People & Culture

Koh Tao People & Culture

Koh Tao Population

Koh Tao is a recently inhabited island, with the first group of people migrating here in 1947 and others arriving mostly from Koh Phangan. The registered population is 2,240 people, but the number of people living here is around 8,000.

Koh Tao is a second home for many non-local Thais and foreigners from around the world, most coming from Asia and Europe. The majority of people here are from southern Thailand and so use the local southern dialect. Most of the population resides in the three villages of Mae Haad, Sairee and Chalok Baan Kao.

Hospitality is part of the nature of Thai people, who are also friendly, generous and love to help others. Thais are naturally good hosts and, at mealtimes, will always invite friends or guests that visit or pass by to join them in a meal together.


Thai People

Two unique characteristics of Thai people are consideration and hospitality. Consideration means to think of another’s feelings and to avoid offending. Hospitality is part of the nature of Thai people, who are also friendly, generous and love to help others. Thais are naturally good hosts and, at mealtimes, will always invite friends or guests that visit or pass by to join them in a meal together.

The Thai people on Koh Tao are nice, easy going and friendly. Many people who have settled on Koh Tao have left the busy world behind to enjoy a simpler life and are very happy to be here.



Koh Tao People & Culture - Monk


Koh Tao People & Culture

Religion

95% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist, with 4% Muslim and 1% being of other faiths. The foundation of Buddhism is a principle that aims to extinguish ‘Dukkha’ (suffering and imperfection) by truly knowing and seeing clearly that there is no self, egoism and nothing belonging for ‘a self’. Nothing should be clung to; there is merely the body and the mind, which are nothing but natural processes.

Buddhism also follows the logic that one can gain and have thorough knowledge by oneself without having to follow others. Buddhists go to a temple to ‘make merit’ every full and new moon. In the mornings, along the main roads, it is common to see monks receiving alms from the Thai community.





Places of Worship on Koh Tao


King Rama V Initials and statue at Laem Jor Por Ror

His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn Rama V (20th September 1853 – 23rd October 1910) was one of Thailand’s greatest and most beloved kings. He preserved Thailand’s sovereignty and independence during Western colonialism, totally reformed the government and brought the nation together to bring Thailand, formerly known as Siam, into the modern world.

Koh Tao Temple

Located on the main road, 300 metres north of Mae Haad town, Wat Koh Jaroen Santi Dharma, as it is officially known, is where people come to make merit, listen to a sermon, or hold a funeral. The temple is also a local community centre used for meetings and seminars.

Spirit house of Yaai Mae and Taa Toh

Local inhabitants revere and worship two rock spirits called Hin Taa Toh and Hin Yaai Mae believing them to be gods who protect them from natural disasters and bad luck, especially when travelling by sea. This spirit house is a place for people to show their respect and worship these rock spirits.

Koh Tao People & Culture

King Rama V statue at Laem Jor Por Ror


Temple Etiquette

Temples in Thailand are a place of respect. If you choose to visit one, please observe the Temple etiquette: Please dress appropriately. No shorts or sleeveless tops, and skirts or pants should be long enough to cover the knees. Women are not allowed to touch monks. If you wish to give something to a monk, you can place it on a special cloth that the monk will offer. In Thai culture, feet are seen as ‘impure’ and the ‘lowest’ part of the body in more than just the physical sense. Never point your feet at a statue of Buddha, at monks or other Thai people.