Koh Samui Tourism Struggles Amid Infrastructure Challenges

[webfact]

 

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 Samui district Chief Kampanat Klinsaowakon noted a marked improvement in tourism since late last year, with a significant influx of tourists, particularly those arriving by cruise ship.

 

Tourism growth, however, is being stifled by infrastructure problems, including inadequate water supplies, road safety concerns, and traffic congestion due to the increased number of visitors.

 

 

 

President of the Koh Samui Tourism Association, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, pointed out that the island’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising number of tourists. He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year.

 

Small boats are currently employed to transfer passengers ashore, creating inconvenience and delays that impede tourism growth. He further underlines the persistent issues of water shortages and power outages that plague business operators, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

 

Koh Pha Ngan faces similar infrastructure woes, with the island also dealing with land ownership disputes and tourist safety concerns, especially during the Full Moon Party events.

 

Ratchaporn adds that many business operators in Koh Samui are still grappling with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, advocating for lower interest rates and increased access to credit.

 

Additionally, there are calls for the government to intensify efforts against illegal businesses, promote legitimate land ownership, and address nominee investment issues.

 

The concerted push to resolve these challenges aims to bolster the tourism sector, ensuring sustainable growth and improved visitor experiences in these popular Thai destinations.

 

Picture courtesy: Royal vacation

 

-- 2024-05-28

 

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[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year.

So, no pier, yet they keep coming.

Do we really need more cruise ships making the roads more busy (tour bus conveys) and using up more local resources?

Edited May 28 by Tropicalevo

[lom]

44 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

So, no pier, yet they keep coming.

Do we really need more cruise ships making the roads more busy (tour bus conveys) and using up more local resources?

Samui businesses needs all customers they can get and if they stay on the cruise ships because the trip from ship to shore is too long or inconvenient then it is a lost income for them.

As retirees we may see the tourists with a different eye than the business owners but I think we have to accept that the tourists are needed..

[crazykopite]

How about the defunct car ferry from Koh Phangan to Samui that alone must have an effect on the local economy.As there is no longer a car ferry I’ve had to resort to online shopping via Lazada the last time I was in Samui was two years ago but with no warning the daily car ferry was stopped and has not been reinstated WHY !

[ronster]

There might not be such a water problem if they put a stop to the non stop construction of development's everywhere that can't be sold or sit empty due to crazy rental prices !

All owned by who and through what means I would assume are not compliant with regulations.

Amount of water to make the concrete etc for the villas , then watering lawns to keep them looking good and constantly topping up pools must use a lot of water.

[Neilly]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, pointed out that the island’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising number of tourists. He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year.

 

How about fixing/replacing the rubbish incinerator, sorting out the lack of water and the sketchy electricity supply before worrying about cruise ships? 🤔

[CFCol]

Traffic congestion, yet the government wants to build a bridge so that even more vehicles can come onto the island!!!.

[animatic]

 

“Additionally, there are calls for the government to intensify efforts against illegal businesses, promote legitimate land ownership, and address nominee investment issues.”

 

Not one single tourist cares about any of this. Only Thais not wanting to share any profits with investors are on about this stuff. It’s had zero effect on tourism.

 

• Fix the trash incinerator by any means,

• Build a large water purification plant.

• Clamp down on taxi and transport gouging

[Doc Undies]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

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 Samui district Chief Kampanat Klinsaowakon noted a marked improvement in tourism since late last year, with a significant influx of tourists, particularly those arriving by cruise ship.

 

Tourism growth, however, is being stifled by infrastructure problems, including inadequate water supplies, road safety concerns, and traffic congestion due to the increased number of visitors.

 

 

 

President of the Koh Samui Tourism Association, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, pointed out that the island’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising number of tourists. He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year.

 

Small boats are currently employed to transfer passengers ashore, creating inconvenience and delays that impede tourism growth. He further underlines the persistent issues of water shortages and power outages that plague business operators, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

 

Koh Pha Ngan faces similar infrastructure woes, with the island also dealing with land ownership disputes and tourist safety concerns, especially during the Full Moon Party events.

 

Ratchaporn adds that many business operators in Koh Samui are still grappling with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, advocating for lower interest rates and increased access to credit.

 

Additionally, there are calls for the government to intensify efforts against illegal businesses, promote legitimate land ownership, and address nominee investment issues.

 

The concerted push to resolve these challenges aims to bolster the tourism sector, ensuring sustainable growth and improved visitor experiences in these popular Thai destinations.

 

Picture courtesy: Royal vacation

 

-- 2024-05-28

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

So where does all the revenue from tourist dollars go? Surely there is money to fix these issues.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

Infrastructure challenges.

[Roo Island]

Just spent a few months there deciding if it was a good place to live. I've been many times before but not with an eye towards living there.

 

Lamai beach has serious problems with tar balls. A walk on the beach and the bottom of your feet are black. We also had no water in the hotel several times and when we did it was brackish. Horrible.

 

Traffic is crazy. They drive like maniacs and the smaller roads are terrible.

 

Decided not a place to live full time. Too many infrastructure problems and too expensive. But still a great place for a short beach holiday.

[BadSpottedDog]

7 minutes ago, Roo Island said:

Just spent a few months there deciding if it was a good place to live. I've been many times before but not with an eye towards living there.

 

Lamai beach has serious problems with tar balls. A walk on the beach and the bottom of your feet are black. We also had no water in the hotel several times and when we did it was brackish. Horrible.

 

Traffic is crazy. They drive like maniacs and the smaller roads are terrible.

 

Decided not a place to live full time. Too many infrastructure problems and too expensive. But still a great place for a short beach holiday.

Good decision. We lived on Samui for 2 years. Almost got hit head on more than once by those crazy white tourist vans overtaking on a blind hill or curve. They are paid by the load, so they go as fast as they can, and are a huge problem. We moved to the mainland as a result of this.

Start enforcing traffic laws with police that will actually pull over moving violators! Traffic stops for inspection to check license and registration do absolutely NOTHING to improve the safety of the roads! Maybe consider actually pulling people over who are being dangerous and breaking traffic laws? We've never seen this happen anywhere in Thailand.

This is our 9th year here and haven't seen any improvement with all of the suggestions mentioned in the comments.

[cardinalblue]

Coming away with tar on one’s feet is not acceptable after a beach walk…

 

some people have standards/expectations and others don’t 

[khunPer]

Cruise ship tourists only stays on the island a few hours, but makes a lot of traffic problems on a road system that is already overloaded. No hotels and resorts gain anything from cruise ship, and the guests will be back onboard for dinner cruise along Phangan Island towards next destination.

 

Surat Thani-province stated earlier this year that tourism was all time high – and tourism in Surat Thani is mainly the island Samui, Phangan and Tao – and as the article clearly says, the infra structure already suffers. I know it's unpopular by some when saying it, but higher tourist income is to focus on "quality tourists" – those that can afford to spend money – rather than budget mass tourism.

 

And of course still solve the major problems: Garbage – not only incinerator problems, but as well the visual bad looking and smelly garbage deposits on main roads – water, electricity and not to forget taxis that shall be using their meter. For the latter, the price is not the most important – let the taxi-drivers earn a fair living – but eliminate the the often rip-off negotiations about the cost of the ride; it a (very) bad feeling for tourists, even the negotiated price might be close to a fair cost.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, lom said:

Samui businesses needs all customers they can get and if they stay on the cruise ships because the trip from ship to shore is too long or inconvenient then it is a lost income for them.

That is true, businesses in Nathon are winners if the tourists do not go on tours.

But tourists' tours are taken to very few businesses. They tend to be well 'controlled'. Certainly that was true before Covid.

It was the same with Chinese tour groups.

 

[terryofcrete]

Ridiculous airfares and Taxi Mafia are the reasons I am now avoiding Samui

[Ulyssesamui]

This is a factual report that does highlight the problems here on Samui. Water shortages are commonplace; this situation can only worsen with unrestrained development. A new multi-million flood alleviation scheme merely puts flood waters into the sea instead of harvesting the water, an opportunity missed in my opinion. Road safety is a major concern and can be laid firmly at the door of hideously lousy road conditions with subsidence caused by low-quality repairs. and sand on corners. Finally, rubbish collection hardly exists, so piles of rotting rubbish dumped at the side of the road are commonplace. Development must be constrained; concete does not help fill the shale water resource and more villas, more water usage and more road damage from overuse. Having said that, I do detect a positive effort by the Mayor to address some of these shortcomings. But I still love Samui.

[AhFarangJa]

Someone mentioned in a post that where is all the money from previous years of tourism to re-invest in the infrastructure. It is a simple answer, that is commonplace all over the Country, it has gone into the pockets of the people running the place. Wherever you go there is hardly ever any re-investment, they just grab what they can while it is available, as tomorrow is another day. Same with maintenance, foresight, future planning. It is simply not in their mindset. Now the hens are coming home to roost.

[lom]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

I know it's unpopular by some when saying it, but higher tourist income is to focus on "quality tourists" – those that can afford to spend money – rather than budget mass tourism.

We don't have to be too concerned about the quality of one-day tourists, they don't use a lot of water or electricity and neither I in Chaweng or Tropicalevo in the pointy end will see much of them. They mainly stay in southern Samui and are probably a gifted addition to the income for many businesses down there.One-day tourists are only quantity tourist.

Samui could do though with a higher quality of long-staying foreigners, they/we are the ones putting a burden on Samui's infrastructure.

[Thingamabob]

How things have changed. Went to Samui for the first time in 1980 with my wife. No bars, no roads. Rented two hammocks by the beach for 10 baht each. Paradise. 

[khunPer]

44 minutes ago, lom said:

We don't have to be too concerned about the quality of one-day tourists, they don't use a lot of water or electricity and neither I in Chaweng or Tropicalevo in the pointy end will see much of them. They mainly stay in southern Samui and are probably a gifted addition to the income for many businesses down there.One-day tourists are only quantity tourist.

Samui could do though with a higher quality of long-staying foreigners, they/we are the ones putting a burden on Samui's infrastructure.

Thanks for point of view. But if you read my comment again, they wou'll see that I didn't mention cruise visitors as users of electricity, hotel pools and water; I said the opposite. However, they use traffic – i.e the roads and vehicles – as they are moved around the island on one day sight seeing and shopping tours; and it's not only in the southern part, as that area is without Big Buddha, Plai Laem Temple and shopping facilities.

 

And yes, there might be some or a number of budget long stayers, but those that can afford all the available luxury apartments and villas – which is the kind of villa that Tropicalevo to my knowledge handles – can normally also afford to pay the costs of infrastructure.

 

How much do you contribute/pay for your garbage collection?

From where do you get your water?

Are you concerned about your electricity use in peak periods and switch off not necessary units?

 

Some of us longstayers actually brings money in to the nation and also pay little tax in Thailand, apart from v.a.t...

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

And yes, there might be some or a number of budget long stayers, but those that can afford all the available luxury apartments and villas – which is the kind of villa that Tropicalevo to my knowledge handles – can normally also afford to pay the costs of infrastructure.

 

How much do you contribute/pay for your garbage collection?

From where do you get your water?

Are you concerned about your electricity use in peak periods and switch off not necessary units?

 

Some of us longstayers actually brings money in to the nation and also pay little tax in Thailand, apart from v.a.t...

Very good khunPer. As usual, you are correct in your comments.

As you know, garbage collections are my pet complaint on this site.

I have highlighted your question on this one. Garbage collection on Samui is not free.

If people are not paying the tax, then they are probably dumping their garbage illegally.

We do tend work on the developments that were mostly meant for holiday rentals.

All of my customers pay a garbage fee to us. We then take the garbage to an area that we pay rent for, where the local Tessabaan will collect. (They refuse to come to where we are.)

We have registered the customers that pay us at the Tessabaan and every month, their man comes and collects the money from us.

 

Our water mostly comes from water trucks that we pay for. None of the places where we work are on the government supply system. Some of us have paid 200,000 to 300,000 baht to drill a private well.

 

Next, electricity. Most of us have solar panels, it is crazy not to in Thailand. Especially when the developer where I live charges almost 10 baht per KWH

 

Regarding taxes, we pay company taxes, VAT, as well as social security and income tax for ALL staff. My Land and House tax this year is 14,043 baht.

 

Yes, the seven villa developments that we work with, do use a lot of water and electricity. But they pay lots of money to the local economy for that privilege.

[paul1804]

6 hours ago, animatic said:

 

 

“Additionally, there are calls for the government to intensify efforts against illegal businesses, promote legitimate land ownership, and address nominee investment issues.”

 

Not one single tourist cares about any of this. Only Thais not wanting to share any profits with investors are on about this stuff. It’s had zero effect on tourism.

 

• Fix the trash incinerator by any means,

• Build a large water purification plant.

• Clamp down on taxi and transport gouging

And fix the street pavements, install public toilets in tourist areas, get the RTP off their backsides to stop illegal parking causing traffic hazards and so on!

[DonniePeverley]

When they panicked and stopped visa fees for INdians and Chinese, not only did they lose massive revenue, but they've also not implemented the infrustructure needed to accomodate so many tourists. 

 

As a result you get very low quality tourists who are prepared to put up with that. 

 

High class tourists will avoid these sort of destinations. 

 

What happened to a reset and attraction high class tourists ?

[DonniePeverley]

3 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

Ridiculous airfares and Taxi Mafia are the reasons I am now avoiding Samui

 

 

The airfares are probably one of the reason it hasn't descended into total carnage, instead of standard carnage. 

[paul1804]

5 hours ago, BadSpottedDog said:

Good decision. We lived on Samui for 2 years. Almost got hit head on more than once by those crazy white tourist vans overtaking on a blind hill or curve. They are paid by the load, so they go as fast as they can, and are a huge problem. We moved to the mainland as a result of this.

Start enforcing traffic laws with police that will actually pull over moving violators! Traffic stops for inspection to check license and registration do absolutely NOTHING to improve the safety of the roads! Maybe consider actually pulling people over who are being dangerous and breaking traffic laws? We've never seen this happen anywhere in Thailand.

This is our 9th year here and haven't seen any improvement with all of the suggestions mentioned in the comments.

"Tourism Association, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, pointed out that the island’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising number of tourists. He highlights how Koh Samui lacks a cruise ship pier despite over 40 cruise ships scheduled to visit this year"

 

So the infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the current visitor numbers yet the president wants to build a cruise ship terminal which would likely attract more cruise ships putting and even greater strain on existing infrastructure. These guys just dont see how improved infrastructure will cope better with more tourists, the past revenue from tourism has been squandered by those in higher places and will continue to be the case until there is some accountability and thats not going to happen any time soon! So given the status quo Samui and the Islands needs to a attract a better quality of tourist and not quantity!!! Put a stop to all the frantic construction and fix the basic amenities, electricity, water, garbage and road safety probably being the most pressing! Oh and road safety includes sorting out the Taxi mafia and the lunatic drivers, Thai & Farang!! 

 

 

[spidermike007]

This is nothing new, I left Samui over 9 years ago due to massive traffic congestion issues, insane recklessness on the roads, overpricing and a multitude of other issues that are likely to never be addressed. Waste Management is another one, and the list just goes on and on and on.

 

I enjoy visiting once in awhile but I'm sure glad I don't live there anymore. 

 

Sometimes the entire Island felt like a dish rag used in the kitchen of a restaurant, that had been rung out 500 too many times, and nobody ever bothered to replace it. 

[Almer]

It isn't struggling it has a positive problem, if you continually take out without putting back in you will have a problem, business government the lot keep taking out not realising for there bucks people want service and not continually be scammed, this is a typical Thai issue, only thinking of today. 

 

[Thumbs]

Koh Tao has bigger problems, when you have the nickname of death island then you have bigger things to worry about

[lom]

14 hours ago, khunPer said:

How much do you contribute/pay for your garbage collection?

100 Baht a month which is for 1 garbage bag per 2-3 weeks. Dogs, chickens and compost get food remains, and we recycle plastic bottles, metal cans and cardboard letting the grand children do the sorting and bagging and then getting whatever money the scrapyard pays for it.

We could have given it to the local garbage collector but it is a good lesson for the grand children in the value of recycling.

14 hours ago, khunPer said:

From where do you get your water?

Our own well.

 

14 hours ago, khunPer said:

Are you concerned about your electricity use in peak periods and switch off not necessary units?

No, we have a solar system, we are almost 100% self sufficient.  We typically buy 15-20 units from the grid monthly , so far this month we are 10 days into the billing period with 0 units purchased..

14 hours ago, khunPer said:

Some of us longstayers actually brings money in to the nation and also pay little tax in Thailand, apart from v.a.t...

You are not unique in that aspect. Even the mountain side villa owners with their pools condensing out water in the heat has brought in a lot of money and I think they are a much bigger problems for Samui's infrastructure than 20-30 cruice ships one-day tourist a year.