Panic in Thailand as beautiful island overwhelmed by 10,000 tourists a day

Following the release of HBO's , tourism numbers in Thailand have surged, sparking concern over overtourism and the environmental impact. This wave of tourism has led the country to implement a new online digital arrival card from May 1 called the Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), the Tourism Authority of said. The that has been particularly affected by an increase in visitors is the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island know for its stunning white-sand beaches lined with endless palm trees, dense rainforests, stunning waterfalls and now the film location of The White Lotus's third season.

The island of just 88.3 square miles has seen a massive increase in visitors with a 28% surge in foreign arrivals to the island compared to the same period last year, according to government statistics. The island has seen a massive shift in recent years, going from being primarily a fishing village to a major luxury travel destination but its popularity is now raising concerns over pollution as well as waste management and water resources on the island.

Way before season 3 of the hit series even came out, the island was already experience about 10,000 visitors per day in 2023, all packed on a 88.3 square mile island.

After season 3 was filmed in the iconic Four Seasons hotel of Koh Samui, the island saw a further 88% increase in internet searches and a 44% rise in hotel reservations, Bangkok Post reported.

However, the rapid growth of tourism in Koh Samui poses a risk of overwhelming the island, which is already facing issues like water shortages and waste management problems.

Dr Kannapa Pongponrat Chieochan, an assistant professor at Thammasat University who is from Koh Samui, previously said: "The local authority and the local Samui community need to sit and really seriously talk about how we deal with it, and how to balance these things.

She added: "Since tourism rapidly developed without proper infrastructure planning and environmental management, Samui is facing critical problems in terms of waste management and water resources."

Plans for a cruise terminal in 2029 and an airport expansion are reportedly underway, along with a second water pipeline to meet the growing demand and the government has implemented measures such as the 2015 Marine and Coastal Resources Management Act and the 2014 "Save Water, Save Samui" campaign.

A roadmap for plastic waste management also aims to reduce plastic use and increase recycling but experts argue that enforcement of these laws is weak highlighting the need for stronger enforcement, and have said that many local environmental efforts lack government support.