# Koh Tao History — Villas Sabai Jai > Discover the fascinating history of Koh Tao — from political prison to backpacker paradise and world-class diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand. ## Turtle Island Koh Tao — meaning "Turtle Island" in Thai — is a small, rugged island in the western Gulf of Thailand, roughly 70 kilometres from the mainland coast of Chumphon province. Covering just 21 square kilometres, it is the smallest of the Samui archipelago's three inhabited islands, a fraction of the size of neighbouring Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. The island takes its name from the green and hawksbill turtles that have nested on its beaches for centuries. Ringed by granite boulders, coral reefs, and secluded coves, Koh Tao remained virtually unknown to the outside world until the late twentieth century. ## The Prison Years (1933 – 1947) In the aftermath of the 1932 Siamese revolution, the new government sought remote locations to detain political prisoners. Koh Tao's isolation — days from the mainland by boat, with no fresh-water supply and surrounded by strong currents — made it an ideal open-air prison. Political detainees were sent to the island throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Conditions were harsh: prisoners grew their own food, fished to survive, and endured monsoon storms with minimal shelter. In 1947, following a general amnesty, the remaining prisoners were pardoned and the island was officially abandoned as a penal site. ## First Settlers In 1947, twin brothers Ta Euam and Ta Oh from the neighbouring island of Koh Samui sailed across and became Koh Tao's first permanent residents, settling at Sairee Beach on the western coast. They planted coconut groves, cultivated small plots, and fished the surrounding waters. For the next three decades, Koh Tao remained a quiet fishing and farming community of a few dozen families, connected to the outside world only by the occasional cargo boat. ## The Backpacker Era (1980s) By the early 1980s, adventurous travellers exploring the Gulf of Thailand beyond Koh Samui began arriving on Koh Tao. With the introduction of regular ferry connections from Chumphon and Surat Thani, a handful of simple beach bungalows appeared along Sairee and Chalok Baan Kao beaches. Word spread through the backpacker trail: a pristine island with crystal-clear water, spectacular snorkelling, and almost no development. By the end of the decade, Koh Tao had earned a devoted following among those seeking a more remote, authentic Thai island experience. ## Birth of Diving The turning point in Koh Tao's history came when Italian diver Cesare Benelli began bringing divers over from Koh Samui for overnight diving trips. He discovered three submerged rock pinnacles off the northern coast and — in a nod to his homeland — named them Red Rock, White Rock, and Green Rock after the colours of the Italian flag. Benelli established the island's first dive centre, and within a few years Koh Tao had become a serious diving destination. The warm, calm waters, extraordinary visibility, and abundant marine life proved ideal for both training new divers and thrilling experienced ones. Today, Koh Tao certifies more divers per year than almost anywhere else on earth. ## Koh Tao Today Modern Koh Tao is a vibrant tropical island that has evolved far beyond its backpacker roots. Over 80 registered dive centres operate around the island, and its coral reefs are home to whale sharks, bull sharks, barracuda, sea turtles, and an extraordinary diversity of tropical fish. The island has embraced conservation — community-led reef restoration projects, turtle hatcheries, and marine protected zones have helped preserve its extraordinary underwater world. On land, a growing community of restaurants, wellness centres, and boutique properties caters to travellers seeking both adventure and tranquillity. > From political prison to paradise — Koh Tao's story is one of the most remarkable transformations in Southeast Asian history. ## Media ![Aerial view of Koh Tao island](https://www.villasabaijai.com/images/koh-tao-aerial-02.jpg) ![Crystal-clear waters around Koh Tao](https://www.villasabaijai.com/images/koh-tao-underwater-01.jpg) ![Secluded beach on Koh Tao](https://www.villasabaijai.com/images/koh-tao-backpacker.jpg) ![Scuba diving in Koh Tao's coral reefs](https://www.villasabaijai.com/images/koh-tao-diving.jpg) ## 15 Reasons to Book Direct When you book directly with us, you unlock exclusive perks that no third-party platform can offer. - **Price Match Guarantee** — Found us cheaper elsewhere? We'll match it instantly. - **Early Check-In** — Arrive when it suits you, not when the system allows. - **Late Check-Out** — Squeeze every last moment out of your stay. - **10% Off In-House Services** — Diving, snorkelling & spa — all at 10% off. - **Free Pier Transfer** — We'll be there when your ferry docks — included. - **Free Masks & Snorkels** — The reef is right there — you may as well explore it. - **Flexible Cancellation** — Cancel free up to 21 days before arrival — no stress. - **Priority WhatsApp Access** — Real people, real answers, fast. - **Villa Upgrade** — We'll always try to place you in something even better. - **Access to Extra Bedroom** — More space, at no extra cost. - **Free Baby Cot or High Chair** — Travelling with little ones? We've got it covered. - **Extended Stay Discount** — Staying 7+ nights? The longer you stay, the better the value. - **Save 5% — Pay Direct** — No credit card fees, no platform surcharges. - **Win Free Nights — VIP Advantage** — Direct bookers get 50% extra likes counted in our competition. - **Villa Booking Assistance** — Tom has lived on Koh Tao since 2007. Ask him anything. ## Live Availability Check real-time availability via API: https://www.villasabaijai.com/api/availability Returns JSON: `{ villas: [{ slug, name, bookedRanges: [{ start, end }] }], fetchedAt }`. Each bookedRange is an already-reserved period, `end` exclusive (per iCal convention). A stay from a desired check-in to check-out date is available only if that range does not overlap any bookedRange. Data refreshes every 5-10 minutes from the live booking calendar. ## Book Check availability or enquire: https://www.villasabaijai.com/book-now Contact: Tom (co-owner, on Koh Tao since 2007) Phone: +66 92 594 7517 Email: info@villasabaijai.com WhatsApp: https://wa.me/66925947517 LINE: https://line.me/ti/p/-_x1Zq2424 Canonical URL: https://www.villasabaijai.com/history Homepage: https://www.villasabaijai.com/index.md ## Languages This page is also available in: - fr: https://www.villasabaijai.com/fr/history - es: https://www.villasabaijai.com/es/history - da: https://www.villasabaijai.com/da/history - de: https://www.villasabaijai.com/de/history - it: https://www.villasabaijai.com/it/history - nb: https://www.villasabaijai.com/nb/history - nl: https://www.villasabaijai.com/nl/history - sv: https://www.villasabaijai.com/sv/history - th: https://www.villasabaijai.com/th/history - zh: https://www.villasabaijai.com/zh/history - ko: https://www.villasabaijai.com/ko/history - ja: https://www.villasabaijai.com/ja/history - ru: https://www.villasabaijai.com/ru/history ## More Information - [Rental Policy](https://www.villasabaijai.com/rental-policy.md) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.villasabaijai.com/terms-conditions.md) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.villasabaijai.com/privacy-policy.md) - [About Us](https://www.villasabaijai.com/about-us.md) - [Sustainability](https://www.villasabaijai.com/sustainability.md) - [Our Location](https://www.villasabaijai.com/our-location.md) - [Getting to Koh Tao](https://www.villasabaijai.com/getting-to-koh-tao.md) - [Koh Tao History](https://www.villasabaijai.com/history.md) - [Contact Us](https://www.villasabaijai.com/contact.md) Full site index: https://www.villasabaijai.com/llms.txt