Finding a very peaceful holiday destination in Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly more difficult by the day. Most vacation destinations that were once quiet at the moment are filled with huge resorts and industrial crowds.
The situation changes completely in case you change your route north of the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand. There is a large, quiet island called Ko Tarutao, whose name comes from an old Malay word meaning old or ancient island.
As the most important island in Tarutao National Marine Park, it has never been opened to major industrial development. You won’t find any flashy beach bars or luxury hotel chains marring the shores.
The Thai government deliberately polices the infrastructure to guard the local ecosystem. This policy ensures that the island’s unique historical roots and rugged nature usually are not washed away by modern tourism.
Historical site of Ko Tarutao
What really sets this island other than typical tropical vacation spots is its wealthy historical background. In the late Thirties, the Thai Department of Corrections turned this isolated place right into a “prison island”.
The prison was based on the natural isolation of the island, tens of kilometers from the mainland. Documents from the period show that over three thousand prisoners were ultimately sent into exile.
Deep within the jungles of Talo Wao Bay, crumbling brick cells now stand overwhelmed by the large roots of a banyan tree under a heavy, silent cover. Sunlight barely penetrates the thick leaves, casting long shadows on the rusty iron grates and moss-covered stone floors.
Initially, the colony operated like several standard prison, under strict guidelines sent directly from Bangkok. However, all the pieces modified when World War II broke out and completely cut off the island’s foremost supply lines.
Natural isolation of the island
The island’s distinct geographical features were the foremost reason why the authorities selected it for this purpose in the primary place. Part of an older geological formation, the landscape is defined by rugged limestone hills and heavy sandstone structures.
These steep ridges and coastal cliffs created a practical natural barrier around your complete settlement area. Leaving the island without permission was very difficult because the encompassing waters had deep channels and robust seasonal currents.
Beyond the cliffs, the local terrain is formed by a dense network of mangroves and deep limestone cave openings. These natural waterways hindered internal movement across the island and effectively limited access to the outer coast.
Interestingly, it was this distant geography that protected the local environment for many years to return. The same features that when made the island a secure retreat now help protect its dense forests and coastal ecosystems.
Beauty in solitude
Today, your complete section of Ko Tarutao has change into a strictly protected nature park. Its official status as a marine park effectively prevents private developers from exploiting its diverse ecosystems.
The park management uses a strict zoning system to balance small-scale tourism with scientific research. Under these principles, visitors are expected to be mindful of their impact on the environment during their stay.
Getting across the island may be very hassle-free, which implies you either rent a motorcycle or use a rowing boat. Local staff are also readily available to supply guests with an easy and factual account of the island’s past.
A visit here gives you a fresh perspective on what purposeful, slow travel really looks like. This is a rare opportunity to disconnect from the constant noise of the Internet and luxuriate in true peace and quiet.
