At a press conference at Peninsula Bangkok today, the great Bibendum unveiled that the next spots in Thailand set for the Michelin Guide 2024: Surat Thani and Koh Samui. 

 

Koh Samui and Surat Thani aren’t the first southern Thailand areas to be featured in the guide. Phuket and Phang Nga entered the guide in 2019, followed by Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, and finally Isaan in 2023. The first Michelin guide in Thailand, dropping in 2018, featured Bangkok.  

 

International director of the Michelin guides Gwendal Poullenec could not be present for the ceremony in Bangkok, but sent a video message to the event saying, “More than ever, our inspectors are amazed by the wonderful diversity of the Thai culinary culture and the wonderful dynamism of the local restaurant…This is why we are grateful to reveal that the Michelin Guide extends to Surat Thani and Koh Samui.”

 

Gwendal Poullenec pointed out that Surat Thani, which contains several famous islands such as Koh Phangnan and Khao Sok National Park, is home to “a wide range of authentic natural produces” such as Surat Thani oysters, river prawn from the Tapi river, and salted duck eggs. 

 

Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island is home to several well-known fine dining hotels and restaurants, is an obvious choice considering the breadth of high end hotels that have popped up on the island in the last decade. 

 

The news of the Thailand Michelin entry comes just weeks after Bangkok’s Le Du claimed the top spot at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.