Koh Tao
Thailand Hotel Network
 Koh Tao
Information
 Koh
Tao, little more than 21 km², is located about 70 km east of
the coastline between Suratthani and Chumphon, in the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Tao means Turtle Island, because in the past the waters in the
area had been rich with sea turtles, nowadays they have mostly moved
on to other breeding grounds.
Initially the island was not inhabited, there was only the occasional
fisherman from the neighboring islands, looking for shelter in a
storm or just taking a break before continuing his tiresome journey.
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.
From 1933 on the island was used as a political prison. In 1947,
Khun A-Paiwong, prime minister at the time, pleaded and received
a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. Everybody was taken
to the Suratthani shore and the "Turtle" was abandoned
again. But not for long. 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. Having brought their
families over, they began to cultivate and harvest the excellent
soil. The first generation of today's community had settled!
Koh Tao
Hotel
Guide
List
of
Koh Tao
Hotels with online
reservation system
| Note: |
Rates
= Approx rates start at , Inc.
SVC = Included service charge |
| |
Inc.
VAT
= Included govement tax. , Inc.
ABF = Included American Breakfast |
|
Thailand
Destinations
|
Chiang
Mai
North