Old town, Historic settlement in Ko Lanta Yai, Thailand

Oud dorpje is a historic settlement on Ko Lanta Yai in Thailand. It consists of two rows of wooden shophouses facing each other across a central street, with one row backing onto the sea and the other facing inland.

The settlement began over 500 years ago as a shelter for sea nomads, later joined by Muslims and Chinese traders. After fires in 1929 and 1953, the town was rebuilt with wooden shophouses and fire breaks, and it became the district capital in 1901.

The name Sri Raya comes from the Thai words for glory and prosperity, reflecting the town's past as a trading hub. Today, some houses serve as cafes and guesthouses, and the mix of Thai, Chinese, and Muslim influences is visible in the architecture and local shops.

The old town is easy to explore on foot, with a flat main street and covered walkways that provide shade. Visitors can wander at any time of day, but the morning and late afternoon are cooler for walking.

The houses on the sea side are built on stilts over the water and can extend up to 80 meters long, growing as families expanded. This design, similar to the long houses of Malacca, allowed multiple generations to live together without moving away.