Due to the development of tourism the mainland people have come to invest in Koh Kred. They operate convenient stores, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Additionally, there has been a trend to employ people from outside the island to work in the tourism industry. This has resulted in a high rate of employment from the mainland. The study of Bunchot (1996) indicates that a quarter of residents from Sobluak community (Golden Triangle, Thailand) have changed from their previous occupation as agriculturists to tourism related jobs because of the tourism development in their community.
Before the promotion of tourism in 1997 the only means of access was by the long-tailed boats from the mainland, and consequently tourism was restricted. Since then tourism and associated development has grown. Now, there are the motor ferries that are available for servicing the needs of tourists and residents all day. The rising number of tourists can stimulate the residents of Koh Kred to establish many facilities to serve the tourists. The small restaurants, souvenir shops, and street vendors that are operated by locals are a means of providing additional income to that which they earned from other sources, such as agricultural plantations.
Referring to the study of this island, a lot of tourists usually visit Koh Kred during the weekend; hence, the local people are able to make an additional income from selling the souvenirs, food and drink, and local products to the tourists only two days a week. On the other hand, there are only a few tourists who choose to visit Koh Kred during the weekdays so that the local people do not receive as much additional revenue as they do on the weekend.