The 鈥楽ea Gypsies' or Moken of the Andaman Sea; known in Thai as chao thalae or 鈥榩eople of the sea'; are divided into three groups. They number between 4;000 and 5;000; they live only on the coast; either in huts by the shore; or on craft that ply the coastal waters from the Mergui Archipelago in Burma to the Tarutao Islands in Southern Thailand.

The largest Sea Gypsy group are the Urak Lawoi; numbering around 3;000. They live in simple shacks on beaches stretching south from Phuket to the Tarutao islands and make a living by fishing and beachcombing. Their two largest settlements are at Ko Sirey and Rawai in the southeast of Phuket island.

Ko Lanta consists of two major islands; the larger; more populated Ko Lanta Yai (commonly known as simply Ko Lanta) and the smaller Ko Lanta Noi; as well as several minor islands.

The coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest; coral reefs and underwater life. The geography of the islands is typically mangroves; coral rimmed beaches and rugged tree covered hills. A popular tourist destination; the islands are known for their long; sandy beaches and scuba diving.