Koh Samui reinvented: one of Thailand’s best holiday islands evolves to cater for Gen Z and digital nomads – here’s what is new

Samui has taken advantage of the tourism hiatus caused by Covid-19 to up its game, with more resorts and attractions, elevated food options, even a new hospital

Cocktail workshops, swim-up bars, co-working spaces for remote workers and an art class on the beach are just some of the things visitors can expect to enjoy

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A dining area at the Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel on Chaweng Beach, one of the new resorts on Koh Samui in Thailand. The island has taken advantage of the hiatus caused by Covid-19 to reinvent itself for tourists. Photo: Avani Chaweng

Published: 12:45pm, 5 Jun 2023Updated: 12:18am, 6 Jun 2023

Hong Kong’s favourite Thai getaway island – three-and-a-half-hours away once Bangkok Airways’ direct flights restart on July 1 – has taken advantage of the tourism hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to up its game, revamping infrastructure and reimagining its holiday attractions.

Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand 80km (50 miles) off the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, is also taking a determined step into the global spotlight. Michelin inspectors are reviewing the island’s top restaurants for inclusion in its annual guide to Thailand in 2024, while Samui is a likely location for the next series of White Lotus, HBO’s much watched black-comedy drama that follows the lives of guests and employees of a fictional resort chain.

“Essentially, Samui has used the lull in tourism over the last couple of years to pivot and take a step upmarket,” says long-time resident Alex Hammond, author of TheKohSamuiGuide.com.

“The coils of electric wires which used to blight holiday central, Chaweng, have been moved underground, roads prone to flooding have been replumbed, the ring road has been largely repaved, and it’s a darn sight easier to get around with transport apps like Grab.