Koh Samui gears up for wellness tourism

WITH the opening of a new hospital on Koh Samui over the weekend, Surat Thani authorities announced that it is now ready launch Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan as a wellness destination, Naewna newspaper said today (Feb. 19)

Provincial Governor Mr. Wichawut Jinto joined Dr. Somchai Chansawang, CEO of Wattanapat Hospital Trang Plc, and other senior officials in opening this 53-bed hospital on Koh Samui.

With the new addition, Koh Samui now has five hospitals and altogether 380 beds. Wattanapat Hospital has a team of specialists in various fields, modern medical equipment and a referral system to more advanced hospitals.

As wellness tourism is now growing larger worldwide Wichawut said this is a very good opportunity for all three popular tourist islands to tap into the expanding segment. They have a range of services to offer including health resorts, spas, health restaurants, weight loss, beauty and anti-aging centres as well as preventive, traditional Thai and alternative medicine available with Koh Samui now well-placed to meet the demands of this category of tourists.

He added that tourists attach importance to the safety of life and assets but more importantly their health. Koh Samui, aside from offering quality tourism amid beautiful nature, places equal importance to the well-being and safety of tourists.

Last year with the help of Covid-19 pandemic easing over one million tourists visited these three islands. The goal this year is to boost arrivals two to three times of last year’s total.

Dr. Somchai, Wattanapat hospital group’s CEO, said the newly-opened hospital will cooperate with the authorities in positioning the three islands as a wellness destination.

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Top and Front Page: Tourists arriving at Koh Samui.

Insert: A ward at Koh Samui’s new Wattanapat Hospital.

Below: Dignitaries attending the opening of Wattanapat Hospital on Koh Samui. Photos: Naewna