Koh Samui has been ranked the best island in Southeast Asia in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026, surpassing destinations including Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Bali in Indonesia, based on votes from readers of the U.S.-based travel and lifestyle magazine.

Mr. Jumpot Wannachatsiri, Governor of Surat Thani Province, said that Koh Samui has once again reaffirmed its status as a world-class tourist destination after being named No. 1 in the “Best Islands” category in the Asia-Pacific region at the 2026 Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards, organized by the renowned international travel and lifestyle magazine Travel + Leisure.

Mr. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand and former President of the Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, represented the island at the award ceremony, saying the rankings reaffirm Koh Samui's reputation as a world-class destination known for its natural beauty, hospitality, and high-quality tourism infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Samui Airport was ranked the second-best airport in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore's Changi Airport. The airport is widely recognized for its open-air design, which blends with its natural surroundings, and for its passenger-friendly facilities and services.

Koh Samui also secured five spots on the magazine's list of Thailand's top 10 beach and island resorts, which Cape Fahn Hotel ranked second, followed by Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in fifth, Kimpton Kitalay Samui in seventh, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort in eighth, and Centara Reserve Samui in ninth.