Each year hundreds of thousands of Brits jet off to Thailand to see the sights and relax.
But the sheer volume of tourists have left more popular resorts such as Phuket and Pattaya struggling to cope. The popular seaside hotspots like Maya Bay are facing problems with environmental damage and infrastructure stress.
There is a tiny picturesque island nestled in the gulf of Thailand however that remains free from the crowds found in the bustling resorts. With just 1,200 permanent inhabitants, Koh Mak remains largely natural.
The island measures just 16 square kilometers and around 95 per cent is said to be privately owned land. It has a single cash machine and no high-rise buildings.
Travel blogger Gregor Brown calls the island an “untouched paradise”. In a YouTube video, Gregor 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.”
The travel blogger describes the island as something that would have been around half a century back. 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 souvenier 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 and unforgettable sunsets.”
Koh Mak was off-limits to any form of tourism until 1985. It was then coconut plantation owner Jakrapad Taveteekul decided to use part of his land to house 10 simple thatch-roof huts.
The island is also known for its efforts in environmentalism. Around 40 resorts and 20 restaurants on the island drafted a charter to promote environmentally friendly activities such as kayaking and cycling as well as ban styrofoam food containers, reports the Bangkok Post.
They also agreed to reduce the amounts of plastic used on the island. It meant reducing the amount of plastic straws, bags and bottles, with some resorts even growing their own fruits and vegetables.
Resorts on the island have to adhere to rules as well to maintain its tranquil feeling. After 10pm they are not permitted to play loud music after 10pm, Gregor explains.
This means he could “soak in the true vibe” of Thailand after visiting the island’s tiny temples and main pier.
