Over 2,000 Tourists Left Koh Samui by Plane in High Waves

Over 2,000 tourists left Koh Samui by plane in a single day in December 2022, while huge waves were wreaking havoc on Thailand's waters. The waves were up to 4 metres high in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. Boats were banned from leaving ports on Koh Samui, and a total of 2,400 tourists left the island by plane.

Boats banned, travellers switched to flights

People leaving the island had to change their plans. Instead of taking the ferry, they left with Bangkok Airways from Samui International Airport.

Red flags were posted on many of Koh Samui's beaches, which also affected short-term villa rentals and the wider holiday rental market on the island. Ferries and all other boats were also banned from leaving ports in Surat Thani, The Phuket Express reported.

A cruise ship had arrived only days before

Just days earlier, officials had been optimistic about the recovering tourism sector as another cruise ship arrived in Koh Samui. The arrival of the Mein Schiff 5 cruise liner had Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressing his happiness, as Koh Samui was to welcome nearly 2,500 European travellers for a one-day visit.

The Mein Schiff 5 was only the second cruise liner to stop in Koh Samui since the pandemic. The first one had arrived on November 27 to great fanfare.

The cruise industry was hit hard by the Covid pandemic. The tight quarters and poor ventilation on board ships made it one of the first industries to suffer from an airborne virus. At the time of this report, cruises were finally beginning to pick up again worldwide.

Advice for visitors during the bad weather

With huge waves across the Gulf of Thailand, the hope was that there would not be too many interruptions to people's plans to travel by boat. Tourists were advised to stay updated on the latest developments and to consult local authorities and experts about travel safety and any possible restrictions.

For visitors who stayed on the island, a private villa offered a comfortable and safe place to wait for better weather. Despite the temporary setback caused by the waves, Koh Samui's villa rental market and the tourism industry as a whole were expected to recover as the situation improved.

If you are planning a stay on the island, you can see our villas for rent in Koh Samui.