Koh Samui

  • Things To Do

    Top 5 family-friendly hotels in Koh Samui

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | More BKK protester v police clashes, PM revokes media crackdown | August 11

    Pro-democracy activists clashed again with police in Bangkok last evening. After widespread criticism from Thai media and human rights organisations, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has backed down and repealed his order banning the posting of information that could cause ‘fear’. Hopes are fading for a tourism revival in the third quarter of this year after the US government cautioned its…

  • Things To Do

    Top 5 scuba diving snorkelling tours in Samui

    Koh Samui is home to many snorkelling and dive sites – each spectacular and unique. Its waters are rich in vibrant reefs, coral and marine life, thus offering memorable underwater experiences. Nowadays, these terrains are easier to explore than ever with the help of guided tours. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 scuba diving and snorkelling…

  • Things To Do

    Top 5 Island Tours in Samui

    Koh Samui has an abundance of tropical paradises to explore. Its many surrounding islands offer breathtaking scenery, serene beaches and ideal conditions for sailing, snorkelling, or simply relaxing. In addition, when travelling to these islands from Samui, journey times are relatively short. Thus, island-hopping is an easy feat and activities are remarkably varied. Listed below are the top 5 island tours…

  • Best of

    The 5 Best Cafes in Koh Samui

    Tropical beaches on Koh Samui are what is the island is most famous for, but it’s also packed with modern cafes serving up heavenly coffee and food. From Thai to wholesome cuisine and coffees of all kinds, we’ve listed the best cafes in Samui. cafe Top 5 Cafes in Koh Samui 1. Vikasa Life Samui Cafe Founded by 2 European raw…

  • Best of

    5 Best Seafood Restaurants in Koh Samui

    The waters surrounding Koh Samui are a rich source of fresh seafood. Thus, finding seafood on the island is easy with a variety of fish caught daily. From beachfront restaurants to local eateries, these are the best seafood restaurants to try. Top 5 Seafood Restaurants in Koh Samui 1. Samui Seafood Grill & Restaurant For authentic Thai cuisine, head to Samui Seafood…

  • Koh Samui News

    Samui Covid-19: 14 new Black Club infections, 2nd cluster

    [UPDATE 9 pm: Information on Black Club staff with Covid-19 has been updated, as well as Bangkok Airways Samui flight cancellations and Bangkok Hospital bed shortage details.] The emergence of Covid-19 in Koh Samui has caused some upheaval for the residents as more infections and more details are revealed each day. 14 new infections were diagnosed today on the island,…

  • Koh Samui News

    Koh Samui unaccustomed to Covid-19, many act in dismay

    Koh Samui is not accustomed to Covid-19 worries and has been rocked by the outbreak this week as many locals struggle to cope with the first significant cluster on the island. So far 40 Covid-19 infections have been identified from the Black Bamboo Club cluster, and several other seemingly unrelated infections had popped up also. A few more bars have…

  • Koh Samui News

    Black Club Covid-19 outbreak on Koh Samui widens

    After announcing a Covid-19 cluster outbreak at Black Bamboo Club in Koh Samui with 16 infections, many more people were found to have the virus. Over 600 people were tested yesterday in connection with the outbreak now sourced most likely to a fitness instructor in Lamai and reports of up to 90 additional cases are circulating with 38 infections currently…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | ‘Crowding’ due to camera angles, train hospitals | July 29

    Thai Health minister Anutin wants to reassure the public that images of crowds of people packing into Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station might be deceptive. Sleeper trains in Bangkok are being converted into isolation facilities for Covid-19 patients who are waiting for a hospital bed to become available. Thai media organisations have issued a joint statement calling on the government…

  • Koh Samui News

    Surge in new Covid infections on Koh Samui

    Koh Samui has recorded its highest 1-day jump in Covid-19 infections since the southern island re-opened to international tourism. According to a Bangkok Post report, officials have confirmed 20 new cases but insist the development will not affect the island’s Samui Plus re-opening programme. 16 of the new infections are a cluster linked to a cashier at a local gym.…

  • Covid-19 News

    Koh Samui bar and club finds 16 Covid-19 infections

    The Thaiger recently reported that some bars and clubs in Koh Samui continue to operate seemingly indifferent to Covid-19 restrictions in place without any masks or social distancing and during periods that nightlife was shut down nationally. Now the freedom from regulation on the island has come back to bite as 16 Covid-19 infections were found traced to one of…

  • Koh Samui News

    Surat Thani announces new Covid-19 measures for Samui Plus

    Less than 10 days after the less-than-thrilling Samui Plus reopening that saw just 31 international arrivals to Samui (with 2 to Koh Phangan and 1 to Koh Tao) so far and 110 people from the Phuket Sandbox, Surat Thani province in which the islands reside has announced immediate Covid-19 measures to curb the spread of the virus. The announcement today…

  • Phuket News

    “Sandboxers” can travel to specified islands and beaches after 7 days in Phuket

    A new rule for the “Phuket Sandbox” was passed allowing visitors under the reopening scheme to travel to specified islands after spending 7 days in Phuket. The rule goes into effect on August 1. The islands include Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, which are off the coast of Surat Thani in the Gulf of Thailand. The trio…

  • Best of

    5 Best Italian Restaurants in Koh Samui

    It’s easy to fall in love with Italian food. From pasta to pizza, nothing beats the taste of melted mozzarella or the comforting aroma of bread, wine, herbs and tomato. Luckily, Koh Samui is home to many Italian eateries – however, of these, only a few spots stand out. We’ve rounded up Koh Samui’s best Italian restaurants that go beyond…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | What are your rights in Thailand? Sandbox and Samui Plus update

    Today Tim and Sumi talk with Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal regarding your rights for ASQ and enforced quarantine. Sandbox and Samui Plus Update. Your questions answered. Covid latest and the main headlines from Thailand today.

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Soft Samui launch, warning over Fake News, Only Fans disrupts girlie bars | July 14

    The Thai Cabinet has approved an extension to the emergency decree until at least the end of September. While the “Samui Plus” reopening plan starts tomorrow, it will be a “soft” reopening with few starters for the opening day. Yesterday, another visitor to Phuket was discovered to be infected with Covid. The discovery brings Phuket’s total infected visitors to 7.…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Samui Reopens tomorrow, your responses to the vaccine survey

    Today Tim and Able talk with Khun Chat from Bliss Events Thailand about The Samui re-opening and if they are ready to open under the Samui Plus program. We take a look at your responses to our vaccine survey yesterday. Covid latest and the main headlines from Thailand today. To follow Able visit her @emceeable and @findyourvoiceasia

  • Koh Samui News

    Slow start for “Samui Plus” reopening, only 33 seats booked for this month

    While the “Samui Plus” reopening plan is set to start tomorrow, it might be more of a “soft” reopening. Only 33 airline seats are booked for this month and tourism officials say it will be a few months before the islands see an influx of international arrivals. Similar to the “Phuket Sandbox,” the scheme allows the trio of islands in…

  • Koh Samui News

    Strict measures to mitigate virus risk as Surat Thani re-opens tomorrow

    The governor of Surat Thani says the measures in place under the “Samui Plus” model will help guard against the spread of Covid-19 as 3 islands re-open to international tourism. Governor Witchawut says foreign visitors to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phang Ngan will have to adhere to strict rules as part of the Samui Plus model. From tomorrow,…

  • Tourism News

    Samui and Phangan reopening: bars open, 5,000 baht Covid tests

    Koh Samui and the surrounding islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are preparing for their Samui Plus reopening beginning July 15. The rules for the reopening are more stringent, with 3 full days of quarantine required and then 4 days of being allowed to travel only on sealed routes to specific tourist destinations before finally being allowed to travel…

  • Koh Samui News

    Koh Samui hopes to attract 2,000 tourists in first month of re-opening

    The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui is paying great attention to how the Phuket sandbox scheme unfolds and hoping it succeeds. According to a Bangkok Post report, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee says the Samui Plus scheme could attract 2,000 guests in its first month if some rules can be eased. “Besides the virus situation on our islands and the…

  • Tourism News

    Bangkok Airways revises Koh Samui flights ahead of reopening

    To prepare for the Samui+ reopening programme launching July 15, Bangkok Airways is revising its schedule to operate 3 inbound flights and 3 outbound flights daily between Koh Samui and Bangkok. The new schedule, released today and promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in a press release this afternoon, will feature a morning, afternoon, and evening flight option beginning…

  • Tourism News

    Entry registration under “Samui Plus” reopening planned to open this week

    The registration for entering Thailand under the slated “Samui Plus” reopening scheme is planned to open this week. Similar to the Phuket “Sandbox,” the programme will allow foreign tourists who are vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel to the trio of islands in the Gulf of Thailand off the Surat Thani coast. Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are…

  • Tourism News

    List of countries by Covid-19 risk level, classified by Thailand’s DDC

    Under the “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel models, travellers not only need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to be eligible to enter Thailand under the schemes, but they also need to be travelling from countries classified by Thailand’s Department of Disease Control as a low to medium risk for Covid-19. The DDC posts a new list on the…

  • Tourism News

    CCSA gives details on “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel schemes

    The “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel schemes were approved by the Thai Cabinet yesterday, allowing the islands to reopen to travellers who are vaccinated against Covid-19. Phuket is set to reopen on July 1 while the trio of islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, is set to reopen on July 15.…

  • Thailand News

    Proposed start date now July 15 for “Samui Plus” reopening

    The proposed reopening date for the “Samui Plus” travel scheme is now July 15. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, islands in the Gulf of Thailand off the Surat Thani coast, are planned to reopen to travellers from overseas who are vaccinated against Covid-19. Initially called the “Samui Sealed Route,” the proposed travel scheme will allow those who are…

  • Tourism News

    Reopening guidelines for Phuket and Samui

    In a press release, the Tourism Authority of Thailand recently sought to lay out and clarify guidelines for how Thailand’s reopening will begin. The Phuket Sandbox plan rolls out first on July 1 (awaiting final approval), followed by a proposal for Surat Thani province reopening Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao on a sealed route July 15. Here’s the…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Samui quiet/flights/reopening, Thailand’s botched vaccine roll out

    GMT heads off to Samui today to get the latest ‘on the ground’ reports on the suffering of businesses and possible reopening for the island. We also discuss the botched vaccine roll-out in Thailand… that’s not our words but the words of a number of Thai officials in leading rolls in the Thai health system. As usual we discuss your…

  • Phuket News

    UPDATE: Tourism Minister reportedly says July 1 ‘sandbox’ won’t happen

    UPDATE By the conclusion of a meeting in Phuket this afternoon the only confirmation was that the July 1 date for a re-opening of Thailand, via the Phuket sandbox was “still on”, according to Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com who attended the meeting. More details when they emerge. Bottomline, nothing is confirmed until the Thai Cabinet discusses the issue, probably Tuesday,…