The ancient city of Ko Lanta is a small village on the east coast of Ko Lanta in Krabi Province. For several years, it served as the port and commercial center of the island, providing a safe haven for Arab and Chinese merchant ships sailing between the larger ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore. Today, this ancient city is the capital of The area, which has a post office, a police station, a Buddhist temple, a Chinese temple, the island hospital, as well as a long pier.