February 20, 2025, 9:29 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Crystal-clear sea, white sandy beaches, and tropical temperatures. The Thai diving island of Koh Tao has been known for years as a vacation paradise. However, in addition to positive travel reports, there are now also numerous reports of mysterious deaths on the island. TRAVELBOOK takes a look at the mysterious history of Koh Tao.
The Thai island of Koh Tao is located around 85 kilometers from Surat Thani. Advertised as the little sister of the much better-known island of Koh Samui, it has also garnered attention as the so-called “Death Island” due to a series of mysterious fatalities. To date, eight travelers have met their untimely demise here, with the majority shrouded in mystery.
Overview
Dream Island in the Gulf of Thailand
With its picturesque beaches, the approximately 21 square kilometer island of Koh Tao has made a name for itself not only among backpackers but also among luxury travelers. The stretches of Shark Bay, Sairee Beach, and Jansom Bay stand out as the island’s crown jewels. Snorkeling and diving excursions offer a window into an underwater world teeming with coral reefs, sea turtles, and rare fish species. Boasting an array of beach bars, pristine natural landscapes, and breathtaking viewpoints, this island paradise is a magnet for a diverse array of visitors.
Mysterious Crimes on the Island
However, the idyll of the vacation paradise was spoiled for the first time in 2014 when the bodies of a British tourist couple were found on the famous Sairee Beach. The Thai police’s opaque handling of the investigation particularly sparked an international outcry. According to the SZ, some people still have doubts that the two alleged perpetrators are really the murderers of the tourist couple.
After the murder of the British tourists in September 2014, further mysterious deaths occurred on Koh Tao – with the victims mainly being tourists between the ages of twenty and thirty. Merely months later, the lifeless body of another young British man was discovered near a rock on Sai Nuan Beach. According to 20min, his family also complained about inadequate witness interviews. In a somber turn of events just a year later, a French tourist’s journey ended tragically in his accommodation.
However, the series of tragic events continued in the following years. Three more deaths followed by 2018, all under obscure circumstances. And at the beginning of this year, the latest victim, an Irish tourist on Koh Tao, also made headlines. When it comes to solving the cases, the Thai authorities, in particular, are criticized. The investigation process, marred by a lack of transparency and incomplete evidence, continues to sow seeds of doubt among the bereaved relatives. According to Welt, the authorities are fiercely combating the stigma associated with the moniker “Death Island.”
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Are the deaths a cause for concern?
What or who is actually behind the mysterious events and whether some cases are even crimes remains unclear. In an interview with TRAVELBOOK, author and travel safety expert Sven Leidel assesses safety in Thailand as follows: “In my estimation, the overall risk and threat level in Thailand is moderately high, rating a 3 on a scale from 1 to 5. Petty crime likely poses the greatest risk to tourists.” At the same time, the Federal Foreign Office advises women traveling in Thailand to pay close attention to their own safety, especially in the evening and at night.