© Shutterstock

Koh Tao -

Also known as Ko Tao, this small island is located on the western side of the Gulf of Thailand.

© Shutterstock

Koh Tao - Scuba diving and snorkeling are some of the most popular activities.

© Shutterstock

Koh Tao - Crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and breathtaking scenery attract many visitors to this island.

© Shutterstock

Death in paradise - But this sun-soaked idyllic paradise has a dark history. A number of tourist deaths on this island in recent years have shocked the world. So much so, that Koh Tao was dubbed "death island" and "murder island" by the media.

© Shutterstock

Theo Bailey, 2024 -

British backpacker Theo Bailey was found dead in a shallow water drainage ditch outside a diving center. The 31-year-old's body was discovered near Sairee Beach, the same location where fellow British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and her boyfriend David Miller had been found dead in 2014.

© Shutterstock

Theo Bailey, 2024 -

Bailey disappeared after a pub crawl with his girlfriend and friends. Thai authorities reportedly believe his death was an accident and are investigating the case, but have not made any arrests.

© Shutterstock

Bernd Grotsch, 2018 - German tourist Bernd Grotsch's body was found in the jungle. He allegedly died of either heart failure, or he was bitten by a snake.

© Shutterstock

Elise Dallemagne, 2017 - In 2017, 30-year-old Elise Dallemagne from Belgium was found dead on the island. Her body was found half-eaten by lizards. The police investigation concluded that it was suicide.

© Shutterstock

Elise Dallemagne, 2017 - Though some questions remain unanswered. Security camera images were released after re-opening the case, but Dallemagne's mother doesn't believe the woman in the images is her daughter.

© Shutterstock

Elise Dallemagne, 2017 - The backpacker reportedly checked into a hotel using a fake name. Her alleged connection to the Sathya Sai Baba cult has also been debated.

© Reuters

Valentina Novozhyonova, 2017 - Russian Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, disappeared from her hostel, leaving her belongings behind.

© Shutterstock

Valentina Novozhyonova, 2017 - She reportedly went diving, but she's still missing to this day. The police believe she drowned at sea.

© Reuters

Luke Miller, 2016 - British backpacker Luke Miller, 26, was found dead in a swimming pool at the Sunset Bar on Sairee Beach.

© Shutterstock

Luke Miller, 2016 -

The investigation concluded that he was not murdered, but his family believes otherwise.

© Shutterstock

Dimitri Povse, 2015 -

Dimitri Povse's body was found hung in his room on New Year's Day.

© Getty Images

Dimitri Povse, 2015 -

The case was ruled suicide, even though the French tourist was found with his hands tied behind his back.

© Shutterstock

Christina Annesley, 2015 - On January 21, 2015, New Zealand-born Christina Annesley was also found dead in her room. The investigation concluded that there was no foul play.

© Shutterstock

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 - This case caught the media attention around the world. British backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and her boyfriend David Miller, 24, were found dead.

© Reuters

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 -

They were brutally murdered at Sairee Beach in September 2014.

© Getty Images

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 - Thai police launched a thorough investigation. Footprints were compared to those of local workers in the area.

© Reuters

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 - Even DNA swabs were taken in search of the murderer.

© Reuters

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 - Myanmarese (formerly Burma) workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were found guilty and sentenced to death. Their lawyers however, claimed that the murder weapon didn't match the suspects' DNA.

© Reuters

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, 2014 - Soon, accusations of using the migrant workers as scapegoats to cover up the real killers started and many protests took place.

© Reuters

Nick Pearson, 2014 - The 25-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea.

© Shutterstock

Nick Pearson, 2014 - Police suspected he had fallen from a height of 50 ft (15 m) and accidentally drown. His family suspects there was foul play.

© Shutterstock

Ben Harrington, 2012 - The 32-year-old Brit was found dead after a motorcycle crash. His wallet and watch were never recovered.

© Shutterstock

Tourist death trap - But how has this island in the "Land of Smiles" become such a tourist death trap?

© Shutterstock

Thai mafia - Reportedly, the island is ruled by a local mafia family.

© Reuters

Thai Mafia - As reported by the Independent, they demand protection money and control the local police force.

© Reuters

Mafia rules - Apparently, Koh Tao is not the only island to be ruled in the same way. Many others are controlled by powerful families.

© Shutterstock

Koh Tao -

Despite the risks, tourists continue to visit the island. 

See also: The most dangerous (and the safest) countries for female travelers

© Reuters