Koh Tao, little more than 21 km, is located about 70 km east of the coastline between Suratthani and Chumphon, in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao translates as Turtle Island, because in the past the waters teemed with sea turtles. Nowadays they have moved on to new breeding grounds since travelers and tourists enjoy Koh Tao’s beaches instead.
In the beginning, the island was uninhabited, and only the occasional fisherman from the neighbouring islands came by to seek shelter from a storm. 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 still worshipped today and should be treated with respect.?
From 1933 on the island was used as a political prison because of it’s far distance from the mainland. In 1947, Khun A -Paiwong, Prime Minister at that time, pleaded and received a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. Everybody was taken back to the mainland and the “Turtle” was abandoned once again. Not for long.
In the same year Khun Ueam and his twin brother Khun Oh reached Koh Tao from the neighbouring island Koh Phangan, At that time, crossing over with a traditional sailboat was long and dangerous.
It took more than 12 hours crossing over from Koh Phangan, which is just 45km away. Even though the island was still under royal patronage, it didn’t keep these pioneers from claiming a good piece of land on today’s Sairee Beach for themselves. Together with them came their families, and they began to cultivate and harvest the fertile soil.?
Koh Tao evolved into a haven for divers, adventurers, travelers and holidaymakers from around the world. The island’s unique blend of coral reefs, natural & unspoiled beauty, and relaxed life-style makes it a ‘must-have-seen-it’ place !
How to Get There
Part I From Bangkok or Singapore
?????? Getting to Koh Tao is a two part process. Fortunately, the trip is pleasant and the scenery fascinating. Best of all, the extra step means there are fewer visitors on Koh Tao at any given time.
By Air (To Koh Samui or Surathani Province and then continue by boat to Koh Tao)
??????? – Bangkok to Koh Samui : Bangkok Airways* provides over 10 flights/day
.?????? – Thai Airways International (02 628-2000) offers daily flight to Suratthani. More information at www.thaiair.com
??????? – Singapore to Koh Samui : Bangkok Airways provides a daily flight
By Air (To Chumporn Province and continue by boat to Koh Tao)
??????? – Air Andaman flies four times a week to Chumphon. More information at www.airandaman.com
* Bangkok Air Tel: (Bangkok) +662 229 3434; 229 3456 (Bangkok Don Muang Airport) +662 535 2497-8; 535 3757 Internet: http://www.bkkair.co.th
By Train
??????? – From Bangkok to Chumporn (For travellers not in a hurry, the train is the most pleasant way to travel to Chumporn.)
??????? – Express #85 – (Bangkok – Chumporn) leaves Bangkok 19:15 daily and arrives in Chumporn between 3:30 and 5:00. 2nd class air conditioned and fan-cooled sleeping carriages and air-conditioned and fan-cooled ordinary carriages available. Ask the conductor to wake you up for Chumporn Station.
??????? – Diesel – (Bangkok – Chumporn) leaves Bangkok at 22:30 and arrives 06:00. 2nd class air conditioned ordinary carriages only.
By Coach
??????? – From Southern Bus Terminal – Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches leave the Southern Bus Terminal for Chumporn throughout from about 09:30 to 22:00 daily. (We highly recommend air-conditioned coaches – non-air conditioned buses can be cramped and uncomfortable, particularly for taller people). The journey normally takes about seven hours. Fares range from 136-317 baht
??????? – From Kaosarn Road – daily bus & mini bus depart at 20:00-21.00 and arrives in Chumporn at approximately 04:00.
Part II – To Koh Tao
From Koh Samui or Surathani Province to Koh Tao
??????? – Songserm Travel provide a daily boat service which leaves from Na Thorn Pier at 10:30. You can catch a minibus from Koh Samui Airport to Na Thorn Pier. (If you catch the first Bangkok-Koh Samui flight, you should be able to catch this boat)
??????? – Lompraya Catamaran high speed boat provide a daily boat service which leaves from Wat Pra Lan pier at 08:00 and 12.30
??????? – FROM THA THONG PIER, SURAT THANI, Songserm Express Boat, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 8:00 – 14:30, 455 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 10:30 – 16:30
??????? – NIGHT BOAT FROM BAN DON PIER, SURAT THANI, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 23:00 – 6.00, 400 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 21:00 – 5:00.
From Chumporn to Koh Tao
??????? – Songserm Travel provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at 7:0. They also provide regular buses from Chumporn Train Station to their office (about 1 km) and at 06:30, a bus from their office to the pier in time to catch the 07:00 boat. The journey takes 3 hours.
??????? – Lomlak high speed boat provides daily service from Tung Ma Kam Noi Pier at 7:00 and 15:00. They also provide a bus service from Kao San Road to Chumporn leaving daily at 21:00, telephone 02- 280-0887, 02-280-1035 . Boat agents are available at Chumporn railway station. The journey takes 2 hours.
??????? – Ekawin high speed boat provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at 7:00. The jour ney takes 3 hours.
* All boat fares are generally 400 Baht per person. However, fares can be adjusted from season to season or according to the operators’ promotion campaign.
Night Life :
Koh Tao can have a pretty wild nightlife. The bars are generally a little more chilled, and a lot less crowded than the huge full moon parties on the nearby island of Koh Phangan, but with a bucket of Thai whiskey being passed around the dance floor you can quickly find yourself lost in a party that will continue through to the early morning.
Professional DJ’s from all over the world spin theit very best. Fire jugglers frequently perform on the beaches. Each night of the week will find a different party. Look out for flyers at shops and taxis. Most of the bigger clubs have dance floors on the beach, a couple up in the mountains.
There are also plenty of more relaxed, chilled little bars along the beaches in which to warm up for the parties or just unwind and get into the music.
Some places show live sports, some have pool tables and now & then places with daily changing movie programs invite you to come in and enjoy. Thai boxing is performed at irregular times,- check for flyers on the street. Don’t miss it!
Kohtao map
Thank : kohtao.com
