Suddenly the islandferries were disgorging people with suitcases, not backpacks, portable computers not guitars, and what is this; trainers not flip flops?!, and some had children as well. A culture shock to many, but generally the islandreacted with a passion to these new visitors, over the following months much change had taken place, new resorts, with more facilities, a new array of eating establishments offering different food from all over the world. Strange, but true, from 1933-1947 Koh Taowas home to political prisoners. Being situated approximately 65 kilometres from Suratthani or Chumporn meant it was hard to escape from! Alcatraz...piece of cake. Here they found something more then just a new island to explore and soon the back packer network was buzzing about the exiting newly found island paradise of Ko Tao. Mesmerised by the pure white sandy beaches, the back of beyond aura, and of course the cheap living, back packers soon arrived in droves.
