Koh Samui

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui flights resume Wednesday despite Covid-19

    Koh Samui flights resume Wednesday despite Covid-19

    The Samui Plus international reopening plan has seen a fraction of the success of the Phuket Sandbox reopening and were hampered by the grounding of nearly all domestic flights in Thailand, despite an exception for Sandbox flights. Now the province that’s home to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao will continue the Samui Plus programme and expects flights to…

  • Koh Samui News24 arrested at illegal party in Koh Samui luxury villa

    24 arrested at illegal party in Koh Samui luxury villa

    Perhaps people are getting fed up with Covid-19 restrictions keeping them isolated and unable to socialize and party. Or maybe the police are cracking down more on the illegal parties that often become Covid-19 clusters or superspreader events. Either way, stories of private parties in violation of Covid-19 Emergency Decree restrictions being busted seem to be cropping up more and…

  • Phuket NewsReal estate trends across Thailand’s resort markets

    Real estate trends across Thailand’s resort markets

    Where are property investors looking in Thailand at the moment? How has Covid impacted the resort property markets of Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Koh Samui? Tim Newton speaks to Brennan Campbell, CEO of Thai proptech group FazWaz, in this rundown of current and future trends in Thailand’s most popular resort destinations. And there’s a few surprises too.  

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | 7+7 approved for Phuket, new record Covid deaths | August 17

    Thailand News Today | 7+7 approved for Phuket, new record Covid deaths | August 17

    Police deny claims that live ammunition was shot at protesters on Sunday night outside Bangkok’s Din Daeng police station. The government is seeking to press charges against red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar over protests in Bangkok on Sunday. Phuket is instituting new measures as ordered by the provincial communicable disease committee. 239 coronavirus-related deaths, a new record high, and 20,128 new…

  • Phuket NewsCCSA approves “7+7” island hop extension to “Phuket Sandbox”

    CCSA approves “7+7” island hop extension to “Phuket Sandbox”

    The so-called “7+7” island hop extension to the “Phuket Sandbox” reopening scheme has been approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, allowing travellers from overseas who are vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Phuket, stay on the island for seven days, and then travel on a sealed route to specified destinations in Surat Thani, Krabi, and Phang Nga. Under the…

  • Tourism NewsTAT still pushing to launch Phuket 7+7 plan despite Covid-19

    TAT still pushing to launch Phuket 7+7 plan despite Covid-19

    Many of the original Sandbox-style plans to reopen tourist destinations to international travellers have been delayed as Covid-19 outbreaks spread and domestic travel has been mostly shut down, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand is still hoping to launch its 7+7 model to allow Phuket Sandbox travellers to stay one week before continuing on to a handful of other destinations.…

  • Travel GuidesKoh Samui’s 5 most affordable hotels

    Koh Samui’s 5 most affordable hotels

  • Things To DoTop 5 family-friendly hotels in Koh Samui

    Top 5 family-friendly hotels in Koh Samui

  • Things To DoTop 5 scuba diving snorkelling tours in Samui

    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 DoTop 5 Island Tours in Samui

    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…

  • Things To DoTop 5 Adventure Tours in Samui

    Top 5 Adventure Tours in Samui

    Koh Samui offers so much to see and do on and off the island. So, why not book a tour as an easy way to explore the best adventures it has to offer? From a trip to Ang Thong National Park, and jungle safari to ATV escapades, the choice is remarkably varied. Thus, for those searching for a lifetime experience,…

  • Best ofThe 5 Best Cafes in Koh Samui

    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…

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

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

    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 NewsSamui re-opening plans under threat as island infections rise

    Samui re-opening plans under threat as island infections rise

    Koh Samui’s re-opening plan, Samui Plus, may be cancelled if the Covid-19 situation worsens in the next 2 weeks. Yuthasak Supasorn from the Tourism Authority of Thailand says for now, the re-opening is still on, although a recently approved plan to allow participants in the Phuket sandbox to visit Samui and other islands after 7 days on Phuket has been…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsThai baht goes from top-performing to worst-hit currency in Asia

    Thai baht goes from top-performing to worst-hit currency in Asia

    Before the pandemic, the Thai baht was the strongest-performing currency in Asia. Now, it’s the worst-hit currency in the region, according to Japan-based Mizuho Bank. The Thai economy has been shrinking over the past year, hitting lows which some compare to the contraction during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The Japanese bank says the under-performance of the Thai baht is…

  • 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…

  • 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 NewsNo foreign tourists to arrive tomorrow, the first day of “Samui Plus” reopening

    No foreign tourists to arrive tomorrow, the first day of “Samui Plus” reopening

    No tourists will arrive in Koh Samui tomorrow, the first day of the island’s reopening under the “Samui Plus” travel scheme, similar to the “Phuket Sandbox.” Only 4 foreign tourists are expected on Friday. Tourism officials say it will be a slow start and they expect that an influx of travellers to the trio of islands in the Gulf of…

  • 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.…

  • 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,…

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui opens for bookings from vaccinated foreign tourists

    Koh Samui opens for bookings from vaccinated foreign tourists

    Koh Samui’s sealed route programme, Samui Plus, has opened for business, with vaccinated tourists now able to apply for a certificate of entry. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee from the Tourism Association of Koh Samui says some details need to be ironed out, including determing the cost of a 7-day stay at an alternative state quarantine facility, to include Covid-19 tests and medical…

  • 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…

  • 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…