The history of Ko Mak has a connection to many important events in Thai history. In 1893, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V the Great), France took over Chanthaburi province and other lands on the left bank of the Mekong River. In 1904 this occupation forced Thailand to give Trat province and other islands, including Ko Mak, Ko Kut and Ko Kong, to France in exchange for them withdrawing troops from Chanthaburi.
In 1906, King Rama V the Great made a deal with France. The King agreed that France could claim Battambang, Siem Reap and Sisophon for the return of Trat and the surrounding islands, which included Ko Mak.
The five largest families of Ko Mak who own most of the island are all connected by sharing the same ancestor, Nang Chap, sister of King Rama IV’s concubine, Chao Chom Manda Chan. These well known families are Tavedikul, Wongsiri, Suttitanakul, Chantasut and Suksathit.
The most important figure in the history of Ko Mak was Luang Phromphakdi, the forefather of the Tavedikul family. He was appointed Chinese Affairs Officer, supervising the Chinese residents in the area. Part of his duties at the time was to collect taxes from Chinese living in Prachantakhirikhet (now Ko Kong in Cambodia).
When France occupied Prachantakhirikhet in 1904, Luang Phromphakdi relocated his family and workers from Ko Po to Ko Mak by way of a large junk. Luang Phromphakdi purchased the island from its first resident, Chao Sua Seng, a coconut plantation owner and a fellow Chinese Affairs Officer for Ko Chang.
Luang Phromphakdi and his wife, Mrs. Mulee had 11 children. One of their daughters was Mrs. Te, who was married to Khun Wongsirirak, who would become the progenitor of the Wongsiri Family. Another daughter, Mrs. Sa-nguan, was married to Kong Fang, the origin of the Suttitanakul family.

The Chantasut Family’s ancestors were Luang Narapitakjeenjon (Yuad Chantasut) and Mrs. Hong Chantasut. The Suksathit Family has Grandpa Jueng and Grandma Sam-ang as its ancestor.

Throughout their history the five families have gotten along well. Because of this, Ko Mak has carried on happily and peacefully. Everyone on the island agrees to preserve its pure and natural beauty. No one wants their community to be endangered by entertainment establishments, which would flood the island with unwanted light and noise pollution. The families are dedicated to developing Ko Mak into an area of sustainable tourism.