Overlooked island in Thailand close to famous neighbour but with way less tourists | Travel News | Travel

There is an overlooked Thai island close to a more famous destination that many tourists have never heard of. Thailand is quite a popular destination for British tourists who want to experience the natural beauty and culture of South East Asia. From the country’s capital, Bangkok, to its beautiful and scattered islands, Thailand has a range of unique experiences that tourists from across the globe seek out in their millions.

Some of the most popular Thai seaside resorts and islands, where you experience things like beach clubs and full moon parties, include Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Phi Phi. However, there are plenty of more Thai islands you have probably never heard of and many of them are located quite close to some of their more popular counterparts. One of those, which is located beside Koh Phi Phi, is Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta is located in the Krabi district of Thailand and is regarded for its natural beauty, even if it is among the lesser-known Thai islands. While Koh Phi Phi ranks among the most popular tourist islands in Thailand, Koh Lanta does not make the list.

However, it might be a better option for tourists who are looking for a more chilled out, less crowded Thailand holiday experience. Among the top attractions on the island are the white sand beaches, amazing for a day out and a sunset.

Long Beach and Klong Dao Beach are perhaps the most popular beaches on Koh Lanta, but there are also Klong Khong and Kantiang Bay. The beaches, with their crystal clear waters, are the main attractions on this island.

Meanwhile, Lanta Old Town is a charming place full of Chinese-inspired architecture. On the island, there are providers selling a multitude of experiences from boat tours to snorkelling.

Along the coast of the island, there are also many bars and nightclubs, making Koh Lanta a great place for those who like nightlife. The tourist season here runs between October and April, so that would be the best time to visit if you are looking for a somewhat lively atmosphere.

Additionally, there are plenty of great places to eat on the island and in terms of stays, there are a range of villas, resorts, hotels and even hostels for backpackers.

Koh Lanta is under 18 miles from Koh Phi Phi and ferry transfers are available between the two islands. To get to Koh Lanta, the closest airport is Krabi International Airport.

However, you will probably arrive in Bangkok if you are flying from the UK. From the Thai capital, you can take another flight to Krabi and then make your way to Koh Lanta from there. Meanwhile, there are also overnight buses and trains of you are travelling around the country a bit, as many Brits do.

Social media users have shared their thoughts on Koh Lanta and one person on Reddit called it an “underrated gem”. They wrote: “To our surprise, Koh Lanta turned out to be incredibly calming and quiet, with beautiful and relatively private beaches. My wife and I usually prefer calmer places, so we really appreciated the peaceful vibes. It also had noticeably fewer tourists compared to other places we visited.”

Another said: “We very spontaneously decided to head to Koh Lanta and it was the best part of our entire trip. We loved the beaches, cafes, laid-back atmosphere. I cannot wait to come back.”