Despite KohTao still being under Royal Patronage, plots of land were claimed, and cleared for coconut plantations. You can still see plenty of evidence of the large coconut plantations all over the island. The settlers lives mainly consisted of cultivating coconuts, developing fruit and vegetables and of course nourishing themselves with fishing. In those days reaching KoToa required a dangerous boat ride from the nearby islands or the main land, if and when the seas &weather permitted, but the population continued to increase steadily all the same, even when the simple life was hard and without a large amount reward. During the last 12 odd years the island has changed in many different ways as it developed to become one of the major dive operation centres in Thailand, attracting all levels of divers and water lovers alike. It has much to offer but it still hasn't lost what attracted people here in the 1st place, it is still a little piece of paradise for everyone to share and enjoy.
