Yet, there's a small picturesque island in the Gulf of Thailand that remains untouched by the tourist crowds. Koh Mak, home to just 1,200 permanent residents, retains its natural charm.

Each year hundreds of thousands of Brits jet off to Thailand to see the sights and relax. But the sheer volume of tourists have left more popular resorts such as Phuket and Pattaya struggling to cope.

Thailand has re-fenced illegal entries and exits with barbed wire barriers from the Thai-Myanmar border area on the side of the Phaya Thone Zu area. Before Jan 15, a resident of Pagoda Thone Zu ...