardly undiscovered: the several beaches on the west coast of Ko Lanta Yai are each strung with a line of resorts and bungalows, although the farther down the island you venture, the less this is true. And even when the island is at it fullest, there will be a quiet place for you to relax - the beaches are never full. Ko Lanta is especially popular with Swedish tourists: although the "tourist language" is English as it is in most places in Thailand, and you will find menus and so on are translated into English, expect the poolside language to be Swedish much of the time. However, there are still many English and Irish bars and restaurants to visit.


Mo Ko Lanta sustained limited tsunami damage in December 2004, but virtually all businesses are now operating normally again. Around 20 people perished


Topography;


Over all geographical feature is the complexity of mountains and rather deep slope. The plain area would be found only in a beach area in the southern part. Most of area here is more than 35 percent slope, except only the middle part of island where a slope is more than 50 percent. The height of this are is range from 100 meters above sea level to a heigth of 488 meters at the peak of mountain.


Climate;


Most rainfall is in September which is about 391.4 milimeters and the lowest in January which is about 6.5 milimeters. Number of days of the highest raining is in September which is about 21.6 days and the lowest is in February, about 1.6 days.In rainy season, the national park will be closed (Rok Nok Island, Rok Nai Island, and Hin Moung - Hin Deang Rock) during 16 May - 15 November every year for visitors safety.


Flora and Fauna;


There are a lot of fertile forest resources and varieties of vetgetation which could be classified as follows :
Rainforest covers 19.42 square meters of Lanta Yai island, along the Lanta mountain which covers most of area of the national park. Upper level trees and middle level trees at average height about 15-25 meters are found in this forest. The important plants are L. siamica, Hopea ferrea Heim.,etc. And also the palm tree and cane wood species are the low level trees here, the important species are Fan palm, Calamus erectus Roxb., Calamus caesius Bl., Calamus peregrinus Furt.,etc.


Mangrove Forest could be found in Mai Ngam island, South Mai Ngam island and Ngu island. These islands are not big and most of area is covered with the mangrove forest. Mangrove trees are tall at the same height with averange about 5 meters. Plants could be found here are Avicennia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata



Beach Forest covers the small area between connecting area of beach and rainforest of Ngai island. The important plants are Bengal Almond, Derris indica, beach moring glory, etc.


Wild Animals;

Able to classified into 6 groups as shown below.

Mammal Animals consists of 20 families 30 genuses and 38 species which 2 species had gone from Lanta island. They are wild deers and tigers, and the other species is the sea cow which is the conserved animal. The other two species that being gone are the common barking deer and fishing cat. The rarely finding animal on this island is the the marshall big ear crow bat .


Birds on these islands are totally 58 families, 130 genuses and 185 species. Most easy find in this national park are Brahminy Kite, Birdled Tern, Emerald Dove , etc while the most difficult find are Orange-Breasted Trogon, Siberian Thrush, and Little Spiderhunter, etc.


Reptiles, mostly are Water Monitor, Reticulated Python and Cobra , etc.

Amphibians could be found two species, the first one living in canal is Giant Mountain Frog, Ornate Froglet and the second one living in building and ponds. Others amphibians in forest are Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst)-1829 and Small Toads and the difficult find species is the Dorria frog.


Sea and Fresh Water Fishes which could be found in fresh water ponds of the islands, fresh water fishes that you can find here such as Blue danio. While the sea fishes would be found along the coral reef, rock beach and fresh water canals such as Lizard fish and Porcupine fish, etc.


Animals in the Coral Reef are Staghorn coral, Fungia fungites, Anemone coral, Starflower coral, etc.

Attractions within the National Park :


Ko Lanta Noi - Ko Lanta Noi was the former settlement of the Ko Lanta community, where a district office, school, as well as, traditional lifestyle, and houses are still currently available.


Ko Lanta Yai - Ko Lanta Yai’s topography is long and narrow. Sala Dan Pier is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated. Several beautiful beaches are in the west such as Hat Kho Kwang, Hat Lo Bara, Ao Phra Ae, Hat Khlong Khong, and Hat Khlong Nin. A paved road runs along the beaches all the way from the northern part of the island to the headquarters of the Mu

Ko Lanta National Park in the south. The landscape is dominated by a series of mountains covered with virgin rainforest. To the east features an old community. The district office was previously here and later relocated to Ko Lanta Noi. Most people on the island are Muslim. The communities of Ban Sang Ka-u still maintain their traditional Loi Ruea Ceremony. Not far from the headquarters, Laem Tanot features a lighthouse, where visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of a pebble beach merging with a white sandy beach. At the end of the cape features Ko Mo, an ideal diving spot. Besides Laem Tanot, tourists can enjoy the Andaman Sea’s spectacular view from many hilltop restaurants located in the central part of the island.

Activities in Mo kho Lanta :


Diving ;


There are no scuba diving sites on the island itself, all require a boat trip. However Lanta is the closest island to the famous Hin Daeng and Hin Muang sites, so it is very popular with divers. Other sites visited by dive shops include Ko Haa, Hin Bida, Ko Rok, Ko Waen and the Kingcruiser wreck. There are many dive centers on Lanta offering everything from beginner training on; if you want training, many shops can start any course on demand, particularly Open Water and Advanced Open Water. Courses are offered in English, Swedish, German and Thai at most shops and other languages will be available at some.


There are essentially two choices when travelling to dive sites: a larger, slower boat out of Ban Saladan (1.5 hours to Ko Haa, 3 or 4 to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang) or a speedboat departing from various beaches on the island (as little as 1 hour to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang). The slower boats are recommended for comfort reasons, but you will lose the entire day to the trip. Almost all shops offer free pickup from at least resorts towards the northern end of the island.


Almost all day trips are for two dives. Prices are in the range of 2500–3000 baht for a day's boat diving on the closer sites, 3000–4000 baht for Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Gear hire will be about 500 baht per trip. Certification is all PADI: about 13000 baht for a four day Open Water course, and 10000 baht for a two day Advanced Open Water course (five dives). The speedboats tend to cost extra.


Some dive centers ask for Advanced Open Water or equivalent certifications, or 20 or more dives experience, if you are diving Hin Daeng/Hin Muang.

- Atlantis Diving, 18 Moo 1, Saladan, Tel: +66 75 684 081 (info@atlantis-diving.net), Atlantis has daily dive trips departing from Saladan on a 21m boat. Training in English and German.

- Blue Planet Divers, 3 Moo 1, Saladan, Tel: +66 75 684 165 (scuba@blueplanetdivers.net),Daily dive trips departing from Saladon.

- Dive & Relax PADI Dive Resort, 223 Moo 2 Phra Ae, Saladan,Tel: +66 848 422 191 (info@diveandrelax.com) Speedboat pickup from your beach. Training in several languages.

- Go Dive, 6 Moo 1, Saladan Tel: 66 75 684 320 (info@godive-lanta.com) PADI courses in several languages, pickup from any Ko Lanta hotel/resort. Dive sites: Hin Daeng and Hin Muang; Ko Haa; Ko Phi Phi; Ko Bida; Hin Bida; Shark Point; Anemone Reef and King Cruiser Wreck.

- Ko Lanta Diving Center, 1/3 Moo 1, Saladan Tel : +66 75 684 065, (info@kolantadivingcenter.com) PADI courses. The first dive shop on Ko Lanta, founded in 1992; dive sites: Ko Haa; Ko Bida and Hin Bida; Ko Phi Phi; Shark Point, Anemone Reef and King Cruiser wreck; Hin Daeng and Hin Muang; also 2-day trips to Ko Ngai and Hin Daeng.

- KrabiDivers.com, Sea of Love Plaza (opposite McDonalds), Aonang, Krabi, 8100, Tel: +66 075-695-480 (info@krabidivers.com), 24hr. Located in the heart of Aonang, the beachside town of Krabi, in the Sea of Love PLaza. KrabiDivers.com provides dive courses, trips, liveaboards, dive equipment sales and also helps customers with hotel bookings and other arrangements.


- Laguna Fun Divers, 147 Moo 1, Saladan Tel: 66 75 684 528 (lagfund@gmx.de) PADI courses. Speedboat trips: Hin Daeng; Ko Rok; Ko Haa; Ko Ma; Hin Bida and Ko Bida; Ko Phi Phi.

- Lanta Discovery Diver Tel: 66 75 684 035. Offers speedboat trips to various locations, with boat pickup from all the beaches.

- Lanta Diver, 197/3 Moo 1, Saladan Tel: +66 75 684 208 (fax +66 75 684 057 scuba@lantadiver.com) PADI courses. Founded by a Swedish couple and staffed mainly, but not exclusively, by Scandinavians; dive sites: Ko Haa; Ko Bida and Hin Bida; Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Lanta Diver is one of the better known dive shops and is popular with moderately experienced divers (although they do everything from beginner certification on). Book their Hin Daeng/Hin Muang trips in advance.

- Lanta Diving Safaris, 289 Moo 1, Saladan Tel: +66 87 88 96 802 (manta@lanta-diving-safaris.com) The M/V Flying Seahorse is Ko Lanta's only live-aboard.


See the Lanta Old Town ;


The old town is a small village on Ko Lanta's East side. It's one of the region's most culturally diverse with Chinese merchants, original Thai fishing families and an ancient Sea Gypsy community.

Many years ago, Ko Lanta's Old Town acted as the port and commercial center for the island and provided a safe harbor for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between the larger ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore. Today, Old Town is the district capital; it has a post office, police station, Buddhist temple, Chinese temple and the island's hospital as well as a long pier.

It's a charming place to visit and boasts many good restaurants and interesting shopping like handmade Hammocks and an original Batik and Art Gallery. It's also a great jumping off point to other Islands like Ko Bubu and Ko Talenbeng.



Trip get around island ;


The main road which loops around the island is recently paved with cement. Some roads are still unpaved dirt. It's worth knowing the names of the resorts near yours: both the pickup trucks and motorcycle taxis will often want to pick you up or drop you at a nearby resort with a better road.


Resorts and some of the major tourist services (like the dive shops) own large pickup trucks and transport tourists around in the tray. Very occasionally, they own minibuses instead. If you come in by ferry your resort will almost certainly meet you at pier with their truck; if you're travelling with very small children who you don't want to cling to while you bump along sitting on the side of the truck you might want to warn them in advance that you'll want to ride in the cab: it's generally assumed to be the private domain of the driver.


You will find the locals almost exclusively ride motorcycles; you can hire these in several places for a few hundred baht a day. You can also hire motorcycle taxis with sidecars. These will happily take you on the unpaved roads but the ride can be as slow as walking. A typical fare for a ride from Saladan to Klong Dao Beach is 40 baht.


Jeeps can be hired for 1200 baht per day. Be sure to check insurance, contract terms and the condition of the vehicle. The "roads" of Ko Lanta combined with the driver operation characteristics of some renters are a serious challenge for any car. The frequently available Suzuki Sporty seems primitive and therefore sturdy, and a replacement should cost around 150000 baht.



Long tail boat;

Lanta Longtail , 9/1 Moo 1, Lanta Old Town, Ko Lanta Yai Tel: +66 8916619 (info@lantalongtail.com) Private charters, island tours, beach camping and fishing trips.


Learn Thai cooking ;


Time for Lime, 72/2 Moo 3 Klong Dao Beach +66 75 684590 (info@timeforlime.net) Offers day and evening professional Thai cooking classes right on the beach, plus workshop series. Daytime courses (teaching 4 dishes) 1800 baht, evening classes (teaching 3 dishes) 1400 baht.


Sea kayaking ;

Rapu Sea Kayaking, 10/5 Moo 2, Ko Lanta Yai +66 92 871 749 (contact Chutima Junsirikamon) - guided sea kayak tours of the mangrove areas.

Accommodations on Ko Lanta :

Ko Lanta has three tourist seasons: low, high and peak.

Peak season: late December, early January and for some resorts also around Songkran in April; expect premiums of 25–50% or more over the high season price and on Christmas and New Year's Eve many resorts have a compulsory banquet costing about as much as an extra night's accommodation.

High season: from November until February, excluding peak season


Low season: April/May to October. Many resorts will be as much as 50% cheaper than the high season price. Many places used to close entirely but increasingly they're open year round.


You won't have much trouble finding accommodation as late as your arrival at the Saladan pier except in peak season. Standard accommodation on Klong Dao and Long Beaches (the two most northerly beaches) now start at about 1200 baht for a basic air-con bungalow or hotel room. The places further South offer free transport and can be much cheaper (100 baht for a spotless beach hut with bathroom), but the rides into town will be lengthy approx. 20 minutes. You can hire moterbikes for 250 baht a day a see lots of the island after a good nites sleep.


Accommodation is arranged by beach, north (most convienient to Saladan) to south (least convienient). Prices quoted here are for the high season unless otherwise specified.


List of hotel (by lacation);


Klong Dao Beach ;

- Andaman Lanta Resort, 142 Moo 3, Tel; +66 75 684 200 (andamanlanta@hotmail.com, fax: +66 75 684203),Large complex with 2-storey hotel style building and bungalows. Restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Rooms from 1550 baht, bungalows from 2900 baht.

- Best Western Maya Ko Lanta (info@mayalantaresort.com),Hotel style building - Lanta's only resort currently owned by a major chain. They have a food and a fancy (by Lanta's standards) restaurant. From 4400 baht.

- DR Lanta Resort, 206 Moo 3, Tel; +66 8 1081 5679 (fax: +66 75 684 383), Restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Rooms 1800 baht, air-con bungalows from 2000 baht.


- Lanta Summer House, 208 Moo 3, Tel; +66 75 684 099 (lantasummer@yahoo.com). Typical beach-side bungalow resort with three-bed air-con bungalows. The restaurant is in the lower price range but the offerings, while extensive, are very watered down (they don't do spicy). Nice and friendly staff. Poolside bungalows with airconditioning from about 1300 baht.


- Royal Lanta, 222 Moo 3, Tel; +66 75 684 361 (sales@royallanta.com, fax: +61 75 684 362), Luxury villa with beautiful bungalows in the Thai architectural style, pool, and laundry service. Bungalows from 3700 baht.


- Southern Lanta Resort and Spa, 105 Moo 3, Tel: +66 75 684 174 (info@southernlanta.com, fax: +66 75 684 174), Large resort with 100 bungalows, pool, restaurant and beachside bar. Bungalows 1800-15000 baht.



Long Beach (Ao Phra Ae) ;

- Chaw Ka Cher Tropicana Lanta Resort, 352 Moo 2, Tel; +66 75 637 970 (info@chawkacherresort.com, fax: +66 75 637 404) Secluded resort with tropical garden. From 2000 baht.

- Good Days Lanta Chalet and Resort, 183 Moo 2,Tel; +66 75 684 186 (info@gooddayslanta.com, fax: +66 75 684 187), Fan bungalows from 900 baht, air-con from 1400 baht.

- Lanta Longbeach, 172 Moo 3, Te; +66 75 684 198 (reservations@lantalongbeach.com), Pool and restaurant. Air-con bungalows from 1700 baht.

- Lanta Nakara, 172 Moo 3,Te;+66 75 684 198 (reservations@lantalongbeach.com),More luxurious cousin of Lanta Longbeach (same management); as a pool and restaurant. Air-con bungalows from 2500 baht.

- Relax Bay Resort, 111 Moo 2, Tel: +66 75 684 194 (relaxbay@hotmail.com, fax: +66 75 684 196), The Hotel, situadted in a green surrounding, where the original forest was as much kept intact as possible had romantic swimming pool added in 2007. French-Belgian owned resort with its own 1km beach and Thai-French restaurant.

- Sanctuary, 186 Moo 2, Tel; +6681 891 3055. Well-designed bamboo bunglaows, mosquito nets and great Indian and Thai food from the restaurant. Fan huts up to 400 baht per night (low season).

- Starwin Resort. Beautiful garden and cheap resort, 200 meters from the sea Fan huts up to 250 baht per night (low season).

Klong Khong Beach ;


- Where Else Resort, 149 Moo 2, Tel; 66 75 684 253 (fax: +66 75 684 253), Funky, chilled out bamboo eco tourism village surrounded by old coconut palm trees. Each bungalow is unique. Fan bungalows from 500 baht.


- Lanta Full Moon Bay View Resort, 261 Moo. 2 Saladan Koh Lanta Krabi 81150, Te; +66 089 647 6525 (fax: +66 75 667 143) ;Wonderful place, great staff, and low price. Food and drinks are great. Free internet in lounge, laundry service available, pool, so many shady places to relax and read. Quiet beach, but really close to the action. The staff can help you with anything you need. Wonderful house cats lounging around to teach you the meaning of beach bum:) You will cry when you have to leave (I did) Fan bungalows from 550baht-800baht AC from 1000baht.


Klong Toab Beach ;


- Lanta River Sand Resort, Te; +66 75 662 660 (piu@lantariversand.com), [Thai-style bungalows 900 baht (no air-con).


Klong Nin Beach ;


- Charlee BARleys, coming soon (martin@charleebarley.com), UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT 2008 - The Center of Klong Nin beach - Relaxed environment wood-style back-packer bungalows from 250 baht up to 350 baht with own bathroom (Fan Rooms) Situated on the best part of the beach, with no rocks, 24 hour swimming..


- Narima Bungalow Resort, 98 Moo 5, Tel; +66 75 618 081 (narima@inet.co.th), Open air beach views and wooden floors. Bungalows from 2000 baht.


Kantiang Bay ;


- Anda Lanta Resort (formerly Waterfall Bay Resort), Te; +66 28 995 919 (info@andalanta.com, fax: +66 24 157 436), Overpriced luxury bungalow resort with satellite TV and Internet access for guests. However there's no room service and the telephones don't work. Open during the low season. Room from 2300 baht, bungalow from 4500 baht.


- Bamboo Bay Resort, Aow Mai Pai, Tel +66 75 665 023 (bamboobay@bamboobay.net). Fan bungalows from 500 baht, air-con from 1300 baht.


- Kantiang Bay View Resort, 9 Moo 5, Tel +66 01 787 5192. Restaurant + "Why not?"-bar directly on the beach. Wooden bungalows. Good atmosphere and spills out right onto the sand. Not to be confused with the nearby Marine Park View Resort, which is located on the hill! Free pickup from Ban Sala Dan to Ao Kantiang, but return to Ban Sala Dan is 500 baht! 600 baht and up for fan bungalows and 1500 and up air-con. Open all year round with some great rates in low season..


- Lanta Sand Resort & Spa, 279 Moo 3, Tel +66 75 684 633 (lanta@lantasand.com, fax: +66 75 684 636),48 bungalows. Villas from 7000 baht.

- Marine Park View Resort, 7 Moo 5, Tel +66 75 665 063 (LantaMarineBookings@Gmail.com), Restaurant + Shroom Bar with the best view of the beach. Air-con rooms in large bungalow from 2100 baht.

Dining and drink in Mo Ko Lanta :


Ko Lanta has a wide variety of restaurants, the kind that most visitors travel to Thailand for: beach-front locations serving delicious and inexpensive Thai and seafood dishes. Eateries line the beaches in front of the bungalows and no visitor will starve from lack of variety or interesting places to dine.


Sunset Restaurant is a very small restaurant on Klong Dao beach close to D.R. Lanta Resort beside Mooks bar. The Thai food is the best on Klong Dao beach and cheap too. Real Thai style eating with the tables directly on the sand and no decorations at all but a nice view and cool breeze from the sea. And the food...


Abdul's Pancakes is a crêpe stall run from a motorcycle sidecar. You can most often find him in Moo 1, Saladan, opposite Lanta Diver when the boat divers come back (around 15:00). His chocolate and banana crêpe and his chicken crêpe are especially recommended.


Cook Kai is just across the street from Klong Nin Beach. Wholly built of wood and lovely decorated, it offers a spacious open dining area and bar. Run by the cook and his brothers and sisters, their Thai food, which has a bit of an extraordinary note, is probably the best you can get in the area and beyond. Go for the daily specials announced on the board at the entrance! Cook Kai also offers thai cooking classes.


River Restaurant is a friendly family operation located on the beach just south of Narima Resort. They have a delicious menu...lots of Thai dishes and a few western ones as well. The Phad Thai is excellent. It is very popular with families and the owner's children often play with tourist kids


Thai Cuisine is a long-established favorite. It is located in Phra Ae just south of the Opium night club. The menu features a wide selection of wonderful Thai dishes and Chinese as well. The "special" spring roll is excellent. There is bar service and a small artisan boutique. Say hello to the chef/owner, Somkuan... he's a great guy.


Get drink & party:


There's not much in the way of party nightlife, which, for many, is part of the Koh lanta appeal - Relaxed. But there is always something going on if you ask around .

There are a few restaurant/bars at the harbor and most hotels;


- Charlee BARleys - Under new management from a local family 2008 - a friendly bar/restaurant/bungalow in the center of Klong Nin Beach. This is a great place to meet other mellow travelers from every demographic. Relaxed sunset Happy Hours everynight. Sometimes live-music from international guests. Check it out.


- Mooks bar - on Klong Dao beach between D.R. Lanta Bay Resort and Sun Fun & Sea Bungalows, and a good spot to relaxing with a drink on the beach, listen to some reggae, and maybe watch sports on TV. Mook himself is a person worth meeting.

- Oscar's Bar - driftwood terrace on the beach.

- Where Else / Feeling Bar Indian & Thai food, in a clean, friendly, quiet, and above all relaxed atmosphere.

How to get there:


By air;


Ddirect seaplane transfers from/to Phuket International Airport and other popular Andaman coast destinations

The nearest airports are Krabi, Trang and Phuket Krabi and Trang have direct road and boat connections to Ko Lanta, and are the best options if you're only visiting Ko Lanta. Flying into Phuket is a better option if you're intending to spend time in Phuket and nearby islands, or, since Phuket has many more international flights, if you don't want to have to organize a domestic flight to Krabi or Trang from Bangkok. As an alternative to Bangkok, there are daily flights to Krabi directly to and from Singapore.


By car ;

Ko Lanta does not have roads connecting it directly to the mainland, but is served by car ferries. Take road 4206 off highway 4 about 20km south-east of Krabi airport. Drive to the end of the road, where there is a car ferry from Baan Hua Hin to Ko Lanta Noi. From the pier here, turn right and follow the "ferry" signs to the second car ferry to Ko Lanta Yai. Ferries operate 07:00-22:00.


There are plenty of car taxi and minivan taxi services from Krabi and the nearby airport. A seat in a ten person minivan from the airport to Ko Lanta costs about 250 baht. These minivans usually don't have much room for luggage (although they can usually find room for one or two large suitcases together with backpacks for the rest of the passengers) so if you're not traveling light you might need to get a private taxi.


This is what the divemasters do. A private minivan taxi will usually be quoted as 2500 baht. It's possible to bargain a few hundred baht off this price but not much more or the tolls will consume too much of the price. Car taxis cost about the same.


When travelling to/from Ko Lanta in the afternoon by road, allow 2–3 hours for the journey as the queues for the vehicle ferries can be lengthy. The passenger ferry which leaves Ko Lanta pier (high season) at 08:00 and arrives at Krabi pier at 10:00 is quicker.


By boat ;


Ferry arrival at Ban Saladan pier;


Ferry services run from Krabi, Ao Nangand from Phuket via Ko Phi Phi to Ko Lanta Yai's Saladan pier. Ferry services are subject to weather and to demand: many will not run at all during the monsoon season and at a reduced frequency during the low season. Many ferries have limited room for luggage. Often the ferries dock alongside each other, meaning that to get on and off passengers must clamber onto and across other boats with their luggage.


Services from Krabi are run by P.P. Family Co (+66 75 630 165) and depart Krabi pier at 10:30 and 13:30, taking 2 hours to reach Ko Lanta (200 baht including free pickup from Krabi hotels). There's a transit bus from Krabi town center for 10 baht.


Services from Ao Nang are run by Ao Nang Travel and Tour (+66 75 637 730) and depart at 10:30 (280 baht).

Ferries depart from Ko Phi-Phi at 11:30 and 14:00, and take 1 hour. If travelling from Phuket in a single day, you will need to leave Phuket on the 08:00 ferry to transfer to the 11:30 ferry. Tickets to Ko Lanta are 200 baht from Ko Phi-Phi and 450 baht from Phuket


To Get to Ban Hua Hin Pier;


From Amphoe Mueang, proceed along Highway No. 4 towards Amphoe Khlong Thom (the route to the province of Trang). Take a right turn at Ban Huai Nam Khao Intersection onto Highway No. 4206 for another 20 kilometres.


Air-conditioned Vans: Take the hourly Krabi - Ko Lanta Yai air-conditioned vans from Amphoe Mueang, which operate between 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. The fare is 250 baht per person. The trip takes 2 hours. On return, the vans depart Ko Lanta Yai between 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. as well. For more information, contact Krabi Lanta Tour in Amphoe Mueang, Tel. 0 7562 2792. Sala Dan, Tel. 0 7568 4121.

Alternatively, take the hourly air-conditioned vans from Trang, which operate between 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. On return, the vans depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 12.00 a.m., 1.30 p.m., and 3.00 p.m. The trip takes 2 hours. For further details, contact K K Tour, which is located in front of the train station, Tel. 0 7521 1198, 0 7522 3664, Fax. 0 7521 1441.

Commuting from Trang to Krabi;


Take the ordinary local bus leaving Trang Bus Station between 6.00 a.m – 5.00 p.m. The fare is 80 baht per person. The trip takes 2 hours. Alternatively, take the air-conditioned buses, which leave Trang Bus Station between 6.00 a.m – 5.00 p.m. as well. The fare is 113 baht per person. The trip takes 2 hours.


Ferry Service during the High Season (November – May): Two ferries depart daily from Chao Fa Pier in Amphoe Mueang at 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. The trip takes about 2 hours to reach Sala Dan Pier on Ko Lanta Yai. For more information, contact the Chao Fa Pier, Tel. 0 7563 0470 – 2.


From Ko Lanta to Other Islands;

Private companies on Ko Lanta operate boat services to many destinations.
Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi: 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., 350 bahtKo Lanta – Krabi: 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., 300 bahtKo Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Phuket: 1.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., 700 bahtKo Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Krabi: 9.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., 700 baht


Royal Fern Co., Ltd. operates boat services from Ko Lanta to Krabi via Ko Cham. Two ferries depart daily at 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. The fare ranges from 300 - 350 baht per person.

In addition, boat services operate from Ko Lanta Yai to Ko Ngai and Ko Kradan, which costs 450 baht per person, as well as, to Ko Rok, which only offers speed boats (return tickets) costing 1,600 baht. Contact Royal Fern Co., Ltd., Tel. 0 7568 4163, 08 1719 4811 and O & M Tourist Centre Co., Ltd., Tel. 0 7568 4153, 0 7568 4281. The boat departs at 9.00 a.m. daily.

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