![]() |
|
|
Here they found something more then just a new islandto explore and soon the back packer network was buzzing about the exiting newly found tropical islandparadise of KoTao.
In ore by the pure white sandy beaches, the back of beyond aura, and of course the cheap living, back packers soon arrived in droves.
Departures and arrivals were on the local coconut boats, and even then delays of several days were common place, so back to the hammock and the world of dreams, the boat will come another day.
KohTao is a very small island, only 21 square kilometres with nearly half of that too rough to access. In the begining the island was not populated, frequented only by fisherman from nearby islands while in search of a safe haven during thunderstorms or when they require clean water and food. It seems bizarre that such a tourist paradise should have been formerly earmarked as a penal island. Strange, but true. From about 1933 until 1947 the island housed political prisoners. Being almost seventy km from the nearby mainland meant it was fairly escape proof! Alcatraz...piece of cake. Ko Tao is surrounded by a lot of Whale sharks and Black Tip Sharks as well.
Koh Toa's standing broadened and rapidly improved as it broadly became known throughout the world through international travellers and adventurous visitors. About 1947, Khun A-Paiwong, Thailand's Prime Minister at that time, asked for and received a royal pardon for the islands prisoners and thanks to a affable act by His Majesty the King. They were repatriated and transported to Suratthani on the nearby mainland and the islandwas discarded once again. This was the same year that the initial settlers started to claim a big segment of land on what is currently recognized as Sairee Beach. These were the twin brothers Khun Ueam and Khun Oh who came to Koh Taoby a small boat from the neighbouring islandof KohPhangan. The island of Ko Tao is one of Thailand's real tropical gems. Blessed with golden beaches and hidden bays, visitors from all over the world come back every year to experience the amazing feeling of the island. The given name KoToa means Turtle Island; most say that the given name is due to the islands outline which is meant to look like an upside down turtle whilst many others state it is from the day's when the water close to the island was full of turtles and the island was their breeding area. Attracted by the wonderful coral reefs surrounding the island, and the growth in recreational scuba diving, a number of companies have started diving businesses on Koh Tao, these companies in turn designed exclusive resortsfor their clientele, and over the years several of these resortshave become quite elegant. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bungalow Resorts and Hotels on Koh TaoKoh Tao HeightsAccommodation on Koh Tao |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
(c) 2012 by www.kohtaoisland.net |
||