The islandof Kohtaois one of the country's true tropical paradise. Blessed with golden beaches and secluded bays, tourists from all over the world come again every year to experience the amazing Thai culture. Ko Toa is a little island, only twenty one square kilometres with nearly half of that too harsh to reach. Initially the islandwas not colonized, frequented only by fisherman from nearby islands while on the lookout for cover during storms or when they require clean water and food. It seems strange that such a tourist paradise should have been in earlier times earmarked as a top-security prison. Bizarre, but true. From about 1933 until 1947 the island housed political prisoners. Being nearly seventy km from the mainland meant it was fairly escape proof! Alcatraz...piece of cake. Ko Toa is surrounded by a lot of Whale sharks & Black Tip Sharks as well. In the beginning of 1980's brought to Ko Toa some of the very first people from Ko Phanganwho were looking for something innovative away from the crowds and masses who were going mad for the full moonparties on Koh Phangan. Here they found something more than just a new island to discover and soon the back-packer network was energetic about the superb newly found island paradise. Mesmerised by the stunning powdery white beaches, the back of beyond aura, and of course the cheap living, back packers soon came in droves. Arrivals and departures were on the local fishing boats, and even then hold-ups of several days were common. Back to the hammocks and a world of dreams; The boat comes another day . As a result, as its status for attractive nature, outstanding marine life and mind-blowing landscapes grew, easier access was offered when enhanced and safer boats were brought in to handle the number of back packers, being attracted to the island. Around 1947, Khun A-Paiwong, Thailands Prime Minister at that time, asked for & got a royal pardon for the islands inmates and thanks to a gracious act by His Majesty the King. They were repatriated and transported to Suratthani on the mainland and the island was isolated yet again. This was in the same year that the first settlers laid claim to a big segment of terrain on what is at this time identified as Sairee Beach. These were the two brothers Khun Ueam and Khun Oh who reached Ko Tao by a boat from the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan.
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