Unspoiled Cruising and the Laanta Lanta Festival, Ko Lanta, Thailand
by Graeme Belshaw on 17 Feb 2010
The beach at Ko Ngai - Laanta Lanta Festival Graeme Belshaw
In a world where culture and religious differences often divide communities and countries, Ko Lanta in Thailand and its Laanta Lanta Festival, provides idyllic proof that people of diverse and varied ethnic groups can live together in peace and harmony for hundreds of years, welcoming foreign visitors with their arms open. It also has great allure for sailors
The Laanta Lanta festival, held every year in Lanta Old Town around March, is a celebration of this harmony and a chance for locals and visitors to enjoy unique cultural facets still prevalent on this unspoiled island today. Dates for the 2010 Laanta Lanta festival are March seventh, eighth and ninth.
Authentic food and traditional entertainment is the mainstay of any Thai celebration and the Laanta Lanta festival doesn't stray from this successful formula, with an abundant choice of delicious snacks and meals available throughout the three days. You can enjoy traditional local coffee and exotic drinks while sampling a wide variety of local cuisine at over 50 food and beverage booths.
The festival site is very large and runs from the main street to the market area and playing field. The main street is closed to traffic and lined with all manner of stalls, selling everything from food and drink to arts and crafts, cloths and local products. The whole street is beautifully decorated and lit by many Chinese lanterns, creating an atmosphere that lifts the heart.
The rest of the festival site is given over to entertainment with two big stages and many temporary bars built by some of the larger establishments from the west coast. The stages host many different kinds of performances. Rong-Ngen, the traditional music and dance of the ancient Sea Gypsies, can be enjoyed on the main stage, as well as acts presented by groups from all over Thailand. A second beachside stage features contemporary jazz and reggae performances nightly, in a relaxed party atmosphere.
Protection for a safe and happy event is sought by the Sea Gypsy ritual of casting bad spirits out into the sea, at a traditional boat floating ceremony. Side-street cultural booths display and demonstrate the making of traditional arts and crafts including Pa-the, traditional Muslim cloth weaving and Toi-pa-nun, a handicraft made from Toi leaves. Other booths throughout the festival grounds feature organizations and individuals dispersing information about special projects on the island.
Since the festival is an evening and night-time event, sailors will have plenty of time to explore the many beautiful islands surrounding Ko Lanta. There 19 islands within easy day-sailing range, offering excellent snorkeling and diving, beautiful beaches, caves, mangroves and the fantastic ‘Hong' at Ko Muk. A gentle sail back to Old Town as the festival comes to life, and you have a perfect pleasure cocktail. The good thing is, you can do it all again the next day!
Boats should head mid channel between Ko Po and Ko Lanta and anchor anywhere within range of the Old Town pier. (Pos 070 32' N 0990 06' E)
There will be ferry services from the pier throughout the evening to avoid problems with dinghies. (make arrangements with Lanta Marine Services, +66 (0) 831043109, email admin(at)lantamarineservices.com )
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