Essentials
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C sockets
- City
- Koh Lanta, Krabi Province, Thailand
- Population
- Approximately 30,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available widely; average 100-300 Mbps; 5G coverage on main beaches
- Currency & Banking
- Thai Baht (THB); 1 USD ≈ 36 THB, 1 EUR ≈ 39 THB
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use filtered water or 18L delivery jugs (approx. 40 THB)
- SIM Card
- AIS or TrueMove H; Unlimited 5G monthly plans approx. 600-900 THB
- Banking for Expats
- Kasikornbank (K-Bank) or Bangkok Bank; ATM fee 220 THB for foreign cards
- Accommodation
- Bungalow resorts, private villas, and long-term apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Scan-to-pay (PromptPay) widely used; Cards accepted only in high-end hotels/dive shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com; Monthly rates 15,000 - 45,000 THB
- Budget Accommodation
- Hub of Joys Hostel (approx. 450 THB/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Klong Dao Beach or Long Beach (Prae Ae)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Long Beach (Phra Ae) for proximity to KoHub and cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- KoHub Koh Lanta (Long Beach); Day pass 400 THB, Monthly approx. 6,500 THB
- Best Cafe for Work
- Living Room Cafe & Bakery (Klong Dao); High-speed Wi-Fi and AC
- Networking Events
- KoHub Community Lunch (Daily at 1:00 PM)
- Social Events for Expats
- Koh Lanta Community Facebook Group; weekly pub quizzes at Irish Embassy
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab (limited availability) or local Tuk-Tuks (approx. 50-150 THB per ride)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Lanta Scooter Rental; approx. 200-250 THB/day or 3,500 THB/month
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bamboo Bay (Ao Mai Pai) for seclusion; Long Beach for swimming
- Top Regional Airline
- Thai AirAsia (Flying from Krabi Airport KBV)
- Top International Airline
- Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates (via Bangkok or Phuket)
- Highway Access
- Route 4203 (Lanta Main Road); Connected via car ferry from Hua Hin Pier
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Trang Railway Station (90km away) or Krabi Bus Terminal
- Public Transport Passes
- None; travel is primarily via private scooter or shared songthaews
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat to Koh Lipe (2,000 THB) or Ferry to Phuket/Phi Phi (600-1,000 THB)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Koh Lanta Hospital (Old Town); for emergencies, Krabi Nakharin International Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Oasis Yoga (Klong Dao); Drop-in class 400 THB
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Lanta Gym (Muay Thai & Weights); Day pass 300 THB
- Laundry Services
- Local shops on Long Beach road; 40-50 THB per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda (Limited reach, mostly central beaches)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Massaman Curry at Lanta Seafood in Saladan
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pure Koh Lanta (Klong Nin); Vegan bowls and smoothies
- Best Dessert Spots
- Auntie Mae Bakery; famous for cinnamon rolls and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lanta Weekly Market (moves daily between Saladan, Klong Dao, and Klong Khong)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada.co.th or Shopee.co.th (deliveries take 3-5 days)
- Grocery Delivery
- Big C Online (from Krabi) or local 7-Eleven scan-and-deliver
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Klong Khong Beach; known for fire shows and beach bars like Mushroom Bar
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; try Thai craft beers at The Fat Turtle
- Wine Bars
- Lanta Wine Corner (Saladan)
- Street Food Stalls
- Saladan Night Market (evenings); skewers for 10-20 THB
- Popular International Cuisine
- Red Snapper (Tapas and Mediterranean); Klong Dao
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park Lighthouse
- Museums & Art Venues
- Lanta Community Museum (Old Town)
- Historical Sites
- Lanta Old Town (historic Chinese wooden stilt houses)
- Religious Sites
- Siri Lanta Bridge Mosque and Buddhist temples in Saladan
- Annual Events
- Laanta Lanta Festival (March); celebrating local cultural diversity
- Cultural Districts
- Sea Gypsy Village (Sang-ga-u) at the southern tip
- Theater Venues
- None; cultural performances held during festivals
- Local Markets
- Old Town Sunday Market
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic music at Pangea Beach Bar
- Street Art
- Small murals in Lanta Old Town
- Cooking Classes
- Lanta Thai Cookery School; approx. 1,500 THB for 4 dishes
- Art Galleries
- Hammock House (Old Town); specialty hand-woven art
- Historic Buildings
- Governor's House in Old Town
- Local Heritage
- Urak Lawoi (Sea Gypsy) maritime culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Khao Mai Kaew Cave and Tiger Cave
- National Parks Nearby
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park; Entry fee 200 THB
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Main road circuit; Koh Lanta is a 25km long island
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Viewpoint Restaurant (Klong Nin) overlooking the Andaman Sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- Thung Yee Pheng Mangrove Forest
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Klong Khong Beach (organized by bars)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Thailand Post (Saladan branch); Kerry Express
- Tech Repair Services
- Lanta Computer & Service (Saladan)
- Table Tennis Spots
- KoHub Coworking Garden
- Language Classes
- Lanta Thai Language School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- KoHub library section
- Community Centers
- Lanta Animal Welfare; volunteer-led community hub
- Gaming Lounges
- None; internet cafes in Saladan offer PCs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in Thailand)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 85,000 THB per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 2,975,000 THB)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 60,000 THB per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 2,100,000 THB)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 80,000 THB per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,000,000 THB)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 55,000 THB per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 2,750,000 THB)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 75,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 6,000,000 THB)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 50,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4,000,000 THB)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residence-based; Taxed on Thai-sourced income and foreign income remitted to Thailand
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 7%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but strict reporting on foreign assets
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax based on value and usage (0.01% - 0.7%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2% Transfer Fee + 3.3% Special Business Tax (if sold within 5 years)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident) offers 17% personal income tax and exemptions