Skip to content

Home

News

Sport

Business

World of Business

Technology of Business

NYSE Opening Bell

Innovation

Watch Documentaries

Technology

Science

Artificial Intelligence

AI v the Mind

Health

Watch Documentaries

Culture

Watch Documentaries

Film & TV

Music

Art & Design

Style

Books

Entertainment News

Arts

Watch Documentaries

Arts in Motion

Travel

Watch Documentaries

Destinations

Africa

Antarctica

Asia

Australia and Pacific

Caribbean & Bermuda

Central America

Europe

Middle East

North America

South America

World’s Table

Culture & Experiences

Adventures

The SpeciaList

Earth

Watch Documentaries

Natural Wonders

Weather & Science

Climate Solutions

Sustainable Business

Green Living

Audio

Podcast Categories

Radio

Audio FAQs

Video

Watch Documentaries

BBC Maestro

Discover the World

Live

Live News

Live Sport

Documentaries

Thailand’s nefarious island paradise

25 February 2022

Dave StamboulisFeatures correspondent

News image

Dave Stamboulis Tarutao

Tarutao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, but its white-sand beaches and lush rainforests were once home to hardened criminals.

More from the BBC

News image

A large pit, about two feet deep, dug out of a stretch of grass. Six people are crouched on the ground, carrying out excavation work. There are some bones exposed in the pit, with white labels next to them. Tools, trays, buckets and wooden planks are littered around.

Anglo-Saxon monastery dig gets £250k funding

The abbey has become known as a key site in the beginnings of English Christianity.

News image

Black-and-white archive image of Jeremy Thorpe campaigning with microphone in hand with church in background (Credit: Getty Images)

The '70s sex scandal that led to a dramatic trial

For years, UK politician Jeremy Thorpe's affair was a secret – but when his former lover Norman Scott blurted out the truth, an astounding story emerged.

News image

A hand-drawn Tudor map of Kingsbridge. The map shows two lines of houses, some have red roofs. A detailed drawing of a church is in the center of a map. A long building with arches is below the story. Long lines behind the houses maps out where gardens were.

'Extremely rare' map to go on show after 400 years

The Tudor map, which has been in private hands for 400 years, has been secured by a £17,691 grant.

News image

A ground-level outdoor view of the historic white watermill, featuring ornate black timber detailing and a steep slate roof. A large wooden waterwheel stands beside the flowing river, which runs past a stone retaining wall. The building is surrounded by neatly cut grass and mature autumn trees under a clear blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Fancy buying a home that inspired a Turner painting? It's yours for £1.5m

The Grade II-listed watermill dates back hundreds of years and inspired the renowned artist.

News image

A man with short grey hair smiles as he stands in front of 1950s trawler at the side of a dock. He wears a black biker-style leather jacket and a blue tracksuit top. The trawler has a black hull, with white and tan-coloured upper works and a grey funnel, which has a green flag painted on it with white star emblem.

I stowed away on a trawler and spent 32 years at sea

Former Grimsby trawlerman Tony Roach tells of his lifelong connection with the sea.