Koh Samui set to become even more luxurious

The third largest island in Thailand and a tourism gold mine, Koh Samui can be described with just one word - paradise.

The first tourists to Samui were backpackers who came to enjoy its unspoilt beaches and stunning waters, now Koh Samui has transformed itself into one of Asia's leading beach destinations, and large and small luxury hotel companies are starting to claim their piece of this beautiful Island and profit from its ever increasing visitor arrivals.

Development however can often come at a price, but the local government, TAT, and local tourism operators have gone out of their way to ensure that Koh Samui remains what it has always been, an idyllic island.

Construction close to the beach is heavily restricted with no buildings being allowed within the first 10 metres of the beach, the height of buildings within the first 10 - 50 metres is restricted to 6 metres and from there no building must be higher than a palm tree. This means that when you are lying on the soft sandy beaches enjoying the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Siam, you can hardly see the bungalows and hotels at all, but instead lush greenery which leads you to believe that you are still on an untouched desert island.

An untouched desert island though Koh Samui is not, the island has expanded its airport, increased its tourist facilities and amenities rapidly over the past years. In 1997 there was approximately 6,500 rooms on the island, and today this number is a staggering 9,870 which is continuing to increase at a rapid rate.

Investment has come into Koh Samui, with McDonalds, Starbucks, Boots, Burger King and even a Lotus Tesco Super Mall setting up shop. GSM telephones can be used all around the island even when lying on the beach, so communication of all varieties is available to locals and tourists alike.

In early 2002 Koh Samui experienced a serious water shortage that meant water had to be expensively imported, the local authorities have responded to this by extending and enlarging the water reservoir, and are now looking at possibly using a water desalination plant on the island, or bringing in water from the mainland. 

The road problem has also been addressed with roads throughout the island having been widened and now a new ring road, which is expected to open first quarter 2003, is being constructed in Chaweng (the most popular beach area and entertainment heart of the Island) that will create a much needed one way system around some of the most popular entertainment and shopping areas of Samui.

Perhaps because of uncertainties or a large backpacker community, top end luxury resorts have been slow to enter this lucrative market ,and were very much outnumbered by small bungalows with attractive rates and local management. Luxury hotels in Samui presently comprise of properties such as The Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Le Royal Meridien Ban Taling Ngam, Poppies, Dusit Santiburi, The Imperial Samui Resort, The Imperial Boathouse, The White House and the Central Samui among others. 

Rumours (hence unconfirmed) tell us that this is about to change, with Ramada being rumoured to be about to sign a contract with the impressive Samui Bay View Villa & Resort at Chaweng Noi. Marriott, Royal Garden, and Four Seasons are rumoured to be looking at a development site on Laem Yai Beach and also Bophut. Aman resorts it is also believed has secured land along Bang Kao beach, Evason part of Six Senses, is believed to be looking at Haad Samron, and finally Banyan Tree are rumoured to be looking at land on Choengmon Beach.

Whether any of these rumours actually materialise into fact, only the hotel companies themselves know, but it is blatantly obvious that Samui is attracting an increased number of luxury and international hotel operators which can ultimately only benefit Samui as a whole. Whatever and whoever enters the Samui market, one thing is for sure, the future of tourism on Koh Samui is looking very bright.