BANGKOK, Thailand – Koh Samui has been ranked the top island in the Asia-Pacific region at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026, the Thai government announced on Thursday. Ploytalae Laksameesaengjan, a deputy government spokesperson, said the award reflects the island’s high-end service standards and natural attractions, reinforcing its position as a global tourism destination. Several local establishments and infrastructure projects on the island also secured top rankings in the awards. Samui International Airport was named the second-best airport in the region, behind Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Additionally, five luxury resorts on the island placed in the top 10 for the best beach and island resorts in Thailand: Cape Fahn Hotel (2nd), Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (5th), Kimpton Kitalay Samui (7th), Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort (8th), and Centara Reserve Samui (9th). The government stated it plans to continue developing island tourism with a focus on sustainable ecotourism, local income distribution, and safety, alongside infrastructure projects to improve air travel connectivity to islands in the Andaman Sea. (TNA)
