What is the main religion of Koh Lanta, Thailand?

Religions popular with the inhabitants of Koh Lanta, Thailand, include Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and the old animistic religions of the indigenous Urak Lawoi ('sea people').

Is Koh Lanta Old Town Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Visit

Q: Is there a night market in Koh Lanta Old Town?

No, there's a Sunday Morning Market and a Street Market.

Table of Contents

July 17, 2024

Modified on

January 31, 2026

If you’re staying on Koh Lanta and considering a visit to the Old Town, I can assure you it’s worth your time.

In fact, it’s one of my favorite spots on the island.

Rich in history, with its wooden stilt houses, local shops, and small temples, Koh Lanta Old Town offers a unique cultural experience.

I stayed a week on the island and loved visiting Old Town for a relaxing stroll on the fishermen’s pier and a meal with a seafront view.

Read on to discover what not to miss when visiting Koh Lanta Old Town and why it should be on your must-visit list!

Top 10 Things to Do:

Walk the Pier: Stroll the long, peaceful Ban Si Raya Pier.
Lobster Selfie: Snap a photo with the giant Blue Lobster sculpture .
Shipwreck & Lighthouse: Spot the capsized ship near the shore.
Community Museum: Learn about the Urak Lawoi (indegineous tribe).
Stilt Houses: Admire 100-year-old wooden houses over the water.
Hidden Temples: Visit colorful Chinese shrines and the local Buddhist temple.
Morning Market: Hit the Sunday Morning Market for local snacks.
Shopping: Browse the Walking Street for handmade hammocks and local crafts.
Fish with Locals: Join fishermen on the pier.
Island Hop: Rent a longtail boat to nearby Koh Por or Koh Bu Bu

Where is Koh Lanta Old Town Located?

Koh Lanta Old Town is located on the south-east side of the island.
It is right by the Ban Si Raya Pier (Sri Raya is the name of Lanta Old Town).
Although it might seem quite far from the popular sandy beaches, the travel distance is actually not that long.
Depending on where you are staying, it will take you between 15 to 30 minutes to get there by scooter or car, and a bit longer by tuk-tuk.

10 reason to visit Koh Lanta Old Town:

1. Stroll Along the Peaceful Ban Si Raya Pier

Ban Si Raya Pier is more of a fisherman’s pier, than a transportation hub.

You won’t see crowds of travelers and taxi drivers swarming around here.
It is a much calmer place, and although there is some traffic near the roundabout, it is not really overwhelming.
The Ban Si Raya Pier itself is very long, making it a great place for a stroll.
Since it’s quite empty, you can easily walk to the end and enjoy views of the sea and surrounding islands.

Ban Si Raya Pier is not the busiest pier.

The main pier on Koh Lanta – Ban Sala Dan – is located much further north and it’s where the majority of tourists arrive.

2. Take a Picture with a Blue Lobster Sculpture

A giant blue lobster will definitely be the first thing you see after parking your scooter next to the pier.
The lobster statue is indeed huge and looks very intriguing.
Thai people love their original sculptures, and Koh Lanta has its share of this quirky art.
Take a photo with this giant iconic sculpture.

3. Discover the Capsized Ship and a Lighthouse

While strolling on the pier, you will likely notice a huge shipwreck near the shore.
It is believed to be the Rawi Warin Grand Ship.
It capsized during the monsoon a few years ago and now serves as a tourist attraction.
You can walk along the coast to see the shipwreck and a lighthouse from a closer distance.

We found it quite fascinating to see a huge shipwreck right near Koh Lanta’s Old Town.

4. Learn History in Koh Lanta Community Museum

Just before the roundabout and the entrance to the pier you will find Koh Lanta Community Museum.

This place is dedicated to the history of the different communities inhabiting the Island.

You can learn there about the Urak Lawoi tribe, an indigenous group in Thailand.

Urak Lawoi translates to “People of the Sea,” and that’s how the community calls themselves.
In Thailand they are also called Chao Leh or Chao Naam, which means “sea gypsies”.

Historically, they were a semi-nomadic Indo-Malay group that came to the Andaman Sea region before Thais arrived.
The Urak Lawoi, reside on various Andaman Sea islands such as Lipe, Phi Phi, Lanta, Phuket, Mook and Bulon.
This indigenous group has their own language, which, while closest to Malay, has also been heavily influenced by Thai.
Although traditionally their religion was animistic, many Urak Lawoi have converted to Islam and Buddhism.
Their lifestyle used to revolve around fishing and foraging, but recently, many Urak Lawoi have found employment in the tourism industry.
However, heavy urbanization and huge influx of tourists is also contributing to the disappearance of Urak Lawoi heritage.

Additionally, in the Koh Lanta Community Museum you will learn about the tsunami from 2004, that hit Koh Lanta and many other islands in southern Thailand.

5. Admire Traditional Wooden Houses on Stilts

Walking Street in Koh Lanta Old Town is where you will find beautiful old, wooden houses built on stilts and extending into the sea.

As Koh Lanta became an important trade center for the Chinese sailors, you can see a lot of Chinese cultural influence there.
The wooden stilt houses built along the shoreline are said to be around 100 years old.

These iconic buildings are now home to the cafes and restaurants.

I highly recommend stopping by for dinner and enjoying your meal at a table facing the sea, though careful it can get quite windy!

6. Explore the Beauty of Hidden Temples

1) Chinese Shrines

When strolling through the streets of the Koh Lanta Old Town, you can spot a few buddhist temples:

The beautiful Chinese shrine called Maha Katyayana is definitely one of the highlights of Koh Lanta’s Old Town

It’s located between the wooden buildings, where you will find restaurants.
Luckily it’s hard to miss due to its colorful and well-maintained appearance.
Painted in bright red and gold, Maha Katyayana Shrine certainly catches the attention of the visitors.
You will need to walk by the small pier guarded by two golden dragons to get to the shrine.

Just across the street, you can see another small Chinese shrine. This one, however, is more popular with locals than tourists.

When we visited Koh Lanta during Chinese New Year, it looked like there were many offerings made in this small temple.

2) Kromluang Chumphon Khetudomsak Shrine

If you head back to the parking lot next to the Ban Si Raya Pier, you will see the Kromluang Chumphon Khetudomsak Shrine:

It is built in the middle of a roundabout.
It is certainly not the most peaceful place and might seem a bit odd to find a little temple built just in the middle of a street!

3) Thai Buddhist Temple

If these three shrines aren’t enough for you, I have good news!

You can find a Thai Buddhist temple just 10 minutes walk (or short scooter ride) from the Old Town.

This temple is much larger than three others, but located in a more secluded and less popular spot.
You might also meet monkeys there, so be careful with your food and small belongings.

7. Stop by the Sunday Morning Market

As you travel through Southern Thailand, you’ll find that night markets aren’t a daily event; instead, they rotate to different locations throughout the week.

In Koh Lanta Old Town, there is no night market, but a Sunday Morning Market.

This market is located next to the pier, near the site of the shipwreck.

That being said, we visited on a Friday and still found a great selection of street food, clothes, and fresh produce.
Don’t wait for Sunday—it’s worth a look any time during the weekend.

8. Find Perfect Souvenirs in the Local Shops at the Street Market

I am not a shopping lover; actually, shopping can be quite exhausting for me, especially in very hot and humid weather.

That being said, browsing the local stores at the Koh Lanta Old Town Street Market was quite an enjoyable experience:

The shops weren’t crowded and they were run by the locals, who didn’t pressure us to buy anything.
Koh Lanta Old Town is also a great destination to find incredible souvenirs.
One of the most unique places is Hammock House where you can buy handmade hammocks in all shapes, sizes and colors.
If you didn’t pack enough clothes, that’s the place to buy iconic elephant pants.
In the evenings, especially on weekends, Walking Street turns into more of a night market, with typical street food snacks.

9. Try Fishing at Ban Si Raya Pier

If you are an avid fisherman or want to try fishing for the first time – Ban Si Raya Pier is a great place to do it.

When walking on the pier you might spot locals fishing, using rods and nets.
As the pier is quiet, it’s perfect for fishing.
You won’t be bothered by tourists or loud boats.
You might even get some advice from the local fishermen, who are often friendly and willing to help.

10. Get a Boat and Explore Neighboring Koh Por and Koh Bu Bu

While strolling on Ban Si Raya Pier, you can see Koh Por and Koh Bu Bu in the distance.

You can visit these two islands by renting a private longtail boat from the pier.

It is also possible to take a longer trip and spend a few days on secluded Koh Por, as it is an inhabited island.
You can stay in a homestay with local people who will show you their daily life and traditions.
The community on Koh Por is small, making it a perfect place to enjoy peaceful island life.

How to get to the Koh Lanta Old Town?

Getting to Koh Lanta Old Town isn’t hard; the roads are in good shape and the route is quite easy to follow.

As Koh Lanta is one of the largest Thai islands – it is not very walkable.

You will probably need some form of transportation to reach the Old Town from your hotel:

By Moped or Bicycle

Renting your own two-wheeler is a great option.
We always opted for a moped, but a cycling trip can be a pleasant and scenic way to explore Koh Lantas

By Tuk-Tuk

This is the most popular option for tourists.
Tuk-tuks are cheap and easy to find, and the drivers we met were usually very friendly and helpful.
While it might not be the fastest mode of transportation, it’s a good option if you are not comfortable driving a moped or need a lift late at night.

By Taxi

The easiest way to get a taxi on Koh Lanta Old Town is to ask your hotel for assistance.
Taxis are not as popular as tuk-tuks, since the island is not very busy comparing to bigger places like Krabi Town.

If you plan to do a day road trip on Koh Lanta, Old Town should definitely be one of your stops!

This charming area is full of history and local culture, making it a must-visit destination on the island.

Where to stay when visiting Koh Lanta’s Old Town

Staying on the East Coast

Although Koh Lanta Old Town isn’t large, there are many options for finding great accommodation there:

Most of the hotels are located along the harbor, where you can easily find a lovely room in a house on stilts with a stunning sea view.
Waking up to the sight of the sunrise over the sea can be a truly magical experience.
These accommodations often come with the added charm of traditional Thai architecture.

If you are looking for something cheaper, the best option is to look at places located inside the island, further from the sea:

These inland accommodations might not offer the same scenic views, but they are often more budget-friendly.
Staying inland also gives you a chance to explore different landscapes and local villages.
The downside is that it will take you more time to reach Old Town or the popular beaches, so consider renting a moped or bicycle to get around easily.

Staying on the West Coast

Most of the accommodations on Koh Lanta are located on the west side of the island, where all the longest beaches are found:

If you are looking for a beach holiday and only want to visit Koh Lanta’s Old Town once or twice, then you should stay closer to the west coast.
It will be more convenient to walk to the beach, and getting transportation to the Old Town won’t be a hassle either.
The west coast also offers a wide range of dining and entertainment options, making it a great base for your stay.
The only downside is that beachfront accommodation will cost you more, than inland.

Final thoughts on visiting Koh Lanta’s Old Town

If you’d like to experience authentic culture and learn a bit of history, Koh Lanta’s Old Town is your destination.

We loved strolling around the wooden Chinese-style buildings and discovering small Buddhist temples.

Koh Lanta’s Old Town is not swarmed by tourists, and it definitely feels more local than other parts of the island.

Although it’s not a beach holiday spot, Koh Lanta’s Old Town is still a lovely place to visit.

I recommend spending at least an hour or two exploring.

If you have more time, you can spend the whole afternoon wandering around, immersing yourself in the history and culture of this unique part of Koh Lanta.

QAs About Visiting Koh Lanta Old Town:

Koh Lanta Old Town was once inhabited by the indigenous Urak Lawoi people and later became an important trading port.

It was shaped by Chinese, Thai, and Arabic communities.

The other name of Koh Lanta Old Town is Ban Si Raya.

It is quite popular with tourists but definitely not crowded and is rather peaceful.

No, there’s a Sunday Morning Market and a Street Market on the Walking Street.

No, there are no beaches near Koh Lanta Old Town. You can take a boat from the Ban Si Raya Pier to nearby islands to enjoy sandy beaches.

Yes, there is Ban Si Raya Pier. It’s mostly a fisherman’s pier, but you can also get a boat from there (though not popular ferries).

There are many restaurants to choose from in Koh Lanta Old Town. I recommend trying locally sourced fish and seafood.

You will find many guest houses in Koh Lanta Old Town. To experience the unique atmosphere of this place, try staying in a wooden house on stilts by the sea.

Yes, you can find massage parlors in Koh Lanta Old Town.