Cruise Tourism Poised for Expansion with Koh Samui Terminal

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File photo for reference only

 

In a major boost for Thailand's tourism industry, the government has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art cruise terminal on Koh Samui, aiming to bolster the island’s economy by catering to the rising influx of international cruise visitors.

 

Government Spokesman Jirayu Houngsub revealed the plans on Sunday during his visit to Surat Thani, highlighting the project's strategic importance. This development follows the cabinet's approval, secured during a session in Songkhla last month, underscoring a concerted effort to enhance infrastructure and economic prospects in the southern region.

 

The current port facilities in Don Sak district are already operational, managing tourist vessels to Koh Samui. However, the forthcoming cruise terminal promises a substantial upgrade, with construction scheduled to commence in 2029 and an anticipated completion by 2032.

 

The terminal, set to be constructed over 47 rai at Laem Hin Khom in tambon Taling Ngam, about 15 kilometres from the district centre, will feature a pier capable of accommodating two large cruise ships simultaneously. These vessels will boast passenger capacities of 4,000 and 2,500 respectively.

 

"The government is committed to improving infrastructure in the southern region to stimulate economic growth, boost tourism, and ensure sustainable resource management," stated Mr Jirayu, underscoring the broader vision behind the development.

Local officials, including Chatchai Manee, acting mayor of Koh Samui, and Adul Raluekmoon, director of the Koh Samui Regional Marine Office, accompanied Mr Jirayu, providing updates on the island’s drainage, sewage systems, and the land expropriation process for the new terminal.

 

Encouragingly, local residents have reportedly expressed support for the project, with compensation plans in place for those affected by the expropriation.

 

The ambitious project comes with a projected cost of 12.172 billion Thai Baht and is expected to have a lifespan of 30 years. The terminal will support an estimated 120 cruise routes annually, generating at least 8 billion Thai Baht in revenue.

 

The Transport Ministry foresees that the terminal will significantly elevate Koh Samui's status as a top-tier international cruise destination.

 

With the foundation set for long-term tourism development, Koh Samui stands ready to embrace its role as a key player in the global cruise market, promising economic prosperity for the island and beyond, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-10

 

 

[flyingtlger]

Sadly, Koh Samui will never be the same 😥....

[JoePai]

Were we not told Koh Samui infrastructure was not up to the task with the number of 'tourists' already ? 

 

[phetphet]

Lovely. If two boats arrive on the same day that will be over six thousand tourists arriving. Imagine all the minibuses waiting to take them for their day trip around the island.

Bangrak is a nightmare with them rushing to either pick up or drop off for the speedboats going to Koh Phangan. God knows what that will be like.

 

Now all we need is the much talked about bridge.

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

54 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Lovely. If two boats arrive on the same day that will be over six thousand tourists arriving. Imagine all the minibuses waiting to take them for their day trip around the island.

Bangrak is a nightmare with them rushing to either pick up or drop off for the speedboats going to Koh Phangan. God knows what that will be like.

 

Now all we need is the much talked about bridge.

They have already started exploratory drilling for the bridge.

 

We have noticed that when there is a cruise ship in these days, Grab and Bolt are useless and even our regular group of taxis are difficult to hire if not pre booked.

Hopefully, I will be a pile of ashes when both of these are actually finished.

It certainly will be 'tricky' living here with those amounts of traffic.

Here in Plai Laem, we know when there is a cruise ship in when the small convoy of coaches arrive at the temple.

(They take up all of the parking there!)

The crazy thing is that there are not enough vans and taxis for that volume of people, but if they bring more to the island, there will be too many when the ships have gone.

We already have four Grab cars/vans parked permanently at the entrance of the development where I live.

They are there more often than when they are driving.

They have even set up a small camp under the trees with chairs and a table.

 

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-ko-samui-thailand-2025.html

[phetphet]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

They have already started exploratory drilling for the bridge.

 

We have noticed that when there is a cruise ship in these days, Grab and Bolt are useless and even our regular group of taxis are difficult to hire if not pre booked.

Hopefully, I will be a pile of ashes when both of these are actually finished.

It certainly will be 'tricky' living here with those amounts of traffic.

Here in Plai Laem, we know when there is a cruise ship in when the small convoy of coaches arrive at the temple.

(They take up all of the parking there!)

The crazy thing is that there are not enough vans and taxis for that volume of people, but if they bring more to the island, there will be too many when the ships have gone.

We already have four Grab cars/vans parked permanently at the entrance of the development where I live.

They are there more often than when they are driving.

They have even set up a small camp under the trees with chairs and a table.

 

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-ko-samui-thailand-2025.html

It's big money for the minibus drivers. A van full of tourists who want to see the island, but only a short time to do it. So the van drivers get booked for the whole day. 

I have a friend who drives his own minibus. I cannot book him when the cruise ships are in.

 

When they finish that bridge, I think it will be time for me to move elsewhere. Once the pandemic finished, the island changed, and not for the better. It is far busier  than it ever was, and the infrastructure here can't handle it as it is. Let alone the numbers that will come with a direct land link.

[ronster]

Don't really benefit most of the island as they are taken to same places over and over and rushed onto the next one before back on the ship .

Not to mention the F1 minivan races that will be happening everywhere at Mach 3 !!

[factual monk]

I wish Thai authorities can invest in development of agriculture and other economic sectors... rather than just rely on tourism... so that the people get better jobs and have some economic well being. The other day, I was seeing on CNA, a program on Thailand economy... I was shocked... 

As of September 2024, Thailand's household debt was 92% of the country's GDP...

rather than just focusing on casinos or cruise tours or tourism... they need to focus on other ways to generate jobs. Because in a decades time, Vietnam and other countries will take over Thailand in terms of tourism... 

over tourism is bound to have a very significant negative impact on the natural resources of Thailand...