The MICHELIN Guide Is Coming To Koh Samui And Surat Thani

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, commented: “Our MICHELIN Guide inspectors found that Koh Samui and Surat Thani have many charming and interesting things to be discovered – be it natural wonders, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. From the inspectors’ point of view, the gastronomy there is unique and flavorful. There are many local dishes that cannot be found anywhere. What’s more, fresh local ingredients – especially seafood from local resources – are the key elements of the deliciousness. Apart from a wide variety of local and international cuisine offerings in its eclectic food scene, gorgeous ambiences plus the warm hospitality of the locals greatly contribute to our MICHELIN Guide inspectors’ impressive experiences.”

Sitting on the Gulf of Thailand near the mouth of the Tapi River, Surat Thani has been known as “the province of a thousand islands”, including the archipelago that constitutes Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan, Koh Tao, and the Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine National Park. Rich in natural resources, Surat Thani has become one of the major sources of food for the region and the entire country – being famous for its large oysters, river prawns, and salted duck eggs. As Surat Thani’s major tourist attraction, Koh Samui offers a broad spectrum of tourist facilities – including a great selection of both Thai and international restaurants; as well as a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from 5-star hotels, world luxury resorts, local boutique hotels, to budget-friendly alternatives.

According to Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand has been a key factor driving the growth of Thailand’s tourism sector, as local food experience creates positive image that can influence travel decisions, and also adds value to the overall travel experience. In other words, food is a soft power that inspires countless travellers to Thailand.

“After three years of the pandemic, the hotel and restaurant sectors in Koh Samui and Surat Thani started witnessing positive signs of recovery and a remarkable turnaround to its local economy. Compared to 2021, Surat Thani tourism in 2022 has reached the highest growth in the country with tourism revenue increasing more than 900 percent from a 600 percent increase of tourists year on year. This demonstrates that the destination has potential to attract quality tourists,” said Mr.Supasorn. He further added, “The inclusion of Surat Thani mainland and Koh Samui in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand’s 2024 edition is an incredible opportunity for our local dining scene to welcome more global gastronomes to discover distinctive local flavours and culinary traditions. Above all, the MICHELIN Guide will take foodies on a gastronomic adventure, more in-depth each year, across Thailand to experience the diversity and richness of Thai cuisine.”

To learn more about The MICHELIN Guide, please visit guide.michelin.com/th/en, or follow updates regarding the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition on Facebook: facebook.com/MichelinGuideThailand.