Ko Lanta Old Town

Ko Lanta Old Town is a historic waterfront settlement on the east coast of Ko Lanta Yai Island in Ko Lanta District, Krabi Province, Thailand. Once the island's commercial and trading centre, it is known for well-preserved Chinese-influenced wooden shophouses and stilt houses lining the sea. The town offers a quiet cultural atmosphere with small shops, cafes, and a long pier, reflecting its heritage as a former port for Chinese and Malay traders.

Visitors can expect a quiet, low-rise waterfront street lined with traditional wooden shophouses and stilt houses built over the sea, many converted into cafes, restaurants, souvenir and handicraft shops, and guesthouses. The settlement faces the sea on the sheltered east coast with views of nearby islands and mangroves. Areas to explore include the main walking street, the long wooden pier extending into the sea, small galleries and the community museum, with opportunities for photography, shopping for local products, and dining on seafood.

Ko Lanta Old Town was established over 100 years ago as the main commercial and port settlement of Ko Lanta, serving as a trading post for Chinese and Malay merchants dealing in tin, rubber, charcoal and other goods. Its row of wooden shophouses and stilt houses reflects early 20th-century settlement patterns and maritime trade heritage on the east coast of Ko Lanta Yai.

The town reflects the multicultural heritage of Ko Lanta with influences from Thai-Chinese, Thai-Muslim and Chao Leh (sea gypsy) communities. Traditional wooden architecture, local handicrafts such as batik, and community lifestyle illustrate the island's historic trading culture and coastal way of life, preserved as a cultural attraction for visitors.