Koh Samui

  • Koh Samui NewsBlack Club Covid-19 outbreak on Koh Samui widens

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

    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 NewsSurge in new Covid infections on Koh Samui

    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 NewsKoh Samui bar and club finds 16 Covid-19 infections

    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 NewsSurat Thani announces new Covid-19 measures for Samui Plus

    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

    “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 of5 Best Italian Restaurants in Koh Samui

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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 NewsBangkok Airways revises Koh Samui flights ahead of reopening

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

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

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

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

    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 NewsReopening guidelines for Phuket and Samui

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

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

    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,…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samui eyes August 1 reopening, “Samui Sealed Route”

    Koh Samui eyes August 1 reopening, “Samui Sealed Route”

    While Phuket’s July 1 reopening is hotly debated, Koh Samui has been quietly vaccinating its population and putting together plans to welcome tourists back, proposing an August 1 reopening. The proposal aims to ease Koh Samui and neighbouring islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao back into tourism, potentially as a second stop for travellers arriving into Phuket with their Sandbox…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Drive-thru vaccines, more vaccines on the way, Samui Sandbox? | June 9

    Thailand News Today | Drive-thru vaccines, more vaccines on the way, Samui Sandbox? | June 9

    The Thai government is ordering 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, along with 5 million of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. Public Health Ministry has instructed Thai hospitals to honour vaccination appointments, even though they may not have received the number of doses expected. Police have arrested a group of Burmese migrants and an alleged guide from…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Autopsy of Koh Tao couple, buy a Moderna vaccine, Koh Samui sandbox? | June 8

    Thailand News Today | Autopsy of Koh Tao couple, buy a Moderna vaccine, Koh Samui sandbox? | June 8

    A preliminary autopsy result suggest the billionaire Thai couple died from drowning at a Koh Tao resort pool on Shark Bay, Private hospitals in Thailand are planning to buy up to 10 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine through the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, locals at a village in Trang, a southern Thai province, set up nets along the roads…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samui set to reopen on July 1, 50% of residents vaccinated so far

    Koh Samui set to reopen on July 1, 50% of residents vaccinated so far

    Koh Samui is hoping to also reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists on July 1. At this stage it’s a proposal that will need to be approved by the CESA and CCSA. So far, 57,000 residents on the popular Gulf of Thailand island have been vaccinated, making up 50% of the population on Koh Samui, according to the president of the…

  • ExpatsMass vaccination campaign starts today, first phase includes foreigners in “at risk” groups

    Mass vaccination campaign starts today, first phase includes foreigners in “at risk” groups

    “All foreign nationals on Thai soil are included in the national vaccination programme.” Thailand’s nationwide mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign officially started today. For foreigners living in Thailand, those who are 60 years old and above as well as those with certain underlying health conditions, will be given priority during this phase of vaccinations. In Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations…

  • Tourism NewsTourism operators pinning hopes on vaccine rollout

    Tourism operators pinning hopes on vaccine rollout

    Thailand’s tourism operators are pinning all their hopes on the national vaccine rollout, which kicks off today. However, the government’s reputation for vaccine procurement and management has come in for sharp criticism and confidence is not high. Already, a number of provinces have had to postpone their vaccine rollouts after receiving an insufficient number of doses from the Public Health…

  • Thailand NewsPolice in Koh Samui arrest 9 people for gathering and drinking alcohol

    Police in Koh Samui arrest 9 people for gathering and drinking alcohol

    Police in Koh Samui arrested 9 people for allegedly gathering and drinking alcohol, a violation of the strict disease control rules put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The island has been working to contain the virus and administer vaccines quickly to prepare for the reopening to vaccinated foreign tourists on July 1 under a travel model similar…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 infected Thai actress Ploy criticised for Koh Pha Ngan holiday

    Covid-19 infected Thai actress Ploy criticised for Koh Pha Ngan holiday

    Covid-19 infected Thai actress Ploy Chermarn Boonyasak has drawn a formal complaint from Koh Pha Ngan’s district chief officer after a careless holiday. The Pha Ngan chief officer met with the police superintendent yesterday to file the complaint after Ploy spent 2 weeks on Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, on holiday from Bangkok. She did not self-quarantine, as is…