History of Koh Tao

Koh Tao, little more than 21 km², is located about 70 km east of the coastline between Surat thani and Chumphon, in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao is translated to The Turtle Island and is says that Koh Tao received its name after the abundance of turtles in the past. You can still sea turtles around Koh Taos divesites. I have seen sea turtles at many occasions at Green Rock, Rocky Bay, Twins, Red Rock and in many other occasions on various divesites around Koh Tao. On June 18, 1899, His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn (Rama V 1868-1910) visited Koh Tao and left as evidence his monogram on a huge boulder at Jor Por Ror Bay next to Sairee Beach. This place is worshipped even today and should be treated with respect.
Koh Tao was used as a political prison during 1933 up until 1947 when Khun A-Paiwong, prime minister at the time, pleaded and received a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. In the same year Khun Ueam and his twin brother Khun Oh reached Koh Tao from the neighboring Koh Phangan by trying out their traditional sail boat, for that time a quite long and dangerous journey. Even though the island was still under royal patronage, it didn’t stop these pioneers claiming themselves a good piece of land on today's Sairee Beach. The first generation of today's community had settled!

In the eighties a very different community “discovered”  Koh Tao – The Backpacking community. As a consequence, bigger, faster and safer boats were used to allow easier access to Koh Tao. During the past ten years the reputation of Turtle Island's natural beauty, especially its marine life and coral reefs, spread the world over and the number of paradise seekers increased rapidly. It soon became one of the major dive sites in Thailand, attracting beginners and professionals alike. The local businesses expanded immediately to catch up with the needs of the new clientele. The island today, though still remaining an absolute paradise, caters for all tastes and budgets.

Today Koh Tao is popular tourist destinations among both backpackers and others. Koh Tao got great infrastructure today with government electricity and water supply. The last years many new businesses opened up on Koh Tao and today the visitors can find all levels of accommodation and restaurants with food from all over the world. There is many more activities today on Koh Tao with diving still being the most popular. Koh Tao became, and still is, famous for being an island to learn how to dive. But now there is activities like sailing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, snorkeling and fishing trips, kayaking. The most popular activity on Koh Tao is still however to do nothing. Just relax with a book on the beach!

The boats departure to and from Koh Tao also drastically improved the last years. Going from fishing type vessels to the large catamarans that is going between the mainland, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao today. At the end one thing that haven’t changed is that Koh Tao is unique and bring the best out of people. There is a reason why so many came for a week and stayed for a life time.