PEOPLE & CULTURE ,KOH TAO

POPULATION

     Koh Tao is a fairly recently inhabited island with the first group of people migrating here in 1947 and others arriving mostly from Koh Phangan. The registered population is 1,788 people, recoded in 2010, but the amount of people that actually live here is around 7,000

     

     Koh Tao is second home for many non-local Thais and foreigners from around the world with most people 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 reside in the three villages of Mae Haad, Sairee and Chalok Baan Kao.

THAI PEOPLE

TWO UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH ARE FOUND IN THAI PEOPLE ARE 'CONSIDERATION' AND 'HOSPITALITY'.

     Consideration means to thinks of another,s feeling 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 the island have left the busy world behind to enjoy a more simple lift and are very happy to be here.

RELIGION

     95% of Thailand's population are Buddhist with 4% Muslim and 1% being of other faiths. The foundation of Buddhism is a principle which aims to extinguish 'Dukkha' (suffering and imperfection) by truly knowing and seeing clearly that there is no self, egoism and nothing belonging to 'a self' . Nothing whatsoever 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.

     Buddhism go to temple to 'make merit' every full and new moon. In the mornings, along the main roads, it is a common sight to see monks reciving alms from the Thai community.




Credit : KOHTAO a Complete Guide

CLIMATE KOH TAO

KOH TAO CAN BE VISITED ALL YEAR ROUND, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEWHERE CALM SHOULD THE WEATHER BE WINDY ON ONE OF THE COASTS.

   

Conditions are changeable throughout the year, with Koh Tao's monsoon usually arriving between the end of November and beginning of December. Heavy rain, strong winds and waves are normal at this time, though it only lasts a few weeks. Boat services usually continue even with waves up to metres high, but they can be interrupted if the conditions are too bad.

   From October through to March, the tide is high, so it,s better and easier in places for swimming and snorkelling with the beaches and bays full of water. From April through to September, the tide is low during the day making the beaches wider for subathing and beach activities.

• Check the weather forecast at http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=208460 

Credit : KOHTAO a Complete Guide