Koh Samui News
Stay up to date on the latest happenings in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao with The Thaiger. Our team delivers up-to-date news, insightful analysis, and exclusive stories from this popular part of the Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Keep your finger on the pulse of Samui’s ever-evolving tourism, economic, and cultural scene, as well as its thriving beach entertainment and nightlife. Stay informed about local events, transportation updates, and expat experiences in this vibrant collection of Islands.
The Thaiger is your go-to source for all things Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Don’t miss out – subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay connected with the city’s most trusted news source.
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Sponsored Working in Thailand: How expat health insurance protects your career and lifestyle
Starting a career in Thailand can be an exciting chapter, but it also brings unique challenges, especially when it comes to health and wellness. For expats, navigating Thailand’s healthcare system and meeting work permit requirements can be difficult. And while...
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Koh Samui tourist traps hit pause in wave of storms
Koh Samui’s sun-soaked shores have been thrown into chaos as high waves and torrential rain force a halt to several tourist hotspots, with safety taking top priority. The island’s usual flurry of tours, boat trips, and waterfall visits has been put on ice as the elements unleash their fury. Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran Co., had to change course, rerouting its…
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Locals reel in Thai man stranded at sea for 2-hours near Koh Samui (video)
Locals on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, came to the aid of a Thai man who accidentally fell into the sea yesterday and was stranded, treading water for two hours. Samui Association Rescue Volunteers were alerted by locals at around 9am yesterday, November 6, that the Thai man, later identified as 34 year old Sanadate,…
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Danish tourist terrorises Koh Samui with weapons cache
A Danish tourist left Koh Samui in shock after a terrifying string of incidents involving threats, weapons, and what police are calling disturbing behaviour. Bophut Police began their investigation around 11am on Saturday, November 2 after multiple complaints about a foreign man wielding an air gun and machete, allegedly menacing locals and tourists. Witnesses reported the man, identified as 31…
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Koh Samui luxury villas face demolition amid legal battle
A luxury villa project on Koh Samui faced legal action yesterday as local officials attempted to enforce a demolition order for 11 buildings. The project’s legal representatives intervened, preventing access and challenging the orders. Yesterday, October 21, Ramnet Jaikang, Mayor of Koh Samui, assigned an experienced legal officer, Pallop Meepian, to carry out the demolition orders issued by the municipality.…
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Thai police shut down 21 villas on Koh Samui, foreigners evicted
Police on the picturesque island of Koh Samui swooped and shut down 21 luxury villas that were built illegally on the pristine Khao Ma Ngaen mountain, leaving foreign tenants scrambling to pack their bags. Municipal, military, and ombudsman officials yesterday, September 17, slapped closure notices on the villas, which were among 46 properties constructed without permits. These villas had brazenly…
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Koh Samui eyes approval of 12.1 billion baht cruise terminal
A new cruise terminal in Koh Samui, set to open in 2032, aims to significantly boost tourism in Surat Thani, Thailand, according to Deputy Caretaker Minister Manaporn Charoensri. Manaporn, along with Caretaker Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, visited Koh Samui to review the progress of major transport infrastructure projects. Suriya revealed that the ministry has several new initiatives underway to enhance…
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Koh Pha Ngan shopkeeper’s laughing gas caper goes up in smoke
A Koh Pha Ngan shopkeeper has been caught red-handed peddling balloons stuffed with nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, without a licence, and it’s no laughing matter! Rangsiman Jaisamer was busted by police in his Haad Rin shop early today, August 22, where officers discovered two cylinders of the giggly gas and a stash of balloons ready for sale.…
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Australian tourists help collect rubbish on Koh Samui (video)
A group of Australian tourists on Koh Samui became an unexpected viral sensation by helping local municipal workers collect rubbish in the early morning hours. Their enthusiastic efforts, captured on video, brought smiles and laughter to viewers, especially Thais. The incident took place yesterday at around 4am, today, August 22, when the tourists, hanging off the back of a garbage…
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Koh Samui demolishes unauthorised luxury villas on hillside
Koh Samui Municipality has demolished two luxury villas under construction without proper authorisation on a hillside in Koh Samui. The owners failed to comply with the municipality’s order to carry out the demolition themselves. Koh Samui District Chief Kampanat Klinsaowakon, alongside Colonel Dusit Kaysornkaew of the Fourth Army Region’s land investigative unit and other officials, spearheaded the operation to demolish…
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Drama, death, spirituality: The White Lotus season 3 teaser drops (video)
The first sneak peek of The White Lotus season 3 in Thailand has landed. The highly anticipated third season of Mike White’s hit murder mystery series, The White Lotus, was teased for just six seconds, but it revealed plenty. Despite production halts due to actors’ and writers’ strikes, everything is now back on track, with a 2025 release confirmed. The…
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Reporter and villa executive resolve dispute on Koh Samui
A dispute between a reporter and a luxury villa executive on Koh Samui island has been amicably resolved following a threatening incident during a construction inspection. The resolution came after both parties met to discuss the matter, leading to an apology and forgiveness. Channel 7 HD reporter, Sitthipong, was following officials from the state land intrusion problem-solving team on July…
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Speedboat collision near Koh Samui leaves one dead, two injured
Two speedboats collided near Koh Samui island last night, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The accident occurred approximately 1 nautical mile off Bo Phut in the Koh Samui district and was reported to local authorities around 8.30pm, according to Police Lieutenant Sirachat Kamunee from Bo Phut Police Station. The incident involved the Chor Chokchanita 22, operated by Funnyday…
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Controversial sea bridge to Koh Samui stirs debate
The hotly-debated sea bridge connecting the Thai mainland to the paradise island of Koh Samui is one step closer to reality. The second phase of public hearings for this ambitious project kicked off in Surat Thani province yesterday, July 15, setting the stage for a project that promises to revolutionise travel to one of Thailand’s most beloved holiday spots. Set…
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Minor earthquake shakes Koh Samui, residents feel tremors
An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.0 shook Koh Samui in the middle of the night, causing residents in Bo Phut, Koh Samui in Surat Thani to feel the tremors. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the earthquake occurred at 12.14am today, July 10, at a depth of 1 kilometre. Several residents reported feeling the tremors, including those in…
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Koh Samui’s drought nightmare vs Phuket’s flooding chaos
Koh Samui is reeling from an acute water shortage as its reservoirs are drying up amid a prolonged drought. On the neighbouring island of Phuket, residents are battling heavy rainfall and flooding. Koh Samui’s main reservoir, with a capacity of 800,000 cubic metres, is down to a mere 10%, enough to last just two weeks. The Krajood reservoir fares slightly…
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Koh Samui with Pride Icons becomes LGBTIQA+ Paradise
Koh Samui for the past week transformed into a hub for the LGBTIQAN+ community, with stars and celebrities assembling for an unforgettable celebration on Saturday night. PRIDE NATION SAMUI INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL began last Monday, with LGBTIQAN+ people travelling from around the world to join in with the festivities. Event organisers transformed Koh Samui into a place of heartfelt expression, sexual…
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HBO exec hails Koh Samui as paradise as White Lotus filming ends
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has just wrapped up filming on Koh Samui for its highly anticipated Season 3. Scott Schaeffer, HBO’s Senior Vice President for Production, hailed Thailand as a cinematic paradise, praising its natural splendour and skilled local crews. Schaeffer’s glowing endorsement came during a high-profile meeting with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Ministry…
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Thailand scoops top honours in travel awards including Koh Samui
Thailand has cemented its status as a premier travel destination, sweeping the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui has been crowned the Best Island in the Asia Pacific, while Samui Airport secured a commendable fourth place among the region’s best airports. Bangkok also emerged victorious, being named the Best City in the Asia Pacific. These accolades…
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London couple ‘blown away’ by resort-like Thai airport (video)
A couple from London were utterly blown away by the stunning design of an airport in Thailand. Their video clip on TikTok via the account @dcandkd took viewers around the airport, amassing an impressive 146,900 views since its debut on March 26. Daniel, a 32 year old content creator and songwriter, and Nakita, a 27 year old content creator and…
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Tourism in Koh Samui hampered by shortages and infrastructure
Efforts to boost tourism in the southern islands of Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are underway as the government tackles pressing issues such as water shortages and illegal businesses. Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich recently engaged with entrepreneurs from Surat Thani‘s Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan islands to address the province’s pressing tourism challenges. Koh…
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Koh Samui’s new cruise terminal project anchors big investors
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that Koh Samui’s ambitious new cruise terminal project has drawn substantial interest from investors both locally and internationally. The Ministry of Transport plans to review the outcomes of a feasibility study into the project’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment model before submitting it to the cabinet for approval. Manaporn provided an update on the project’s…
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British tourist left high and dry as hotel vanishes on Koh Samui
An idyllic Thai getaway turned into a financial nightmare for a 30 year old British tourist when he landed on Koh Samui only to discover his booked hotel was nowhere to be found. Glen Parke had his holiday dreams turn into a financial quagmire when he shelled out £282 (approximately 13,000 baht) for a 59-night stay at Lek Lek Residence…
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‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’
Maybe Thailand should rebrand its Land of Smiles moniker to the Land of Russian Crime after yet another Russian man was nabbed for criminal activity. Yesterday, a 36 year old Russian national added his name to a catalogue of former Soviet block criminals arrested for reportedly operating illegal activities. Russian Ibragim Gaitukiev was arrested for allegedly running an unauthorised cryptocurrency…
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Koh Samui sees tourism surge as summer heats up
Foreign tourists have been descending in droves on Koh Samui, Surat Thani, with local media reporting that the island’s tranquil environment and idyllic beaches are proving irresistible to visitors. Wednesday saw Bangkok Airways completely booked for 43 flights throughout the month, suggesting a daily influx of over 4,500 individuals to the popular island. Koh Samui, known for its relaxing atmosphere,…
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Koh Samui police shut down illegal beauty clinic run by foreigners
Police recently apprehended a female doctor operating an illicit beauty clinic in Koh Samui, offering dangerous treatments including blood platelet injections. The raid, conducted at 10am today, March 13, found unregistered medications and controlled substances on the premises while services were being rendered. The Immigration Bureau, along with police forces, revealed that the clandestine beauty clinic, offering various unauthorised medical…
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Thief nabs 127,000 baht worth of goods from tourists on Koh Samui
A brazen thief from Phuket got more than he bargained for when he attempted a hotel heist on Koh Samui, leaving two foreign tourists in dismay and authorities in hot pursuit. The Bo Phut Police, in a swift operation, apprehended 44 year old Prayat Lisem following reports from a distressed Polish couple, aged 32 and 30. The couple woke to…
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British woman rescued after falling from Koh Samui waterfall
Rescue teams and administrative officers yesterday successfully saved a British woman who fell from the Hin Lad Waterfall on Koh Samui island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 46 year old British woman, Hema Mantra, sought help from the Koh Samui District Office after slipping and collapsing at the waterfall. She informed officers that she felt pain in…
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Paws unite: Happy Doggo & Soi Dog tackle Asia’s strays
Happy Doggo and Soi Dog Foundation have joined forces to tackle Asia’s stray animal crisis head-on with a colossal campaign. Aimed at putting an end to the suffering of homeless animals across the continent, this ambitious initiative promises to revolutionize the fight against the stray population. Animals 24-7, jaded by seeing grandiose claims in appeals and media releases a zillion…
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Shocking escape: Aussie woman zaps back to life after electrifying encounter with deadly jellyfish near Koh Pha Ngan
An Aussie woman declared she is thankful to be alive after a bolt of “electricity had shot through her body” following a horrifying attack by some box Jellyfish near Koh Pha Ngan. The 23 year old woman from Queensland in Australia was left hospitalised for over a month after the attack and issued a cautionary message to fellow holidaymakers about the…
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Koh Samui set for tourism boost with influx of cruise liner visits
Surat Thani province’s popular resort island Koh Samui is expecting a significant boost in tourism this year, with 47 cruise liners set to dock and unload around 25,000 international travellers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). As stated by Kanokkittika Kritwuthikorn, TAT’s director for Koh Samui, the majority of these tourists will be hailing from the United States, Europe,…
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