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Coordinates: 6°37′N 99°39′E / 6.617°N 99.650°E / 6.617; 99.650
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Importing Wikidata short description: "Island in the Andaman Sea"
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{{Short description|Island in the Andaman Sea}}
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[[File:West coast of Koh Tarutao.jpg|thumbnail|right|Koh Tarutao west coast]]
{{Infobox islands

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|image=File:West coast of Koh Tarutao.jpg
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'''Ko Tarutao''' island ({{lang-th|เกาะตะรุเตา}}) is the largest island of [[Tarutao National Marine Park]] in [[Satun Province]] of [[Thailand]], close to Malaysia border. The island is {{convert|26|km|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|11|km|0|abbr=on}} wide. It is one of the most unspoiled islands in [[Andaman Sea]] and in all of Thailand. The [[Malay language|Malay]] word ''tertua'' or ''tarutao'' means ''old'' and ''primitive''.
|image_caption=Ko Tarutao west coast
|area_km2=152
|coordinates={{coord|6|37|N|99|39|E|display=inline,title|region:TH_type:isle_source:GNS-enwiki}}|country={{flag|Thailand}}|country_admin_divisions_title=[[Provinces of Thailand|Province]]|country_admin_divisions={{flag|Satun}}|location=[[Southeast Asia]]|country_admin_divisions_1=[[Mueang Satun district|Mueang Satun]]|country_admin_divisions_title_1=[[Districts of Thailand|District]]|country_admin_divisions_2=[[Ko Sarai]]|country_admin_divisions_title_2=[[Subdistricts of Thailand|Subdistrict]]|waterbody=[[Strait of Malacca]]|pushpin_label_position=left}}
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'''Ko Tarutao''' island ({{lang-th|เกาะตะรุเตา}}) is the largest island of the [[Tarutao National Park]] in [[Satun Province]] of [[southern Thailand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/ko-tarutao|title=Ko Tarutao}}</ref> The island is {{convert|26|km|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|11|km|0|abbr=on}} wide. It is one of the most unspoiled islands in [[Andaman Sea]] and in all of Thailand. Ko Tarutao is located about {{cvt|10|km|mi|0}} north of [[Langkawi]] Island in Malaysia. The [[Malay language|Malay]] word ''tertua'' or ''tarutao'' means ''old'' and ''primitive''.


== Overview ==
== Overview ==


There is a concrete road running through the island, but the terrain is rugged and mountainous with several peaks stretching more than {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=out}} high. The highest peak is {{convert|713|m|ft|abbr=out}} high. Most of the island territory is covered in dense, old growth [[jungle]]. [[Mangrove]] trees and limestone cliffs cover much of the island shores.<ref name = "lp">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=China|title=Thailand Travel Guide|year=2012|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Worldwide|isbn=9781741797145|pages=816}}</ref> The western coast has long and wide white-sand beaches which are historical nestling ground sites for turtles. Langurs, crab-eating macaques and wild pigs are common on the island.
There is a concrete road running through the island, but the terrain is rugged and mountainous with several peaks stretching more than {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=out}} high. The highest peak is {{convert|713|m|ft|abbr=out}} high. Most of the island territory is covered in dense, old growth [[jungle]]. [[Mangrove]] trees and limestone cliffs cover much of the island shores.<ref name = "lp">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=China|title=Thailand Travel Guide|year=2012|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Worldwide|isbn=9781741797145|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741797145/page/816 816]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741797145/page/816}}</ref> The western coast has long and wide white-sand beaches which are historical nestling ground sites for turtles. [[Colobinae|Langurs]], [[crab-eating macaque]]s and wild pigs are common on the island.


Ao Son beach on the west side of the island is over {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=on}} long and over {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=out}} wide.
Ao Son beach on the west side of the island is over {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=on}} long and over {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=out}} wide.


From its eastern side the larger island of Ko Tarutao is encircled by over 10 smaller offshore islands and limestone [[karst]] islets, such as Ko Sing, Ko Kaman, Ko Ko Lo, Ko Klang, Ko Pulao Na, Ko Daeng, Ko Laen, Ko Lek, and others.
From its eastern side the larger island of Ko Tarutao is encircled by over 10 smaller offshore islands and limestone [[karst]] islets, such as Ko Sing, Ko Kaman, Ko Ko Lo, Ko Klang, Ko Pulao Na, Ko Daeng, Ko Laen, Ko Lek, and others.

== History ==
== History ==
[[File:West dock of Koh Tarutao.jpg|thumbnail|right|A dock and {{convert|30|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} limestone cliff near the old prison site on the east side of the island]]
[[File:West dock of Koh Tarutao.jpg|thumbnail|right|A dock and {{convert|30|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} limestone cliff near the old prison site on the east side of the island]]


Ko Tarutao is a place of historical importance. Between 1938 and 1948, more than 3000 Thai criminals and political prisoners were held here, including Sittiporn Gridagon, the son of [[Rama VII]]. During World War II, food and medical supplies from the mainland were depleted and many prisoners died from malaria. Those who survived, both prisoners and guards, became pirates in the nearby Strait of Malacca. Later they were suppressed by British troops in 2011 to deter the rise of more prisoners.<ref name = "lp"/>
Ko Tarutao is a place of historical importance. Between 1938 and 1948, more than 3000 Thai criminals and political prisoners were held here, including Prince [[Sithiporn Kridakara]] a member of [[Chakri dynasty]] who would later serve as [[Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Thailand)|Minister of Agriculture]] of post-war Thailand under the third premiership of [[Khuang Aphaiwong]]. During World War II, food and medical supplies from the mainland were depleted and many prisoners died from malaria. Those who survived, both prisoners and guards, became pirates in the nearby [[Strait of Malacca]]. Later they were suppressed by British troops in 1951 to deter the rise of more prisoners.<ref name = "lp"/>


In 2002, Ko Tarutao was used as the filming location for [[Survivor: Thailand]]
In 2002, Ko Tarutao was used as the filming location for ''[[Survivor: Thailand]]''.


A 16 August 2013 [[Bangkok Post]] editorial said human trafficking gangsters "use the southern tip of the island to incarcerate and torture Muslim [[Rohingya]] boat people to extort ransom money before selling them into slavery".<ref name=editorial>[http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/364843/a-nightmare-in-paradise A nghtmare in paradise]</ref>
A 16 August 2013 ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' editorial said human trafficking gangsters "use the southern tip of the island to incarcerate and torture Muslim [[Rohingya]] boat people to extort ransom money before selling them into slavery".<ref name=editorial>[http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/364843/a-nightmare-in-paradise A nightmare in paradise]</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Thailand|Islands}}
* [[Tarutao National Marine Park]]
* [[Tarutao National Park]]


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Ko Tarutao}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Ko Tarutao}}
* [http://www.vascoplanet.com/world/thailand/kohtarutao/ Ko Tarutao Photos]

{{coord|6|37|N|99|39|E|display=title|region:TH_type:isle_source:GNS-enwiki}}


[[Category:Islands of Thailand]]
[[Category:Islands of Thailand]]

Revision as of 09:05, 4 September 2024

Ko Tarutao
Ko Tarutao west coast
Map
Geography
LocationSoutheast Asia
Coordinates6°37′N 99°39′E / 6.617°N 99.650°E / 6.617; 99.650
Adjacent toStrait of Malacca
Area152 km2 (59 sq mi)
Administration
Province Satun
DistrictMueang Satun
SubdistrictKo Sarai

Ko Tarutao island (Template:Lang-th) is the largest island of the Tarutao National Park in Satun Province of southern Thailand.[1] The island is 26 km (16 mi) long and 11 km (7 mi) wide. It is one of the most unspoiled islands in Andaman Sea and in all of Thailand. Ko Tarutao is located about 10 km (6 mi) north of Langkawi Island in Malaysia. The Malay word tertua or tarutao means old and primitive.

Overview

There is a concrete road running through the island, but the terrain is rugged and mountainous with several peaks stretching more than 500 metres (1,600 ft) high. The highest peak is 713 metres (2,339 ft) high. Most of the island territory is covered in dense, old growth jungle. Mangrove trees and limestone cliffs cover much of the island shores.[2] The western coast has long and wide white-sand beaches which are historical nestling ground sites for turtles. Langurs, crab-eating macaques and wild pigs are common on the island.

Ao Son beach on the west side of the island is over 4 km (2 mi) long and over 100 metres (330 ft) wide.

From its eastern side the larger island of Ko Tarutao is encircled by over 10 smaller offshore islands and limestone karst islets, such as Ko Sing, Ko Kaman, Ko Ko Lo, Ko Klang, Ko Pulao Na, Ko Daeng, Ko Laen, Ko Lek, and others.

History

A dock and 30-metre-high (98 ft) limestone cliff near the old prison site on the east side of the island

Ko Tarutao is a place of historical importance. Between 1938 and 1948, more than 3000 Thai criminals and political prisoners were held here, including Prince Sithiporn Kridakara a member of Chakri dynasty who would later serve as Minister of Agriculture of post-war Thailand under the third premiership of Khuang Aphaiwong. During World War II, food and medical supplies from the mainland were depleted and many prisoners died from malaria. Those who survived, both prisoners and guards, became pirates in the nearby Strait of Malacca. Later they were suppressed by British troops in 1951 to deter the rise of more prisoners.[2]

In 2002, Ko Tarutao was used as the filming location for Survivor: Thailand.

A 16 August 2013 Bangkok Post editorial said human trafficking gangsters "use the southern tip of the island to incarcerate and torture Muslim Rohingya boat people to extort ransom money before selling them into slavery".[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ko Tarutao".
  2. ^ a b Williams, China (2012). Thailand Travel Guide. Worldwide: Lonely Planet. pp. 816. ISBN 9781741797145.
  3. ^ A nightmare in paradise
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