Ko Lan

About four kilometres long and two kilometres wide occupying 3,411 rai, Ko Lan is the largest of the "near islands" off south Pattaya, at the southeast end of the Bay of Bangkok, and on the east side of the Gulf of Siam. Administratively Ko Lan belongs to the Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province. It is an island of hills covered with low tropical forest. A Buddhist shrine is located at its highest point, 180 metres above sea level. The island has two small villages, Ban Ko Lan and Ban Krok Makhan, where there are lodgings and restaurants. Ferries connect Ko Lan to the mainland. Most of Ko Lan's eight beaches are on its west side. Most visited is Tawaen Beach, where there is a small harbor. The beach is lined with small tourist shops and restaurants. Other beaches include Tonglang Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach, Tayaiy Beach, and Nual Beach. Ko Lan has 1,567 hotel and resort rooms and two wharves. File:OCT2010VN 246.JPG|Lan Island File:Ko Lan74.png|Ko Lan from the east File:Sea view and Ko Lan island from the 20-flor of Adriatic Palace hotel.jpg|Sunset, Ko Lan File:Tawaen Beach, Ko Lan.jpg|Tawaen Beach == Recreation ==

The "Koh Larn Classic" is a sailing and running race event held at the nearby Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya. Since 2023, the Koh Larn Trail Run has taken place in February and has participants run either an 11-kilometer or 25-kilometer route around the island's trails. ==Adjacent islands==

Two smaller islands are near Ko Lan: • Ko Sak (เกาะสาก), a narrow "c"-shaped island with a small bay open towards the north. It is 0.6 km off Ko Lan's northern tip. Its highest point is 33 m. It has a horseshoe-shaped beach in the north. Accommodation is available. • Ko Krok (เกาะครก), a private island less than two kilometres to the east of Ko Lan's northeast shore. Its highest point is 41 m. 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. ==Impact of mass tourism==

During low season, Ko Lan attracts about 3,000 visitors a day. In high season, as many as 10,000 people daily visit. They generate about two million baht in daily income. Its maximum daily visitor capacity is 6,410. It has not happened. ==See also==