As you might know, Koh Samui is an island located in the Chumphon Archipelago in Thailand Gulf. This is about 700 km south of Bangkok and 80 km from the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand. This is one of the most attractive destinations in Southeast Asia for welcoming New Year 2025.
NYE Parties
For your romantic Eve, make sure to book a glam New Year’s night out, whether in your own hotel or elsewhere. Options include early dinner with ongoing drinks or parties starting closer to midnight. Many restaurants have set menu dinners for NYE (obviously at steeper, special occasion prices) and you must book in advance.
Most years, every seat on every plane to Koh Samui is booked for NYE – meaning the island’s restaurants are just as full. Restaurants attached to hotels may give preference to their own guests, and some (cough-Four-Seasons-cough) shut to outside patrons entirely.
If you want a party with a capital P, central Chaweng – as usual – will meet your needs. A raucous affair with celebrity DJs, a Chaweng New Year goes well into January 1st. If you’re staying within a resort on Chaweng, you’ll be happy and busy at your own party.
At different ends of the budget and at opposite corners of Koh Samui, you’ll find big New Year beach parties at Nikki Beach and on Chaweng Beach at and around Ark Bar. You’ll want to reserve your spot at the former in advance. If you are staying elsewhere, consider transport – the resort is a long way from Samui’s busy bits.
NYE fireworks
Do you love NYE fireworks? Rule of thumb: the bigger the beach, the bigger the fireworks. However, they’re very freely available so tiny bungalow resorts will probably have a few. Whether you’ll be on a beach at midnight, or somewhere with a view – Koh Samui’s New Year fireworks are great. Once the pyrotechnics finish, the evening gives way to a quieter practice: khom lhoy, or Thai floating lanterns.
Set them off together as a couple, with your whole family, or with new friends (last year our whole hotel joined in together – staff and guests swapping lantern techniques). It’s meant as a way to send wishes skyward; a beautiful way to start a new year, even for cynics.
Hotels for NYE
Most booked hotels for NYE stays in Koh Samui are listed below:
- Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa
- Hotel Tongsai Bay
- Banyan Tree Samui
- W Retreat Koh Samui
- Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand
- Melati Beach Resort & Spa
- Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa
- Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort
- Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui
- InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort
If you are planning to discover the New Years Eve in Thailand, early booking is highly recommended.