Koh Samui has been named the No. 1 Best Island in the Asia-Pacific region at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026, reinforcing its position as a world-class travel destination.
On 25 June 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Lakshmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the government praises the effective management of Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province for achieving the top spot in the Best Islands category in the Asia-Pacific region at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026. This leading travel and lifestyle magazine’s recognition once again confirms Koh Samui as a world-class tourist destination, highlighting the island’s potential and readiness to welcome visitors worldwide with luxury service standards alongside its well-preserved natural charm.
Ms. Ploytale added that besides winning Best Islands, Koh Samui’s establishments and infrastructure also earned top awards at the same event: 1. Best Airports award—Samui International Airport ranked second-best in the region, only behind Singapore’s Changi Airport, showcasing its nature-integrated design and passenger convenience; 2. Best Beach + Island Resorts in Thailand—five luxury hotels and resorts on Koh Samui entered the top 10, emphasizing its status as a high-end vacation destination: 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 is committed to supporting economic growth by enhancing island tourism policies focused on distributing income to communities, sustainability, improved safety, and more convenient travel. We are advancing infrastructure projects to connect air travel to islands along the Andaman coast and promote sustainable tourism. This approach encourages island-specific eco-tourism models to preserve natural abundance and pass resources to future generations,” she stated.