The road tracklog
From Bukit Kayu Hitam to Ko Lanta
From 17/09 to 21/09/2008

The entry Thailand was held simply. At immigration kiosk my passport got a 30-day VOA and at customs office a “Simplified Customs Declaration Form” was established from the preceding one by changing the dates.
It was then a driving day to go in Pak Meng Beach on Adaman Coast. On arriving in Trang I paid visit at a TAT, then I was going to Tesco Lotus to do food purchases. I installed the bivouac on the concrete esplanade opposite of huge limestone blocks. I stayed two nights there.

 
 
Limestone blocks 
Pak Meng Beach 
the 18/09/2008 

On the move I noticed a signpost mentioning Ko Lanta. I thus headed towards a Ferry Jetti on knowing that vehicles could embark. I was after two ferries in Ban Sala Dan the only village on the island of Ko Lanta Yai. I was nicely welcomed by the local police. The village in this low season was deserted by tourists. I remembered that French people had remained in the Marine National Park. I decided to establish there my bivouac in this weekend.

 
Ban Sala Dan
Ko Lanta 
the 19/03/02/2008 
 

 
 
Marine National Park 
Ko Lanta 
the 19/09/2008 

It is usual to compare the geographical shape of Thailand with a head of elephant. The narrow band of territory ranging between the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean is the horn. The southernmost provinces bordering on Malaysia Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songlhla and Satun on Adaman coast were conquered by the Sultan Iskandar in 1387 and adopted the Islam and Malayan dialect. A separatist movement born in the Seventies is latent due to the authoritative policy of siamization by the government of Thailand. The provinces on each side of the border are of strict Moslem obedience visible in the clothing garb as well male as female and in the booming call to the prayer of the mosques. The Federal State of Malaysia observes rigorous neutrality.
I strolled along Adaman coast as far as Ranong at the border of Burma.