Ko Lan

Ko Lan
เกาะล้าน
Coral Island
Island
Thai transcription(s)
 • RTGS Ko Lan
English transcription(s)
 • English Koh Larn

Ko Lan Perspective

Ko Lan seen from the east. Ko Sak can be seen on the right side of the image. Ko Krok is the darker shape above the sailship
Nickname(s): Coral Island
Ko Lan
Coordinates: 12°54′57″N 100°46′39″E / 12.91583°N 100.77750°E / 12.91583; 100.77750Coordinates: 12°54′57″N 100°46′39″E / 12.91583°N 100.77750°E / 12.91583; 100.77750
Country  Thailand
Province Chonburi
District Bang Lamung
Village
List
  • Ban Ko Lan
  • Ban Krok Makham
Area
 • Total 5.6 km2 (2.2 sq mi)
 • Land 5.6 km2 (2.2 sq mi)
Dimensions
 • Length 4.65 km (2.89 mi)
 • Width 2.15 km (1.34 mi)
Highest elevation 180 m (590 ft)
Time zone ICT (UTC+7)
Area Code 038

Ko Lan (Thai: เกาะล้าน, pronounced [kɔ̀ʔ láːn]) is one of the eastern seaboard islands of Thailand. Ko Lan lies 7.5 km from the nearest shore, Pattaya. "Ko Lan" is the name of the island in the Royal Thai General System of Transcription. It is also known as "Koh Larn" and "Ko Laan".

Geography

Ko Lan is the largest of the "near islands", off south Pattaya. It is at the southeast end of the Bay of Bangkok, on the east side of the Gulf of Siam. Administratively Ko Lan belongs to the Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province.

It is about 4 km in length and 2 km in width. It is a hilly island, covered with low tropical forest; its highest point reaches 180 m where there is a Buddhist shrine. The island has two small villages on it: Ban Ko Lan and Ban Krok Makhan where there are lodgings and restaurants. There are ferries connecting Ko Lan to the mainland. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes. Ferries leave south Pattaya Bali Hai pier daily from 07:00 to 18:30. The one-way fare is 30 baht. The return ferry leaves Ko Lan's Na Ban Beach from 06.30 to 18:00. Some local tour operators in nearby Pattaya organize picnic and snorkelling excursions to Ko Lan because there is a relaxed atmosphere and beaches with clear water.

Most of Ko Lan's beaches are on its west side. Most visited is Tawaen Beach, where there is a small harbor. The length of the beach is lined with small tourist shops, behind which are restaurants whose menus are based mainly seafood. Other beaches are Tonglang Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach, and Naon Beach.

Ko Lan is inhabited by about 3,000 residents in 1,000 households, mostly clustered around the ferry pier.

The "Koh Larn Classic" is a sailing and running race event held at the nearby Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya.

Adjacent islands

Two smaller islands are near Ko Lan:

Ko Phai, the main island of Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่), the group of "far islands", off Pattaya is about 14 km to the west of Ko Lan.[1]

Impact of mass tourism

Ko Lan receives about 5,000 tourists per day, mostly Chinese, Russian, Indian, and Thai day-trippers from Pattaya. They generate about two million baht in daily income. They and the island residents also generate about 30 tonnes of solid waste per day, but Pattaya City authorities are only able to remove 20 tonnes per day. Pattaya City has no landfill of its own. It transports all of its waste and that of Ko Lan to a site in neighbouring Saraburi. The remaining daily 10 tonnes of refuse on Ko Lan is building up at a 12 rai sized dump site in the island's centre. Plans exist to build a garbage recycling and separation plant by 2016.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hydrographic Service of the Royal Thai Navy, Chart 142
  2. ↑ Yongcharoenchai, Chaiyot (2015-06-28). "Islanders left drowning under a sea of waste". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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