HISTORY OF KOH MAK ISLAND

The History of Koh Mak

Koh Mak's history can be traced back to the year 1893.The King of Siam at that time (King Rama 5th,1868-1910) conceded territory to French Indo China in an attempt to avoid European colonisation. On February 1st 1903 in an attempt to stop the French progression towards Bangkok, an area stretching from Chantaburi to Koh Kood was given to the French. This included Koh Chang and the Koh Mak group of islands and reached as far as Batchantakiliket, now known as Koh Kong. On March 23rd 1906 King Rama 5th regained control of these provinces in exchange for the much larger regions of Patabong, Siem Reap and Srisophon now parts of Cambodia.
King Rama 5th visited Trat province 12 times including 2 visits to Koh Mak during his reign. The people of Koh Mak are very proud that the King chose their island as a place to relax.
Koh Mak has an area of 9,500 sq rai (16 sq km) of which 500 sq rai is public land. The remainder is made up of coconut and rubber plantations and is owned by 5 families. Three of these families can be traced back to the chinese ambassador.

There are 2 villages on Koh Mak 'Ban Ao Nid' on the Easthern coast is home to 50 families and has a population of 210 and 'Ban Laem Son' in the north of the island has 39 families with a population of 124. The total population of Koh Mak and the Koh Mak sub-district is nearly 900 this includes neighbouring islands Koh Rayang Nok, Koh Rayang Nai,Ko Pee, Koh Kham, and Koh Kradat. In total there are 21 islands, 9 habited and 12 uninhabited that make up the Koh Mak sub-district. Koh Mak is the 3rd largest after Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
Koh Mak is approximately 10 km from north to south and 5 km from east to west. The coastline is 26 km and has many beautiful white sand beaches. In particular the beaches of 'Ao Suan Yai' on the west side and 'Ao Kao' on the south side are long and deserted.

Most of the island is still covered by coconut and rubber plantations which is the island's main export products.
Many of the locals also make handicrafts from coconut shells, batik fabrics and furnitures. The oil extracted from coconuts can also be refined into a medical oil.
The majority of local people still work as farmers in the coconut and rubber plantations or as fisherman. There are 24 resorts on Koh Mak, this also generates employement for many of the local people.