Editing Ko Samui (section)

==Tourism==
[[File:Bo Phut Beach Ko Samui.jpg|thumb|Tourists on Bo Phut beach]]
Sociologist Erik Cohen noted that modern tourism to Ko Samui began to pick up pace in the late 1970s.{{sfn|Cohen|1996|page=xi}} The expansion of tourism on the island has resulted in growth of building resorts, bungalows, and luxury private villas on the island. The island's total of 17,479 hotel rooms in 2013 was increased by an additional 459 new rooms in 2015. A gradual shift in demand is seeing more Asian visitors and families, but the top three source markets have been Germany, the UK, and Thailand, which contribute a combined 27 percent share. Bangkok Airways continues to modernize its fleet with new Airbuses, phasing out older ATR 72 propeller planes, which will provide 189,000 additional airline seats for Samui travelers. The airport has already increased the number of daily flights from 36 to 50.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/bangkok-airways-part-2-plans-for-further-network-fleet--partnership-portfolio-expansion-for-2016-256648|title=Bangkok Airways Part 2: Plans for further network, fleet & partnership portfolio expansion for 2016|website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>

The island received more than 2.5&nbsp;million foreign visitors in 2017, up from 2.34&nbsp;million in 2016. According to a luxury hotelier, tourists traveling to Ko Samui spend an average of 7,700 to 8,200 baht per head per day.<ref name="BP-20180706">{{cite news |last1=Sritama |first1=Suchat |title=Cape Fahn to open on private island |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1498198/cape-fahn-to-open-on-private-island |access-date=6 July 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=6 July 2018}}</ref>

{{as of|2020}}, legislators in the Thai parliament have put forward a proposal to build an {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}} bridge linking mainland [[Nakhon Si Thammarat Province]] with Ko Samui. The [[Member of parliament|MPs]] claim that the project would spur economic growth in south Thailand. They propose that—if built—it be named "Chan-o-cha" in honour of Prime Minister [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]].<ref>{{cite news |title=18km Samui bridge urged |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1849199/18km-samui-bridge-urged |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 February 2020}}</ref>

Ko Samui's tourist appeal made it a plotline of the 2000 comedy movie ''[[Meet the Parents]]'', starring [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Robert De Niro]], as well as shooting location for the [[The White Lotus season 3|third season]] of ''[[The White Lotus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/travel-preparation/white-lotus-craze-bolsters-thai-island-s-april-hotel-bookings/ar-AA1BGc8a|title='White Lotus' craze bolsters Thai island's April hotel bookings|date=26 March 2025|access-date=26 March 2025|language=en}}</ref>