In light of the military coup, are travellers able to be covered by their annual travel insurance policies? If not, then that's bound to have a negative effect?

It would be interesting to see the Jan - July 2014 stats for other beach tourism hotspots such as Phuket and Hua Hin.

That way, we would have a better picture if the drop in numbers quoted in the OP is specific to Sumui, or reflects a broader issue across Thailand.

I loved the atmosphere of Sumui back in the 1990's, but, for me, the island is now over-developed and has exceeded critical mass.

It is like a pretty girl who wears too much make-up.

Problem lies with, Bangkok air monopoly, flights cost too much, where u can fly so cheaply elsewhere...

Mum just told me friends of her wanted to fly to Samui in September, they changed their plans for Krabi after they noticed the flight costs to Samui are a total of 600 Euros higher for a family of 4.

Problem lies with, Bangkok air monopoly, flights cost too much, where u can fly so cheaply elsewhere...

Mum just told me friends of her wanted to fly to Samui in September, they changed their plans for Krabi after they noticed the flight costs to Samui are a total of 600 Euros higher for a family of 4.

Meet many people from Europe that fly into Samui, and they think the price is reasonable .... perhaps more checking on Airlines and prices, cos that seems high ..... ???

As for going to Krabi in September.... it's still rainy season over that way.... better bring the umbrellas!

Look at second page here! expected rainfall here is much less!

http://www.tmd.go.th/programs%5Cuploads%5Cforecast%5C2014-06-27_Seasonal_EN_142127.pdf

All this ongoing arguments about Bangkok Air…

Yes, the mileage rate is high, but it’s a business. Bangkok Air is part of Samui being such a success as a tourist destination. They took a change back in the 80’ies, when there was no airport at the island, invested in an airfield from the own money and created another part of tourism than the backpackers coming with the coconut boat. They have a limited number of allowed operations per day, and as long as they can fill the planes at the price they ask, they will do so – when not, the price may go down; that’s how free enterprise works. They took the risk and now they gain the profit…

Those who want to fly cheap to Samui can take a budget carrier to Surat Thani and bus and ferry – not that different from getting to for example Koh Chang…

And looking at the number of visitors, it has gone up-up-up in average over the years, so has the number and size of aircrafts; there cannot be a decline due to high Bangkok Air prices.

All those talking about Samui being spoiled and overcrowded shall be overwhelming happy for Bangkok Air and their price policy – what would Samui be like with a second airport, budget flights, and loads of package “lower end” tourists from bunches of cheap charter flights; more like Phuket…?

what would Samui be like with a second airport, budget flights, and loads of package “lower end” tourists from bunches of cheap charter flights; more like Phuket…?

It will only be for people trying to make money, normal long term stayer will have no place here.