International arrivals to the island of Koh Samui have returned to their pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest data from the governor of Surat Thani, who believes there’s room for even more in the months ahead.
On 24 August, provincial governor Wichawut Jinto confirmed that Koh Samui saw a major surge in July, which brought the total number of foreign arrivals back up to a level not seen since before Covid-19 shuttered the industry back in 2020.
This influx is reflected in the latest data from Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), which confirms that Koh Samui registered 2,268 flights last month, with a total of 141,454 passengers.
With an average of 74 flights per day, this makes Koh Samui the third most popular destination for travellers in Thailand, behind Bangkok and Phuket.
Together, Surat Thani and Koh Samui airports handled more than a quarter of a million passengers in July. But governor Jinto insists this is just the tip of the tourist iceberg, with current flight capacity failing to satisfy demand.
He was recently quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying that flight frequency for Koh Samui alone should be raised to 100 flights per day, as the number of arrivals in August had already reached 171,834 by the third week of the month.
Koh Samui has long been popular with domestic and international travellers, due to its combination of idyllic beaches, luxurious resorts and relaxing atmosphere. Nearby Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao are similarly popular, as they are renowned for full moon parties and scuba diving, respectively.
Koh Samui’s success is a microcosm of a wider revival. Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) recently announced that domestic travel has returned to 93% of pre-pandemic levels, and international tourism is catching up fast. With peak season just around the corner, the signs are that Thai tourism will soon reach – and possibly surpass – its former glory.
