Despite Koh Tao still being under Royal Patronage, plots of land were claimed, and cleared for coconut plantations. You will still see lots of evidence of the large coconut plantations all over the island. Around 1947, Khun A-Paiwong, Thailands Prime Minister at that time, asked for and got a royal pardon for the islands political prisoners and thanks to a gracious act by His Majesty the King. They were released and conveyed to Suratthani on the nearby mainland and the island was isolated once more. This was in the same year that the initial people laid claim to a big portion of land on what is nowadays identified as Sairee Beach. These were the two brothers Khun Ueam and Khun Oh who reached KoTao by a small boat from the next island of KohPhangan. Fascinated by the striking coral reefs around KoTao, and the development in recreational scuba diving, a number of enterprises started a diving shop on Koh Tao. These companies in turn constructed accommodation for their clientele, and over the years several of these resorts changed into a quite developed places. Strange, but true, from 1933 until 1947 Koh Tao was home to political prisoners. Being positioned approximately 70 km from Suratthani or Chumporn meant it was fairly escape proof! Alcatraz...piece of cake.
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