Thailand – Koh Samui

Frans Vandenbosch 方腾波 18/11/2025

Shanghai – Bangkok – Koh Samui

After all our travels in China, this is the last part of our long journey through Asia. We have moved from the bustling, modern metropolis of Shanghai, via the lively centre of Bangkok, to the tropical paradise of Koh Samui.

Koningin-moeder Sirikit is overleden.

Thailand is in a period of deep mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the beloved Queen Mother, on 24 October. As the wife of the respected King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of the current king, she was a beloved matriarch who dedicated her life to preserving culture and charitable work. The Thai people’s devotion to their monarchy is exceptional and rooted in a unique blend of history and religion, making it more than just an institution, but a sacred pillar of national identity. In a collective expression of this reverence, the public participates in sombre memorial gatherings. As a sign of respect, bars and entertainment venues respectfully lower their music volume. This collective silence reflects the deep love and gratitude for the Queen, who leaves behind a legacy that will forever remain intertwined with Thailand.

Rainy season in Thailand

The rainy season on the east coast of southern Thailand usually begins between November and December and brings heavy rainfall every day. These intense tropical storms often occur in the afternoon, but mornings can still be clear and sunny. The season transforms the landscape into a lush, vibrant green, but also causes local flooding and disrupts travel plans.

Fireworks on the beach

Spectacular! On Bophut Beach on the island of Koh Samui.

Video link: https://dai.ly/x9tm8sa

Tourists

Compared to previous years, I see fewer Western tourists on the beaches in Thailand. The familiar faces from the West are now outnumbered by visitors from Russia, South-East Asia, and especially China.

The beach

A stranger on the shore. Video link: https://dai.ly/x9tm9x8

The trees of Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a living botanical treasure where some of nature’s most extraordinary trees flourish in the tropical warmth of southern Thailand. As visitors wander around the island, they encounter the magnificent banyan tree with its dramatic aerial roots forming natural architecture, the screw palm with its distinctive geometric fruits, and the remarkable cannonball tree adorned with spherical fruits growing directly from the trunk. These are not species found in ordinary temperate gardens, but tropical wonders that have evolved over millennia to thrive in the humid climate of Southeast Asia. Each tree is a fascinating example of botanical adaptation, from the banyan tree’s strategy of creating support pillars to the unusual flower formation of the cannonball tree that fascinates plant lovers around the world. In addition to its pristine beaches and beautiful sunsets, Koh Samui offers an open-air botanical collection where every walk is an opportunity to discover some of the most intriguing plant species in the world.

1 Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis)
2 Pandanus tree, also known as screw palm or pandan tree.
3 Cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis)! It is one of the most unusual and impressive tropical trees.

Fuel costs

Diesel 33.10 THB/litre               0.88 EUR/litre
Petrol 95  34.21 THB/litre       0.91 EUR/litre

Fuel prices in Thailand are considerably lower than in Europe. This is mainly due to government intervention and a significantly different approach to taxation.

Samui Real

My trips to China became a cherished tradition. After China, I always extended my trip to the beautiful coast of Koh Samui in Thailand to visit my friends from the SamuiReal organisation: Patrick, Eamon, Dennis and the entire community of Western political refugees who had found their paradise in southern Thailand.

Thai food

The vibrant flavours of Thai cuisine are simply unrivalled. I constantly crave the aromatic heat of Tom Yum Goong, the soothing richness of Tom Kha Gai, the green herbs of Gaeng Keow Wan and the comforting depth of Khao Soi. However, my greatest weakness is any dish with the citrusy notes of lemongrass or the luxurious creaminess of coconut milk.

Next week we will conclude our journey through Asia.

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Dit artikel in het Nederlands: Azië-reis 2025 – deel 10