Every year, hundreds of thousands of Brits fly to Thailand for a holiday. However, the influx of tourists has put a strain on popular resorts like Phuket and Pattaya.
Notably, famous beach destinations such as Maya Bay are grappling with environmental damage and infrastructure stress. Yet, there’s a small picturesque island in the Gulf of Thailand that remains untouched by the tourist crowds.
Koh Mak, home to just 1,200 permanent residents, retains its natural charm. The island spans only 16 square kilometres, with about 95 per cent being privately owned land.
It boasts a single cash machine and no high-rise buildings. Travel blogger Gregor Brown refers to the island as an “untouched paradise”.
In a YouTube video, he said: “What strikes me straight away about Koh Mah is that, in one word, it’s quaint. Imagine a tropical island with pristine beaches, tropical waters and not a crowd in sight. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well it exists.”
He describes the island as a throwback to what Thailand would have been like 50 years ago. He added: “Koh Mah is like a time capsule, Thailand 50 years ago, dusty roads, no gas stations, just shops selling bottles of gas, little souvenir shops selling handmade goods and that famous no crowd vibe.
You’ve got beaches, coconut, palm, and rubber producing trees and pineapple plants. This isn’t one of those flashy islands for Instagram, it’s a place for slow mornings an.
Koh Mak, a once inaccessible island, only opened its doors to tourism in 1985 when coconut plantation owner Jakrapad Taveteekul decided to convert part of his land into 10 simple thatch-roof huts. The island is renowned for its commitment to environmentalism.
According to the Bangkok Post, around 40 resorts and 20 restaurants on the island have signed a charter promoting eco-friendly activities such as kayaking and cycling, and banning styrofoam food containers. They’ve also pledged to reduce plastic usage on the island, which includes cutting down on plastic straws, bags, and bottles.
Some resorts even grow their own fruits and vegetables. To preserve the island’s serene atmosphere, resorts must adhere to certain rules, including a ban on loud music after 10pm, as Gregor explains.
This allows visitors to truly immerse themselves in the authentic Thai experience, visiting the island’s tiny temples and main pier.
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