Ibrahim Jabbari
Within view of Malaysia’s Langkawi Island, nearly every inch of the fourth largest island in Thailand remains covered in virgin forest.
With a name that means “Mysterious Island” in an old Malay dialect, Koh Tarutao served as a prison from 1937-48 and signage at fascinating Talo Wao Bay recounts how abandoned prisoners turned to piracy for survival during World War II.
Getting to that point — or the 2.5-mile beach at Ao Son — requires pre-booking a truck or tackling a mountainous 10-mile trek or bike ride on a mossy single-lane road.
Cabins, tents and canteens are offered by the Mu Ko Tarutao Marine Park, which also covers Koh Khai, Koh Adang and Koh Rawi further west.
Establishing a model for the modern network of Thai marine parks, rangers narrowly escaped gunfire from illegal dynamite fishermen after the park was founded in 1974.
Getting there: Speedboats running between Pakbara and Koh Lipe drop passengers at Tarutao.
