Ko Samet, Thailand — What began as a small weekend gathering among friends has grown into one of Thailand’s most beloved beach traditions. This year, over the recent long holiday weekend, more than 6,000 people flocked to Samet’s Silver Sand and Tubtim Beach for an inclusive, high-energy party that celebrates community, diversity, and the island spirit.
Mariah Carey may have been hitting the high notes in Bangkok that same weekend but Samet had its own kind of magic. Thousands chose the sand over the stage, trading concert seats for barefoot beats.
Ko Samet has long been a favorite weekend escape from Bangkok. We made it from our home to the beach in just three hours. For me, TubTim Resort is our regular spot. It’s one of those places where the staff feel like family. This weekend, the familiar became extraordinary, as travelers from Thailand and abroad came together in one of the warmest, most inclusive atmospheres I’ve ever experienced.
While there were plenty of parties and plenty of beautiful people, what really stood out was the diversity of the crowds, including local and international visitors, singles, couples, families, and allies all sharing the same space. Everyone got along spectacularly.
A Community-Driven Celebration
The Beach Party on Ko Samet Facebook group, now approaching 25,000 members, is at the heart of this event. No corporate sponsors. No giant production budgets. Just people coming together, year after year, to celebrate life on the island. In true Samet style, it also featured morning merit-making ceremonies and volunteer beach cleanups, reflecting the organizer’s shared values of respect and care for both culture and environment.
“It was never meant to be a ‘big event,’” said Thomas, a longtime contributor and group expert on the Beach Party Facebook page. “We just loved the idea of everyone coming together. And it kept growing.”
The energy spills beyond the beach, too. Dozens of influencers and KOLs shared the weekend with their audiences, filling social feeds with radiant sunsets, dance floors in the sand, and the kind of joy that doesn’t need filters. Their posts reached hundreds of thousands of viewers, showcasing Ko Samet as a destination that’s both beautiful and welcoming.
A Blueprint for Tourism
As someone who’s attended this event over the years, and is a passionate advocate of Tourism for All, I see a real tourism opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Ko Samet’s Pride weekends, held twice a year, could be the model for community-led, inclusive tourism across Thailand.
Imagine similar celebrations in Trat, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, or Songkhla, connected by rail travel and enhanced by local gastronomy. It’s the kind of experience that encourages dispersal from Bangkok, boosts local economies, and supports soft power tourism goals.
More Than a Weekend
Samet’s Pride weekend already works because it’s simple and real. With thoughtful collaboration between communities, tourism stakeholders, and local businesses, it could grow into a flagship event — improving F&B offerings, curating workshops, adding satellite parties, and creating more ways for visitors and locals to connect.
This event isn’t polished, branded, or overproduced, and that’s exactly its strength. It’s a celebration of freedom, friendship, and love on a beautiful island.
For me, it’s a glimpse of what tourism in Thailand can be when communities lead the way: inclusive, meaningful, and absolutely unforgettable.
