Thailand, Land of Smiles

Thailand, Land of Smiles
Thailand is Asia's second tourist economy after Hongkong thanks to the number of visits and the income generated.
Thailand is 9400 km from Paris. The whole country, which looks like an elephant's head on the map, has a very long coastline, over 1600 km from North to South, and 800 km from East to West. Thailand's population is 63.2 million, with 7 million people in capital city, Bangkok. The local currency is called the Baht (1 €uro = approx. 50 Bahts). The difference between French time and Thai time is +6 hours in winter and + 5 in summer. The official Thai calendar started in the Buddist Era, i.e. in 543 B.C. We are now in year 2548

History… a few facts

Recent discoveries suggest that Thailand was the cradle of a Bronze Age civilization some 5600 years ago. The country was populated in several series of immigration flows (Hmongs, Khmers and Thais). In the early 13th century, the Thais took over the North. During the 417 years of the Ayutthaya period with its 33 kings, Thai culture blossomed and asserted its own personality. It freed itself from Khmer inspiration to mingle with Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and European influences.
Thanks to the clairvoyance of Rama IV and his son, Rama V in the early 20th century, Siam escaped from colonial rule and set out towards modernization.
Thailand came under a constitutional monarchy in 1932. In 1995, the country came closer to its immediate neighbours and encouraged regional integration programmes, especially ASEAN. As early as 1960, economic progress was striking.
A new democratic constitution was introduced on 11 October 1997.

Koh Lanta = Koh Lanta Yai + Koh Lanta Noi

Koh Lanta Yai, where we are, is a small paradise island, 29 km long and approximately 10 km wide. It is in the Andaman Sea, in Southern Thailand, 300 km from Malaysia. It is part of Krabi Province. The island is accessible by boat or by car, using the famous car ferry system.
The archipelago is composed of two islands: Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi.
Koh Lanta Noi is more administrative than touristic but there are lots of excursions there thanks to its top quality national park. Life at Koh Lanta is the good life, pleasant and gentle, and the local people are always ready to lend a helping hand. For any information about your visit, contact us directly or consult the Thai Tourist Bureau. And in any case, warmest greetings from Lanta Nik's Garden Resort and we hope to see you soon...